Jul
2
New 10% Tax on Indoor Tanning
July 2, 2010 | Leave a Comment
We've talked before about how the government thinks they can tax your bad habits. These things are bad for you, so please don't make a stink. Just pay us our tribute and we won't shake down your business. And enjoy $10 a pack cigarettes while you try to keep your business afloat while paying our [...]
Jun
24
$11-a-pack cigarettes
June 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment
It's not a good time to be a smoker. New York City smokers already pay the highest cigarette taxes in the nation, but a new state law will push those taxes even higher this summer. The state legislature approved a bill adding a state tax of $1.60 to every pack sold, effective July 1. The [...]
Apr
17
Filing Taxes Is Easy In Sweden
April 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment
No matter how you look at it, tax time is no fun at all. There’s all the paperwork and about a hundred other complications. It doesn't have to be that way and in Sweden, it isn't. To file taxes in Sweden all you have to do is open a new text message, enter your Social [...]
Apr
2
Smoke 'Em If You Can Afford 'Em
April 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Looks like the government is going to be raising taxes on tobacco. It may now be officially cheaper to smoke weed. I'm not sure, since I'm not out pricing weed. Sure, it will raise a ton of money to go to various government programs, but it's a bad move.
They are selectively taxing our bad habits [...]
Jan
14
If the Treasury Secretary Can't Figure Out His Taxes, How Can We Do It?
January 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Obama's pick for Secretary of the Treasury has a problem. He didn't pay his taxes. How can a guy that heads up the Treasury (you know the department that contains the IRS) not pay his taxes?
According to various news sources Timothy Geithner didn't pay self employment taxes while working for the International Monetary Fund.
[N]ewly released [...]
Aug
4
Track Home Improvment Expenses for Tax Purposes
August 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Should you keep track of your expenses (and receipts) from home improvement projects? What are the tax consequences?
Taxes
Generally, there are no tax breaks for most home improvement/remodeling projects (excluding those projects that qualify for some type of tax break based on energy savings) in the year that you make the improvements.
From Jackson Hewitt:
The terms repairs [...]
Jul
29
More Reasons to Pay Off Your Mortgage
July 29, 2008 | 5 Comments
What is it about the mortgage that makes so many people rally to its defense? You would think it's a member of the family. I'd really like to change my mind on the mortgage just to be a contrarian. However there is just too much evidence that paying off your mortgage is the best move [...]
Jul
28
I believe that you should pay of your mortgage early. I did it and I still consider it one of the best things I've done. However, there are a number of people claiming that paying off your mortgage is foolish. Let's debunk some more of these myths.
The blog 7million7Years has an article about why paying [...]
Jul
21
How Long Should I Keep Credit Card Statements?
July 21, 2008 | 1 Comment
Have a pile of credit card statements? Find out how long you need to keep your old statements and why.
When deciding what financial records to keep and what to throw away, there are several important criteria. Do you use your credit card for business expenses? Do you have any tax deductible purchases? [...]
Jul
11
What Happens to My Stimulus Check If I Move?
July 11, 2008 | 11 Comments
Expecting your stimulus check but you've moved since you've filed your taxes? There are a few things you need to do to make sure you get your stimulus payment.
According to rumors on the internet, the post office is not supposed to forward mail from the IRS. However I have yet to find an authoritative source [...]