Gail in Virginia

AMAZINGLY SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES: 1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP. 2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK. 3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE A TIMER. 4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON. 5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH. 6. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE DUCT TAPE. 7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. DAILY THOUGHT: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

A long time ago when I worked for a bank and took an ABA sponsored class on banking/commercial law, I was taught that when endorsing a check you should sign the check exactly the way the name is printed on the check, and if that did not match your normal, legal signature you should sign it again underneath the first signature. Primarily this was addressing the issue of a check which might contain a slight error in the spelling of the name, but it also addressed checks made out differently than the way a person normally signs legal documents. Perhaps this is why our customers feel their signatures should match the return.

I don't really understand the question. If the AGI after the carryback is negative, why does it matter whether you itemize or take standard deduction? Isn't the tax zero either way?

A belated :bday:

So far I have not noticed this happening, but thanks for the heads up. I will be looking specifically for this now.

I have always heard that if you want to get away with murder, just marry the victim first. My prayers are with you and your family.

Whether we are a democracy, or a constitutional republic, or an associated of confederated states, unless the homeowner's association was founded after this man moved into this neighborhood I would assume he agreed to these covenants at the time he bought his house. If he doesn't like these rules, there are plenty of properties in areas that are not governed by restrictions agreed to by the homeowners. In fact, parts of the area I live in do not have any zoning ordinances and he could fly his flag from the tallest flagpole he can afford. This is not a matter of anti-US sentiment or a lack of patriotism - it is a matter of contract law. But like so many issues today, both sides are using emotional rhetoric rather than reasoned discussion to debate this issue.

Did you fill int he taxable income box 2? I had an IRA this year that I failed to put the amount in that box since it wasn't in the box on the 1099R, and even though the amount showed up on page 1, the penalty did not automatically compute until I filled in box 2. Just a suggestion.

:bday:

Q5. Does an expenditure for a computer qualify for the American opprtunity tax credit? A. Whether an expenditure for a computer qualifies for the credit depends on the facts. An expenditure for a computer would qualify for the credit if the computer is needed as a condition of enrollment or attendance at the educational institution. This is from the IRS website Q & A about the American Opportunity Credit, My link

:bday:

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I don't know what we are talking about in terms of numbers, but for a single person over 65, Virginia's filing requirement (excluding social security) begins at $11,250.00. If Virginia finds out she is living here they will expect her to file in this state. Does she have to file a federal tax return? What address is she using for that? If it is Virginia, then the state will eventually get that information from the IRS and want to see a Virginia return if her income is above the filing requirement.

I bet the Colts aren't laughing either.

I needed to know as well, so I called the NC Dept of Revenue and asked. They told me that it did not need to be added back, nor could I find anywhere in the instructions where it told me to add it back. So I am agreeing with JohnH - don't adjust for the 2400 not taxed on federal.

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And yet, I saw a commercial just last night advising people to contact their Realtor for advice on whether they qualify for this credit. I may start running a commercial telling people to contact their tax adviser about whether they should invest in real estate.

I think the rule of thumb I remember reading is that if the school qualifies for federal financial aid (such as Pell grants, etc.) then the tuition and fees qualify for the education credit.

Only if the modeling school is an accredited institution, eligible for federal aid. Or, of course, if the daughter is now making lots of money she might be able to take this as a business expense against her self-employment income as a model.

Unless they are receiving a federal or state pension and did not receive social security so that they are entitled to the $250 credit through Sch M. This should be a very limited number of taxpayers.

If they are benefits received from the union because he is unemployed, they are included on line 21. Unless he contributed to a special union fund and the payments to the fund were not deductible, in which case the benefits received may be offset by his contributions and only the amount over that is taxable.

On the previous forum, someone posted this worksheet for truckers to help capture expenses. I wish I could remember who so I could give them credit. I hope that I am correctly posting this, and that you will find it useful. Truck Driver Occupational Expenses.xls

In 2005, according to PUB 17 for that year, the rate was $41 until 9/30/09, when it became $52 for the rest of the year for transportation workers. (p. 169, Pub 17 for use in preparing returns for 2005, from IRS website.) http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-prior/p17--2005.pdf