Tag Archives: deductions

Tax Deductions When You Work from Home

When my husband prepared to do our taxes this year we were in for a surprise. It wasn’t going to be like previous years where we could expect a nice return and put that aside for a family vacation. No, it was honestly poor planning and somewhat ignorance that has led us to owe the IRS. This is because when I first began working from home, I started off making little money. I didn’t think much about putting money aside because I honestly didn’t anticipate my writing career to really take off. But it did and we failed to plan … Continue reading →

It’s Tax Time 2009!

Are you all set with your taxes? If you live in the United States, you know what I mean. Tax paperwork is due next month, and many of us still have it hanging over our heads. This weekend, my husband and I are determined to get the monkey off of our back, so to speak, and get all of our paperwork organized. We divide and conquer. My little portion is to add up the deductible household donations that we have made during the year and take care of any business-related expenses. With tax time in mind, I thought we might … Continue reading →

Tax Refunds

Are you getting a large tax refund this year? Before you scream… yippee… you may want to ask yourself if this is a good thing. While no one wants to owe money at tax time, getting a hefty return is also not such a good idea either. Don’t use the IRS as a savings account… they don’t pay you interest! You should ideally shoot for a small tax return, something in the neighborhood of one to two hundred dollars… no more. This will ensure you don’t owe any at tax time, but you also won’t throw your money away throughout … Continue reading →

Animal Movies = Torture: How I Fared Through Evan Almighty

Photo by Gracey Stinson We had company in last weekend –our good friends Lee and Brenda and their two daughters, Jordan (nine) and Noelle (three and a half). We had planned on going to the zoo, but the guy who bought Mr. Meow’s piano came to pick it up at 10 o’clock on Saturday morning so we missed going during the cooler morning hours. (And they were leaving Sunday, so…) However, we decided there was still a way we could spend time with animals and keep cool doing it: at an afternoon matinee showing of Evan Almighty. I must admit, … Continue reading →

Evan Almighty (2007)

Evan Almighty is a sequel to Bruce Almighty(2003). The first featured Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston in the lead roles, both actors declined to appear in Evan Almighty and that’s all right. Evan Baxter (last seen as the news anchor that Carrey tortured in the first film) has been elected to Congress. He and his family move from Buffalo, New York to the North Virginia suburbs. During Evan’s campaign, he promised to change the world, though he never clarified how. Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”) stars as Joan Baxter, Evan’s wife. She suggests to Evan that he should pray to God, … Continue reading →

Noah’s Ark and other Animal Crafts

Many little children love animals. If your kids do too, they will have fun making these cute and easy projects. Just keep a close eye on little ones so they don’t eat their artwork! Noah’s Ark Items Needed: 2 paper plates Hole punch Ribbon or string Scissors Glue Paint Animal crackers Directions: 1. Cut one paper plate in half. 2.Cut a half circle from the top of the other plate, leaving at least a 1″ edge for the roof of the Ark. 3. Punch evenly spaced holes along the bottom, going through both plates. Thread ribbon through holes, tying knots … Continue reading →

The ABCs of Working at Home (H-M)

H = Household Separate household items from work items. You may be able to deduct certain expenses, but only if those items are used strictly for work. Separate business and household bank accounts, email accounts, and even mail (by securing a Post Office Box if necessary) to keep things separate. I = Isolation Do not fall into the trap of becoming isolated. It is easy to do when you’re working at home, because you do not get out as much as you used to. You work at home, and then you take care of your home and your family. Make … Continue reading →