Tax Problems & Offers in Compromise: As Seen On TV

Uncle Sam isn't one to take "no" for an answer
Unemployment Benefits: No Free Bailout For You
It’s been a tough year for Americans, and the numbers are looking pretty grim as we go into the Holiday Season. Florida’s overall unemployment rates are hovering just over 11% and nationwide they’re around 9.6%. According to The Wall Street Journal, the average length of official unemployment increased to 24.5 weeks, and the numbers of long-term unemployed has jumped to an all-time high of 4.4million. Everyone feeling jolly yet?
Well, there is one small ray of sunshine: Last week President Obama signed the unemployment extension legislation which provides for 14 weeks of extended benefit coverage for every state and an additional 6 weeks, for a total of 20 weeks, in high unemployment states where unemployment is over 8.5%. Read the rest of this entry »
2009 New Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction-You Haven’t Missed The Boat Yet!

Hang on, it's not too late to catch the new car deduction boat!
If you missed the mad rush to take advantage of the Cash for Clunkers program this year but you still need to buy a car, don’t fret, you might still be able to get a bit of cash back on your taxes!
New to Self-Employment Business Orientation: How to Avoid Tax Problems & Pave the Way to Success
Today people have more choices than ever before when it comes to making a living. Even those who keep their regular full time positions as employees are taking on side work as independent contractors and some are choosing to make the leap to full time self employment or starting their own small business.
Finding the Right Accountant to Help Build Your Business
You know you need an accountant to help you figure out your financials and you’re worried about the looming possibility of being hit with a big tax bill in the spring. The problem is, you’ve heard horror stories from friends and family about awful accountants. So now you’re left wondering, how do you know what you’re getting yourself into?
Last week I went over the different types of accountancy services generally available to business owners. This week I wanted to follow up with some advice on an even more individual level: finding an accounting professional you can get along with, communicate with and work with. Yes, that’s a big deal.
New Team Member & Launch of New HOA / Condo Management Service Division
Clearwater, FL – Fredrick James Accounting, Tax & Consulting, a locally owned and operated firm, announced this week the addition of their newest team member, Julie Trimpe-Steed who will be heading the new Home Owners & Condo Association Management Service division.
Julie Trimpe-Steed joins the team at Fredrick James as head of the new HOA / Condo Association Management Division
How to (Really) Find A Good Accountant
I’ve noticed there has been quite a lot written about finding a good accountant but most of it tends to generalize rather than offering detailed advice to help consumers base their decisions on. So I will do my best to keep it brief, but I will also aim to provide you with some meaty information that can really help you in choosing an accounting service for your business. I should mention here that this post is mainly geared toward business owners, but the same principles generally apply to individuals as well. I should also mention that this discussion is full of generalities when I describe the different types of accountants and accounting solutions available.
Waiting until tax time to hire your accountant / bookkeper / accounting firm is is akin to waiting until labor begins to choose the doctor who’s going to deliver your baby!
Taking a Moment
This week has been a bit crazy here at the firm with the corporate tax extension deadline coming and going yesterday. Regardless of how many newsletters, emails and phone call reminders we send to our clients, there are always a handful who wait until the last minute, yes, you know who you are!
So, because of the tight schedule this week, I’ll be taking the rest of this week to regroup and start putting together the next blog series that we’ll begin posting next week.
Its Here & There Is No Escape: Business Tax Return Deadline Sept. 15
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the time for putting off your business tax return is over. But, of course, you’ve already turned in your paperwork to your Accounting professional and you’re all set to go because you know corporate and partnership tax returns are due September 15, 2009 (assuming an extension was filed), right? So there’s no need to also mention that individual tax returns are due October 15, 2009 (again assuming an extension was filed)? Uhhh, riiiggghht…

Doh! I forgot to file my taxes!
Cash for Clunkers Demystified!

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli - "Cash for Clunkers" publicity stunt for dealership n Sacramento, CA
I am sure everyone has driven by the car lots lately and noticed an old car placed in a huge trash dumpster. Leave it to creative car dealerships to advertise the Case for Clunkers program. Everyone knows that the government is giving away money just to replace an old car with a new one. But not too many people understand the specifics of the program. So today we’re going to go through some main points to hopefully, clear things up a bit and help you decide if this is a program that you want to take advantage of. Read the rest of this entry »
