THIS AND THAT

* Here are some recent interesting posts from my fellow tax-bloggers:

--TAXGIRL Kelly Phillips Erb reports on how the GOP candidates addressed the issue of federal taxes during the May 3rd debate in her May 7 posting “The 4-1-1 on the GOP, Tax Speak, That Is”. In her May 9th posting she shifts focus to the Democrats’ comments on taxes during their April 27th debate.

Kelly has asked each of the candidates to respond in writing to six tax-related questions. She will post the responses as received on her blog.

--Trish McIntire of OUR TAXING TIMES discusses the new proposed IRS regulations on the qualifying child issue is her May 4 posting “Qualifying Child”.

-- Ironman of the political calculations blog has created a calculator where you can enter your 2006 income and deduction information to find out how much you would have been taxed under the very first Form 1040 from 1913!

* An article in Wednesday’s STAR LEDGER under the title “Griffith Sues and Loses” tells that actor Andy Griffith lost his lawsuit against a man who took the name Andrew Jackson Griffith help in his campaign for sheriff in a small south-western Wisconsin town. The candidate, whose real name is William Harold Fenrick, came in third in the election.

The article stated that during his campaign Fenrick spoke out against speed traps, saying “They never did unethical stuff like that in Mayberry!”

No so! America was first introduced to Sheriff Andy Taylor, and the town of Mayberry, in a 1960 episode of The Danny Thomas Show (aka Make Room for Daddy). Danny Williams and wife, played by Marjorie Lord, were driving across country when they were caught in a speed trap in Mayberry. Rather than “pay the $2.00” Danny decided to protest by electing to do the jail time instead. The resulting “Andy Griffith Show” was television’s first “spin-off”. FYI, Deputy Barnie Fife did not appear in the episode.

* The National Association of Tax Professionals weekly email newsletter reports that purchasers of General Motors Corp. qualified vehicles may continue to claim the full alternative motor vehicle credit at least through March 31, 2007. The announcement comes after the IRS concluded its quarterly review of the number of hybrid vehicles sold. The make and model of qualified GM vehicles sold, and the credit amounts, are:

2006 and 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 2WD - $250
2006 and 2007 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid 4WD - $650
2006 and 2007 GMC Sierra Hybrid 2WD - $250
2006 and 2007 GMC Sierra Hybrid 4WD - $650
2007 Saturn Vue Green Line - $650
2007 Saturn Aura Hybrid - $1,300

The make and model of the qualified Nissan vehicle sold, and the credit amount, is:
2007 Altima Hybrid - $2,350

The Toyota and Lexus hybrids will be completely phased out of the credit for vehicles purchased beginning October 1, 2007. There is still a reduced credit amount for vehicles purchased through September 30, 2007

Additional qualifying vehicles, including the credit amounts, are available on the IRS website.

TTFN