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Track your employees via an interactive office floor plan map. Click for a live demo.Free GIS Downloads Google Maps Development GIS Consulting Google Wave Invites BC Wedding Officiates< Face it: The tax fairies aren't going to file your tax return for you. Here's a step-by-step guide to finding and filing those tax forms you've been avoiding. [Related content: taxes, tax preparation, tax return, IRS, Jeff Schnepper] It's time to start thinking about getting those taxes done. Maybe you're in a panic. Not to worry. Just follow Schnepper's 15 steps to getting your taxes done, and you'll be much happier. Ready? Here they are: Get serious. Unless you're focused, you're going to see that receipt six times rather than the once you need. This is all mental now. Schedule a time to get to work and commit to that time. Then . . . Smart Taxes blog: Keep up with the latest tax news and changes Get started. Remember that commitment to get to work? Keep it! This step requires action. Get your pencil and take the blank forms out of the envelope where you've been hiding them, praying that the tax fairies would make them go away. My father reminds me of the old Brooklyn proverb, "A trip of a thousand miles begins with a traffic jam." Get in that "jam," and your tax return will begin to jell. Now . . . Get organized. Something has to go on those returns. Get your W-2s together to report wages, your 1099s to report interest and dividends, your 1099Bs for reporting stock and bond sales, and your 1098s for deducting your interest and taxes. The Internal Revenue Service and your accountant both want final numbers. It makes it easier for them and less painful financially for you. Bring either one a shopping bag full of receipts and you're going to feel the pain . . . especially in your wallet. 10 tax goofs many of us keep making 5 tax myths that can cost you money 5 ways to avoid an audit Prepare for your tax preparer Don't panic if the IRS sends you a letter Get informed. Have you been following all the changes the U.S. tax code has seen in the past decade? How about the multiple new tax bills passed just last year. You can now deduct the sales tax you paid in 2009 on a new car costing as much as $49,500 and as much as $500 ($1,000 on a joint return) in real estate taxes paid on your home even if you take the standard deduction! Got a kid in college? Have you used the "tuition and fees" deduction (.pdf file) that lets you deduct as much as $4,000 in tuition and fees off your 2009 taxes? Even better, have you looked at the new American Opportunity Tax Credit, which can give you as much as $2,500 in tax savings? If not, get educated! While you're getting enlightened, don't neglect the new tax credits on energy-efficient improvements to your home. And if you're a new homebuyer (one who hasn't owned a principal residence for the last three years), you can get a refundable credit of 10% of the purchase price, up to $8,000, on a new principal residence. If you've been in your home for five of the last eight years, you can purchase a new principal residence and qualify for a 10% credit of up to $6,500. If you're "tax simple," the IRS can actually do the return for you, or you can have your return done online -- sometimes even for free. Alternatively, if you're tax-savvy, do your own return after learning the new rules. A good place to start: the IRS' absolutely free Publication 17 (.pdf file). It's hundreds of pages of everything you need to know about your 2009 tax return and your planning for 2010. If that's too much, go to a professional. |
Welcome to the Funny Side of Google Street ViewNuevo! Español Google Street View Gallery o, ver esto Google Street View Gallery en EspañolBelow is an original list of links and pictures of the best interesting sites and places found using Google Maps new StreetView feature. If you have found some interesting Google Street View sightings, please post them! Be sure to click on the "Top 2000" tab to see street sightings with the best reviews. Searching for funny situations, places, people, animals, cars, etc with Google StreetView can be a great way to pass some time. Also, Google Street View Gallery keeps you posted on the latest funny, whacky, legitimate and street view coverage updates. Visit often to be in the Google Street View loop, especially if you want to know when Google Street View will be taking pictures in your area. Remember, you don't have to be a member to vote, so, go for it! Feel free to email me with your favorite Google Street View sighting here. Subscribe to RSS here:  Search Funny Google Street Views here:
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