Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Cheap Tax Preparation and High Tax Refunds

INEXPENSIVE TAX PREPARATION AND GET THE MOST BACK ON YOUR TAXES - HASSLE-FREE

Looking for tips on how to get the most back on your taxes this year? Are you exhausted just thinking about having to prepare your tax return? Looking for cheap tax return preparation? Well, I have that here for you, too! Read on.

Being very frugal, I have in recent years prepared my own tax return. Before that, I was paying an accountant approximately $50.00 each year, and I was a 1040 EZ! Both of these scenarios are in the past, as of last year. I was referred to TurboTax online, and I thought I might as well give it a shot because I had already prepared my tax return and was stressing out - - because I owed a little over $200! I was waiting until the last minute to send it in because I was recently out of work and didn't have the money.

I went online to TurboTax, and it was so easy! I couldn't believe it. They do everything for you. They ask you questions, and you answer them. It is that easy! You won't have any questions so don't worry about that. They cover everything, and best of all, there is a spot on the page that you are working on that keeps a running tally of what your refund amount will be as you go. It is awesome! When you are finished (the first time you use them), you print off your return, and you sign and send in ONE PIECE OF PAPER that they have prepared for you. You can do a direct deposit (which I did), and I had that money very fast. Not to mention that I went from owing over $200.00 (when I prepared it myself) to getting back nearly $1,200.00!!!! Yes, you read it right. I said $ 1,200.00. Boy, did I ever need that money after recently losing my job.

Then, this year, TurboTax sent me my log-in information, and when I logged in, all of my info such as address, banking info, etc., was there from last year (which I could change very easily). Some of the first questions asked are about life changes. Did you lose your job? I answered "Yes". Did you collect unemployment benefits? I answered "No" (I wasn't eligible due to not meeting the required quarters of previous employment). As soon as I answered "No" to did I collect unemployment benefits, I saw on the screen in front of me "We'll Take Care of You", and they sure did. Even though I only made a month of wages in 2008, I am getting just $500.00 back. Can you believe it?! I sure don't. That is two years in a row that I have gotten so much more than I could have hoped for. AND best of all, no need to sign and send in anything this year because I signed the document last year. Last year, I paid $29.95 for this service. This year, I paid $24.00. Now, I am just sitting back and waiting for that direct deposit which is scheduled to take place within the next 10 days. What a help this year.

Thank you TurboTax!

***NOTE - You can use the service for 1040EZ or Simple Returns FOR FREE***
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An up and coming business with very little overhead

Have you considered grass painting?

As seen in Fortune and Inc. Magazines

Anyone here been out of work for quite some time and trying to find a way to start your own business so that you can get back to work and getting some income? I have been thinking that maybe it is the best and quickest way to earning money once more. Not to mention that perhaps in this day and age, it is best to be dependent on no employer. After some extensive research, I have learned that grass painting is an up and coming business and very cheap to get started. You just need to know the "ins and outs" of the business. I did an online search to see what is available to those wanting to start their own lawn painting business, and frankly, I was disappointed at the lack of resources. To be even more frank, I was surprised by advertisers who seem to be offering a lawn painting business in a box, for lack of a better term, and at a huge upfront investment to the entrepreneur. It is not wise to put so much money out up front at the beginning of any business.

There is an ebook available that can get you started for much less than anyone else is offering to get a lawn painting business started, and there is already a 2nd edition available. In the 2nd edition of "How to Start a Lawn Painting Business" ebook, the following topics are covered:

  • How to formulate a business plan and how to reach your personal/professional goals;
  • What equipment you need, where to get the equipment, and how to use the equipment;
  • How to market your business, to include building a website, online marketing, search engine optimization, "on foot" marketing, how / where to purchase marketing materials, sample marketing flyers, and who your likely customers are;
  • How to prepare estimates, a sample price sheet, where to get your information from, and how to deal with your customers (recommendations for payments, billing, etc.);
  • Common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid;
  • List of best resources (many of which are free) with hyperlinks included so that you can click on the resource and be immediately directed to the recommended vendor, website building company, etc.
  • How to set up your home office with specific administrative instructions, and much, much more!

Learn how to get your copy here.