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Richard Chapo - EzineArticles.com Expert Author  

Richard Chapo is a lawyer and CEO of Business Tax Recovery, based in San Diego, California. He is an avid traveler with trips to over 50 countries and a few places that he can't pronounce.

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  • States Get Wacky With New Taxes to Raise Money
    [Finance:Taxes] The last few years have been tough for everyone. The states are no different. The loss of property and income tax revenues has seen huge deficits in many states. In response, state governments have passed a hoard of new taxes to try to make up the difference.


  • The Long Wait to Form California Business Entities
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] California has the eighth biggest economy in the world per a recent study. Despite this, the state is up to its eyeballs in red ink. It has been cutting services to deal with the problem, which is translating into a very long wait when trying to form business entities.


  • The Tax Benefits of Dying in 2010
    [Finance:Taxes] They say death and taxes are the only two things you can really count on. Well, 2010 is shaping up to be a really good year to die because the estate tax is being set aside for a year under a law passed way back in 2001.


  • Understanding the Role of Tax Loopholes
    [Finance:Taxes-Relief] Taxes are one of those subjects that make people groan and rightly so. The complexities of the tax code are such that no sane person could be expected to understand them much less comply with them all. It is rather frustrating then that we are all assumed to know them inside out under the law!


  • Estimated Taxes - What Are They Good For?
    [Finance:Taxes] What is the most significant date in the tax year? Just about everyone would say April 15 because that is the day we all have to file our individual returns. While it can definitely be a stressful time, it isn't the only tax date of significance. Instead, estimated taxes are something many of us have to consider.


  • Business Credit Card Receivables Reported to IRS Starting in 2011
    [Finance:Taxes] The IRS is seeking more and more information to close the tax gap that hovers in the $400 billion dollar range each year. One new technique is to gather data on the payments made to businesses through credit cards or debit cards. Starting in 2011, banks will have to tally and report these payments to the IRS for every business that transacts such business. That shouldn't be much of a burden!


  • The Coming Internet Sales Tax You Will Have to Pay
    [Finance:Taxes] The web has revolutionized our lives. You would not be reading this article online even just fifteen years ago. The technology just wasn't there. Now, we have virtual people getting married! Wait, I'm not sure if that is a good thing.


  • Tax Court Ruling Helps Innocent Spouses in Tax Disputes
    [Finance:Taxes-Relief] Money has often been the central issue of fights with couples. Married couples have often run into the worst of all money issues - tax problems. When a marriage fails, an "innocent spouse" can often be left holding the bag. The IRS has slowly, but surely, started implementing procedures to grant relief to the spouses. Now a tax court has bolstered the effort.


  • Understanding Tax Law - The Carrot and the Stick
    [Finance:Taxes] It has often been suggested that the tax rate at any particular time is equal to the nerve the government has to take away the money of its citizens. If this is true, all I can say is the government has a lot of nerve lately!


  • The Tax Consequences of Unemployment
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] Losing your job is a nightmare. Unfortunately, this has happened to millions of Americans the last few years as we've gone through the Great Recession. With a reported unemployment rate of nearly 10 percent and a "real" unemployment rate of over 17 percent, it has been a tough time for just about everyone. Many are relying on help from the government, but there are tax consequences to that help.


  • Medical Professionals Get Tax Benefits Under Affordable Care Act
    [Finance:Taxes-Relief] The federal government has been raising taxes in subtle ways. The states have given up on being subtle and are just raising them right and left to cover budget deficits. Nobody seems to be escaping this new tax trend, but that isn't true. Medical professionals can get tax benefits under the new Affordable Care Act if they qualify.


  • Why 2010 is the Year to Convert to a Roth IRA
    [Finance:Wealth-Building] Planning for retirement is something we all think about endlessly. There are many different strategies for doing it and many different platforms to you. The Roth IRA has been a very popular choice for a long time, but it has come with some serious restrictions. This year, 2010, is one where most of those restrictions are relaxed and create a huge opportunity for people to convert with a minimum of pain.


  • Income Tax Relief For Military Families
    [Finance:Taxes-Relief] Congress has issued and President Obama signed into law two acts that give significant income tax relief to military families that have been stuck in a state income tax law conflict. Individuals serving in the military should not be financially punished for doing so. Unfortunately, this is exactly what has been happening because of a glitch in tax law.


  • IRS Notices Becoming Clearer
    [Finance:Taxes] One of the things that really chafes people about taxes is the complexity of the forms and language used in them. The IRS has long claimed it is working to make things simpler. A reading of any tax form suggests that the Agency still has a long way to go. Alas, it finally appears to be making progress in one area - IRS notices.


  • IRS to Start Focusing on Your Stock and Bond Investments
    [Finance:Taxes] The government is spending money like a trust fund princess with a new credit card on Rodeo Drive. To help balance out the debt being accrued, Congress has given the IRS a mandate to close the annual tax gap of $400 billion or so. A new regulation coming down the pipeline is the security broker reporting requirement.


  • IRS Holding $123.5 Million in Undeliverable Tax Refunds
    [Finance:Taxes] The most amazing thing happens ever year at the IRS. Millions of dollars in tax refunds go unclaimed by tax payers. The IRS is currently holding over $123.5 million in such funds.


  • What to Do When the IRS Goes After Your Bank Account
    [Finance:Taxes-Relief] It's Friday after a long week at work. You are ready to burn off some energy and head over to the ATM to grab some cash for the night out. You put the card in the machine and it is eaten. A notice appears on the screen telling you to contact the bank immediately. You, my friend, have a frozen bank account and the IRS may be the reason why.


  • Social Security Benefits - Are They Taxable?
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] Social security is an entitlement program designed to help Americans during their golden years. The question for many is whether the benefits they receive from the program are taxable as part of the income tax process? The answer as is so often the case with tax issues is "maybe."


  • Tax Penalties For Early Withdrawals From Retirement Accounts
    [Finance:Taxes] The last few years have seen most of us suffer from the Great Recession. If you haven't, consider yourself very lucky. To find much needed cash, many people have looked to their retirement accounts in panic. There are ways to do this without creating lots of problems, but you must be careful or you will run into tax penalties.


  • Payroll Taxes - Do Not Get Behind on This Tax
    [Finance:Taxes] The IRS is often touted as a fire breathing dragon that would rather light its own feet on fire than give a taxpayer a break. This is not entirely the case. The IRS is actually pretty flexible in many areas so long as the taxpayer seems to be making an effort to resolve things. One area, however, where the nasty reputation of the IRS is definitely warranted is with payroll taxes. Simply put, you do not want to mess up in this area.


  • Tax Consequences of Failing to Take IRA Distribution
    [Finance:Taxes] The individual retirement account, better known as an IRA, has proved to be a very popular retirement vehicle for millions of Americans. If there is a downside to these accounts it is that you must start withdrawing money at a certain point. Failure to do so can lead to some absolutely brutal tax consequences.


  • When Two Business Entities Are Better Than One
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Most business owners know that they need to form either a corporation or LLC to protect themselves from the risks associated with running businesses in our modern world. Alas, most don't think through the process to its logical end when evaluating these risks. As a result, they often don't realize that they may need two, not one, business entities.


  • Design Contracts - Avoiding the Eternal Website Development Problem
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] If you have a business, you pretty much need to have a website these days. That being said, most business owners hire people to design sites for them with little understanding for what they are doing. This can lead to problems when the designer takes their sweet time in completing the sites. A design contract is the way to avoid this problem.


  • Piercing the Veil of Single Member LLCs
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The limited liability company has become a monstrously popular business entity for small businesses. As with most of its ilk, the entity has positives and negatives. This is particularly true when it comes to the issue of piercing the veil of single member LLCs.


  • Tax Season is Over - Avoid Problems Next Year
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] All hail the victors! Yes, once again you have managed to survive the annual tax season madness. 99.9 percent of Americans will now stuff their boxes of receipts and such in the closet and try to forget everything till next year. You, however, will be different.


  • Learning Your Lesson From This Tax Season
    [Finance:Taxes] The April tax filing deadline has just passed and you've survived another year or at least filed an extension to put things off till October. Now what? Well, if you filed you should learn your lesson and save more money next year.


  • Web Design Agreements - The Timing Issue
    [Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Web-Design] The web has really created a much more level playing field for small businesses these days. Of course, you need a website to take advantage of it. It is the rare small business person that will design their own website. Instead, most hire a third party to do it. In such a situation, an agreement should be signed and particular thought should be given to the issue of timing.


  • Tax Returns - When You Haven't Filed in Years
    [Finance:Taxes-Relief] Sooner or later, most people get off the tracks. When it comes to taxes, this usually refers to people who for whatever reason haven't filed tax returns for a few years. The question they face is what to do if they want to get back on board? Let's take a look.


  • Getting an Extension on Filing Your Tax Return This Year
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] The tax filing deadline this year is just a few days away. If you are on top of your game, you are ready to file. If not, there is no need to panic. You can always file for a much needed extension. In this article, we take a look at how to do just that.


  • Professional Corps - The Liability Conundrum
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Most businesses have the right to choose the type of business entity they want to conduct business under. Some do not. Those who have little choice are usually professionally licensed individuals such as accountants, doctors and so on. For them, the professional corporation is often the only choice and it comes with a liability conundrum.


  • Dealing With Tax Deadlines When You Can't Pay
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] The last few years have been absolutely brutal from an economic perspective. This has left many people staring at tax bills due in April that they simply don't have money to pay. The question is what can and should you do in such a situation?


  • The Fundamental Differences Between an LLC and Corporation
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The corporation is the traditional business entity of choice because it has been around for literally hundreds of years. The limited liability company has been an accepted business entity in a majority of states in the United States for just about 20 years. In this article, we take a look at the basic differences between the two as a matter of practicality.


  • Tax Terms - A Humorous Take to Get You Through Tax Season
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] Like the four seasons, ever new year brings us a time of reporting and filing taxes. If you listen very closely around the first week of April, you can hear millions of people grinding their teeth in frustration as they attempt to complete this annual task. Half the battle with taxes is understanding the verbiage being used. In this article, we take a somewhat humorous look at some of the common terms you need to know to get through the tax preparation process without going mad.


  • Claiming a Tax Credit For Contributing to Retirement Accounts
    [Finance:Taxes] There is much grousing about the fact that the tax code doesn't offer much financial relief for Americans. While I am right there complaining with you, there are some credits and deductions that people simply fail to take advantage of. One is the tax credit some people can claim for contributing to retirement accounts.


  • Introduction to the Professional Corporation
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] When starting a business, one of the first questions you will face is what business entity should you use. While everyone is at least passingly familiar with the corporation, "S" corporation and LLC, there are other entities for more specific situations. The professional corporation is one. Let's take a look.


  • Getting a Copy of Your Past Tax Returns
    [Finance:Taxes] Tax returns are part of our "important documents" when it comes to finances. If you want to get a mortgage or loan, you might be required to show the return. So, what do you do if you can't find the returns for a particular year? Well, there is no need to stress.


  • Figuring Out Tax Consequences of Mortgage Debt Forgiveness
    [Finance:Taxes-Property] To say it has been a rough few years in the housing market is like saying there was a small party in New Orleans after the Saints won the Super Bowl. The housing bubble didn't burst. It blew up like a hydrogen bomb. Unfortunately, this has resulted in many people losing their homes through foreclosure or short sales. Both events have tax consequences.


  • Getting an Extension on Corporate Tax Returns
    [Finance:Taxes] The one thing that unites everyone in the United States is tax. This is simply because we all have to pay! Most people focus on April as the key time for tax filings, but corporations small and large don't have that much time. Instead, they must file in March each year or seek an extension.


  • Professional Corporations - Watch Out For Restrictions on Ownership
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] You often have a number of options when forming an entity to protect your business. This is not the case in many states when it comes to protecting a professional business such as a medical or accounting practice. There are plenty of restrictions regarding what you can and can't do. One most don't realize has to do with who can be an owner.


  • How the Great Recession Showed Us Incorporating is Important
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] To say it has been a rough three years or so would be a rather minor understatement. Nearly everyone has been hurt in one way or another. The Great Recession has been a brute, but it has also taught us some very important lessons. One is the value of incorporating your business.


  • Why Carrying Taxable Events Forward is a Mistake
    [Finance:Taxes] Do you complain about the amount of taxes you pay? Tax planning is the way to really make sure that you are minimizing the pain. A common strategy used in tax planning is to move taxable events into the future. That is a very dangerous strategy these days, one that can really backfire.


  • What to Do When Your W-2 Doesn't Appear
    [Finance:Taxes] January and early February represent a period of what is known as information return filings in the tax field. Put in more understandable terms, this is the time when forms like the W-2 are filed. So, what do you do if you don't receive a W-2? Let's take a look.


  • Dealing With Past Due Taxes - A Matter of Perspective
    [Finance:Taxes] Federal, state, county and local governments all run off of the taxes we pay. As you probably have noticed, they get a bit touchy when you don't pay the amount you owe or do it on time. If you owe past taxes, you are going to have to deal with the problem sooner or later. How you do it is a matter of perspective.


  • Register This Epiphany During Tax Season
    [Finance:Taxes] So, you are starting to think about the possibility of thinking about doing your taxes. This should elicit both internal and external groans on you part.


  • Single Member LLC - Avoid Bad Habits
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The single member LLC is touted as one of the best business entity choices for sole proprietors seeking protection from lawsuits and business debt. These entities are, in fact, very good for just this purpose. They do carry, however, a high level of risk for the unwary own. How so? It is easy to fall into bad habits that can end up terminating the protection provided by the limited liability company.


  • Why Forming an LLC Or Corporation is Not Enough
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Talk to people about starting a business and the first thing they will say is you should form an LLC or corporation to protect yourself. This may seem fairly straightforward, but is filing one of these entities really enough? Not by a long shot.


  • The Roth IRA - Taxed Putting Money in and Out?
    [Finance:Taxes] There are many ways that you can save money these days for your golden years. Each has its beneficial and negative aspects. The Roth IRA is a particularly popular form of individual retirement account these days, but one has to wonder about its long term prospects.


  • Small Business Taxes - The Income and Expenses December Dance
    [Finance:Taxes] Running a small business has its upsides and downsides. It can be particularly complex around tax time till you get the hang of how things work. That being said, businesses that run on the cash method of accounting have an advantage in that they can do a December dance to move income and expenses forward or backwards and help themselves on taxes.


  • The Benefits of Filing Electronically
    [Finance:Taxes-Tools] Tax filing deadlines are quickly approaching. Put another way, it is time to start getting your act together so you can get through the filing process with a minimum of fuss. One way to help limit the misery is to consider filing electronically this year.


  • Ignore Misleading Solicitations Regarding Your Corporate Minutes
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] I love a good business idea just like the next guy, but one that is circulating now is both aggravating and misleading. There is a notice being sent to small businesses that have incorporated telling them they need to pay a fee to have their minutes done. This is simply not true and the offices of the Secretary of State in many states are starting to take action against said companies.


  • A Plan For Making Tax Preparation Less Painful
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] The holidays have ended and New Years is a hazy memory of fun. As I lounged on the couch on a Sunday watching the playoff games, I just couldn't get comfortable. It was like I had blocked out some type of pain. Then the problem became clear. It was time to start thinking about taxes.


  • Is an LLC Or Corporation the Better Choice?
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] You are ready to get serious about a business idea. You've read somewhere that protecting yourself is a critical move. You know this means you need to form some type of business entity. The question you face is whether an LLC or corporation is the right choice.


  • Key Tax Forms - W-2 Filing Dates
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] The first quarter of the year can be very startling when you go to the post office. Instead of catalogs and magazines, you keep getting all of these official looking letters and that usually isn't good news. Don't fret. It's just tax season and the first tax notices have to be mailed out in January including the W-2 form.


  • New Form Required For First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit
    [Finance:Taxes-Income] The first-time homebuyers tax credit has been credited with stabilizing the anemic housing market during the latter part of 2009 and first quarter of 2010. Alas, the credit has been claimed by many who have no right to do so according to the IRS. Given this, the agency has announced it will be auditing many of the claims. It has also just issued a new form that people claiming the credit must file.


  • Professional Corporations - Just What Are They?
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] As a new or existing business, you can choose from just about any of the various business entities out there. The choice includes entities such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and limited partnerships to name just a few. In most states, however, the number of choices is dramatically restricted if you are a professional.


  • 1099-MISC Tax Filing Deadlines Are Around the Corner
    [Finance:Taxes] The thrill of New Years has barely worn off, yet it is already time to get back to the grindstone. In this case, we are talking about tax season. The issue? Any 1099-MISC filings need to go out in the mail soon.


  • Be Wary When Making Donations to Charities For Haiti
    [News-and-Society:International] Americans are phenomenal when it comes to donating money when tragedies happen. Unfortunately, there are a few scumbags in the world who will throw up websites or send out emails seeking donations for fake charities, the proverbial rip-off. Fortunately, there is a way to avoid these scams.


  • The Outlook For Taxes in 2010
    [Finance:Taxes] As we celebrate leaving 2009 behind, we necessarily turn towards 2010 and start considering what the future holds. For instance, what does the year hold on the tax front?


  • New Tax Break For Business Losses
    [Finance:Taxes-Relief] 2009 may have been a tough year economically, but it has been a major year for new tax breaks. The latest is a new tax break announced by the IRS for business losses.


  • Spain Raises Tax Rates - Preview For America?
    [Finance:Taxes] Spain has announced it must raise tax rates to deal with ballooning deficits. The question is whether this is a preview for the United States of America or a one off event.


  • Limited Liability Company - Should You Really Skip Keeping Corporate Minutes?
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The LLC is the little business entity that could. Unfortunately, many services market it as the cure-all to every problem a small business has. LLCs are solid business entities, but they are not perfect. In this article, we take a look at one of the marketing claims you often see regarding an LLC and whether it has any merit.


  • Single Member Limited Liability Company - Piercing the Protective Shield
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Why do people form business entities for their small business? The answer is very simple. While they believe in their business idea, they want to protect themselves from any debts or lawsuits should the business have problems. For those forming an LLC with only one owner, this shield is often easily penetrated with disastrous results.


  • Saving on Taxes - Plan Now
    [Finance:Taxes] As we all know, the magic tax date is April 15th each year when tax returns must be filed. Well, at least that is what we are told. In truth, the magic period for taxes occurs in the months of November and December. Well, that is if you want to limit the amount of tax you pay on April 15th.


  • First Time Real Estate Buyers Beware - Tax Credits That Are Really Loans
    [Real-Estate:Buying] The real estate market in much of the United States looks like a boxer after going 10 rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime - bloodied, bruised and in pain. Tax credits have been instituted to try to stop the pain, but buyers should know about a big caveat with these.


  • You've Formed an LLC - Now What?
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] We are a nation of do it yourselfers. This is true whether we are trying to fix the sprinklers in the yard or forming a business entity. Many people make a noble attempt to form their own limited liability companies these days, but then don't have any idea what to do with the business entity once they've done so.


  • An LLC Operating Agreement - Getting a Grasp
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The modern limited liability company is touted as a great business choice for many situations in the business world. While most people know what a "LLC" is, few grasp the nature of the internal documents that control it. The Operating Agreement is one such document.


  • Single Member LLCs - Losing Your Asset Protection
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The limited liability company is touted for its tax flexibility and asset protection benefits. While valid, single member limited liability companies are ripe for alter ego claims, which means the owner losses the asset protection benefit and becomes personally liable for the debts of the company.


  • Single Member LLCs - Pros and Cons
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The LLC is touted as a great business entity for small businesses. This is particularly true for single member LLCs. If you are considering forming one of these entities, it is important to realize there are pros and cons that need to be taken into account.


  • Tax Issues When Starting a New Business
    [Finance:Taxes] You've decided to take the plunge. You are going to start your own business. Congratulations! There are some tax issues you need to consider before you start pursuing your dream business.


  • Tax Issues to Keep in Mind When You Get Married
    [Finance:Taxes] Getting married is a glorious event, certainly one of the most important in your life. That being said, the sheer joy involved can easily result in missing out on some practical issues that can pop up. This includes remembering to handle some administrative things with your taxes.


  • Tax Records - How Long Should You Hold on to Them?
    [Finance:Taxes] Doing your taxes is hardly a fun time. Once done, most people treat the process as out of out of sight, out of mind. This is fine so long as you hold on to the records you used to come up with the numbers on your return.


  • Single Member LLC - Piercing the Corporate Veil Issues
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The single member LLC is one of the more popular choices for small businesses. It is often touted as the perfect business entity, but there are definitely some areas of concern that a person forming the entity should know about. One has to do with the issue of piercing the corporate veil.


  • Tax Consequences of Bartering
    [Finance:Taxes] Bartering is the oldest form of compensation there is. It still goes on today and many are surprised to learn there can be tax consequences associated with it in the eyes of the government.


  • Stimulus Bill Impact on Taxes on Unemployment Compensation
    [Finance:Taxes] Losing your job is simply no fun whatsoever. There are a few safety nets built for the situation from a societal perspective. One of them is the concept of unemployment compensation. The issue of taxation of this compensation is a subject that drives people nuts.


  • Tax Consequences of Losing Your Job
    [Finance:Taxes] Losing your job is a miserable thing. Unfortunately, it is happening time and again these days. If you are let go, it is vital that you understand the tax consequences of losing your job. No, being fired isn't taxable, but follow up events can be.


  • Understanding the Making Work Pay Tax Credit
    [Finance:Taxes] The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 represents a monstrous effort by the government to get the economy moving again. The Making Work Pay Tax Credit is part of that. Here's a rundown on how this tax credit works.


  • Differences Between Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs
    [Investing:IRA-401k] Many people are focusing on their retirement situation with the implosion of the economy impacting stock prices. With this in mind, it never hurts to look at some of the basics of retirement savings vehicles. In this article we take a look at the differences between a traditional IRA and Roth IRA.


  • Tax Refunds - Key Things to Know
    [Finance:Taxes] Meeting the April 15 tax filing deadline can be like being in a horror story for most taxpayers. Once it passes, assuming you filed your return, the next step in the tax process can actually be a positive one. Why? The next step usually involves getting a tax refund!


  • The Savers Credit - Get a Tax Credit For Saving For the Golden Years
    [Finance:Taxes] What will you live off of when you reach the golden years? This has become a much bigger question for many people given the stock market losses of the last year. You should still be putting money into your retirement vehicles and there is a tax credit to motivate you to do so.


  • Beware of Last Second IRS Scams
    [Finance:Taxes] The day most taxpayers fear like no other is almost upon us. Yes, I'm talking about April 15, the deadline for filing your individual income tax return. As the day approaches, the stress level for most individuals goes through the roof. Scam artists see this as an opportunity.


  • Do You Need More Time to File Your Tax Return?
    [Finance:Taxes] April 15 is the tax filing deadline for 2009. This means you need to have your tax return in the mail by the end of that day. If you do not have your return in the mail by that time, you're technically late in the filing of said return which of course will not make the IRS happy.


  • Deducting Credit Card Fees When Paying Taxes
    [Finance:Taxes] The last year has seen one of the worst economic scenarios we've experienced in a very long time. Some would say it is been so bad that we are even in a second Great Depression of sorts. What is indisputable is that money has been tight for most Americans. It's particularly problematic now that taxes are coming due on April 15.


  • Paying Your Taxes With Plastic
    [Finance:Taxes] As we come up on April 15, the actual task of paying your taxes is probably coming front and center in your mind. While the IRS will let you file for an extension to file your tax return, that extension does not extend to the actual payment of any taxes that you will owe to the government.


  • Tax Deadline - Filing an Extension
    [Finance:Taxes] April 15th is a feared day for most taxpayers across the country. Paying the taxes isn't entirely the problem. It really has to do with the preparation of the tax returns. If you are feeling under the gun this year, you don't have to panic. You can always apply for an extension to file with the IRS.


  • First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - A Trick to Claiming it Quickly
    [Finance:Taxes] A number of bills have been passed in an effort to get the economy moving again. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains a tremendous financial windfall for first time homebuyers. If you are thinking about buying, here's how to get the windfall quickly.


  • It's Time to Get Moving on Your Taxes
    [Finance:Taxes] If you haven't already started getting ready to file your taxes, now is definitely the time. Yes, it is that time of year again. April 15th is just around the corner and that means tax filing time.


  • Millions Are Missing Out on $1.3 Billion in 2005 Tax Refunds
    [Finance:Taxes] Times are tough and money is oh so very tight these days. With this in mind, it is a bit of a shock that over a million people have not claimed their rightful tax refunds for 2005.


  • The 1099-MISC Independent Contractor Deadlines Are Upon Us
    [Finance:Taxes] Opportunity beckons as we venture into a new calendar year. Unfortunately, so do tax filing tasks. One of the first that pops up is the requirement to report certain payments to independent contractors to the IRS on form 1099- MISC.


  • Ferrying Into Sihanoukville, Cambodia - A Warning
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] If you are considering traveling to Southeast Asia, doing the Thailand-Cambodia trip is a favorite of many. The trip from Thailand to Sihanoukville, Cambodia can be a bit startling, however. It need not be.


  • Take a Camper Trip This Spring
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Camping] College kids live for spring break because it is a time to celebrate the end of winter. Okay, they are going to celebrate a bit more than most people, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be thinking along the same lines. A camper trip might just be the answer.


  • Travel Alternatives During the Recession
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Budget-Travel] Traveling is a great way to move beyond your daily boundaries and experience the world, whether that be a few hours away or half way across the globe. The only problem, of course, is a bit of money is required. In the current recessionary period, watching every dollar makes sense and means rethinking travel plans.


  • Will Taxes Rise in 2009?
    [News-and-Society:Economics] The recent election of Barack Obama along with a strong Democrat Congress has led to much hand ringing regarding taxes being raised. The question is whether this will actually happen in 2009.


  • Use Those Gift Cards Quickly!
    [Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Gifts] Christmas is upon us and that means gift giving and receiving. If you receive gift cards from a friend or family member, you might be wise to get out there and use them quickly.


  • The Difficulty of Traveling Off the Beaten Path
    [Travel-and-Leisure] There was a time when mass travel simply didn't exist. It was too expensive for most folks. Obviously, those times passed a long time ago. While more people are traveling than every before, some wonder if this mass movement has defeated some of the positive aspects of traveling.


  • Thai Boxing Matches and Tourists
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Boxing] Thailand is known as the land of smiles, but it also has a rougher side. The country is well known for its own form of combat called Thai boxing.


  • Deep Fried Critters in Thailand
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Southeast Asia is definitely a location where you can experience a different way of life. This includes some of the things you can find to eat on the streets of the cities.


  • When Champagne is Not Necessarily Champagne
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] The bubbly stuff has certainly developed a reputation. From New Year's toasts to teams celebrating championships, the classic French Champagne is a standard bearer. The question is whether that bottle you have is really Champagne.


  • A Great Cheap International Trip Even in This Economic Mess
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] The economic downturn has hit everyone from the richest of the rich to the poorest of the poor. For hardcore travelers, this makes getting out on the road a real challenge. Don't worry. There is still a great part of the planet you can explore on a tight budget.


  • The Ultimate Massage in Cambodia
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Whether you are dragging around a large backpack or suitcases, traveling can definitely take a toll on your body. A massage is a great way to give your body some peace while tuning it up as well.


  • Travel Warnings Vs Travel Alerts
    [Travel-and-Leisure] The U.S. Government issues informational updates for potential travel destinations for citizens. These updates are issued as warnings or alerts. They are not the same thing and understanding the difference is the key to avoiding problems.


  • Travel Warning - Airline Travel in 2009
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] If ever there was an industry that lives in a highly volatile world, it is the airline industry in the United States. The conditions move fast and the sight of airlines going in and out of bankruptcy is so common most people don't even bat an eye any more. That being said, 2009 is shaping up to be a rough one.


  • Travel in 2009 - All is Not Grim
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] To say that there are a lot of people who will be glad to see 2008 end as soon as possible would be a small understatement. It was a rough year and there is no discounting that. 2009 is not forecast to be much better, but travel may be an area where there is some silver lining.


  • How to Protect Business Assets From Lawsuits
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] You decide to start a business and are going to be smart from the get go. You form a corporation to create a shield between the obligations of the business and your personal assets. It's a nice start, but has one serious weakness.


  • Are You in a General Partnership and Don't Realize It?
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. While the big boys get all the media attention, there is little doubt that small businesses make the wheels go round. That being said, the legal and tax regulations are not very friendly towards these businesses.


  • The Perfect Business Entity For Passive Investors
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Business entities are some of the most misunderstood legal tools on the market. Many people just form them because it is something you are supposed to do. In truth, the various entities are designed for specific purposes. Let's consider a common scenario.


  • Selecting a Business Entity - Think it Through
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] You've decided to form a small business and are worried about liability among other things. The obvious answer is to form a business such as a corporation or limited liability company...or is it?


  • Unique Approaches to Beating Writer's Block
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] It doesn't get much worse than writer's block. It can hit you when you are just starting out on a piece, in the middle or, even worse, write at the end. Regardless of the timing, working through it can require some creative strategies.


  • How Journaling Can Help Your Writing
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] Writing is a process, but it is still an art form when all things are considered. If you are writing towards a goal, it can be easy to have this creative artistic side of the genre go dormant. Journaling is a good way to reverse this.


  • Capturing Those Fleeting Thoughts on Stories
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] It is the rare person that can sit down and write out a story from beginning to end in one go. In fact, I would hazard no human being can do it! Plots come in fits and starts. Keeping an inventory of them is the key so you can use them when the need arises.


  • A Secondary Costa Rican Attraction
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Costa Rica is a hugely popular vacation destination in Central America. It has a little something for everyone, but one of its top attractions is rarely mentioned in travel circles - the food.


  • Understanding and Appreciating Russian Hospitality
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] If you take a trip to Russia, it can be easy to be swept up by events and miss out on some of the finer things happening. This is often because of the easy hospitality of the average Russian family, something you should respect and appreciate.


  • Travel in Russia - Understanding the Taxi System
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Privyet! Da! Nyet! Dasvidanya! You've decided on a trip to Russia and these are the four words you will learn first in preparation - hello, yes, no, goodbye! Understanding how to get around using the infamous Russian taxi system is a bit more complex.


  • Renting Transportation in Costa Rica
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Car-Rentals] So, you've decided to head down to Costa Rica for a little vacation time. It is a quality destination, but you are going to need some way to get around. That means renting a car, truck or van.


  • Kicking it Old School in Sihanoukville, Cambodia
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Trying to find a destination that is off the path is a real chore these days for most travelers. One tends to look to changing circumstances in a country for the prime new locations. Cambodia is certainly one such destination now.


  • The Value of a Beater Laptop When Traveling
    [Travel-and-Leisure] They say you can't take it with you, but that simply isn't true when traveling these days. You can take your laptop and eat it...err, well use it wherever you are. The question is whether you should.


  • Mixing Work and Travel Via the Web
    [Business:Careers-Employment] The digital revolution is upon us, but many people do not fully think through the potential benefits of it. For many people, the idea of traveling while also working is no longer a myth.


  • Travel Warning - Think Twice About Visiting Tijuana, Mexico
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Living in San Diego, we natives often hop the border to experience the good times in Mexico. From tremendous food to fine people to great surf to Tequila, there is something for everyone. Unfortunately, the current state of things in Tijuana and down the coast below the border are bad.


  • IRS Releases Mile Rate For Business Mile Deduction in 2009
    [Finance:Taxes] Getting out and conducting business is a basic necessity for any business person these days even with the easy of digital communications coming on like mad. Fortunately, Congress knows as much and tax law has long allowed for the deduction of costs related to driving around on business.


  • Tax Credits - Why You Should Be Focusing on Them
    [Finance:Taxes] To say the subject of taxes is a complex one is to make just a minor understatement. That being said, the subject of tax credits is one you want to understand. Okay, so what is a tax credit?


  • Know Your Champagne For New Years
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] Champagne is often the celebratory drink of choice for special occasions ranging from weddings to victories to boat launchings to New Year's Eve. As we charge towards the New Year, knowing your champagne is important.


  • Fortified Wines - A Kick in the Pants
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] When discussing wines, most people focus on the two basic categories of whites and reds. Some might even through the sparkling wines in as a third category, but most fail to bring up fortified wines. If you are really serious about wine, this is a mistake.


  • Don't Buy the Organic Wine Claim
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] With obesity and health problems on the rise, we've all started taking a closer look at what we eat. For instance, if pesticides kill bugs, they can't be too good for us either. This goes for the wines we drink as well, which brings us to the subject of organic wine.


  • When Wine Goes Bad
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] You invite some friends over for a dinner party. The appetizers are up and you pop the cork on a nice Bordeaux in anticipation. After letting it breathe for a bit, you pour a glass and take a sip. Your lips curl up like you are eating a lemon! You've got a bad bottle of wine.


  • The Economic Silver Lining - Are Oil Prices Down For Good?
    [News-and-Society:Energy] They say there is a silver lining to every situation. Sometimes that silver gleam can be very hard to find. When it comes to this economic wipeout, the drop in oil prices seems to be the big windfall.


  • When Corks and Wine Simply Do Not Mix
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] From the most sophisticated setting to Captain Jack Sparrow throwing one back, we all know the basic pillars of wine - the wine, a bottle and a cork. It really doesn't get more basic than that.


  • Storing Wine - The Odd Questions You Always Wondered About
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] Wine is often given human characteristics. It "breathes". It is a "living body." Much of this terminology has come to be because wine is so temperamental that one can believe it has a mind of its own. The issues surrounding storing it prove as much.


  • To Decant Or Not to Decant - That is the Question
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] The wonderful world of wine brings to us unique concepts that are so off the beaten path that they violate such basics as grammar. For instance, in this article we discuss the merits of letting a wine breathe, as if a liquid could do so.


  • The Positive Benefits of Keeping a Personal Journal
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] Journaling has been with us for hundreds of years, but don't think that makes it quaint. It is a means for excising the mind and soul. Hey, Oprah does it!


  • Daily Food Journals
    [Health-and-Fitness:Weight-Loss] We live in a rush-rush world, which makes dieting difficult because we often don't track correctly what we are consuming. Daily food journals are a great way to short circuit this problem and ultimately accomplish the weight loss you are after.


  • Letting Wine Breathe in a Restaurant
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] Drinking wine at dinner is obviously a very common act and the same goes for when you are in a restaurant. The question, however, is how do you deal with letting a wine breathe in the restaurant setting.


  • Getting the Temperature Right When Serving Wine
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] There are many nuances when it comes to consuming wine. Most of the conversation centers around the actual taste and aroma of the wine, but there is a more practical area that should receive more attention than it does.


  • Is That Bottle of Wine Really From Where it Says?
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] When it comes to advertising these days, the onset of "truthiness" has never been more apparent. Sadly, this is also true with the wine you buy and drink. The location suggested on the bottle does not necessarily mean the wine is from that area.


  • Don't Wait Till April to Do Your Taxes
    [Finance:Taxes] There are certain things we are happy to do in our free time and others that we will naturally put off to the last moment. Taxes definitely fall into this second category. Unfortunately, there is usually a cash penalty for waiting to deal with them.


  • Dealing With Tax Problems
    [Finance:Taxes] Whether we like it or not, paying taxes is a part of life. That being said, it can be easy to get behind when it comes to filing tax returns and making the necessary payments. If you have tax problems, it is important that you deal with them while you can instead of when the IRS decides to come after you.


  • What to Do When Receiving an IRS Notice
    [Finance:Taxes] There you are minding your own business. You work all day, catch the kid's game and then come home. You innocently grab the mail and start looking through it as you walk up the driveway. Junk mail, magazines, a bill and...a letter from the IRS! So much for your relaxing day.


  • IRS Audit Rates Are Up
    [Finance:Taxes] As you've probably notice, the federal government has been spending money like it grows on trees. Whatever your political views, two wars and a failing finance industry cost a lot of money to deal with. Well, it just so happens that IRS audit rates are up. Could they be related?


  • The Secret to Saving Money on Your Taxes
    [Finance:Taxes] Have you ever complained about paying taxes? If you answered no, then you are lying! Everyone complains about them because there is no way around the fact you have to pay a certain percentage of your income to the federal government. Limiting the size of that percentage is the goal of every taxpayer.


  • Get a Tax Deduction For Paying Taxes
    [Finance:Taxes] The tax code in the United States is habitually criticized for being so complex that most people cannot fathom whether they are paying too much or not enough. This complexity has grown to the point of a pleasant absurdity when it comes to deducting taxes you've paid.


  • Don't Be Afraid to Mix and Match Story Lines
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] When writing creatively, it is rather ironic that as writers we often put ourselves in a box and then refuse to think outside of it. It is hardly creative! This is particularly true when it comes to developing the story line for your work. We pick a plot line and then stick to it come hell or high water.


  • Building Story Clips With Journals
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] The inspiration for creative writing is one that should not be restricted. Inspiration comes in many forms and at many different times. When it does, you need to be ready to sit down and jot down your thoughts.


  • Top Wine Gifts For the 2008 Holidays
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] The end of the year is coming around again and it is time to come up with gift ideas for friends, family, bosses and co-workers. Here are some suggestions for wine oriented gifts that will not set you back an arm and a leg in these tough times.


  • Choosing Wines For Thanksgiving Dinner
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] The year is flying by quickly. Halloween is past us and Thanksgiving is coming on quickly and you know what that means - the hefty, delicious Thanksgiving Dinner. Ah, but which wine are you going to drink?


  • Keeping a Wine Tasting Journal
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] If you enjoy wine, you enjoy wine tasting. It is a good way to experience new vintages and really develop your palette. Over time, you can really nail down the wine you enjoy and eliminate those that simply do not pass muster. Keeping a wine tasting journal is the way to do this.


  • Preserving Your Fishing Experiences For Prosperity
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] Time flies and don't we all know it. One day you are fishing with your buddies in high school and the next you are trying to teach your kids how to tie a fly. As the years pass, so do our memories. Keeping a fishing journal is a great way to record those memories and pass them down to your kids.


  • Fishing - Be One With the Fish
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] There are two types of people that enjoy fishing. One simply enjoys the time away from the hustle and bustle of life and is not particularly bothered one way or another whether they catch any fish. The other person is obsessed with catching fish and is willing to go to any length to do so. This article is written for those who are obsessed!


  • The Finer Points of Fishing
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] To fish or not to fish - that is the question! Oh, come on. That is no question at all. We all know the answer is to fish and to fish as often as you possibly can. To that end, let us extol upon the reasons why heading out with a rod and real is just a good old idea.


  • Truly Listen to Your Customers
    [Business:Marketing] Running your own business can be an intense affair. There is the stress of meeting the bottom line and the euphoria of the good days. With the current consumer market a scary one, it is vital that you take the extra steps to make sure your business comes out on the other side of what is going to be an ugly year or two.


  • Synchronize Your Marketing Pitches in a Tough Economy
    [Business:Marketing] Well, welcome to the end of the world. At least, that is the impression being given by the pundits. As usual, the hysteria is a bit overblown. Are things tough? Yes. Will it last? No. As always, things will turn around. It might take a few years, so until then you need to rethink your marketing efforts.


  • A Day at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] New York City is a play you simply have to visit even if you do not like big cities. It is a blend of so many clashing interests, cultures and vibes that spending a week in the Big Apple is something you will not forget quickly.


  • A Day at the Equinox Resort Spa in Beautiful Vermont
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] You might not think of a lavish resort town when you think of Manchester, Vermont. You may not even think of spas when you think of the state of Vermont. However, the Equinox Resort Spa seems to be breaking all of these assumptions at once.


  • Crescent Court in Dallas, Texas
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Hotels-Accommodations] Although some hotel rooms tend to be rather expensive, you do not get a lot of space inside of your room. At the Crescent Court Resort in Dallas, Texas, space seems to be the number one priority. Rooms are large enough to move around in, and the hotel itself is a pure delight to visit.


  • Birding - Optimal Spots For Sightings
    [Reference-and-Education:Wildlife] Bird watching is a hobby that is sweeping the nation. It may seem odd to suggest that watching birds could be addictive, but it is. To get hooked, of course, you have to find spots for optimal viewing.


  • Coming to Grips With the Rules of Wine Drinking
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] Wine has often received a bad wrap as a bit of a snob hobby. Much of this is due to the verbiage used as well as the fairly humorous wine etiquette rules. If you are just starting to get into wine, it is vital that you come to grips with these rules.


  • The Secret to Getting the Right Wine For Particular Foods
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] The world of wine is surprisingly full of rules. The world of food is as well. Some things go together and other things simply do not. When it comes to picking the right wine for a meal, this can make things a bit tricky.


  • The Positive Aspects of Invoice Factoring
    [Business:Accounting] We are a nation that is constantly living and dealing with debt. While individuals get the most attention, this is also true for businesses as well. For many businesses, the issue of cash flow becomes a huge problem and they look to factoring as a method for overcoming it.


  • Selling Your Account Receivables For Cash Flow Relief
    [Finance] What could possibly be bad about account receivables? Well, waiting for them to be paid by your clients. While you wait, your own creditors are drumming their fingers on the table and getting grumpy about you paying them.


  • One Solution For Business Cash Flow Problems
    [Business] When you first start out running a business, the idea of profits and losses seems pretty simple. The business will flourish if you make a profit. It will fail if you do not. Pretty soon, however, you begin to realize that something called cash flow is a critical issue as well.


  • How a Proactive CPA Saves You Big Money
    [Finance:Taxes] Dealing with taxes is just about the last thing anyone wants to do. That includes me and I write about them. That being said, there is one clear rule when it comes to taxes. If you plan ahead to deal with them, you will pay far less than if you just throw together a tax return at the last moment.


  • Save Money With Tax Planning in the Fourth Quarter
    [Finance:Taxes] As we work through the fourth quarter of the calendar year, many people put thoughts of taxes on the back burner. After all, you really don't have any major tax filing deadlines coming up until returns are due the next year.


  • Just Where is My Stimulus Check?
    [Finance:Taxes] Like millions of Americans, you decided to file an extension last April so you could file your taxes this past October 15th. Well, the day has come and gone. You have filed your taxes and now you want to know, "Where is my stimulus payment?"


  • The Incredible Chianti Wine
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] When it comes to wine, the measure of taste is usually subtle. You sort of like that wine, but kind of do not like that other wine. Chianti wine is another beast entirely. It is definitely a take it or leave it wine for many people.


  • Wine Label Collecting - The Secret to Successfully Removing Labels
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] Drinking wine is one of those luxuries that can quickly become a full blown habit. The more you get into it, the more you will want to document your wine experiences. Keeping a journal of your wine experiences is a common step, but so is wine label collecting.


  • The Ins and Outs of Legs on Wine
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] Wine tasting is the art of the sublime. It is part of the evaluation process in which we determine if a wine is superior or inferior. There are many subtle aspects to making this evaluation. One question is the role the legs of a wine play.


  • Why it is Important to Let Wine Breathe
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] As human beings, we need to breathe to live. The reason is rather obvious given our biology. In the world of food and drink, wine also needs to breathe although why is less clear to many people.


  • Let it Breathe - How to Aerate Your Wine
    [Food-and-Drink:Wine-Spirits] The world of wine can often seem like an alien one. From etiquette to tasting technique, the common functions of wine drinking can be mystifying. One such area that confuses many has to do with letting a wine breathe.


  • Tips For Using Promotional Items
    [Business:Advertising] The word has come down from on high. You've been charged with putting together a promotional campaign for your organization. Here are some tips on creating a successful effort.


  • Staying on the Ball With Your Marketing
    [Business:Marketing] It is amazing how often a massive marketing opportunity presents itself to a business niche and nobody does anything about it. This brings up the issue of staying on the ball with your marketing and waking up to the possibilities all around you.


  • Finding Good Schwag For Your Promotional Marketing
    [Business:Marketing] Sometimes, the old methods are still the best way to go when it comes to building a business. In an ever competitive business world, this can often mean using promotional items to entice potential customers to become definite customers. The problem, of course, is you need to find some good "schwag" to entice them.


  • Surf and Turf in Del Mar, California
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] It's that time of the year again. As we move into the middle of the hot summer months, the surf and turf is rolling again in Del Mar. Yep, the horse races have started again. Del Mar is a beautiful little coast town located in the North County area of San Diego. It carries the profile of a large hill rolling down to the ocean. The northern section of Del Mar, however, is a valley heading inland with a waterway in which the tide goes in and out. In this area about a thousand feet from the ocean lies the Del Mar Fairgrounds.


  • Purple Martins - Knowing Your Bird Species
    [Pets:Birds] Whether you are hooked on bird watching or just like to know what you are looking at, knowing your birds is important. In this article, we take a look at Purple Martins.


  • What To Do When Missing a W-2 Form
    [Finance:Taxes] The W-2 form is one of the basic elements of any salaried person's taxes. Ah, but what do you do if an employer has not sent your W-2 before it is time to prepare your taxes?


  • Receive Your Tax Refund Faster With Direct Deposit
    [Finance:Taxes] The silver lining to doing taxes for most people is getting a tax refund. If you are feeling a money crunch these days, asking the IRS to directly deposit the refund in your bank account will speed things up.


  • A Few Things To Note About Flying In and Out of Thailand
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] If you live in North America, finding a cheap destination is a big priority this year. Thailand represents a killer deal and it is very friendly towards Americans. If you are going for the first time, however, there is something you need to know about the flight.


  • Thailand - A Cheap Travel Destination That Delivers
    [Travel-and-Leisure] Fuel prices are up and the economy is down this year. That makes getting the most bang out of your travel buck important. Thailand represents a fascinating and excellent travel destination that is also an incredible deal.


  • Going Beyond the Norm with Promotional Items
    [Business:Sales] It has long been standard practice to give people more than they expect in the form of promotional items. The problem, of course, is most people have seen the run of the mill things. This means you need to go beyond the norm to have your items make an impact.


  • Corporations - Making Tax Year Designations
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Death and taxes are those two things you can never escape. When forming a corporation, making your tax year designation is a fundamental step you need to take carefully.


  • Foreign Corporation - You Might Be Designated As One
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The legal system comes in categories and layers that most people don't grasp at first. One of the layers has to do with how corporations are regulated and leads to the odd situation where many corporations are designated as "foreign" even if they are formed in a state.


  • Don't Inadvertently Breach Your Corporate Protection
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Corporations are valued for a number of reasons and the shield against liability is certainly a big one. Given this, you really don't want to inadvertently breach your corporate shield.


  • Issues of Solar Power Viability
    [News-and-Society:Energy] As the demand for energy continues to grow, the world is looking to diversify energy platforms. Solar power is mentioned continually, but is it really viable?


  • The Twisted Terminology of Fishing
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] If you are just getting into fishing, you can quickly become confused by some of the quarks in the terminology used. Here are some of the oddities that reveal you shouldn't take everything as it seems.


  • The Fishing Rod vs Vehicle War
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] As an angler, your fishing rod is obviously a valuable tool that needs to be maintained and protected. This means keeping it from the clutches of the predator known as your vehicle.


  • Is The End of Cheap Travel Coming?
    [Travel-and-Leisure] We live in a golden time for many things including travel. We can travel for a relative pittance to nearly any destination in the world. The question is whether we will be able to do so for much longer.


  • Can You Afford to Fly Abroad This Year?
    [Travel-and-Leisure] Most people love to travel around the world whenever possible. So, why don't more of them do it? The cost can be prohibitive for one. This may be a particularly difficult problem this year.


  • Visiting San Diego - Finding Breakfast Joints
    [Travel-and-Leisure] If you are one of the many that like to come to San Diego for a vacation, you are going to have to eat sooner or later. There are plenty of quality places, so there is no need to eat in the tourist traps.


  • The Mexican Food Place to Eat At When Visiting San Diego
    [Food-and-Drink:Restaurant-Reviews] San Diego is a big tourist destination to say the least. While there are more than a few restaurants designed to cater to the tourist, the locals eat at the best places and so can you.


  • Escape By Planning Your Summer Vacation Now
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Vacation-Rentals] Yes, it is cold and dreary outside in much of the country, but that doesn't mean you can't mentally escape to the warmth of summer and a vacation. Start planning now and you'll be on your way mentally!


  • Fly Fishing - Patagonia in Argentina
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] When you think of fly fishing, Argentina is probably not a place that immediately comes to mind. Well, it should. Outside of Buenos Aires is a veritable outdoorsmen paradise.


  • Accepting Nature When Birding
    [Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] Flip on a program on the natural world and you would swear that tigers and water buffalo sleep curled up together at nice in peaceful bliss. Unfortunately, the natural world doesn't really work this way and you need to keep this in mind when birding.


  • Getting The Most Out Of Your Bird Watching
    [Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] When you first start bird watching, you'll quickly gain an appreciation for the various species you sight. After a few sessions, however, you'll want to raise your birding game to new levels. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your birding.


  • Climbing Carabiners - An Introduction
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Climbing] When you start rock climbing, you'll most likely just be playing around on surfaces that aren't too high. Once you decide to get serious, it will be time to get technical and that means carabiners.


  • Who Do You Have To Issue 1099-MISC Tax Forms To?
    [Finance:Taxes] January starts off with a blissful anticipation of a glorious new year. It quickly turns into a panic as you try to get your finances in order so you can issue 1099-MISC tax forms. Ah, but who do you have issue them to?


  • 1099 MISC Deadlines for Independent Contractors Approaching
    [Finance:Taxes] The turning of the new year is a time for a new beginning. Unfortunately, January is also the time when the tax season begins in earnest. 1099-MISC filings are on of the first things that come up.


  • Taxes - Your Information Reporting Requirements
    [Finance:Taxes] You may wonder how the IRS tracks the movement of money so that it knows who owes how much. Well, there are a number of ways and information returns are one of the key ones.


  • No Need for Panicked Mailings to the IRS Anymore
    [Finance:Taxes] It happens every year. You forget to file some tax form and get into a panic trying to find the correct form, fill it out and slam it into the mail before the relevant deadline. This madness may be coming to an end.


  • Tax Issues - Social Security Wage Base Increase for Employers
    [Finance:Taxes] As an employer, you are responsible for a bevy of red tape when it comes to your employees. Making things even better, the rules and regulations regarding that red tape gets changed a bit each year.


  • The Reasons To Get Into Rock Climbing
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Climbing] You probably are aware of rock climbing and might wonder why it has gained in popularity to the point that you now have cruise ships with walls to practice on! Well, there are a number of reasons.


  • Vacation Rock Climbing In Europe
    [Recreation-and-Sports:Climbing] If you catch the rock climbing bug, you'll soon be looking for places to climb all over the world. Taking a climbing vacation to Europe should be on your list. In fact, you should take a LONG vacation!


  • Bird Watching - Helping the Fallen
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] If you have been birding for awhile, chances are that you have come across a fallen bird at least a few times. While every birder will encounter this dilemma, there are some things that you should know about when to - and when not to - rescue a fallen bird.


  • Bird Watching - Hold That Pose!
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] Some photographers claim that children are the most difficult subjects to capture on camera, but if you are a birder, you know better. Effectively stalking and capturing a bird on film is a skill the requires great patience and know-how, but with a bit of luck (and a lot of careful planning) you can have some fantastic feathery photographs in no time.


  • Bird Watching - Sighting Night Birds
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] If you think that the birding world really comes alive first thing in the morning, you may be surprised to know that many birds wake up after the sun has gone down. Some birds are real night owl's (and yes, they come out at night too), so get ready for some late night birding.


  • Useful Bird Watching Terminology
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] As with any other sport, birding comes with its own set of intricate terminology, which is usually known as "birding slang." While you do not have to memorize every bird term out there, it will help you to become familiar with the following words and their meanings.


  • Essential Bird Watching Gear
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] You wouldn't dare step up to a golf course without a standard set of clubs, and what would a tennis court be without a good racket? Well, if you intend to become a birder, there are a few pieces of equipment that you just shouldn't live without.


  • Music to Your Ears When Birding
    [Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] Although pre-recorded audio tapes depicting the sounds that birds make can be quite relaxing, they are really not necessary once you learn how to recognize a bird's tune. Birds are often quite loud during the morning hours, but unless you have a trained ear you may not recognize them at all.


  • Bird Watching and Gardening Mixed
    [Home-and-Family] The weather may be frightful at the moment, but spring is not too far around the bend. If you love to watch birds, why not start your own personal bird garden?


  • Befriending the Birds
    [Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] If the thought of feeding wild birds from your own palm conjures up images of certain animated movies, you may be interested to know that hand feeding birds is not reserved for cartoon characters. Most backyard birds are just waiting for an invitation to a feast that you can easily prepare in the palm of your hand.


  • A Beginners Guide to Bird Watching
    [Home-and-Family:Crafts-Hobbies] So, you've decided to try bird watching, have you? Well, there are just a few things that you should know before heading out into the wide world of birds, and the following tips can make your bird watching adventures more worthwhile.


  • All About Twitching When Bird Watching
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] The art of "twitching" may seem like an odd pursuit, but if you are a bird watcher twitching is actually a fun activity. Bird watching is becoming quite a popular activity, and twitching is now at the heart of every bird enthusiast -- amateur and expert alike.


  • Bird Watching - Advice For Your First Time Out
    [Pets:Birds] Fall is a great time for bird watching. If you are going to give it a try for the first time, there are some guidelines you should follow to make sure you get the most out of it.


  • Know Your Audience - Writing for Yourself
    [Writing-and-Speaking:Writing] If you write for profit, or a lack of profit as is so often the case, you focus on providing a message or story to a particular audience. If you don't connect, the project fails. If you do, it is a success and more work is usually on the horizon.


  • Staying Warm in the Russian Winter
    [Travel-and-Leisure] Considering visiting Russia this winter? If so, you are going to need to learn how to stay warm in the legendary Russian winter. Alas, the Russians have come up with a fail proof strategy over the years.


  • IRS Creates Easy Online EIN Application Process for Businesses
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] As most know, you have been able to obtain an EIN online through the IRS for new businesses. The process was fairly confusing, however, because the IRS essentially just put a form online. That has all changed.


  • Self-Improvement Through Journaling
    [Self-Improvement:Techniques] Journaling is well known to have more than a few meditative effects on people keeping them. There is something about writing out your thoughts, be they good or bad, that helps.


  • How Multi-Owner Businesses Are Like Marriages
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] A person nearly always has some pretty large dreams when they form a business. If the business is one that will be owned by multiple people, it is vital that you make sure everyone has the same dream.


  • Last Minute Airline Upgrades on Longer Flights
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Airline-Travel] Flying is a necessary evil if you want to get from one place to another. The level of evil you must submit to, however, is directly proportional to the class of seating you have. First class seating on a long flight is simply heaven on earth.


  • The Optimal Time to Visit San Diego
    [Travel-and-Leisure] The fires burning in Southern California certainly are scary and a tragedy for those of us that live here. They do, however, also highlight a little known fact about San Diego.


  • Tennessee's Crack Tax Goes Up In Smoke
    [Finance:Taxes] Politicians love to spend money and states work hard to come up with it. A recent ruling on an inventive Tennessee drug tax shows just how far they are willing to go.


  • Tax Consequences of Foreclosures
    [Finance:Taxes] As we all know by watching the news, the real estate market is pulling back hard from the days of glory earlier this decade. In fact, many people are losing their homes to foreclosure. Few realize the tax consequences of losing one's home.


  • Options For Forming Corps and LLCs
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Given the fact that the threat of getting sued is on just about every business owner's mind, it is hardly surprising that most businesses are held in the form of a corporation or limited liability company. While this makes sense, how to actually form an entity is an issue to.


  • Timing the "S" Corporation Designation
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The corporate entity is a very popular one with most businesses. Although traditional "C" corporations are frowned upon for small businesses, "S" corporations are viewed more favorably.


  • Tips For Late Summer Travel
    [Travel-and-Leisure] We are into the latter part of summer, but that doesn't mean many of us are not still traveling on vacations. Here are a few last minute tips to help you out.


  • Getting Your New Corporation Up and Running - Funding
    [Business] Once you form a new business entity, you need to come up with a way to get money into it. This concept is known as capitalization or funding of the business entity.


  • S-Corporation - Making the Election
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Once you decide to form a corporation for your business entity, you will quickly be faced with another question. Should the corporation pay taxes as a "C" or "S" corporation?


  • Foreign Corporations in California - Failure to File Penalties
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] As the web grows exponentially, it is easier than ever to do business across the country with the click of a mouse. For corporations, this can lead to all kinds of legal problems, particularly in California.


  • The Gap In The Corporate Shield of Many Businesses
    [Legal] If you run practically any business these days, you should form either a corporation, limited liability company or other entity to protect yourself from liability. While this is true, most businesses do not realize there is a gap in the protection.


  • When Is A Corporation Considered Foreign?
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The word "foreign" carries connotations of something in a country other than one's own. In the world of corporate law, of course, it has an entirely different meaning.


  • Business Entities for Professionals in California
    [Legal] California is a notoriously unfriendly state for business. This reputation extends to business entities for professionals practicing in the state.


  • Introduction to Close Corporations
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] Mention the corporate entity and most people start thinking about S or C designations. In some states, close corporations are another variable that are available.


  • IRS Continues to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims
    [Finance:Taxes] The IRS is often bashed as being unfriendly to taxpayers. In many cases, this reputation is deserved. In relation to Hurricane Katrina victims, it is certainly not.


  • Piercing the Corporate Veil - Alter Ego
    [Legal] Deciding to incorporate is usually a function of seeking to protect oneself from the risks of doing business by employing a corporate shield. Ah, but can that shield be penetrated? Yes!


  • Issues With Capitalizing Your New Corporation
    [Legal] Once you register a corporation in your state, you must go ahead and capitalize it. This raises a host of questions regarding the best way to do it and potential risks of getting it wrong.


  • Piercing the Corporate Veil - Factors Considered
    [Legal] Most shareholders believe a corporation protects them from personal liability. This is generally true unless alter ego is successfully asserted.


  • Common Question About LLC's
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] The limited liability company is a popular business entity for small businesses. Here are some common questions and answers regarding the entity.


  • Trekking About Alaska
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] Alaska is perhaps the wildest of the 50 United States - untamed, relatively unsettled and definitely extreme in climate - so it only makes sense that trekking around the state would be insanely popular.


  • Getting Out Into Nature While In France
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] When most people think of France, they picture quaint cafes and the rest of Paris, but there is a lot more to this country than just city life - such as the beautiful countryside.


  • Trekking on the Island of Santorini
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] A trip to Europe is always an exciting prospect, but if you enjoy the great outdoors as well, you can enhance your European trip with some trekking on the island of Santorini.


  • Stomping About Wisconsin
    [Travel-and-Leisure:Outdoors] The Midwest is home to some fabulous wilderness adventure areas - you just have to know where to look - and Wisconsin provides some of the best of the best of these spots.


  • Get Sued By Competitors for Lying On Your Privacy Policy
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] Many sites put up privacy policies without giving them much thought. Once up, they are often forgotten about even if the policy is later changed. This can lead to disaster as one recent case showed.


  • Why Site Owners Must Know California Internet Regulations
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] Most sites on the web are at least faintly familiar with the implementation of legal regulations related to their sites. Most, however, have never heard of the California Catch-22.


  • Issues With Trademarking Your Domain Name
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] Protecting intellectual property rights should be a critical step for any business. With an online business, protecting a domain name is all the more critical.


  • The Advantage of an S Corp over an LLC
    [Legal:Corporations-LLC] It goes without saying that the LLC is the media darling when it comes to choosing an entity for small businesses. In some cases, however, an LLC is at a disadvantage compared to an S Corporation.


  • Claiming An Infringement On Your Domain Name
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] A domain name is your address on the web, which can make it vitally important. So, what do you do when someone tries to move onto your yard?


  • Legal Issues When Hiring Someone to Build Your Site
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] Given the costs associated with hiring employees, a vast majority of businesses now hire independent contractors to build and/or maintain their websites. This raises a host of legal issues.


  • Buying A Website - Problems with Intellectual Property
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] There are many ways to make money online including buying another website that may be a competitor or compliment to yours. When doing so, you need to watch out for IP problems.


  • Defaulting Into A Business General Partnership
    [Legal] When it comes time to start a business, many people just get on with the process without really thinking about issues like taxes, liability and business entities. This can lead to unintended consequences.


  • Constitution Challenge to Online Gaming Ban
    [Legal:Cyber-Law] Online gaming has been incredibly popular, particularly the various forms of poker. That all changed in 2006 when the federal government effectively banned a majority of online gaming. The gaming industry is finally fighting back.


  • How to Pick Promotional Items for Your Business
    [Business:Marketing] There are a few basic staples of promotional items - pens, pencils, notepads - but how to pick promotional for your business that will really stand out among the rest is another matter.


  • Why Custom Promotional Products are Best
    [Business:Marketing] Promotional products are a good way to get customers to notice you - and can be as simple as a piece of candy or other small object - but here's why custom promotional products are best.


  • Giving Your Customers Value Through Promotional Gifts
    [Business:Marketing] It is easy to see the value of promotional items for the business providing them - advertising, and keeping touch with a customer base - but what about giving your customers value through promotional gifts?


  • Help Your Sales With Promotional Products
    [Business:Marketing] Finding that your customer base is shrinking, or that your sales might not be as high as they should this time of year can be tough - so it is a great idea to help your sales with promotional products.


  • Unusual Promotional Products Produce Results!
    [Business:Marketing] Every company knows, to a certain extent, that promotional items are one of the best ways to advertise their product or service - but, do unusual promotional products work better than the average item?


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