WHAT’S THE BUZZ, TELL ME WHAT’S A HAPPENNIN’?

 

* A client recently emailed me to ask if he should apply for an “IP PIN” - Identity Protection Personal Identification Number – since he learned his Social Security Number was compromised as part of the recent National Public Data hack (to find out if your SSN was included in the data breach click here).

My experience with an IP PIN in the past was the very few times the IRS issued one to a client due to a potential identity theft discovered by the Service.  I was not aware that a taxpayer could request such a number.  Apparently, it can.  And “IRS encourages all taxpayers to sign up for an IP PIN for the 2025 tax season” –

“As the 2025 tax season approaches, the IRS encourages all taxpayers to take an important step to safeguard their identity by signing up for an identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN). . . Signing up early will ensure taxpayers have extra safety by having an IP PIN to electronically file their returns when the filing season begins in 2025.”

As I said to my client – “It couldn’t hurt”.

* More proof that Trump doesn’t know his arse from a hole in the ground about anything, especially economics, from Andrew Leahey at FORBES.COM – “Trump’s Tariffs Would Cost Trillions—And We Learned This A Century Ago” (highlight is mine) -

“Trump’s 20% tariffs would take a massive toll on American households—especially those least able to afford it. History has shown us the damage that tariffs can do, and it’s a lesson we would be wise to remember.”

* The TAX FOUNDATION has just released it's “2025 State Tax Competitiveness Index”.

The 10 best states in the 2025 Index:

1.   Wyoming

2.   South Dakota

3.   Alaska

4.   Florida

5.   Montana

6.   New Hampshire

7.   Texas

8.   Tennessee

9.   North Dakota

10.Indiana

The 10 worst states in the 2025 Index:

   41. Massachusetts

   42. Hawaii

   43. Vermont

   44. Minnesota

   45. Washington

   46. Maryland

   47. Connecticut

   48. California

   49. New Jersey (no surprise - rdf)

   50. New York

THE LAST WORD –

Forget politics and policy. 

Trump has proven himself time and again to be the absolute worst human being to seek, or hold, the office of President in US history.

Trump is completely devoid of intelligence, character, integrity, honor, humanity, sympathy, and empathy.  He does not possess a single redeeming positive human quality or value.  He is a malignant narcissist who does not care one ounce about anyone or anything but himself and who has never performed a single totally unselfish act in his entire adult life. 

TTFN