Month: September 2016
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Why some people are more likely to end relationships over politics
The divide in political ideology is drawing much attention lately as this election season raises these issues to a fever pitch. Lately I’ve read a series of articles and personal stories describing how people are ending personal relationships over political disagreements. One article reported a survey result that 15% of people reported recently ending a friendship due…
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USA Today takes a strong stand against Trump
I was impressed by the strong clear writing in today’s statement by the editorial board of USA Today. I’ve taken the same position and it feels comforting as more leaders come aboard the “never Trump” movement. USA Today emphasizes that this is the first time that USA Today has taken a stand in a political election. Here…
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Professional tax preparation fees for 2016
Average tax return preparation rates are published by the National Association of Accountants in the national and regional average tax preparer fee survey for 2016. The fee for my online remote tax services is typically about 1/3 lower than typical walk-in tax preparers. However, late season returns or services that do not use online cost savings are…
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No excuse accounting
Last week I wrote that there are no excuses for an accounting system that does not reconcile with the bank and financial accounts. This week Insightful Accountant carried this article about the improved reconciliation features within QuickBooks online accounting system. QuickBooks accounts for more than 3 out of 5 small business and nonprofit organization accounting systems. I think…
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Trends in individual health insurance, 2016
In the 19 states that have not expanded eligibility to Medicaid to lower-income individuals, the results of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are minimal, at least as observed from ‘street level’ among those who are not covered by group or government-sponsored health plans. In Florida, for example, more than half a million remain without health insurance.…
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Is it smart to pay no taxes?
Donald Trump brings fresh attention to the possibility that affluent individuals and businesses can pay no federal income taxes. Last night, at Hofstra University, Trump said “That makes me smart”. Is he right? Is it smart to pay no income taxes? The first point we should reach is that it is possible for an affluent…
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Tax filing deadline and penalties
With less than three weeks until late tax filing deadline for 2015, I have only one signed engagement to complete a tax return and many clients who still haven’t filed. I need to emphasize that unless they actually hire me, and not just presume that I’ll take care of their tax filing requirements by the…
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How the decline in civility affects small business advice
I read much about how an overall decline in civility is evident in many parts of our modern life. I commented on this theme in my earlier blog post reviewing the 2005 book “Collapse” by professor Jared Diamond. Increasing tension between government and its citizens has always been an observed corollary of a declining society.…