Dear Family,

This week went by so quickly, I didn’t even have time to blink. Perhaps not so for some people. Working on an article, I called the IRS DC press office one morning, only to get the answering service message that the office was closed. So contacted a couple of those cool guys by email. And got this message – The Federal Government in DC is closed due to a huge snow storm.

Wow! Did you see the news? nearly 6 feet of snow in some places. That is DEEP! The same kind of thing is going on in New York and other towns in the east and midwest. Record snowfall, so deep, that those towns don’t have the equipment to clear anything quite so massive. Transportation has stopped, even subways. After all, can you imagine getting stuck in a subway tunnel if the power goes out due to too much snow weighing down power lines or collapsing part of the power grid? Brrrr….and scary. Can you just see another disaster flick – Powerless Infernal…Subway Riders Frozen in Tunnels.

This has been an exciting week. We are getting tons of work done in our office, including improvements and fixes to the site. We have heard from many of you about your frustrations. Frankly, I am quite surprised at some of the odd shortcomings of the software. But there are things we can fix.

However, the passwords and log-ins will not go away. Those are here to stay. (Say it out loud…listen, it rhymes.) I have poured over 10 years of my life into building this free resource for you. There is a wealth of information, tips and answers in this database. With more information being added daily. It’s all here for you to use – for the price of a log-in.

But be aware, there are nasties out there – hackers and spammers and people who have nothing better to do with their time than destroy other people’s work. The TaxMama resources has been destroyed once by hackers. (Remember TaxTwist?) It has taken me nearly three years to bring it back alive.

I want to thank all of you who have been with me for years. I especially want to thank the special people who keep answering questions in the Forums and helping folks like you. Please invite your friends and clients to join us. They will get answers to questions you might be tired of repeating – or come up with new questions and strategies to have you implement for them.

Incidentally, if you have links to pages on TaxMama.com on your website, please update them. The links may have been changed. If you’re having a problem finding the page you need, let me know.
www.taxmama.com

We’ve been adding more goodies to TaxMama’s Resource Center. You will find a couple of ebooks – one on Everything You Wanted to Know About the EA Exam; the other on What Records Must You Keep.
http://taxmama.com/free-member-resources/

We are adding another 4 ebooks into the Family Resource Center – I’ve already turned them over to Andrew. He’ll be uploading them first thing next week. They include information about filing an Offer in Compromise; The Top 15 Things People Do Wrong in their bookkeeping; 4 tax secrets that will change your life; and the 2009 Year-End Update. I am still working on the update to the 100% Home-Based Business Tax Solution. That e-book will be included in your Family Membership.
http://taxmama.com/family-member-resources/

Remember to enter Intuit’s Love A Local Business competition. You could win as much as $35,000. And please, do vote for TaxMama, too.
http://wefoundasolution.com/do-you-love-a-business/

Please add another helpful tip to WeFoundASolution.com this week.
http://wefoundasolution.com/

Do people come to you with really dumb business ideas? What do you tell them? Read Geoff Williams’ article on AOL Small Business – and maybe you’ll think twice before snubbing someone again.
http://snurl.com/stupidbusiness

In IRS News today we learn Five Important Facts About Your Unemployment Benefits, and Four Steps to Follow If You Are Missing a W-2.
http://taxmama.com/category/asktaxmama/irs-news/

This week TaxMama’s TaxWatch ties in with this week’s IRS News – Unemployment may cost more than you realize.
http://www.marketwatch.com/taxes

Today’s Money Funny honors our very best friends – men, you can adapt this for your friends.
http://taxmama.com/category/asktaxmama/money-funnies/
In TaxQuips this week we learn about adoption, adoption credits and whether folks with no taxable income can get any of the Child Tax Credits; about how report the 1099-A from abandoned property; whether you can deduct a huuuuge, lifetime prepayment of medical insurance; and straighten out the confusion about Line C on Form 5405.
http://taxmama.com/category/tax-quips/

Don’t forget – Sunday is Valentine’s Day!

As always, we love your feedback, opinions and ideas.
You are what makes all this fun – and interesting!

Please use the Comments link online.
http://taxmama.com/ask-taxmama-issue-540-a-long-weekend

TaxNerd gear makes a bold statement year-round. And it helps attract the opposite sex!
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Hugs from your favorite TaxNerd,

Eva Rosenberg, EA

Your TaxMama is watching…out for you.

www.TaxMama.com
www.TaxQuips.com
www.IRSExams.com
www.taxnerd.net
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TAX CALENDAR 2009
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02.16.2010 Employees to File new W-4 with Employer
02.16.2010 Employers Make Monthly Payroll tax deposit on the 15th of each month
03/01/2010 File Paper copy W-3’s with Social Security Admin including copies of W-2’s
03/01/2010 File paper copy of US transmittal of US information Returns
03/01/2010 Farmers & Fisherman – Use Personal Income Tax Return – Sole Proprietor
03/16/2010 S-Corp Election Decision Due (if Applicable)
03/16/2010 S Corporate Returns Due / Calendar Year
03/16/2010 Issue K-1’s S Corporate Returns / Calendar Year
03/16/2010 Corporate Returns Due / Calendar Year
03/16/2010 Corporate Returns/S Corp Extensions Due / Calendar Year
03/16/2010 Foreign Persons US Income subject to withholdings
03/16/2010 Annual Tax Return of US Income subject to withholdings of Foreign Persons
03/16/2010 Employers Make Monthly Payroll tax deposit on the 15th of each month
03/16/2010 Electing Large Partnerships – Issue K-1s to partners – even if you’re on extension
03/31/2010 Electronic filing of W-3’s with Social Security Admin including issued W-2’s
03/31/2010 Electronic filing of US transmittal of US information Returns
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SPECIAL GIFTS FROM TAXMAMA – FREE – REALLY!
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Keep your Resolutions:
Here’s a well-thought-out e-book to help you start the
year off properly. It contains a place for you to
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help you achieve your goals.

Download the book here (just use your e-mail address in this e-mail, so you can avoid subscribing to my newsletters twice.)

Feel free to share this link with your friends, your clients and your mailing list.
Explore Simpleology 101 - It includes set of step-by-step daily missions for you to follow to get more focused and become more successful this year.
You can check them off as you go.

Audio and Video Training
Is 2010 the year you learn to put use audio and video
on your websites or online? Here are some excellent
no-cost training opportunities. All you need is time.
Join David at AudioAcrobat.com

Join SuccessNet.org for free and learn the 10 Essential Success Keys You Need to Know for You
And Your Business to Grow
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GIFT IDEAS
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Open your own Zazzle account and create personalized
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Cafe Press is the home of TaxMama’s shops
http://www.cafepress.com/taxmama

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http://www.cafepress.com/

Get extra discounts for yourself and friends after you order.

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Wouldn’t you love to get your logo or family crest, or picture or whatever, EMBROIDERED on hats and T-Shirts?

Well, it costs a heck of a lot less than you think.
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• Ask TaxMama :: Where taxes are fun and answers are free
• www.TaxQuips.com :: The number ONE free tax podcast online