Ask Taxmama Issue 442 - Tax Movies

2008-01-18 by


Dear Family,

I can’t think of a Martin Luther Kind weekend without
remembering Marvin Brown’s first ever personal day off on January 17, 1994. Do you wonder why I remember the date of my friend’s one day off? Because even on that one precious day, he couldn’t sleep in. Nature shook him awake at 4:31 am – with the Northridge Quake.

Martin Luther King, Jr. certainly was one for shaking up the world in his own, gentle, passionate style. http://www.nps.gov/malu/
He lived in the era of Mahatma Ghandi http://www.mkgandhi.org/ .

It was the time of dignified civil disobedience. Both men got a lot of attention – and respect – without resorting to violence. Naturally, that didn’t mean some fools in the world didn’t respond violently. There’s always someone, isn’t there?

I’ve never been able to understand the concept of hatingan entire group of people that you don’t even know. Can’t we just wait to hate one person at a time – if they specifically do something to earn that hatred? Better yet, try to understand why they’re so hateful and either fix the problem – or avoid them like the plague. And forget about them.

Yeah, yeah, there are terrorists out there. True. Don’t bother hating them. It takes too much energy and focus. Do you remember what the best revenge is? Living well! Live your life and let them interfere as little as possible.

Speaking of really dumb. In the news here in California yesterday, there was a report about a 90’ palm tree that blew over and crashed down on a home, someone’s car and
caused various other damage. (Yes, the winds are that strong these days.) The homeowner planted that tree 45 years ago – and she plans to replant another just like it. The dumb part? IDIOT! Your tree just fell on a bunch of people’s homes and cars. Don’t you realize that palm tree grew at about 2.25 feet per year? And palms have relatively shallow root systems. The tree will fall again in about 15 years if these winds keep up. Why replant? Find something else with strong roots that doesn’t grow so tall.

Moving on to more fun stuff, today’s Money Funny is what
happens when efficiency consultants give advice. (Scroll
down below the Money Funny to read a true, and ironic
story of a real efficency experience.)
http://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=MoneyFunnies

Make sure your resume is seen – is anything more fundamental than that when you’re looking for a job?
http://taxquips.com/index.php?id=682

Job searching reminds me. This week, a couple of journalists
asked about who’s going to survive in this recession.
I’ll post my overview of which jobs or industries will
thrive in the coming year. Meanwhile, LOOK AT YOUR JOB!

Is your company feeling the pinch? Start thinking about how you’ll make it if you get laid off – and your whole industry isn’t hiring? Think about what to re-train to do?
And use that opportunity to think about what you’d love to do for a living – and how to achieve that.

In fact, did you know that IRS Counsel is hiring? They are
looking for attorneys, interns, externs – and there are even
paralegal positions available. It looks like such fun. I wish
I had time to work there. They even promise average 40-hour work weeks! What law-firm promises that? (Except for the weeks when the Tax Court is in session. But you get comp days off to make up for that.)
http://www.jobs.irs.gov/car_other_atty.html

TaxQuips this week meets a tax virgin, deals with sales taxes on resold items, hobby losses, and adoption subsidies. We even get a call from IRS to clarify a point.
http://taxquips.com/index.php?cat=TaxQuips

IRS News is incomplete today. Although we tell you about IRS’s Spanish site, the new and improved online version of Publication 17 – the most comprehensive pub for individuals, and about frivolous filings, I haven’t had a chance to write up all the notes from yesterday’s meeting at IRS. We talked about penalties for preparers – and for the public, among
other things. You will find links to IRS resources and forms – and to this week’s MarketWatch article about frivoulous filers.

The article starts out with a movie reference. So I decided
to find you more movies about tax. See the banner add linking to TaxMama’s TaxMovie shop at Amazon.com. You’ll find comedies, dramas and mob films that are all lots of fun. Great stars.
http://astore.amazon.com/mywishlist

As always, we love your feedback, opinions and ideas.
You are what makes all this fun – and intersting!

Please use the Comments link online.
http://taxquips.com/index.php?id=657

Have an untaxing weekend. And enjoy the awakening of
Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream.

Hugs from your favorite TaxNerd,

Eva Rosenberg, EA

Your TaxMama is watching…out for you.

www.TaxMama.com
www.TaxQuips.com
www.IRSExam.com
www.TaxNerd.net
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TAX CALENDAR 2008
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01.02.2008 File Form 2290 – Heavy Highway Vehicles

01.15.2008 4th Estimated Payment Due

Farmers and fishermen. Estimated tax for 2006 Due

01.15.2008 Employers Make Monthly Payroll tax deposit

01.31.2008 Furnish W-2s/1099/1098s to recipients

01.31.2008 File Quarterly/Annual Payroll/Sales Tax Returns

01.31.2008 Individuals – Filing personal return and pay all taxes Without Penalty if January 15, 2008 estimated payment missed NEW

02.15.2008 File new W-4 with Employer if you claimed exempt last year

02.17.2008 (My clients) Get Corp Data to me if you want to file without extension

02.29.2008 Mortgage Interest file Form 1098s with IRS

02.29.2008 File W-2’s with Social Security Admin

02.29.2008 File 1099’s with IRS

02.29.2008 File City of L.A. Business License/Tax Form
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SPECIAL GIFTS FROM TAXMAMA – FREE – REALLY!
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Keep your Resolutions:
Here’s a well-thought-out e-book to help you start the
year off properly. It contains a place for you to
list your promises to yourself – and lots of tools to
help you achieve your goals.

Download the book here (just use your e-mail address in this e-mail, so you can avoid subscribing to
my newsletters twice.)

Feel free to share this link with your friends, your clients and your mailing list.

http://www.simpleology.com/p/blogging/taxmama/ATM440

Explore Simpleology 101 - It includes set of step-by-step daily missions for you to follow to get more focused and become more successful this year.
You can check them off as you go.

Audio and Video Training
Is 2008 the year you learn to put use audio and video
on your websites or online? Here are some excellent
no-cost training opportunities. All you need is time.
Join David at AudioAcrobat.com

Join SuccessNet.org for free and you’ll be able to give Michael Angier’s ‘101 Best Year-End and New Year Questions’ to everyone you know. It’s an excellent way to open a dialog with those close to you – and to ensure that 2008 will be a great year.
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GIFT IDEAS
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ThinkGeek has some wonderful, unusual stuff, including something very like a Dick Tracy watch – a touchscreen cell phone PDA watch. They also have the USB Memory watch that holds 2GB of data. Just click on Holiday Mega Deals.

Open your own Zazzle account and create personalized
gifts to your family and friends. You still have time
to get things delivered before Chanukah ends. Really.
You don’t need to use my designs – use your own photos and artwork.
http://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*

Join SuccessNet.org (FREE!) and you’ll be able
to give Michael Angier’s ‘101 Best Year-End and New
Year Questions’ to everyone you know. It’s an excellent
way to open a dialog with those close to you – and to
ensure that 2008 will be a great year. And there’s no
charge for this gift at all.
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SPECIAL DEALS
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Need a Corp, LLC, Registered Agent

Incorp Services Inc. in Nevada – DISCOUNT
20% off on formation services.
Similar discounts on Registered Agent services.
Call 800.2.INCORP – use coupon code – TAXMAMA – or
http://go.asktaxmama.com/incorp
(no code needed)

Summer Family Identity – 3 Choices:

Zazzle – Cafe Press – Queensboro

Since it’s summer, and you’re probably going to be traveling with your family, consider getting matching T-shirts and/or hats.

(DO NOT PUT ANYONE’S NAME ON THEM – you’re just asking strangers to kidnap your children!)

But do put everyone’s picture – so even if you don’t know the local language, you can point to a family member and ask if anyone has seen him or her. Or use a graphic or piece of art you all like. You’ll find three options right here in our SPECIAL DEALS section.

Use your art or others – and customize it

Zazzle your Imagination. Are you a TaxNerd?
Tell everyone – proudly!
http://www.zazzle.com/taxmama*

Create your own customized Zazzle Apparel, bags or more.

Get volume discounts on orders of 2 or more.

Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

Stuff for Back to School and Back to Work

Cafe Press is the home of TaxMama’s shops
http://www.cafepress.com/taxmama

But you can upload your own art and graphics and unify your family – even your pets.
http://www.cafepress.com/

Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

WOW DEAL! Embroidery

Wouldn’t you love to get your logo or family crest, or picture or whatever, EMBROIDERED on hats and T-Shirts?

Well, it costs a heck of a lot less than you think.

You can get 12 items for $99! That includes the set-up fees.

Can you believe that? Use Coupon Code PC076c
At the Queensboro Shirt Company

(They have a lot more than shirts – and all sizes)

They do a gorgeous job.

Ask TaxMama
Where taxes are fun and answers are free
www.TaxQuips.com
The number ONE free tax podcast online
IRS News
IRS's Spanish site, Frivolous Returns, Better online Pub 17
Money Funnies
The True Value of Consultants
Job Advice of the Week
Make Sure Your Resume is Seen


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