Today is the last day to control where your taxes go by taking advantage of tax credit and to save some money on federal taxes by reducing your taxable income. Click here to save money in 2008.
You can call me if you need help: 520-881-8488
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Direct Your Tax Money to Help My Family
This is a call for help. With the complicated tax system that we have as Americans, I need to explain how you can be proactive in it, to direct your tax money to help a good American family (who is asking for your help).
The good news. If you have a state tax liability in 2008, then you can control where a portion of your tax money will be spent. Talk to your accountant and/or spouse if you are not sure.
The not so good news. You need to make a donation before December 31st for $500 per taxpayer (assuming you have a tax liability of $500 per taxpayer). Then you will get 'paid back' with a 'dollar for dollar tax credit' in April of 2009.
Are you wondering, "How much may I give?"
A single person may give up to $500, assuming they have a tax liability of at least $500. A married couple may give up to $1000, assuming they have a tax liability of at least $1000. If your Federal Tax Liability is less than $500 per taxpayer, then you can donate an amount less than$500. So if you think your tax liability is going to be $400, then you could donate $350 to be safe yet still very helpful. It is important to get involved with how your taxes are spent, when you have the opportunity to do so.
$500 per taxpayer or $1000 per couple
So you have to have $500 (per taxpayer) today to save $500 (per taxpayer) in April. If you do this I will be very, very thankful. Couples may donate up to $1000 since they consist of 2 taxpayers.
Dollar for Dollar Tax Credit
A "dollar for dollar tax credit" means that you will literally save the exact amount that you donate (up to $500 per taxpayer, assuming you have a tax liability of at least $500 per taxpayer)
Benefit
Besides getting 100% of the donation back as a tax credit, your taxable federal income is reduced by the donation. So, if you are in the 28% Federal Tax bracket, the $1000 donation towards Kaylie's tuition will cost you <$280.00> (i.e. LESS than nothing!). In other words, you will save $280 in taxes beyond the tax credit.
In essence, you are gaining a tax savings and control over allocating a portion of your taxes. You are directing some of your tax money to a local Tucson family going to a local Tucson school instead of it going to Phoenix for the state government to spend.
Getting Started
The steps are easier than you may think.
It only takes a few minutes. To start, simply visit https://secure.acsto.org/donate_online.aspx by December 31st and choose the school "Cornerstone Christian Academy, Tucson" from the Recommendation drop down. Then please type my daughter's name, Kaylie Marie Barr, into the Student(s) field. Continue to complete the form by filling in your information, such as your name, address, credit card information, etc.
Step 2: Click Continue.
Step 3: Check the box and click Submit.
Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to help. We truly appreciate you taking the time to direct a portion of your tax money to do what you want.
Here are a few a pictures of my wonderful, hard working and just fabulous daughter Kaylie Barr:
To get started, just click here.
Cornerstone Christian Academy
My daughter is blessed to have the opportunity to go to Cornerstone Christian Academy. My wife, Heather and I are also very blessed to be apart of this wonderful school. My daughter's teacher is Mrs. Walick and she is absolutely the best at what she does.
This is our first year at Cornerstone and the moms in my daughter's class threw a surprise baby shower for my wife. We have been welcomed into this wonderful school by the parents, students, teachers and staff, beyond our expectations. We are very excited to be apart of this school and look forward to our other children (Jocelyn Joy who is 3 and Jacob Kenneth who is just a few days old) going here when they get to Kindergarten.
Some of the things that I find very important in education is absolute honesty. And like other Christian schools, the students learn the truth about creation and evolution while also learning math, reading, writing and comprehension. My daughter recently took home an Excellent ribbon in the ACSI District Speech Meet.
If you would like to help my daughter continue to attend this incredible school with excellent academics with a Christian education, please click here.
FYI: This blog has been updated and revised to try and make it as accurate and helpful as possible, after getting excellent feedback :)
The good news. If you have a state tax liability in 2008, then you can control where a portion of your tax money will be spent. Talk to your accountant and/or spouse if you are not sure.
The not so good news. You need to make a donation before December 31st for $500 per taxpayer (assuming you have a tax liability of $500 per taxpayer). Then you will get 'paid back' with a 'dollar for dollar tax credit' in April of 2009.
Are you wondering, "How much may I give?"
A single person may give up to $500, assuming they have a tax liability of at least $500. A married couple may give up to $1000, assuming they have a tax liability of at least $1000. If your Federal Tax Liability is less than $500 per taxpayer, then you can donate an amount less than$500. So if you think your tax liability is going to be $400, then you could donate $350 to be safe yet still very helpful. It is important to get involved with how your taxes are spent, when you have the opportunity to do so.
$500 per taxpayer or $1000 per couple
So you have to have $500 (per taxpayer) today to save $500 (per taxpayer) in April. If you do this I will be very, very thankful. Couples may donate up to $1000 since they consist of 2 taxpayers.
Dollar for Dollar Tax Credit
A "dollar for dollar tax credit" means that you will literally save the exact amount that you donate (up to $500 per taxpayer, assuming you have a tax liability of at least $500 per taxpayer)
Benefit
Besides getting 100% of the donation back as a tax credit, your taxable federal income is reduced by the donation. So, if you are in the 28% Federal Tax bracket, the $1000 donation towards Kaylie's tuition will cost you <$280.00> (i.e. LESS than nothing!). In other words, you will save $280 in taxes beyond the tax credit.
In essence, you are gaining a tax savings and control over allocating a portion of your taxes. You are directing some of your tax money to a local Tucson family going to a local Tucson school instead of it going to Phoenix for the state government to spend.
Getting Started
The steps are easier than you may think.
It only takes a few minutes. To start, simply visit https://secure.acsto.org/donate_online.aspx by December 31st and choose the school "Cornerstone Christian Academy, Tucson" from the Recommendation drop down. Then please type my daughter's name, Kaylie Marie Barr, into the Student(s) field. Continue to complete the form by filling in your information, such as your name, address, credit card information, etc.
Step 2: Click Continue.
Step 3: Check the box and click Submit.
Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to help. We truly appreciate you taking the time to direct a portion of your tax money to do what you want.
Here are a few a pictures of my wonderful, hard working and just fabulous daughter Kaylie Barr:
To get started, just click here.
Cornerstone Christian Academy
My daughter is blessed to have the opportunity to go to Cornerstone Christian Academy. My wife, Heather and I are also very blessed to be apart of this wonderful school. My daughter's teacher is Mrs. Walick and she is absolutely the best at what she does.
This is our first year at Cornerstone and the moms in my daughter's class threw a surprise baby shower for my wife. We have been welcomed into this wonderful school by the parents, students, teachers and staff, beyond our expectations. We are very excited to be apart of this school and look forward to our other children (Jocelyn Joy who is 3 and Jacob Kenneth who is just a few days old) going here when they get to Kindergarten.
Some of the things that I find very important in education is absolute honesty. And like other Christian schools, the students learn the truth about creation and evolution while also learning math, reading, writing and comprehension. My daughter recently took home an Excellent ribbon in the ACSI District Speech Meet.
If you would like to help my daughter continue to attend this incredible school with excellent academics with a Christian education, please click here.
FYI: This blog has been updated and revised to try and make it as accurate and helpful as possible, after getting excellent feedback :)
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Jacob Kenneth Barr (11-11-08)
On 11-11-08, my son Jacob Kenneth Barr was born! He was named after my first name and my dad's first name. Heather and I are very excited.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Bailout 2.0
I don't think we (the taxpayers and our representative government) should give any special treatment to any specific business, including those who are facing bankruptcy. I think the government is regulating too much and getting involved with too many things.
According to our US Constitution: Congress has the power to provide for the 'general Welfare of the United States' (Section 8 - Powers of Congress: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;). Bailing out GM, Chrysler and Ford does not help me or anyone I know, that I know of. So I don't think it helps the 'general Welfare of the United States'. And I think that if Congress spends our money to help certain businesses, then that is unconstitutional.
The following was reported on 11-11-08:
House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought legislation on Tuesday to bail out failing automakers, saying she was confident an emergency measure would be approved next week.
Pelosi aims to amend the government's $700 billion corporate rescue law that now applies to banks and other financial services firms. No figure was given, but General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC are seeking $25 billion in urgent assistance.
"Congress and the Bush administration must take immediate action," the California Democrat said in a statement, to prevent what she called the potential "failure of one or more of the major American automobile manufacturers."
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada said in a statement that Senate Democrats are "determined to pass legislation" to aid the auto industry but cautioned "it would only get done" with the help of Senate Republicans and the Bush administration.
GM, Ford and Chrysler are burning through cash and losing billions monthly. The companies blame the global credit crunch for an accelerated decline in U.S. sales and severe limits on corporate and consumer borrowing. Most consumers finance their vehicle purchases.
The three have argued to Congress their health is crucial to the U.S. economy since they employ 250,000 people and affect more than four million other jobs nationwide in related industries or indirectly.
GM said last week it could run out of cash by early next year. Ford is considered the healthiest of the three but virtually all of its assets are leveraged and it burned through $7.7 billion in cash last quarter.
Privately-held Chrysler does not report financial information but sources familiar with the company's strategy have said it is also churning through cash rapidly.
SHARES FALL
The government last month rebuffed GM's bid for capital to help facilitate a possible merger with Chrysler.
GM shares fell 13 percent to close at $2.92 on the New York Stock Exchange after earlier hitting a 65-year low of $2.76. Ford shares dropped 6.7 percent to close at $1.80.
Ford and GM said they were grateful for the call for swift action.
The White House has indicated it would weigh any help for Detroit but said Congress would have to take the first step and has urged a different course of action. The Bush administration has long been reluctant to endorse a bailout for carmakers.
"If Congress wants to change the (bailout) law, we'll see how they intend to do it," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.
Pelosi and Reid had appealed over the weekend for Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to act on his own to extend the corporate rescue program to automakers.
President-elect Barack Obama supports help for the industry. Obama and President George W. Bush discussed the industry at their Oval Office meeting on Monday, aides said.
Although Pelosi expects a measure to pass, Congress will have a narrow opportunity next week to act. The Senate is expected to meet for three days while the House has no formal session planned. House members, however, are expected to attend leadership elections.
Chief executives of Ford, GM and Chrysler met with Pelosi and Reid last week to discuss a comprehensive aid package of $50 billion - with half directed as emergency capital. The second $25 billion, to be considered later, would go to a retiree health care trust fund to free up cash for other priorities.
The White House has urged Congress to accelerate the availability of $25 billion in advanced technology loans approved by lawmakers in September to help automakers make more fuel efficient cars.
Industry officials have said the centerpiece of that financing program would have to be gutted and the money made available now with few or no strings attached in order to help address their problems.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Tax
Do you know how much you pay in tax? I think I pay 60%.
25% Federal Income Tax
15.3% Social Security Tax
4.72% Arizona Income Tax
5.6% Arizona Sales Tax
2% Tucson Sales Tax
1% Property Tax (based on my property tax and my income)
6% Other: vehicle registration tax, telephone taxes, cell phone taxes, school tax, medicare, unemployment tax, workers compensation Tax
I guess I won't need to worry about the 50% DeathStar Tax .. I mean the 50% Death Tax.
Now for my reflection: I think the tax rate is too high, but I also think there are two more important problems. 1: Taxes are too complicated and 2: there are alot of people who do not pay them.
A flat national sales tax that could be written in less than 80 characters is an attractive approach to me. Because right now the only tax that 'everyone' pays is the sales tax. I hear of people not paying their income tax, but who doesn't pay their sales tax?
25% Federal Income Tax
15.3% Social Security Tax
4.72% Arizona Income Tax
5.6% Arizona Sales Tax
2% Tucson Sales Tax
1% Property Tax (based on my property tax and my income)
6% Other: vehicle registration tax, telephone taxes, cell phone taxes, school tax, medicare, unemployment tax, workers compensation Tax
I guess I won't need to worry about the 50% DeathStar Tax .. I mean the 50% Death Tax.
Now for my reflection: I think the tax rate is too high, but I also think there are two more important problems. 1: Taxes are too complicated and 2: there are alot of people who do not pay them.
A flat national sales tax that could be written in less than 80 characters is an attractive approach to me. Because right now the only tax that 'everyone' pays is the sales tax. I hear of people not paying their income tax, but who doesn't pay their sales tax?
Chicken or the Egg
So which came first, the chicken or the egg? Neither. Both a rooster and a chicken came first, because without a rooster and a chicken you won't get a fertile egg. If you only have 'the chicken' then you won't get a fertile egg. If you only have an egg, then you would only end up with 'one chicken or one rooster' which would not result in what is needed to make a fertile egg (a chicken and a rooster).
So which came first "the sale" or "the marketing"? "Marketing" but it is not as complicated as a chicken.
So which came first "the sale" or "the marketing"? "Marketing" but it is not as complicated as a chicken.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Barack Obama supports Abortion
Barack Obama supports all types of Abortion.
Barack Obama supports Abortion and Infanticide
Barack Obama supports Partial Birth Abortion:
Barack Obama supports Infanticide
Barack Obama says he doesn't want someone punished with a baby
Barack Obama dodges the question by saying 'it is above my pay grade' and John McCain supports the baby with clarity
Background:
Barack Obama supports Abortion and Infanticide
Barack Obama supports Partial Birth Abortion:
Barack Obama supports Infanticide
Barack Obama says he doesn't want someone punished with a baby
Barack Obama dodges the question by saying 'it is above my pay grade' and John McCain supports the baby with clarity
Background:
Friday, October 24, 2008
Abortion
Message to me:
I believe abortion is murder. I had three abortions and regret them til this day. On the otherhand I can't become a fifty something year old sanctimonious Christian when I know how a young girl feels when she becomes pregnant and is abandoned by her boyfirend or husband. Abortion isn't going away. It will go underground. My mother-in-law was orphaned because her mother got an abortion when she was four and died of an infection. Without a mother her life was hell. Children bought into this world who aren't wanted sometimes fair very poorly. Sorry to say but a man cannot possibly understand this issue nor can he comment on it. It's kind of like talking about labor pains. You have to have been there in order to know everything involved with this issue. I have to have compassion for these young girls because I've walked in their shoes, I've had foster children in my life for more than fifty years and I believe Jesus is big enough to forgive us also.
Abortion is wrong, its murder but please have compassion on people who find themselves in this situation. Sarah Palin's daughter has a very rough road ahead of her. The road is called 'No man, no money and no hope'. A rough road for the mother and a dangerous road for the child.
My response:
There is help for girls in these situations.
There is help for a woman who has had an abortion.
People come together to help girls and their babies in situations like this.
The Bible calls murder wrong. As a man I am not making the rule, I am just applying the Bible to this problem.
Her response:
We agree to disagree. Capital punishment is wrong also.
My response:
How can you honestly group an innocent baby with a terrible murderer? Saving the baby is the right thing to do.
If I had the choice to save a murderer or a baby, I would choose to save the baby.
I disagree that we disagree. I think you need to change your mind. I would prefer to agree to agree.
I believe abortion is murder. I had three abortions and regret them til this day. On the otherhand I can't become a fifty something year old sanctimonious Christian when I know how a young girl feels when she becomes pregnant and is abandoned by her boyfirend or husband. Abortion isn't going away. It will go underground. My mother-in-law was orphaned because her mother got an abortion when she was four and died of an infection. Without a mother her life was hell. Children bought into this world who aren't wanted sometimes fair very poorly. Sorry to say but a man cannot possibly understand this issue nor can he comment on it. It's kind of like talking about labor pains. You have to have been there in order to know everything involved with this issue. I have to have compassion for these young girls because I've walked in their shoes, I've had foster children in my life for more than fifty years and I believe Jesus is big enough to forgive us also.
Abortion is wrong, its murder but please have compassion on people who find themselves in this situation. Sarah Palin's daughter has a very rough road ahead of her. The road is called 'No man, no money and no hope'. A rough road for the mother and a dangerous road for the child.
My response:
There is help for girls in these situations.
There is help for a woman who has had an abortion.
People come together to help girls and their babies in situations like this.
The Bible calls murder wrong. As a man I am not making the rule, I am just applying the Bible to this problem.
Her response:
We agree to disagree. Capital punishment is wrong also.
My response:
How can you honestly group an innocent baby with a terrible murderer? Saving the baby is the right thing to do.
If I had the choice to save a murderer or a baby, I would choose to save the baby.
I disagree that we disagree. I think you need to change your mind. I would prefer to agree to agree.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Pink Ribbon Supports Abortion
Do you know who Susan G. Komen supports? Do you know they support abortions?
"Komen has given Planned Parenthood more than $475,000 in grants for breast cancer treatment as part of its efforts to support community outreach programs."
I would/will not support them.
However, we do have an alternative: the baby pink and baby blue ribbon:
Monday, October 20, 2008
Multiple Monitors
Using 2 monitors with one computer can increase productivity by 33%.
How It Works:
Many video cards have multiple outputs, and the first step is to plug in multiple monitors and then to setup the OS to utilize multiple monitors.
General Outlay:
As a designer, I like to use Photoshop in one window and a data/reference/browser/email program in the other.
Increasing productivity severely outweighs the cost in purchasing an additional monitor. And redundancy is an added benefit. When one monitor goes out, you can get a replacement while you work with the remaining monitor.
Monday, October 13, 2008
What REALLY Caused Our Economic Crisis?
This video illustrates short term gain with long term consequences.
WARNING: This video is offensive but it is worth watching.
Click here to watch Candy Sales with Beavis and Butthead
WARNING: This video is offensive but it is worth watching.
Click here to watch Candy Sales with Beavis and Butthead
Friday, October 10, 2008
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