Reads from last week. . .
Well the week didn’t end well for me with my finding out that I had lost my last grandparent. I was trying to figure out how to best remember her. Happily I found away. My heart and mind will keep her memory for all time.
She introduced me to Snoopy back when Snoopy and Charlie Brown first started about. My first memory of Charlie Brown and Snoopy was/ a stuffed animal that I still have. The first book/s I remember ever having where Charlie Brown’s Super Book of Questions and Answers and Charlie Brown’s Second Super Book of Questions and Answers. As I was looking for links to these two books I found that there are actually several. At the least five, along with others. I can’t speak for any of them but the first two and they are awesome.
So before I get into some blogs that I managed to get down, here is a little bit of what I call Snoopy Music:
enjoy
From a blog I have never seen before called outright comes the post Understanding Form 1099 Information Return Requirements. Those of you who use this form please read this.
From Joe K. up in Iowa, as he points out and I agree, “Most preparer injuctions permanently put the preparer out of business.” However this wasn’t the case in” Humbloldt preparer hit with permanent injunction.
My friend over at Living almost Large writes about The referral discount. This is something I actually do in my practice. I give clients a discount for referrals, with a set limit up to a free return. You’d have to see my page at my Biz site. I call it a credit coupon.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK – A NATIONAL SALES TAX? This is something I have thought about and read about. The concept is sound enough but lacks discipline. The “underground economy” as you put it would only thrive in a situation like this. To keep that going it would seem to this tax preparer that crime would escalate, thus causing insurance rates to sore, in turn causing the cost of goods to sore out of control.
People spend their paychecks before they get them is a proportional way of survival. Doesn’t make it a good thing or a bad thing, it is just a way of life for some. So using this as a means to “teach” our neighbors to save and invest is a lot like a story I read written by George Orwell titled 1984. Frankly if that happens, I’d find myself in the situation of Winston Smith.
Over all the idea is a sound one but, in this world I find it to be unrealistic. Namely, look at all the people who would become unemployed, No IRS. . . Then there is the problem of what would our politicians do, if there was a tax so simple as this?
Kay brings us two must reads this week. “Lost in all the hoopla about the just-extended first-time home buyer tax credit is the fact that the clock is ticking down on another stimulus-created tax break.” Please check out the Road ending for auto deduction.
“Living on one income can be a scary thought; particularly if it is not something you choose to do but is forced upon you due to the loss of a job or other life event. Even if it is totally planned, it can be a discouraging thought that a portion of your household income (even if it is not a large portion) will soon not be coming in to help pay the bills” Living On One Income- Tips for Going From Two Incomes to One is a post that could help you work through this.
Myths Of Owning A Small Business is a story from Forbes.com. In it you will find a great many truths about the myths. My favorite Myth: You can set your own schedule. I do this but my hours aren’t by any means bankers or better. I may start late and be out of the office earlier than some would like but I actually am working untill 2am and this past week or so I have been up until three am. So if your planning a biz, please find the truths about some of the myths.
Maybe next year… a tax hope we have all been looking for.
It is that time of year, at least around here. Have you prepared your holiday budget? If not here are some tips you need to follow: How To Set Your Christmas Budget.
With that time of year many over spend. To help your finances, avoid overdraft fees by setting up overdraft protection on your accounts. Simple Personal Financial gives us, Simple Personal Financial Tips – Avoid Overdraft Fees. I had some trouble getting to the site but it is worth it to get there.
In the above mentioned post I found a link to another post that everyone should have a look at. Signs you may need to simplify your personal finances is a list, basically “. . . signs, signs everywhere the signs, can’t you read the signs.” Check it out.
And in closing, there is a lot going on about the AMT, as it gets closer to all who fall into “the middle class. If you want to know what is going on there is a lot out there about it. I even plan to write some on in for the coming week, (some history and some, what now). Until my post are up, or before you go searching the net, I’d suggest reading this: Beware the complicated and costly AMT.
P.S. Bloggers and non-bloggers.
At the bottom of my blog there is a section For authors to login. How do you become an author here? Easy, Please keep reading.
I would like to invite others, who wish to write from time to time or even regularly, on Personal finance issues and/or tax issue to please join me here.
So what do you do? If you are truly interested in being a co-author here at The Missouri taxguy” you’ll need to contact me via my contact page. No special rules or guidelines here, I just need to know how to reach you. Once I can confirm a way to reach you and confirm you are you. I will set you up as an author.
All post written by you will be credited to you, and editable by you. If you’re an avid blogger and are looking for another venue, you are welcome. If you are a stay at home person and know a lot about PF or taxes and have an idea for a post then you are welcome. If you wish to remain anonymous, I can accommodate that as well. On line, I’ll set you up with a pseudonym. One of/to your liking/s.
Rules:
post are not venues for attacks on others,
post must have something to do with Personal Finances/financing or taxes (state or federal)
Post will be deleted if posted on a Sunday after my regular post. (Meaning, if you want to post on Sunday do it before 7am or after midnight Sunday. As I want my Reads from last week to be on top all day Sunday.)
What do I get out of it? My blog gets more articles and coverage.
What do you get out of it? Well , rudely enough, what you put into it. A place to write without the bother of hosting a site.
Please if you are interested, let me know, all are welcome.
Reads from Last Week. . .
Well, I have been having computer problems and not doing the things I’d normally be doing. Then When I finally did get back online, A friend of mine asked me about this post. He knew I’d meant to get it out this morning and was checking to see if I had changed my mind.
For those of you new to my new site, and those who have been regulars from the start, “Reads from Last Week” formally known as “Passing the week” is where I bring to you all my reading and searching for information you should have, or some just plain good reads. “Reads from Last Week” is going to be my regular postings of blogs (and their links) that I read and felt a need to pass on to you. Or like I said, just some plain good reads.
I meant to do many things this weekend but with the PC down I found I was unable to get it all done. The biggest thing was to get my blog roll up here. My way of making it easier for you to find what you need without having to wait on me to fill you in on Sunday. I will get my blog roll up this week, or so is my plan. So, in that regard, I hope you’ll all be tolerant of my slowness. I will do my best to get it up here, with some new additions.
With that, let us start with whose new out here. (Or new to my regular blog reads.)
Starting with Monica Lawver who writes The Tax CPA. As she puts it, “In general, my writing has been sadly lacking of late, due to an unexplained lack of ideas.” But don’t let this fool you, she is right on. When she does post, she gets it. She is a great tax blogger and CPA. You can also find her at Confessions of a CPA on facebook. 
Somebody new is Stacie Clifford Kitts, CPA. She writes Stacie’s More Tax Tips (A blog about – Duh – Income Tax) Self-employed, her home office is in California. Where she keeps her husband up late typing out her blog late at night. I had the great pleasure of meeting her and her husband during a trip they took. We shared only about an hour and a half over lunch. If you can imagine, we talked about tax blogging almost the whole time. (See picture of us) She has lots of great post. I have not listed any here today as for today I am just making introductions.
Now for the usual suspects:
Taxgirl writes 2010 Not Likely to Be All That Different From 2009. Just in case you were wondering about how things are shaping up, this will give you the look into it. . . other reads from her you should check out: Driver Kidnaps Tax Officials to Avoid Paying Tax, IRS Targets Wealthy for Enforcement, and My Anniversary.
Tax Law Forum a blog written by Rob Teuber Writes The Best Tax Advice Ever. This is his best, pointing you to his regular article in the Wisconsin Law Journal.
My blogging mentor and friend writes IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! And he is correct, “It’s “That Time of Year Again” – time to do your year-end tax planning.” I try and get mailers out to my clients this time of year but don’t always get them out to everyone. Now a days I may follow the lead and use the internet to do all I need it to do. Read this even if your tax professional send you your planning tools.
If you have ever wondered Where does he get all those wonderful views a must read is WHAT ABOUT BOB? Beautiful my friend.
The is a lot going on with the Homebuyers credit. I am pointing you towards Tick Marks who links to others views. “Fool Us Once, Shame on You; Fool Us Twice…” (ican’t get the link I want, so this one tales you to Tick Marks, the post was up on October 30th)
Some great post over at Taxable Talk. One of real interest to me as a I wonder “whose thinking in the White House” sorta way Do Businesses Base Decisions on Taxes? Also a must read is The Responsibilities of a 
Tax Preparer. This leads to a great two part post from another blogger, and continues the discussion.
Not just Anyone can be a partner is an eye opener from my friend Joe Kristan
The IRS Hitman writes IRS Tax Debt: How to Pay the IRS with Easy Monthly Payments. He also has an interesting video. The IRS Hitman Video “I discuss my motivation for leaving the IRS and joining the good guys.” If the chance ever comes about, I will definitely take him to lunch.
One of my Favorite tax bloggers, isn’t a preparer but a writer. Kay bell who write the blog Don’t Mess With Taxes has a great look at the Tax cheat crackdown, at home & abroad. Please read.
P.S. Kay where are you getting all your wonderful pictures. I really like the blue in the photo on your post, Reconfigured home buyer tax credit.
Excuse me, back to work here, PLEASE read Get ready for increased audits.
From A Personal Finance Guide, as tax season approaches there is a few things to think about first. One big one is Wise Spending Tips This Christmas, also see Don’t Go Into Deeper Debt This Holiday Season. Guess I am not the only one thinking about the big guy in the red suit.
From CashMoneyLife, 2009 Year End Tax Moves, all things we need to know, this is a part of Tax Planning” Is a great piece. Do You Know How Much Interest You Are Paying Each Month? I wonder how many of us actually know the answer to this. Is better if I don’t know how many, I have enough “fun” keeping up with my own. As always Patrick, excellent.
Living almost Large makes you really think with Are 401k a mistake? Also, have you ever asked “Does it suck to live within your means?” find the answer in the post Living within your means? If this is you stop it, stop living outside your means. And for sure stop living paycheck to paycheck. Think! Everyone just think, common sense goes a long way. Your money won’t.
MoneyCrush is sorta’ a new site. Okay it is a new site, but the owner isn’t new to blogging. Formerly Blunt money owner switched to new site. Is a great new look and still a great read.
From MoneysavingGuide.com something we all think about When is a Great Deal Not Worth It? Use the check list. And if you missed it, Money Saving Guide Makes Debut on ABC News Now.
Ever wonder how? Well here are 5 Steps to Closing Old Bank Accounts. This comes to us from Kevin over at No Dept Plan.
More friends of mine from the big Ca. comes a great collection in the Carnival of Pecuniary Delights No. 24: Friends Edition. I really like the friends clips. Please go and check this out. (Ever wonder what I might be like, well according to a Facebook application I am the character Chandler Bing. “OMG!”)
My friend Andy over at Saving to Inve$t has a number of need to rtead post. Please read them all. Tell him Bruce sent you.
- No Increase, but Congress to Extend $8000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit into 2010 and Make Available to More Home Buyers and Owners
- Retirement 401k and IRA Accounts – Have You Rebalanced and Reallocated based on Changing Market Conditions and Contribution Limits?
- 10 Deadly Mistakes Buyers Make When Purchasing a Home and How to Avoid Them
From a local friend (one who I should really take out to lunch or something) and blogger, we learn that Social Security COLA Could Be 0% For Next Few Years. Yesterday she posted Reverse Mortgages – What Should You and Your Parents Know Before Applying? This is a must look if you are thinking along those lines.
Lastly but for surely not least my friend Chad and his wife, owners of Bordeaux & Bordeaux CPAs in their blog Chad writes Roth IRA Conversion Rules Changing – Have You Reviewed Your Tax Plan – Part V, I recommend this along with parts one through four. And this one.
And there you have my list of readable post from those around the “sphere”. If you are a blogger or an
avid reader of lots of different blogs please point my towards those that you like. If possible I will get it here so that all can see. 
As for future “Reads from Last Week…” I will try and get those out on Sunday, so you can read them after you morning paper read and coffee.
photo credit: Brenda Hervold
Passing the week
Last week I got a few letters complaining that I wrote a post instead of doing my end of the week re-cap. Guess I won’t do that again.
This past week has been a bit busy in my office with several new clients and their related issues. I haven’t done a lot of surfing this week but let’s go. . .
First, one of my new clients is an inventor and I want to share with you his biz. For those of you who take your biz to clients (or they come to you) this is something you need.
For years, I have toyed with the idea about going out to clients and this device is pushing my idea along. Please visit USB Swiper .com.
My post History/Origin of piggy banks has gotten great reviews so I wanted to bing up that it is there.
In this weeks WHAT’S THE BUZZ? TELL ME WHAT’S A HAPPENNIN’ – post from The Wondering Tax Pro he writes:
” * When I discover a new tax or related blogger one of the first things I do is to check out their various blogrolls to look for more new tax or related blogs. That is how I came across STUFF ACCOUNTANTS LIKE by pfi and the post “Acronyms, What are Your Favorites?”.
I have always been a big user of acronyms. Clients and readers of TWTP are aware that GDE is God Damned Extensions and that the “clean” version of DFB is Damned Fool Bureaucrats.
I checked through the 92 comments to the post for some new ones. Here are some I liked –
CRAP – Conveniently Rationalized Accounting PrinciplesCPA – Cut and Paste Artist (I always thought CPA stood for Constant Pain in the Arse)
JFDI – Just F**king Do ItSWAG: Scientific Wild Ass Guess
DILLIGAF- Does It Look Like I Give A F**k (I expect I will be using this a lot in the future)
WITTB – What it takes to balance.
I was glad to see others used WTF (2 related meanings – I used it above) and FUBAR.”
This is great, and I can assure all that I’ll be using several of the acronyms from the post. {In my office SNU is a regular occurrence.}
50 Actions You Can Take Right Now to Pay Off Debt is a post from a site I found via my intro to Blog Rank. from Invesp Consulting. ( I wrote about this earlier in the month in my post New Blog ranking). The blog is called Consumerism Commentary: (It is a PF blog.) It is indeed worth the read. While you are there be sure to check out some of the previous post.
Here is a list of other great post from my favorite bloggers:
- From No Debt Plan
- From Living Almost Large
- From Don’t Mess With Taxes
- From Cash Money Life
- From Saving to Inve$t
- From IRS – Hitman
- From Roth & Company, P.C.
- From Tax Policy Blog
- From TaxDollarsAndSense – yes they are from a while back, read ‘em anyway.
- From The Tax CPA
- From The Tax Lawyer’s Blog
- From The Wandering Tax Pro
- From Tick Marks
Please keep in mind that this list is not an order of favorites, nor is it all-inclusive. I visit a great number of sites/blogs, tax and Personal Finance.
New Blog ranking
Okay, so this isn’t about taxes. Recently was introduced to a new ranking site and thought I’d let you all know about it. It is really cool.
The new ranking service is called Blog Rank. It comes to us courtesy from Invesp Consulting.
It is rather interesting the way things are broken down for us. In a post they describe just how does blog rank determine the ultimate rank calculation, how it works – sorta. Maybe more than I realize, but I found it a bit vague. But what would I know about creating a ranking for blogs, I’m a tax preparer?
As I first looked, though it I was amazed by the information it provided. Of course, I was reading more into how I could improve things here at taxguy.
Aside from showing and pointing me towards new blogs that go around the taxing world, it pointed me to different areas of rankings. Nope they don’t just show you rankings by the ultimate score. (taxguy is 15th in the ultimate ranking.)
The ultimate ranking is comprised of a variety of other rankings:
- by Feedburner RSS membership
- by unique monthly visitors
- by Yahoo indexed pages
- by Google indexed pages
- by number of incoming links (via Yahoo)
- by the ratio of incoming links to numbers of pages
- by pages per visit
- by Google PR
- by Technorati rank
- by Alexa rank
- by Compete rank
- via Social sites
Each shown on the blog type ranking. Oh, no, no, it isn’t just a tax blog ranking, they are ranking all sorts of blogs. Much like Alltop, you pick the type you are interested in, Personal finance, taxes, Money, history, Art, just all sorts of blog types.
Very cool stuff.
Please go check it out.
(Like I say on my Who writes this blog “of course, it will cover whatever may strike me about the Internet.” And I like this ranking site.)
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