IR-2013-77: Tax-filing and Payment Extensions Expire Oct. 15; Check Eligibility for Overlooked Tax Benefits; Choose e-file; Payment Options Available
IR-2013-77: Tax-filing and Payment Extensions Expire Oct. 15; Check Eligibility for Overlooked Tax Benefits; Choose e-file; Payment Options Available
PAY IT FORWARD . This blog is about everything and anything. Every day we find out something new, and we would like you to share your new knowledge with the community! This blog is used as a learning tool to provide a stimulating communication platform (blog) in making knowledge accessible to anyone who stumbles upon it.
PAY IT FORWARD . This blog is about everything and anything. Every day we find out something new, and we would like you to share your new knowledge with the community! This blog is used as a learning tool to provide a stimulating communication platform (blog) in making knowledge accessible to anyone who stumbles upon it.
The New Premium Tax Credit
Category:
What's New
The New Premium Tax Credit
Claim it now or take it later?
Effective October 1st, there is a new tax credit available; The Premium Tax Credit. If you are eligible for this credit you can decide to take it now based on your estimated income for 2014 or take it later when you file your tax return for 2014. Who does this impact and what should you do?
What is the Credit and who is eligible?
Topline: If you have health insurance available from your employer, this credit is not for you. If, on the other hand, you are self-employed, your employer recently provided you a notice they are moving health insurance coverage to the “exchange or marketplace”, or you currently do not have health insurance then this information is important to understand.
Beginning in October, 2013 there is a new Health Insurance Marketplace established as part of Obamacare. Open enrollment in these health insurance plans runs from October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014. If you are eligible and enroll in one of these plans through the Insurance Marketplace you may be eligible to have your premium reduced by the new Premium Tax Credit.To be eligible for the Premium Tax Credit you must;
Take it now or claim it later?One of the tricky decisions you’ll make if enrolling for health insurance through the Marketplace is deciding to take the Premium Tax Credit to reduce your monthly health insurance premium payments or wait and receive the tax credit when you file your 2014 tax return. Here are some tips:
Predictable income? If your can accurately predict your 2014 income and number of dependents consider applying an estimated credit now to reduce your monthly health insurance cost.
Remember, beginning in 2014 if you do not have health insurance you may be subject to new penalties payable when you file your tax return.Predictable family situation? If you know the number of dependents you will have in 2014 and your status (married, single, etc.) in addition to your income consider applying the credit during the year. If your family situation changes during the year you can always update your profile in the plan. Understand the downside. If you misrepresent your income and it impacts your eligibility for the Premium Tax Credit you will have to repay the credit on your tax return. This could become a real financial hardship. Middle ground? Consider estimating your income, but make it slightly higher than you anticipate. This way your monthly health insurance premium will be a bit higher, but you may also receive a larger refund at the end of the year. |
Looking for a Job?
Internet Search Understanding Deep Internet Searches
Have you ever Googled yourself to see what kind of information is available about you on the internet? Even if your search turned up with nothing, there may be other information about you available on the "deep internet."
What is the "deep internet?"
The "deep internet," also known as the "invisible web, the "dark web," or "DeepNet," is estimated to be 500 times the size of the regular, search engine accessible, internet. Typical search engines are only able to "crawl" certain types of information but do not have access to many large databases or password protected resources, that are available on the deep internet.
What do I need to know about the deep internet?
There are companies, like Pipl.com and recruiting companies like Auto Search that have access to the deep web. Many employers hire these companies to search the deep internet for information on job candidates. A deep web search may reveal all kinds of private information like your triathlon time, an Amazon wish list, political donations, bankruptcy history, and blog comments. While some information might be fairly innocuous, employers often pay close attention to blog posts, tweets, and other online comments. Employers do not look favorably on candidates that post negatively about former employers or who are prone to angry rants on blog forums.
What Can you Do?
While the prospect of a deep web search by a potential employer is somewhat scary, rest ssured that any information specifically marked as "private" is off-limits. For example, any information that you have marked private on Facebook will not be viewed in a deep web search. If you are concerned, you can also hire companies to monitor your presence on the deep web and, for a fee of around $15/month, keep your private information off the internet.
Don't forget Your Public Face
Public Computer
When job searching do not forget to monitor your public face on the internet as well.Many employers will conduct a quick check on Twitter, Facebook, and other Social Networks to see what you are like.You would be surprised what is available to view.So if a friend has posted embarrassing photos make sure you identify and remove them prior to being viewed by a prospective employer.
Say Goodbye to Bad Debt Blog
Say Goodbye to Bad Debt Blog
PAY IT FORWARD . This blog is about everything and anything. Every day we find out something new, and we would like you to share your new knowledge with the community! This blog is used as a learning tool to provide a stimulating communication platform (blog) in making knowledge accessible to anyone who stumbles upon it.
PAY IT FORWARD . This blog is about everything and anything. Every day we find out something new, and we would like you to share your new knowledge with the community! This blog is used as a learning tool to provide a stimulating communication platform (blog) in making knowledge accessible to anyone who stumbles upon it.
Creative Summer Jobs
Creative Summer Jobs
Schools are entering summer break and you have a teen looking for a job. Is it too late to find summer work? What advice can you give your child? Here are some ideas to create summertime income.
Traditional summer jobs
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 | Camps. While full-stay camps tend to fill their employment rosters early, many day camps through community rec programs are still hiring. Contact your local city/town for details. |
Make your own income
 | Dog/cat walking and sitting. |
| Doggie clean up. This nasty job could be cash for you. |
| Baby sitting. Company picnics, date nights and more often lead to an upswing in demand for competent babysitters. |
| Light nanny work. Many daycares close during summer months or shorten their hours. You could be a stand-by helper in these situations. Perhaps giving a stay-at-home parent a break for a couple hours a week can be a nice change of pace for them. |
| Lawn service. Your lawn service could be mowing or just trimming. It might simply be a garden weeding service or a watering service. |
| Car washing service. Who wouldn''t like a nice clean car scheduled on a regular basis? |
| Tech savy ideas. Put youthful computer skills to work for you. Some ideas: help local businesses understand social media, set up web sites, create e-mail templates, organize digital photos, and digitize paper files. |
Some final thoughts
Being creative during the summer can bring financial opportunity. But often it is not the idea that creates success, but how you go about it. Some advice for your success:
 | Be professional. Take the activity seriously and be prepared to leave a good first impression. |
| Be dependable. Show up on time. You would be surprised how many employable people are no-shows or are late. |
| Be thorough. Do the job a little better than customers expect and you will have happy customers. |
| Be prepared. Have references ready from a coach, teacher or other customers. Know what you are willing to charge and when you are available to work. Be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of your customers. |
| Set it up correctly. If you create summer work, set up and organize your activity correctly. This may include setting up a checking account, business cards, insurance, and tax filings. If you are unsure what this means for you, please ask for help. |
Does it Pay to be Noticed?
Does it Pay to be Noticed?
CAPBT LLC® dba CAPBT Business Services® : Newsletter
If you receive a notice from the IRS most of us will see our pulse rate quicken and a cold sweat break out on our foreheads. Here is some advice if an IRS notice finds its way into your mailbox.
|  | |
 | Open it. You would be surprised how many people simply cannot find the courage to open a letter from the IRS. It can be intimidating. Try to remember the IRS sends out millions of these every year. | |
 | Most notices are produced by computer programs. Most IRS notices are driven by a request for clarification. Things like a name mismatch or a missing 1099 or W-2 can be easily corrected. | |
 | Follow the instructions. The letter will tell you what to do and when to do it. Follow these instructions. | |
 | Changes to your return. Often the IRS will make a proposed change to your tax return and will ask you to confirm the change. If you agree with the change you often need to do nothing. If not, you must formalize your disagreement. | |
 | Ask for help. Do not assume you know the answer. Ask for a review of the correspondence as soon as possible. | |
 | Certify your response. Any written response to your IRS notice should be sent by certified mail. If the IRS later says you did not respond, this certification can be used to defend your timely response to their notice. | |
 | Fraud is possible. Remember the IRS does not correspond via email. Do not give personal information to anyone representing themselves as the IRS without independent verification. This is especially important on telephone calls. How do you do this? Independently confirm mailing addresses and initiate phone calls to the IRS through information on their www.irs.gov website. | |
 | Use alternatives. If you cannot seem to get resolution to your notice via mail, consider calling or visiting a local IRS office. But only do so with proper representation. | |
CAPBT LLC® dba CAPBT Business Services® : Newsletter
Happy New Year
From CAPBT Business Services… Our wishes for you, Great start for
January, Enjoy your Tax Refund for February to March,
No worries for April, Fun for May, Joy for June to November, Happiness for December.
Have a PROSPEROUS and SUPERB 2013 New Year!
10 things stores won’t say about Black Friday
December 2012 News Digest
12/07/2012
As you enjoy the holidays with you family and friends, please take a moment to review these recent articles in the news.
It's Your Money
MarketWatch: Personal Finance
Our society is becoming more global and travel-friendly. Many times, patients with a specific medical issue may decide to ... Read more
Read this before heading out on the toughest shopping day of the year. Read more
Wallstreet Journal: Personal Finance
For years, I thought I was the reasonable one and my husband was too focused on tomorrow. Maybe I've been wrong. Read more
Retailers are bracing for tough sledding in this economic climate. If sales projections start falling far short of ... Read more
CNN Money - Personal Finance
Read full story for latest details. Read more
Financial News
MSN Money - Financial
Yahoo! Personal Finance
U.S. shoppers hit stores and websites at record numbers over the Thanksgiving weekend, according to a retail industry survey. Read more
Add seven swans, six geese and five golden rings to the list of Christmas gifts that cost more than they did a year ago.Read more
Tax Topics
CNN Money - Taxes
Read full story for latest details. Read more
To the extent that anything is clear about the fiscal cliff negotiations that begin this week, it's this: President Obama will ... Read more
Lawmakers may cut a deal to avert the fiscal cliff by Dec. 31. Or they may not. Read more
Looking for a Job?
Looking for a Job?
The job market remains tight for everyone, but especially so for recent college graduates. Because of this, too many job applicants end up with a position that does not meet their goals. So what can you do to make the job search process work better for you?
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 | Position yourself. After awareness you must know how to break away from the crowd. What can you do to stand out? Why should an employer talk to you versus the other 100 applicants? Make sure your resume is targeted for the job/position you are looking for and be willing to be flexible to create a "resume for one". |
 | Brevity is a gift. Decision makers are busy, especially ones that can make the key hiring decision. Rehearse a summary statement to tell your network and perspective employer what you are looking for, your short terms goals, and how you can help them. |
 | Know more than the next guy. Once you know what type of job you would like, spend the time to find out which companies you would like to target. Conduct research on the target companies and be prepared to show your knowledge when you walk in the door. |
 | Keep making your point of difference better. While looking for your chosen position, be willing to continue to make yourself better in the eyes of your target employer. Consider taking freelance work in your chosen career. Volunteer for a non-profit in the area of your choosing, work part-time, or take extra course work. For example, volunteer to do the books for a youth soccer club as you prepare for an accounting career, or write copy for your church web site or other charitable organization if journalism is your chosen career path. |
 | Be gracious. Always send thank you notes or emails. The more personal the better. Hand written notes are the best, especially in this digital era. |
 | Make contacting you a breeze. Create and hand out business cards that look professional. Have all your contact information on the card. |
 | Review your digital reflection. Conduct a find on yourself on the internet. What you find is what your target employer will find. At a minimum make sure what is visible does not hurt you. But even better, have what is viewable support your desired profession. |
 | Leverage resources. Join job search groups and use online tools to make yourself even more available to prospective employers. |
 | Create a team. Finding a job is very frustrating. It can be summed up as a vast collection of "no's" as you are turned down with one concluding "yes" as you accept a job offer. To help combat this, consider building a team of supporters that will help keep you on task, motivated, and generally act as a reliable sounding board. This also includes having quality pre-selected references lined up. |
Example:A recent MBA student really wanted to work in a consumer packaged goods company as a marketing manager. The hopeful employee's target company's HR department had a policy to only look at graduates from three schools and his was not one of them. What to do? Through networking our candidate was able to get an audience with a marketing director for an informational lunch. In the meantime, our candidate researched the company, discovered they were having a problem with one of their product lines, then spent the time developing a marketing plan to attack the problem. During their informational meeting, the plan was given to the director to pass along to the right department. Free work? You bet. Did he get a job? You bet.
Deducting Job Hunting Expenses
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Find Utility Bill Assistance
Did you know that if you are having trouble affording your utilities bills, there are many options for help? If you need help with electric, utility, or heating bills, find ways to get help. First, you should always contact your utility company to find out about any programs they offer.
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