A NEW TAX CARNIVAL

While checking various online “stuff” before leaving for Sullivan County NY I discovered “Tax Carnival #87: Star-Struck Taxes” from Kay Bell over at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES.

I remembered to submit an entry this time - my post on Spring Cleaning Tax Savings.

There are a few good items worth checking out.

WHERE THE FAKAWI – FEBRUARY 16

So the tax season is 1/5 over (so to speak – this year the end is not April 15, or for me April 14, but April 18, for me April 17).

The season started out a bit slow, as I may have mentioned. But the floodgates have opened. This past week-end (Friday thru Sunday) I received 35 returns for the “to be done” box.

So Where the Fakawi? I have 50 returns “under my belt”. As has been the case for the past few seasons, there have been some surprise early birds this year. And I have either done, received a package from, made arrangements with, or at least heard from 35% of my mailing list. There are only 2 “red files” (both from same family) – and I just need to call for three quick answers.

My car is no longer buried or stuck in the ice! Piles of snow are still all around – so I won’t have to worry about moving the car for street cleaning yet for a few more weeks.

A reminder to my clients – today is Wednesday and, as such, I am locked BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. I will be unavailable and inaccessible today (and every Wednesday) – so don’t call (the phone is turned off) or think of stopping by.

BTW – I have been informed that “Tax Carnival #81: We ♥ Heart ♥ Taxes” is up at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES.

Kay ends the carnival with -

“And we close out this tax love fest with a post that takes its theme from another beloved holiday.

Robert D Flach offers us The Twelve Days of Tax Season, posted at THE WANDERING TAX PRO.”

TTFN

TAX CARNIVAL TURNS 80 - WITH A SURPRISE

Just one more thing . . . he said, Columbo-like.

I finally remembered to submit a post to Kay Bell’s Tax Carnival. What a surprise when I checked my email inbox first thing this morning and found that “Tax Carnival # 80 - Tax Horror Stories Edition” was up – but not at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES! Instead it is at MY PERSONAL FINANCE JOURNEY (“Personal Finance, Intelligent Investing, And Frugal Living Tips”) written by Jacob. a 24 year old engineer.

And my entry on “What To Give Your Tax Preparer” was the Editor’s #1 Pick!

“In this very well-written, detailed piece, Robert explains what is necessary to give and not to give your tax professional when preparing your taxes. Read and learn!”

Thanks, Jacob.

As an Editor’s Pick I am in good company. Be sure to check out the other two posts that share the honor with me.

The Carnival is called “Horror Stories Edition” because it features tax horror stories in between the entries.

The posts in this edition are all from personal finance bloggers. Kay Bell and I appear to be the only tax-bloggers represented.

I will have to check out DON’T MESS WITH TAXES to see why Kay is not the host of this edition.

A NEW BLOG CARNIVAL!

Hey, I’m in a new Blog Carnival.

It is the “Totally Money Blog Carnival #3” at BUDGETING IN THE FUN STUFF (A Personal Finance Blog About the Next Financial Step). My post on "What To Give Your Preparer" is in the TAXES section (next to last).

While in the TAXES section check out “7 Simple Tax Organization Tips To Use All Year Round” from the Silicon Valley Blogger’s THE DIGERATI LIFE.

There are lots of good stuff in a variety of categories.

MORE CURE FOR BUZZ-WITHDRAWAL

Since I have been too busy with GDEs to “wander the web” in search of BUZZ for the regular Wednesday installment I suggest you get your "tax info fix" from Kay Bell’s “Tax Carnival #75: TaxtoberFest 2010” over at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES.

TTFN

PERSONAL FINANCE CARNIVALS

A recent BUZZ entry is included in two recent Blog Carnivals, including -

* Carnival of Financial Planning - Edition #117 - November 27, 2009 at THE SKILLED INVESTOR

* Carnival of Money Stories – My Financial Dreams Edition at THE FINANCIAL BLOGGER (in category #3)

There were two other Carnivals that were supposed to be published on November 30th – but no go.

FYI, my two other tax blogs, INTERNET GUIDE TO IRS SCHEDULE E and NEW JERSEY TAX PRACTICE BLOG, now appear on the TAXES page at Alltop.com.

NEW TAX CARNIVAL

I just got the word from host Kay Bell that “Tax Carnival #57: Labor Day 2009” is now appearing at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES.

Is it #57 already? I think I first started submitting entrees back in the low teens. And did you know that I actually hosted one of the early Tax Carnivals to give Kay a breather?

My post ABSOLUTES barely made it into the Carnival, thanks to a last minute “tweet” reminder from Kay.

The Carnival also features a good primer on Estimated Taxes from CASHMONEYLIFE. There is a similar entry from MOOLANOMY PERSONAL FINANCE.

And be sure to check out the Tax Poem from WISDOM FROM WENCHYPOO’S MENTAL WASTEBASKET. I especially found the final comment interesting.

And now I am off to Califon for some “aged” rum punch!

A BIT OF TOOTIN’ MY OWN HORN

+ My post “1040 FYI - GROSS PROCEEDS AND COST BASIS” appears under the category “Investing” in the “Carnival of Everything About Personal Finance – 6th Edition” at NIL2MILLION.COM.

The same post is also included in the “98th Carnival of Financial Planning” at LIVING ALMOST LARGE, way down at the bottom under “Taxes”. Actually, like Oliver Twist, I am last on the list – saving the best for last I guess.

And it is also in “Money Hacks Carnival #74 – Saturday Morning Cartoons Edition” over at $UBURBAN DOLLAR. It is the only entry under “Taxes” in the “GI Joe” grouping.

+ “License and Registration, Please”, an adaptation of one of my initial TWTP posts on the subject of regulating unenrolled tax practitioners, appears in the View Point column of the Summer 2009 issue of the National Association of Tax Professional’s quarterly TAXPRO JOURNAL!

This item was written at the beginning of the debate on registering and licensing tax professionals. Much more has been added to the discussion by me since its writing.

TAX CARNIVAL

Guess what I found when I checked the Tax page at alltop.com this morning? "Tax Carnival #55: Tax Fireworks" is up at DON'T MESS WITH TAXES!

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In addition to my "What Happens In An IRA . . ." post the Carnival also includes the following items of interest -

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*The Sun wonders "Did TurboTax Miscalculate My Recovery Rebate Credit?" at THE SUN'S FINANCIAL DIARY. It seems, based on the post's comments, that TurboTax has made errors in calculating the Recovery Rebate Credit on several returns, resulting in bills for additional tax and interest. It is unsure whether it is a question of "Garbage-In, Garbage-Out" or if the software itself FUed. With multiple errors I expect a TT FU. Who said tax returns generated by software are more accurate than manually prepared ones? FYI - the IRS has a good Recovery Rebate Calculator on its website.

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* Darwin provides a detailed post on the Medical FSA in "Flexible Spending Account: Rules, Eligibility and Savings Explanation" at DARWIN'S FINANCE.

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*Bruce, the TAXGUY, joins the fray in the CPA vs Unenrolled Preparer debate with his well-titled post "Righteousness in Designation?". As Kay suggests - be sure to read the comments.

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TTFN

MONEY HACKS CARNIVAL

Just found out that my post on "What Happens in an IRA Stays in an IRA" appears in the "Money Hacks Carnival #70" at BLOGGING BANKS.

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It is the "editor's pick" in the TAXES category!

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Check out the Carnival - it has lots of interesting stuff.

CARNIVAL OF FINANCIAL PLANNING

My post on “Something to Think About” is in the "Carnival of Financial Planning – May 16, 2009 Edition" at THE PERSONAL FINANCIER. It is the first of two items under TAXES – which, as seems to be the case in many personal finance Carnivals, the last category.

While you are there be sure to check out “Gallows Humor: 21 Economy Inspired Cartoons” posted by Pick the Brain at SCHOOL LOANS (actually THE MONEY STUDENT). I especially liked the "Dogbert at the Bailout Hearings" and "Preferred Stocks" cartoons.

TTFN

LIFE IS A CARNIVAL OL' CHUM

I just got the word -"Money Hacks Carnival #64 - As American As Apple Pie"is now up at MY LIFE ROI. The title was chosen because today, May 13th, is National Apple Pie Day.

My post HERE’S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT is way down near the bottom, listed under “Misc”.

There are a lot of interesting and helpful entries on the way to finding mine. Check it out.

My HSTTA post was also in yesterday’s “Carnival of Everything Money #14” at THE PENNY DAILY – although I did not receive an email so announcing. Here I am the very last entry – the sole entry under TAXES. Well they used to say if you can’t get top billing it is better to be last then buried in the middle.

THE LATEST TAX CARNIVAL

Again a day late, but again certainly not a dollar short, is the latest Tax Carnival from Kay Bell at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES – “Tax Carnival #53: Cinco Tax Celebración”. Kay comments that “after a few Margaritas, even the Internal Revenue Code is a fun read!”

With that in mind the Carnival starts off with a laugh – “Dear IRS” from Mad Kane's Humor Blog.

As has been the case with the last few Carnivals there are some new entrants this time around. I recommend that you check out the following carnival entries -

* “Claiming a Parent as a Dependent on a Tax Return” from My Wealth Builder, and

* “Don’t Forget To Make Your Estimated Tax Payment For Self Employment Income!” from Bible Money Matters.

HAIL TO THE TAX CODE!

I just got the word from Kay Bell of DON’T MESS WITH TAXES that “Tax Carnival #46: Inauguration Day” is here! Hail to the Tax Code! Or do you prefer “To Hell with the Tax Code”?

My post on “What Not To Do” when looking for a tax preparer is included.

NO LONGER MYSTIFIED

Just a quick note to let you know that my post on “The Most Important Advice You Will Receive This Tax Season” is in Raag Vamdatt’s “Financial Planning Demystified Carnival” Issue 17.

Check it out!

CARNIVAL TIME

It appears my posting on “The Most Important Advice You Will Receive This Tax Season” appeared in the TAXES category in Saturday’s “Carnival of Financial Planning - January 10 2009” Edition compiled by the Skilled Investor.

And my “2008 Tax Year In Review” post appeared in the “Carnival of Financial Planning - January 3 2009 Edition”.

Both posts appear in the January 11th “Carnival of Wealth, Money and Life” at DOLLAR FRUGAL (Staying Frugal One Dollar at a Time) under “Money”.

I thought that Blog Carnival hosts would email those who are included in the Carnival to let them know of their good fortune. Kay Bell always has with the Tax Carnival. With all the above Carnivals I didn’t learn of in inclusion from the host but from my own “wanderings”.

BTW – Nothing to do with Carnivals, but my Post Office contact was wrong. The basic 2008 federal income tax forms (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ) and the 1040 instruction book was available this morning at my local PO branch – and with better paper quality than the forms I had grabbed at the IRS! Wonnerful! Wonnerful!

THE FIRST TAX CARNIVAL OF 2009!

The first Tax Carnival of 2009 is now up at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES – “Tax Carnival #45: Happy New Tax Year!” Kay was almost a day late, but certainly not a dollar short.

My post on 2008 – THE TAX YEAR IN REVIEW ends the carnival.

While I have your attention – be sure to go to the ROTH AND COMPANY TAX UPDATE BLOG and vote for the “2008 TAXPAYER OF THE YEAR”. I will tell you who I voted for after the winner has been announced!

STOCKING STUFFERS FROM KAY BELL

It’s here - “Tax Carnival #44: Stocking Stuffers 2008” is now appearing at DON’T MESS WITH TAXES!

It includes my post “Now Here’s A Thought”.

Check it out.

TWO NEW BLOG CARNIVALS

Here are 2 new Blog Carnival for me. I am a little late in reporting on them as I was not notified via email of my inclusion, as is usually the case.

(1) “Working at Home Blog Carnival-115th Edition” at, appropriately, the WORKING AT HOME ON THE INTERNET blog. My post on “Keeping Track of Business Expenses” appears under “Business”.

(2) “123 of Investing and Financial Planning” at THE MONEY MANIAC (Your Investment and Personal Financial Planning Adviser). Here my post “That Time of Year Again” on year-end tax planning appears under “Personal Finance”.

ANOTHER BLOG CARNIVAL

I have just been informed that the “42nd Money Hacks Carnival: Laid-Off and Freelancing Edition” is now up at THE FINANCIAL WELLNESS PROJECT ("Getting Better With Money – Health, Wealth, & Wise").

My post on “Keeping Track of Business Expenses” is included in the TAXES section, the last category (why does TAXES always seem to be the last category in these Blog Carnivals – saving the best for last?).

Also in the TAXES section is a good post on how your individual financial situation affects the choice of “Year End Tax Strategies for 2008” from MY WEALTH BUILDER.

Cindy of MEND YOUR MONEY, who happens to be a twitter follower of mine, shares my opinion in her post “Save for Retirement or College?”.

TTFN