Income Tax: Capital punishment

Ok, you should have all your W-2 forms (due to be sent by January 31st by employers) and soon to receive your bank or broker 1099 forms. Its now time to pull together your tax documents to drop off at the tax preparer or to handle your own through e-file or even regular filing via the mail by this year’s filing deadline, April 17.

About 77% of Americans are now filing online, often receiving their 79 million refunds, electronically deposited, just a couple of weeks after filing. So, does it cost money? It depends. It is worth checking out your options. You can visit the IRS website for a listing of various free e-file companies. Link: Free File Companies on the IRS Website.

If you qualify for EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), an active duty military with an AGI (adjusted gross income) of $57,000 or less, or has an AGI of $31,000 or less, you can use TurboTax Online Tax Freedom Edition.

There is also a TurboTax Free file for the 1040EZ & Simple Federal Tax Returns. This will be perfect for my son since he doesn't have any major deductions, has a very low AGI and will only be getting a refund.

You can file with H&R Block's Free File if your Adjusted Gross Income is $57,000 or less,you are 52 or younger, and live in any state or U.S. Citizens and resident aliens with foreign addresses.

If you have simple tax situations, you most likely won't pay a fee through these programs for your Federal taxes but to file your state taxes electronically, you will need to pay a fee (all fees are tax deductible along with any costs for an accountant, tax software or cost of tax publications, internet subscriptions about taxes and books about taxes). Note: the deduction for tax preparation expenses is only available in the year that you actually spent the money. So if you pay for the software today, it is taken off of next years taxes. Save those receipts.

Not sure which company to use? Have some unique circumstances? Take the time to read the different websites and ask questions. I personally have used TurboTax, TaxSlayer and TaxAct without a problem in the past. You can also use the Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version of IRS paper forms, with no income restrictions.

Small Print Note: I am not an accountant or a tax attorney, etc. Although the information contained here is presented in good faith and believed to be correct, it is General in nature and is not intended as tax advice. Furthermore, the information contained herein may not be applicable to or suitable for the individuals' specific circumstances or needs and may require consideration of other matters.

Click image to enlarge. Source: H&R Block

Google: Now you know!

Google has released clear information on how to perform better in search engines. Provide useful, legitimate content! This update is called the " Helpful Content Update " and it is clear that original, informative information is king. A new sitewide ranking system is being added which awards people with good quality content. Now, this isn't really new, but it clarifies that your ranking can be impacted and if you are a subject matter expert in your field or business, make it shine! Utilize your website as informational, not just a short brochure or a business card. Show your knowledge and experience and make it work for your organically.

Typing Exercises

You took typing but need to increase your typing speed? Job interview or just because? Typing has become critical in this computer based world, not only from the workplace but also resumes and communication now rely on the keyboard instead of pen and paper. I took typing in high school before corrective ribbons were on the electronic typewriters. I was lucky to get to 15 WPM, and that was on a very good day. My typing teacher was awesome. It really wasn't her fault that I just was not that coordinated and often made mistakes reducing my numbers to single digits. Fast forward to today, I teach Microsoft Office and often encourage my students to start or refresh their typing skills by increasing their speed. The website I use for "learning to type" is typingclub.com where you can easily learn the basics to more advanced techniques. Yes there are advertisements although you can pay for an ad-free premium. I don't benefit from this suggestion, but found the 684 lessons

Washable Computer Keyboards

There is almost always a cup of coffee on my desk. Yes, ALWAYS. But there is a risk. Once a keyboard is wet, it is a gonner.. toast, terminated. When my daughter was much younger, in elementary school, she was home after school and wanted to help clean house so she took my proprietary keyboard from my Amstrad 8086 Dual Floppy computer (now a museum piece). and washed it. As in, put it in a sink of soapy dish water and washed it. It was very expensive to replace the micro-controller for that keyboard let me tell you! Well, it isn't really new but there are some washable keyboards on the market now. Logitech has a the scrubbable, submersible, spill-proof, K310 Keyboard that has pretty good reviews. Kensington K64407US Pro also has a washable keyboard with anti-microbial protection for a little bit less money. There are also washable mice but those are usually covered in silicone which I personally would prefer to not hold onto throughout the day. I did find the Seal Sh

The Mouse Click (Formerly Daily Mouse Clicks)

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