How to take advantage of tax breaks with a home based business

How to Take Advantage of Tax Breaks With a Home Based Business

Tax Day of April 15 comes around before we are ready. Then we scurry to make sure we have all the deductions accounted for that can hopefully assist us in getting money back from Uncle Sam.

Unfortunately, many people do not realize what kind of tax breaks they can get by having a home based business. Most people think there are many more requirements to having a home business than is actually required by the government. There are only three:

1. You show a profit ‘intent’ (even though you may not show a profit yet).
2. You work your business on a regular and consistent basis (even if only three to four hours per week).
3. You keep good records (just like a big, full-time business).

With a home-based business, it’s important to remember that your street address is also your business address since it is housed in the same location. Because of this, there is a «deductible business portion» of your home-related expenditures. This can include a portion of utilities, furniture, janitorial service, home office equipment, maintenance expenses, etc.

There is also a huge benefit to hiring your spouse for your business because you can then deduct ALL out-of-pocket health cost for the whole family. If you hire your kids in your business rather than give them an allowance, the wage expense is tax deductible to you and is usually tax free to your child (up to $5,700 per year and put any above that in a Roth IRA for maximum benefits).

The biggest single tax deduction may be in your car’s ignition in relation to potential tax savings. Keeping a 90-day consecutive period vehicle log is actually allowed to figure the tax break for your car, rather than writing down that information every time you go somewhere related to business all 365 days of the year.

Never take another ‘vacation’ and not get to claim tax breaks. Make sure you do something in relation to your business when you are traveling so it will become a tax deductible business trip. However, there are some stipulations that apply in this field and you need to be able to substantiate the business expense. However, the number 1 reason that triggers an audit is math errors on the return. The second reason is an incorrect Social Security number on the form. So to keep from sending up a red flag, triple check your numbers.

The IRS has been instructed by Congress to give huge refunds and deductions to taxpayers who have a home-based business, OR anyone who operated one at any time in the past three years. You can easily file an Amended Tax Return (Form 1040X) by following simple step-by-step instructions if you had a home-business in any of the past 3 years, and get a refund check for thousands of dollars…plus interest if you have not claimed those deductions yet!

You deserve to get as many tax deductions as possible if you have a home business, including an online business. Be sure to do your research to see what you may be missing out on.

How to choose a camera bag

How to Choose a Camera Bag

The most important criterion is that the camera bag is easy to carry, so the camera does not get in the way as you go about life, but is still there for the unexpected shot. There are a wide variety of camera bags on the market, this in response to the extensive range of cameras available, and an even wider range of different photographic purposes. A good camera bag is for much more than carrying the camera, there is a host of important accessories and essential bits of equipment to carry around as well.

Define the essential pieces of equipment to form the basis of your starting set up or walking around camera gear. Walking around is photographer’s term for this minimum set up that is convenient and light enough to carry while you walk around but is versatile enough to get some sort of reasonable shot of most situations.

Even the simplest Point & shoot camera may need memory cards, spare batteries or a battery charger. Of course sometimes if you have more sophisticated camera gear the amount of equipment required varies and for you may need more than just a walking around set up, so you need a larger camera bag. The answer is to buy two or more bags rather than try to compromise on one to fill a number of roles. You might end up with bag that does none of them very well and is really a waste of money.

As well as convenience, the bag serves to protect the exposed LCD screens and the camera body from scratches. Those easy to operate control knobs that stick up are also more vulnerable to accidental knocks, so a bit of cushioning is important even for a compact pocket size camera. There are small bags with a loop to attach the bag to a belt so the bag not only protects the camera it is a very convenient way to carry a camera.

Houston real estate | what to expect from the houston market

Houston Real Estate | What to Expect from the Houston Market

Houston real estate has long been a barometer for the rest of Texas. But now, in the recession, the city is behaving out of character. One day things might look promising; the next, not so good. With the rest of the state looking for guidance, it is easy to see how many realtors are concerned. But the truth is the market is trying to work itself out. It is vulnerable to the economy. It is aggressive in its method. And it will not go away. Gently. So, the big question is when and how the market will recover, not if it will recover. Houston-area home sales fell for the 20th straight month in April as the local housing market continues to slog through the recession and financial crisis. Single-family home sales last month fell 22.5 percent compared to the previous April, according to data from the Houston Association of Realtors. Prices, though, were down less than 1 percent, a positive sign after six months of more significant drops. The median price for a single-family home was $149,050 in April, compared to $150,000 a year ago. The median is the point at which half the homes sold for more and half sold for less. ?€?The housing industry recovery will be a gradual process, but Houston continues to demonstrate the strength of its home values compared to other communities around the country, where pricing ballooned and then bottomed out,?€? Vicki Fullerton, the association?€™s chair and broker of record at RE/MAX of The Woodlands & Spring, said in a news release. Homes sold out of foreclosure made up nearly a quarter of all the single-family homes sold in April. But that figure has been tapering since January when foreclosures made up 34 percent of sales. With historically low interest rates and a federal $8,000 tax credit, real estate agents are reporting more activity among first-time home buyers. Realtors sold 4,200 single-family homes in April through the Multiple Listing Service. Most of the sales were of existing homes. Preliminary figures for May signal another decline, with a 25.3 percent drop in pending sales at the end of April. Those are listings expected to close within the next 30 days. The number of properties for sale also fell in April to 45,269. Rental demand picked up again last month with leases of single-family homes up 8 percent on a year-over-year basis. Townhouse and condominium leases were up 12.2 percent. So there you have it, Houston is a city on the brink. It could go either way. But for savvy investors, with the right capital, credit and security, plenty of lucrative investments are available.

Indusrty's best cordless impact drills

Indusrty's Best Cordless Impact Drills

Impact drills are not just brawn, on the contrary, they offer quite a bit of brain as well. With power and versatility, one of these tools does a great deal more than simply drive screws; with the help of a brilliant, self-triggering impacting mechanism, these tools move through concrete and other seemingly impossible materials with striking ease. Ultimately, a good impact drill can make life easier on many counts, but finding the one that best suits you isn’t always as easy as simply enjoying its benefits. I’d like to help you define your search for the best fitting impactor by high-lighting the industry’s toughest, most impressive impact drills — some, with price-tags that will surprise you.

For heavy-duty users Makita’s BTD141 (18v) cordless impact driver truly packs a wallop incorporating new features and a maximum torque motor to deliver 1,330 in/lbs of torque. Remaining compact and lightweight despite all that big power, the tool weighs only 3.4 lbs — this ergonomic shape distributes pressure evenly throughout the tool for comfortable, easy control. A built-in LED light illuminates work spaces, and a high quality heat-hardened steel proprietary hammer and anvil significantly increase the tool’s overall life and durability. The tool also has an electric brake for immediate stops which not only increases your safety, but also minimizes kickback, otherwise known as «the enemy». Additionally utilizing lithium ion battery technology and an exclusive charging system that optimizes battery life and produces more than twice as many cycles, the tool is powerful, durable and terribly efficient. It’s slim, cordless design renders this impactor both mobile and maneuverable an ultimately an ideal choice for everyone from the most industrial workers to the most average homeowner. This BTD141 impact kit ranges in price from $270 — $300.

Another heavy-duty impactor comes in green from Hitachi. Their WH14DL (14.4v) cordless impact driver is built with big power and smooth innovation to master every industrial impacting application from decking to heavy-duty construction projects. Also utilizing lithium ion battery technology, the impactor delivers a perfect union of power, controllability, and durable longevity. Big torque (1,240 in/lbs) allows you to easily complete rough jobs, and the tool’s industrial grade, two-piece motor (equip with heavy gauge copper coils) is one of the strongest in the business. The tool’s two-step speed switch allows users to select between Power-Mode (0 — 2,600 RPM) or Save-Mode (0 — 2,000 RPM) for ultimate control over each task, and with Hitachi’s unique Cool Flow system emitting a steady stream of air into the motor, the impactor can run harder and longer, minimizing the risk of burnout and totally increasing your productivity. At only 3.3 lbs the tool is portable and simple to control and operate providing craftsmen with surprising power in an ultra-compact design. Additionally, the tool’s brushes are externally accessible for the easiest maintenance and replacements, and perhaps most importantly, the tool is covered under Hitachi’s unmatched 10-year warranty. pricing at about $240 — $260, the WH14DL kit is an exceptional tool at a great buy.

In this particular instance, high-quality and high-price don’t necessarily coincide. Pricing from around $195 — $225 Makita’s BTD142HW is an elite tool for a remarkably good value. For the ultimate in high-quality this 18v cordless impact driver provides users with both striking power and an innovative, durable, design. Employing Makita’s superior battery technology and exclusive lithium ion charging system, the tool’s toughness and battery life is virtually unmatched. Producing more than twice as many charging cycles, this system ensures the tool is durable through even the toughest applications. Additionally, with a jaw-dropping power-to-weight ratio, the tool flaunts 1,280 in/lbs of torque while still weighing only 2.8 lbs; this compact design renders the BTD142HW incredibly comfortable to use while the tool’s four-pole, Makita-built motor efficiently delivers high-torque to complete your jobs more efficiently. The impactor’s proprietary hammer and anvil are made with the highest quality (heat-hardened) steel for superior durability, and externally accessible brushes contribute to the tool’s overall serviceability and longevity. An electric brake system additionally ensures safer operation and that as you work, you enjoy vastly minimized kickback, which, if you’ll kindly remember, is «the enemy.» Ultimately, with compact portability and serious power, the tool promises high-quality results, smooth operation, and an overall performance that will consistently, continually impress.

Appealing to users of all levels and price-ranges, Bosch’s PS40-2A is known for its exceptional quality and innovative design. This 10.8v impact fastening driver boasts a sleek, compact design coupled with the most force in its class. powered by a high-performance motor boasting 1,800 RPM (3,000 BPM), and with a hammer and anvil system producing 800in/lbs of torque, the impactor delivers exceptionally fast fastening and an ultra smooth, high-performance. Powered by Bosch’s Litheon technology, batteries built for a totally optimized performance, the tool remains lightweight (at only 2.2 lbs) while still maintaining big power. A variable speed trigger produces a wide range of speed options for greater versatility in a variety of applications, and with a 1/4″ hex quick change chuck that can instantly change from drill bits to driving bits, the tool is incomparably efficient and convenient on the job. The impactor additionally has 3 LED lights integrated into the front of the tool to illuminate dark or tight spaces, and pricing from around $160 — $190, the PS40-2A impact drill kit has the power for heavy-duty effectiveness, at a really great price.

Boasting the smarts of automatic impact and the underrated awesomeness of portable power, any of these impactors are certain to help you achieve the best resutls with an efficient and rewarding power tool.

How executive suites can save a start-up company money

How Executive Suites Can Save A Start-up Company Money

A start-up company sometimes overlooks executive suites as an office space option and they shouldn’t be. They can save as much as 70% over conventional office lease space.

For example, let’s say you are starting a company in Irvine, California. You have basically two choices. You can lease office space in Irvine and go through the hassle of negotiating a contract. This contract will probably tie you down for a year or more.

Or you can rent an Irvine executive suite

Here’s what you will discover. Executive office space can be rented for a day, a week, a month or whatever time frame fits your plans…and there is no delay. You will be able to move right in.

Also, there is nothing to buy. Executive office space can be completely furnished for you. That alone will save a ton of start-up capital. Plus, executive suites are almost always located in prestigious, ‘Class A’ buildings. That means you’ll be looking successful from day one, whether you’re renting Irvine executive office space or one of many executive suites in other cities.

The benefits and savings don’t stop with just the furniture when renting executive suites. You will also have access to a whole battery of office equipment, such as copiers and fax machines. Plus, a trained receptionist is provided to greet your visitors…and this person isn’t going to be on your payroll. A broadband wireless Internet connection is also provided, enabling you to be doing business on the Internet minutes after walking into your new office.

Here’s why executive office space is so ideal for any start-up company.

1) No long term lease.
2) No furniture or office equipment to buy.
3) No staffing required. (Executive suites can also provide a secretary.)
4) An impressive office building, which gives you the look of success.

And here’s an added benefit we haven’t mentioned. You’ve got a fully equipped meeting or conference room available…not just in Irvine or wherever you happen to be. Executive suites are part of a worldwide network so you can arrange meetings in prime facilities all around the globe.

There’s no question about it. If you’re in a start-up mode, one of the smartest things you can do is check out an executive suites provider in your area. You’ll look like a well-established and successful company the moment your executive suite’s door is opened for business.