Making donations to charities helping out the people of Haiti?

IRS Tax Form for First-Time Residence Buyers

Anyone claiming a homebuyer credit, either the $8,000 for first-time residence buyers or the $6,500 version for move-up primary property purchasers, will have to send in their 1040 and associated credit Form http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f5405.pdf
Directions on filling out the form http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i5405.pdf

A New Twist on Tracking

I just found this great new site from Dan Moses and
Mark Brown that will help you Increase your profits,
Track and Analyze your entire sales process and
they'll even train you how.

It's time for a new twist in the ad tracking world...
... ProTrackerPlus turns up the heat on the
competition!

It's time for trackers to Step Up and Deliver
RESULTS by training you how to use tracking
to really boost your marketing intelligence.

It's time for ProTrackerPlus!

Check them out today... this is the best tracker
I've ever seen.

And... you can

Join for free
http://www.protrackerplus.com/?rid=6312

Thank you,
David Rigney

FDA posts new nationwide Salmonella Warning

Image via Wikipedia

United States Food and Drug Administration
Posts New Nationwide Recall...
Details and product info link:
http://www.emergencyemail.org/newsemergency/anmviewer.asp?a=465&z=43

Related articles by Zemanta

• Should Meridia Remain On Market? FDA Says "Yes" (For Now At Least), European Drug Regulators Say "No" (drug-injury.com)

Most Cities Still Won in Housing Boom - CNBC

Most Cities Still Won in Housing Boom - CNBC

Everyone Can Use Free File with the IRS?

Image via Wikipedia

The IRS Free File service provides free federal income tax return preparation and electronic filing for all taxpayers. All you need is access to a computer and the Internet and you can prepare and e-file your federal tax return for free.

Free File is offered through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, a group of private-sector tax software companies. Since Free File’s debut in 2003, more than 27 million returns have been prepared and e-filed through this program.

Free File offers two options. The first is Traditional Free File, which includes approximately 20 tax preparation software products from which to choose. Taxpayers with 2009 incomes of $57,000 or less are eligible for this service. The second option is Free File Fillable Forms, which is an electronic version of IRS paper forms. All taxpayers can use Free File Fillable Forms to prepare and file tax forms electronically.

Use the following steps to file your return through IRS Free File:

Step 1. Get Started Access IRS.gov and click the Free File logo or go to www.irs.gov/freefile. You must access Free File companies through the official IRS Web site to qualify for the free service.

Step 2. Determine Your Eligibility If your 2009 income was $57,000 or less, you’re eligible for Traditional Free File’s easy-to-use, step-by-step software. If your income was higher, you are eligible for Free File Fillable Forms.

Step 3. Link to Free File Company Service If you opt for Traditional Free File, you can choose one of the approximate 20 offerings by reviewing which one fits your situation. You can click "I Will Choose A Free File Company" or "Help Me Find A Free File Company." To get started with Free File Fillable Forms, just click the "Choose Free File Fillable Forms" button.

Step 4. Prepare and e-file your Federal Income Tax Return Either Traditional Free File or Free File Fillable Forms will allow you to file your return electronically, for free.

Both the fillable-forms option and the "full service" Free File offerings are only available through IRS.gov. Whether you are new to Free File or a returning taxpayer, you must access Free File through IRS.gov; otherwise, the provider may charge a fee.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Tax tip: How to choose a tax preparer (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

Working at the Fire Station Today, Be Safe Out There.

How Credit Scores Work: Your credit score is comprised of your total debt vs. available credit, number of late payments, length of credit history, new credit applications, and the types of credit accounts you have.

On my way to show homes.

Good day to work from home, rainy in Chicago Land.

Hello everyone

Ten Things You Should Know about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit

Image via Wikipedia

Many working taxpayers are eligible for the Making Work Pay Tax Credit, a provision created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in early 2009.

Here are 10 things the IRS wants you to know about this tax credit to ensure you receive the entire amount for which you are eligible.

1. In 2009 and 2010, the Making Work Pay provision provides a refundable tax credit of up to $400 for individuals and up to $800 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.

2. For taxpayers who receive a paycheck and are subject to withholding, the credit will typically be handled by their employers through automated withholding changes.

3. Taxpayers receiving less than the full amount of the allowable credit through reduced withholding will be entitled to claim any remaining credit when they file their tax return.

4. The amount of the credit actually received during 2009 in the form of reduced withholding will be reported on your 2009 tax return. Taxpayers who do not have taxes withheld by an employer during the year can claim the credit on their 2009 tax return filed in 2010.

5. Taxpayers who file Form 1040 or 1040A will use Schedule M, Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits to figure the Making Work Pay Tax Credit. Completing Schedule M will help taxpayers determine whether they have already received the full credit in their paycheck or are due more money as a result of the credit.

6. Taxpayers who file Form 1040-EZ will use the worksheet for Line 8 on the back of the 1040-EZ to figure their Making Work Pay Tax Credit.

7. In 2010, you may notice that your paychecks are slightly lower than in 2009. The slight decrease may be because of the Making Work Pay Credit. Most of the credit for wage earners is distributed through reduced withholding. The credit – which was spread out over nine months last year – is being spread over 12 months this year. A little less credit in each paycheck means slightly higher withholding. But don’t worry, in the end it all adds up.

8. Certain taxpayers should review their tax withholding to ensure enough tax is being withheld in 2010. Those who should pay particular attention to their withholding include: married couples with two incomes, individuals with multiple jobs, dependents, pensioners, Social Security recipients who also work, and workers without valid Social Security numbers.

Having too little tax withheld could result in potentially smaller refunds or – in limited instances – small balance due rather than an expected refund.

9. To ensure your current withholding is appropriate for your individual situation, you can review Publication 919, How Do I Adjust My Tax Withholding? You can also perform a quick check of your withholding using the interactive IRS Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov.

10. If you find you need to adjust your withholding, submit a revised Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate to your employer.

Visit IRS.gov for more information about the making Work Pay Tax Credit, Schedule M, Form W-4 or Publication 919. You can also call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to order forms and publications.

Related articles by Zemanta

• New deductions, credits for 2009 taxes (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• The Best New IRS Tax Deductions And Credits (huffingtonpost.com)
• Tax breaks for minimum wage workers (dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com)

U.S. 192 businesses want to create a brand for tourist corridor west of Disneyland

View Larger Map

The proposed fix is fast and easy by design: Transform a 5-mile-long strip of 192 east of Interstate 4 into "Orange Central" by painting the curbs or sidewalks orange. The theme would continue with a new public-transportation option consisting of two orange-colored shuttle buses. A new Web site would promote the area, and businesses would support the initiative with things like orange mints in their lobbies.

SRQ terminal could get major renovation

Image via Wikipedia

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport officials plan to spend as much as $22 million to rehabilitate and update the airport’s terminal building. The Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority began planning for the upcoming renovation work Tuesday, choosing an overall design scheme featuring terrazzo flooring instead of one using tile. But the board debated and left deeper questions unresolved, such as whether the project will be done all at once or in phases; who would design the project; and exactly how it would be paid.

New year begins with no estate tax

The unthinkable happened in 2009. Our political leaders failed to extend the current estate tax laws. For 2010, there is no estate tax or generation skipping tax (GST) in effect. The estate tax law in 2009 exempted up to $3.5 million per individual from taxation and imposed a top rate of 45 percent. However, for persons who die after 2010, the estate tax law comes back into effect with a vengeance -- exempting only $1 million in assets from tax and imposing a maximum tax rate of 55 percent. The new tax laws in 2011 could affect up to an estimated 70,000 estates, compared with the 2009 laws, which applied to about 5,500 estates annually.

Tax season is open: Here's how to get started

Image via WikipediaEarly tax filers could see returns in 2 weeks, IRS says

Early tax filers could see returns in 2 weeks, IRS says

By Harriet Johnson Brackey, Sun Sentinel

January 14, 2010

Billions of dollars waiting to be claimed. Free help with the paperwork. Online tools to make the task simple.

Does all that get your financial heart beating? It's the start of tax season and the e-filing gate is open, so you can start filing your tax return electronically now.

Two out of three taxpayers now go through the e-filing system, rather than send in paper tax returns by mail.

Filing a tax return may not be fun, but it is the trigger for tax money to begin flowing back to millions of South Floridians.

It comes in sometimes large checks, especially for those at the bottom of the pay scale. Last year, 1.7 million Florida taxpayers – including 170,000 in Broward and 103,000 in Palm Beach counties -- received a special tax refund designed for those with low incomes. The Earned Income Tax Credit pumped in $3.6 billion into Florida. That works out to more than $2,000 for each taxpayer.

The national average refund, for any sort of reason, was even more than that. Last year, it was $2,705. More than 100 million taxpayers received a refund for the 2008 tax season.

If you file your return now, your refund money could be in your bank account in two weeks. That's what the IRS schedule says is supposed to happen. And if you're waiting for your employer to send you your W2 wage statement, you can get a jump on that, for many employers, by grabbing a copy for free at http://www.hrblock.com/w2 .

If you wait until April 15 to file your return, it'll take you more than three weeks to get a check in the mail.

If refunds don't get your motivated, how about some help with this job? There's plenty available.

In South Florida, dozens of special volunteer tax preparation sites are opening starting Saturday. These Volunteer Income Tax Assistance centers will prepare tax returns for free for those whose income is $49,000 or less. To find a VITA site, call 211 in Broward or 561-383-1111 in Palm Beach county or 311 in Miami Dade.

If you don't mind working on your taxes online, other tools available are at no cost.

If your adjusted gross income is less than $57,000, you can use the IRS' Free File program that gives you use of commercial tax preparation software at no charge. This is available at irs.gov.

If you have a personal computer and you can download software from the IRS, you can also electronically prepare and file your own return.

Or, you can take the really easy route, if you're comfortable with doing your own taxes. The IRS has created almost all the major tax forms in a way that allows them to be filled out online. This program is called Free File Fillable Tax Forms. It's easier to use than to say.

Finally, here's how much time you have to invest: The IRS says the average taxpayer will spend 5.2 hours completing the 1040 form.

It's a question of time vs. money. You can do the return or pay someone else to do it. The average fee this year will be $225, says a survey by the National Society of Accountants. And, of course, it's tax deductible.

Related articles by Zemanta

• E-filing 2010 is here ... except for homebuyer credit claimants (dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com)
• IRS Raises the Bar for Tax Preparers (dailyfinance.com)

TheSqueezePage - Intro Video

What is a Squeeze Page/Landing Page? Do You Want To Know How To Capture Leads From Your WebSite? Do You Know Who Is Visiting Your WebSite? Check This Free Video Out.

January edition of MarketWatch In Chicago Land

This issue is a full round-up of 2009, clearly illustrating a changing market. By year’s end the total number of homes sold increased two percent in 2009, compared to 2008. Though prices have not recovered, there are signs of positive movement within a market that is very attractive for some buyers.
Click on the Title for the full story.

Your Real Estate Update

Great Time To Buy and Interest Rates Are Low.
Here are a few of the high points of today’s video: * 1 out of 8 homeowners are in trouble.
* 9.97% of loans are delinquent.
* 3%+ of all mortgages are now delinquent.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 10 Cheap Ways to Boost Your Home's Sales Price by Spring (usnews.com)

The Secret To Massive Traffic Is Duplication

You've heard about, bought and probably read
all of the courses, reports and "secrets" on how
the millionaire marketers generate massive
traffic. Don't be mad - but I could have saved
you thousands - here's the key:

Duplication

Yep, one single word that all will confess is
key to massive online traffic (which leads to
more sales and greater success - faster).

Find a system that gets results, and simply
"ramp it up"! But duplicating the steps involved
in getting traffic can be expensive and very time
consuming - Here's another word:

Wrong!

Yes, they used to be - but that was before the Zipper...

http://trafficzipper.com/index.php?af=4008

See you there,
Dave

P.S. - Spots are limited - and you'll see why only a
very lucky few will get in - move fast to join me now:

http://trafficzipper.com/index.php?af=4008

First-time buyers dominate Illinois housing market

More than half of home buyers in the 2009 Profile of Illinois Home Buyers and Sellers were first-time buyers, due in large part to the first-time homebuyer tax credit stimulus and increased affordability in home prices in the last year. The survey results released by the Illinois Association of REALTORS® (IAR) found 51% of buyers were first-time buyers, compared to 47% nationwide (a figure which has averaged closer to 40% nationwide since 2001). When asked about the primary reason for timing of the home purchase, 46% of first-time buyers said it was just the right time.

“2009 has been a strong buyer’s market and in particular for the first-time buyer who was able to take advantage of the low interest rates and more affordable home prices and large supply of homes on the market,” said Mike Onorato, GRI, president of the Illinois Association of REALTORS®. “We should see this trend continue early in 2010 as the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit has been extended through April 30 and expanded to include a tax credit for long-time homeowners of up to $6,500.”

Let me know if I can help, Dave drigney@ksgmac.com

After 6-year wait, protection from bad credit reports

Image via Wikipedia

During the coming months, home loan shoppers should ask competing lenders how they handle pricing when scores come in low. Ask whether the lender will inform you if something in your files is dragging down your scores and raising your fees and rates. You should also request a free credit report in advance of any application by visiting http://www.annualcreditreport.com. This is especially important in 2010 because virtually all major mortgage sources -- including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- have raised their credit-score cutoffs for the best rate quotes and lowest fees.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 2010 FHA Loan Limits Released (smarthippo.com)
• Five Key Housing Issues to Watch in 2010 (blogs.wsj.com)

Huh? 31.95% DON'T know what a "Squeeze Page" is?

Image via Wikipedia

Recently, James Grandstaff revealed something
that I found quite interesting...

If you've been around the IM (internet marketing) scene for awhile, you've most likely heard the term "squeeze page" before, right?

At least that's what I thought.

Well, James surveyed approx. 500 people on his list who are interested in making money online. Many stated they were interested in affiliate marketing, product creation, MLM, etc...

One of the questions was "Do you know what a
"Squeeze Page" is?"

68.05% answered yes and 31.95% answered NO.

To be honest...

I was shocked that 31.95% said no.

What about you?

In light of this shocking survey data I decided to
write this post today to go over the very basics
of what a squeeze page is and why you should
be using them in your business (if you are not
already.)

And for those of you who already use them, pay
attention. You will probably learn something too.

Here goes...

A squeeze page which is also known as a "lead
capture page" or "name squeeze page" is a simple
web page with one purpose; to get your visitor
to give you their name and email address so you
can follow-up with them. That's it.

One of the best ways to get someone to opt-in
to your squeeze page is by offering something
of high perceived value such as a mini ecourse
or a highly targeted eBook.

For example, let's say you are promoting a multi-
level marketing business opportunity. The products
are great and you are a raving fan.

Most people would just start promoting the website
the company supplies. I say no. This is a perfect
opportunity to implement the use of a squeeze page and offer something of value first.

That way, you collect the leads, you follow-up with
an introduction of yourself and begin building a
long lasting business relationship.

In sales, what we are really selling is "us" first,
then the product.

You always want to provide value first. Once your
prospects warm up to you, then it's time to ask the
right questions to determine if your product or
business opportunity can help solve their needs.

If you'd like to see a high quality, high converting
squeeze page that James has put together, you
can visit the link below.

It's important to read the "thank you" page on the
other side you can get an idea of how the whole
process works.

http://iwantafreecopy.com/r/RigneyRealty/rich1a.html

Until next time...

Yours in success,

David