Dear Family,
Taking a few days off, without phones, Internet or other contact to the outside world can be great for your spirits. It would also be terrific if you could go outside and romp in the sunshine, take long walks at sunset, and see an amazing view of the stars. If only! We found THE perfect campground in Los Padres National Forest. No other campers there, except the party going on just as we arrived. (But they left before the ranger came to collect his fees.) The only problem? Swarms of gnats. You could not go outside without being enveloped in a cloud of these creatures. Even coating myself with Off! did not work. (Of course, the contents of the can were about 3 years old. However, the Off! Clip-ons worked well inside the RV. They didn’t work outside.
https://www.off.com/clip-on-mosquito-repellent/
We returned Tuesday afternoon to find parts of the house infested with ants. And one of my computers infected with something, or it got messed up during the brown-outs when temps hit 113 here in the Valley. The computer kept shutting down every few minutes for no apparent reason. So, I lost the week trying to get it to work properly. (It kept turning off – and Internet Explorer can’t access key sites, like the IRS site.) I did find a terrific solution, even though it took much longer than I would have liked to effect the fixes. If you’re interested, you are welcome to read about it here.
The other thing that happened when I returned is – IRS finally opened the registration system for the new Practitioner id numbers – the PTIN’s. This is important to tax pros, because everyone will need to be in the new system if we are to prepare tax returns next year. (See IRS News)
It is important to taxpayers because under the new system, you will be able to look up your tax professional, or prospective tax professional, to make sure they are registered. Over the next year or so, you will also be able to learn if their licenses, certifications or enrollment with IRS are current; or if they have been suspended or allowed to expire. This new service will provide a measure of security for you. It will also help folks avoid charlatans who open up quickie refund mills where they generate phony tax returns for people to help them get illegal refunds.
Last week, I told you about a new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule designed to protect you from the predators who offer to help you fix your credit, but never do. It’s also designed to protect you from those sharks who advertise aggressively and promise to cut your tax bills down to pennies on the dollar. Those are good goals, right? Unfortunately, also caught in the net are legitimate tax professionals who help our clients get out of tax trouble on a daily basis. There are enormous fines involved in routine things, like asking for a retainer.
Most tax professionals are not aware that the new FTC rules went into effect on September 27th – and the retainer rules go into effect this month. It’s urgent that every tax pro you know attend the information webinar on October 5, 2010 at 3:00 pm ET set up by Mark Guimond of the National Policy Group. There is no charge – and no CPE. But it’s important for all tax pros to attend.
Speaking of webinars, we have two CPE Link classes coming up next week. (See the details below)
October 6 – Roger B. Adams, EA (with minor assist from TaxMama)
Understanding Tax Treaties
October 8 – Eva Rosenberg, EA, Tom Buck, CPA and Sonya Wilt, EA
IRS Practice Series: 10 Steps to Resolving Collection Issues
Upcoming Events
Upcoming on CPE LINK – with CPE for CPAs, EAs, and more
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/earn-cpe-without-leaving-the-office/
October 6 – Roger B. Adams, EA (with minor assist from TaxMama)
Understanding Tax Treaties
Learn the fundamental principles of the purpose and application of tax treaties. Why should you care? Because there are over five million Americans living outside of the U.S., over two million of whom live in the Western hemisphere (principally in Canada and Mexico).
October 8 – Eva Rosenberg, EA, Tom Buck, CPA and Sonya Wilt, EA
IRS Practice Series: 10 Steps to Resolving Collection Issues
You’re going to learn how to help your clients set up installment agreements, how to use the various types of offers in compromise, and even how to suspend collections!
Preview the course on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCMdSFFTwI8
The IRS Practice Series
Team taught with Eva Rosenberg, EA, Tom Buck, CPA and Sonya Wilt, EA
Oct 8, 9:00am – 10 Steps to Resolving Collection Issues
Nov 1, 10:00am – Hands-on Collections Workshop
Dec 7, 10:00am – 6 Simple Steps to an Offer-in-Compromise (form 656)
Dec 10, 9:00am – The Un-agreed Collection Alternatives and Appeals
https://www.cpelink.com/teamtaxmama
SELF-STUDY at CPE LINK:
Homebuyers Credits for Tax Professionals
The specific laws related to your clients. How to get it rigth the first time. What to watch out for.
And how to overcome IRS Rejections.
IRS Practice Series: Overview of Collection Issues – Price = ZERO:
This on-demand webcast provides a broad overview of the collections process. From preparing the Power of Attorney – IRS Form 4868, to freezing the collection activity, to Offers-in-Compromise and Appeals, the course will explore the numerous collection issues a practitioner may encounter and lay the ground work for the IRS Practice Series. Topics will be covered in more detail in the dozen courses of The IRS Practice Series – leading to a Tax Mediary (CTM) Certificate upon completion of the series.
https://www.cpelink.com/teamtaxmama
EA Class News
Tomorrow we will do the Part 3 – second Final Review session.
I got a funny note from a student who just passed the hardest part – Part 2, and is now done. He told me how my class not only helped him pass the EA Exam, but also to lose 10 pounds. I’ll tell you about it in next week’s EA Exam News.
Catch the FALL SPECIAL price – Part 3 live and Self-Study on Parts 1 and 2
https://irsexams.com/registration/
Remember, you can get a 10% discount on the EA Class if you register for TaxMama’s Family first.
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/membership/family-membership/
The discount code can be found in the Family Look-Ups resource.
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/family-member-resources/
Other TaxMama News:
This month’s MarketWatch column outlines the new Small Business Jobs Act that was signed into law last week. There are enough benefits in the new law (and recent laws) to cause you do some serious tax planning before year-end. Just give your tax pro a little time to learn more about the details and get some things clarified.
https://www.marketwatch.com/Journalists/Eva_Rosenberg
At Equifax this week, you learn about weird taxes affecting your right now. Ilyce Glink gives you a mortgage interest rate update – are we at the bottom yet? Linda Rey tells you if you need rental car insurance. Dan Solin explains about Asset Allocation and spreading the risk. The Equifax Experts discuss student loans.
https://www.equifax.com/blog/tax/en_ff
This week’s AccountingWeb.com blog we are discussing the new FTC telemarketing rules related to consumer debt. The law affects tax professionals who help clients reduce IRS debt, too – but how are we affected? And how will this harm taxpayers in trouble?
https://www.accountingweb.com/blogs/accountingweb/talk-taxmama
In IRS News this week, we learn how to get special casualty loss treatment for corrosive drywall problems. Tax professionals can now register for their PTINs.
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/category/asktaxmama/irs-news/
Money Funnies this week is tied to all the political nonsense going on. We learn how much better off we might be if we replaced the all the Washington politicans with the heads of a certain corporation.
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/category/asktaxmama/money-funnies/
There were no TaxQuips this week since I took a couple of days off, then spent the rest of the week trying to get my computer to work. See the notes above.
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/category/tax-quips/
As always, we love your feedback, opinions and ideas.
You are what makes all this fun – and interesting!
Please use the Comments link online.
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/asktaxmama/ask-taxmama-issue-570
TaxNerd gear makes a bold statement year-round.
It helps attract the opposite sex!
Shop at www.taxnerd.net or https://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*
Hugs from your favorite TaxNerd,
https://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*
Eva Rosenberg, EA
Your TaxMama® is watching…out for you.
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TAX CALENDAR
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/tax-calendar-2010/
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09/15/2010 Partnership Returns Due- FINAL DEADLINE
09/15/2010 Corporate Returns Due- FINAL DEADLINE
09/15/2010 S Corporate Returns Due- FINAL DEADLINE
09/15/2010 Estate & Trusts Returns – Final Deadline; Bankruptcy fillings use the same form
09/15/2010 Individuals, Farmers & Fishermen Pay 3rd Quarter Estimated Tax Payment
09/15/2010 Corporations – 3rd Quarter Estimate Tax payment Due
09/15/2010 Estates & Trusts 3rd Estimated Tax Payment
09/15/2010 Deadline for Corporations and Partnerships to fund SEP-IRAs for previous year.
09/30/2010 Last day to establish SIMPLE plans for current year
09/30/2010 Time for businesses to consider setting up retirement plans
10/15/2010 Net Operating Loss – Eligible Small Business carry back loss
10/15/2010 Personal Returns – FINAL DEADLINE
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From TaxMama® to You!
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Follow TaxMama®’s Tweets – https://twitter.com/TaxMama
You are invited to put a TaxQuips Widget on your phone, social networking page, website, or… You’ll get the TaxQuips as soon as they published – long before they are distributed in by e-mail. It’s a nifty gadget. Just pick up the code and paste into your site or application.
https://www.widgetbox.com/widget/taxmamas-taxquips-daily-tax-podcasts
Download TaxMama’s 2010 iphone Tax Calendar. My gift to you.
Never miss a tax deadline again!
The customizable tax calendar is here.
Add or Remove dates. Add your own reminders – get alerts.
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SPECIAL DEALS
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NOLO is having a sale!
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Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.
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Always a sale at the Queensboro Shirt Company
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(They have clothes and novelties – and all sizes)
They do a gorgeous job.
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EA EXAM NEWS & SOLVING THE TAX PUZZLE
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Take TaxMama®’s 2010 EA Exam Review Class
Tomorrow we will do the Part 3 – second Final Review session.
I got a funny note from a student who just passed the hardest part – Part 2, and is now done. He told me how my class not only helped him pass the EA Exam, but also to lose 10 pounds. I’ll tell you about it in next week’s EA Exam News.
– sign up now – and join the FUN!
https://irsexams.com/registration/
A flood of Tax Professionals are interested in
taking the EA Exam. We still have a few handy
dandy totes to hold all your books, notes and discs.
https://irsexams.com/registration/
Read the ebook – Everything You Wanted to Know About the EA Exam
https://taxmama.wpengine.com/free-member-resources/
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