August is in the rearview mirror, and while we have a fair
amount of work on our plate leading up to the deadline on
the 15th of this month for business filings, I thought I'd let
you know: we're preparing now for this coming tax
season ('Tax Year 2015' = TY2015). It's shaping up (already) to be a doozy. The ACA requirements will have new and sharper teeth, and there is a raft of tax law changes coming down the pike that will affect many returns for our clients. Just be glad that we are paying attention to this stuff so you don't have to!
This year, more than ever, it's just smart family and business policy to have a professional on your side - and one who isn't coasting on last year's knowledge.
If you've got a recent graduate living at home, looking for his or her first "real" job, you know how difficult the job hunt can be these days. In the interest of getting your kids off the sofa and out of the house, here's some of my advice...
*
Clean up online profiles.Potential employers will check your new grad's profile on Facebook and other social media sites. Advise your job-seekers to remove images and language that might give recruiters pause. Coach them on how to use LinkedIn to
create a more professional online persona.
* Network. Your son or daughter might be tired of
hearing, "It's not what you know, it's whom you know," but it's still valid true. If you have useful contacts, introduce your children. Otherwise, nudge them toward making an effort to connect with people in their chosen field, and advise them on how to act.
No Annoying Tax Lingo... Just Straight, Easy-To-Follow Expert Advice!
You Might Be Reading a Dinosaur
Video has taken over our world, especially among the younger generation. A recent study I saw (by Defy Media) found this evidence of the influence of YouTube and other video services on the young:
* Millennials watch an average of 11.3 hours of free online video a week, and 10.8 hours of subscription video-but only 8.3 hours of scheduled broadcast TV.
Are you tempted by too many credit cards? If you want to finally get your debt under control, try these strategies to get started:
*Track your spending. For at least six weeks, record where every penny you spend goes. Financial experts estimate that people spend between $50 and $300 a month that they can't account for. All that money could go toward paying off debt.
