I want to start off by bringing to mention a great “new” blog. Okay, not new in as it started last week, but newer than I am. Peter Pappas a CPA and Tax Attorney and the founder of the Orlando/Tampa Florida based tax law firm Pappas & Associates, P.A. He writes The Tax Lawyer’s Blog. In his post The Tax Lawyer Says Thanks to Joe Kristan, Robert Flach and Bruce “the tax guy” he credits those who have made him feel welcome to the “tax-o-sphere” and I am honored to be among those who he credits.

Peter writes a great blog. (A daily visit for me) The Tax Lawyer’s Blog hasn’t had a post yet that hasn’t been informative or entertaining. If you aren’t reading his post you are missing a great deal. It was blogger Joe Kristan (of Roth & Company, P.C.) who brought this excellent blog to my attention. I have asked Mr. Pappas if he would be interested in writing a guest post at the “taxguy”. Look for this soon as he has agreed to.

Earlier this week “the taxguy” was added to the Taxes section of Alltop.com. Alltop is sort of a “digital magazine rack of the Internet. To be clear, Alltop sites are starting points” the site provides categorized selections of links to blogs and other web resources that make it easy to scan a lot of information on a particular subject. For example the Taxes page lists many (at the time I wrote this 29) tax blogs with links to the most recent posts. Alltop is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to research, or just keep up on, well, stuff. If you have ever been to a real magaizene rack you know. Click here for more information on Alltop. Or go to their home page at Alltop.com to start checking out your favorite information.

Okay let’s see. . .

The big news this week actually started last weekend. From $aving to Invest, Andy has a great look over the situation in his post “Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac takeover and conservatorship – Impacts and Outcomes”. For more on the situation be sure to check out Freddie, Fannie, taxes and you another great from Kay Bell.

It is my opinion on this subject that the overall situation is going to have a great impact on the new Presidential administration and the way our government reacts to new tax rules and/or updates. 2009 could be an interesting year for tax change.

“When we’re left to our own experiences, we suffer from a shortage of data.” This is a quote from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I found it in a great post called The world is not like me over at Blunt Money. I took from it why it is good to be reading multiple blogs about finance or multiple blogs on taxes. “Look for alternatives, and realize that the world may not be like you. Get as much data as possible, and evaluate the experiences of others, and decide for yourself.” (A quote from the post.)

What are you giving up to save money? Is a good question posted by tax blogger Kay Bell of Don’t mess with Taxes. When I answered this question myself and for my business I was surprised as I hadn’t really realized that I was giving things up.

NO, BUDDY, THIS IS IOWA is a post from Joe Kristan over at The Tax Update Blog. I wonder who prepared the return in question? If the tax payer did then here is a good reason to hire a pro. If his return was prepared by a pro, I think we now have proof that as a tax payer a person should chose a preparer wisely.

From the taxgirl (no relation), a post that made me wonder, have all the tax professionals played the flute at some point in their lives? The post I am referring to is September 6th, 2008 taxgirl’s Six Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon. If you are curious what I mean then read her post (you should have already) then know that long ago I to played the flute. Probably could again if I had one. Of course that would also be dependent if I wanted to. (It would be interesting to see what I remember)

Ever wonder why you’re not rich yet? Why you’re not rich yet: 10 secrets to overcoming the ordinary is a great post from Blunt Money. Although the term rich here is used financially and for one to be rich I think money isn’t the point. “I love my friends for they make me rich.” I think this is a quote but I couldn’t tell you from where. Or maybe I just made it up, I don’t know.

It figures a new form. Okay no one panic this is a form for an Monopoly Game Expansion #5: Income Tax Edition The idea is really cool and I think someone should let them know over at the TaxProf Blog. It might be a keeper for the collecting of tax “bric-a-brac”.

Another great piece of information from Penelope Pince is Switching to Paperless Statements to Save Money, Time and the Planet.

The Tax Foundation today announced a new YouTube video contest aimed primarily at students and young professionals as part of its CompeteUSA campaign to raise awareness of America’s high business tax rates and how those taxes have an impact on our competitiveness, wages, and living standards. The winner will earn $5,000 while second and third prize winners will receive $1,000 and $500, respectively.

TaxProf Blog has crossed the 5,000,000-visitor mark. Oh man I wonder if there is any pressure there? With almost 12,000 post. WOW. For me to get 12,000 post I will have to do this for another 57 years and then a few months. That would make me over 100 years old. Well there is a record nobody has to worry about me breaking. I figure only another 25 years are left in me for this kind of thing. Great job.

I love this, thanks Joe – THE DOLLARS WERE IN ENGLISH The TaxProfs coverage, including a suggestion I agree with that Ways and Means members should be audited annually. And like Joe Kristan, I’d extend that rule for those in the Senate Finance Committee. Joe’s further ideas are great but you’ll need to go check them out.

Ever wonder where the phrase “The first thing we do, lets kill all the lawyers.” Came from? Well I am not going to tell you. You have to go over to The Tax Lawyers Blog and read what Peter Pappas wrote in his post Did Shakespeare Really Hate Lawyers? And for the record, the Ocean hasn’t reached Idaho, Yet.

Worried about the economy? Check out Five Positive Economic Signs to Cheer over at $aving to Invest.

As of Thursday night, no one I follow had posted about the IRS investigating broker ‘gimmicks’ that cheated U.S. of billions in tax. An article from USA Today. Maybe I will.

Okay, so I can’t get anything by anybody. I posted my Friday post on Thursday. I had good reason, I wanted to follow it with a guest post from Andy over at $aving to Invest. If you missed it, be sure to check out Real Tax Deductions That May Surprise You.

I’d like to thank Kyle over at Amateur Asset Allocator for mentioning my guest post Real Tax Deductions That May Surprise You over at $aving to Invest.

Okay it is the middle of September. Did you file an extension? Kay Bell from Don’t Mess With Taxes reminds us of Filing deadlines: 9/15 and 10/15.

Also on this subject Patrick from Cash Money Life writes Tax Extension Filing Deadline – October 15. Good information. For more on taxes from Cash Money Life see Category: Taxes.

I want to thank those for all the help I have recently been given in an effort to help me fix my blog issues (the fonts on the articles often differ from previous posts, and sometimes change within the post itself. Only to point out a few.) Helpful hints and guidance from others is always greatly appreciated. I am not a computer person as much as sometimes I need to be.

Again Thanks for all your help. I have sent you my thanks by e mail but wanted others to know that I am getting help (and excepting more) from others.

(I purposefully won’t mention those who have already helped by name as I don’t want their mail boxes to be flooded with help questions.)

From the Tax Policy Blog: “Thehill.com is reporting that democrats are mulling a gas stamp program to help drivers offset the higher price of gasoline, similar to the food stamp program.” Click her to read Democrats Mulling Gas Stamp Program. I am not going to say if this is good or bad but we need to do something. Last week a barrel of crude futures went under $100.00. Unfortunately, pump prices aren’t reflecting this as compared to what they were when futures were last under a hundred. Not only do we need something but at some point shouldn’t we as a nation or world say something?

THE WONDERING TAX PRO has a several great post this week that need mentioning. TAX AMNESTY covers the problem that the IRS has collecting back taxes. Referenced is “IRS Penalty Relief Bill of 2009.” A post from “the IRS Hitman”

TAX AMNESTY is a great idea. Like TWTP says, state revenues have had great success with this idea. I am in for joining the fight to get someone on the Hill to listen to this idea. Not sure if I am ready for all the new clients that would come out from this idea though.

DUELING TAX PLANKS covers now that the official party platforms have been approved and published TWTP looks at the two party’s tax platforms. With great looks at both sides

In response to all these hurricanes Robert shares his views about pets that are being abandoned or left behind in his post WHEN DISASTERS STRIKE SIMULTANEOUSLY.

Then as I have more or less moved away from the topic Robert brings up a ECONOMIC “STIMULUS” UPDATE. Here lies more of the same information reminded for those who have not yet filed.

In giving credit where credit is due. Robert states “The IRS certainly deserves kudos for how it has responded to problems and challenges thrust upon it by the cafones in Congress over the past few years.” In his post THREE CHEERS FOR THE IRS! He list three previous issues the IRS has had to face recently because (in my opinion) Congress is lax in its response time.

Ashley over at Wide Open Wallet adds more information about Joint Accounts

This has been a great week for my blogroll. If you haven’t been keeping up then you have for sure been missing out.

As For my website update, there isn’t one. I have been so busy this week I haven’t had time to do anything on it. I even have a list of things I want to fix on the blog here but time this week has not been on my side for doing these things.

© 2008, Bruce. All rights reserved. Republishing of this post must provide link to original post.

Tags: Audits, Deductions, Opinions, re, Taxes, Week in review

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 14th, 2008 at 6:45 am and is filed under Form 1040 Information, News Flash, Opinions, Taxes, Week in review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.