How to Profit from Today’s Economic Chaos

Ok… this is one of the coolest “projects”
I’ve ever seen…

It’s pretty obvious that the big-shot bankers
on Wall Street have been getting richer and
richer during this economic crisis, while your
friends and family members haven’t.

Well this really ticked-off my friend Mike Dillard,
(who made his first million by the age of 26),
and he’s basically started a “movement”,
in order to even the score and allow the rest
of us to profit from the current economic chaos
just like they are.

Despite the fact that he’s not an investor, trader,
or financial guru of any kind, he’s made a
300%+ return since 2008, while the rest of the world
has lost 30-40% of their portfolio.

How?

Get this… He found a “map” back in 2007 that’s
allowed him to basically predict the financial future.

Like I said… VERY COOL… (And yes, it’s the real deal).

Anyway, he recorded a three-part, “Year-In-Review”,
video series this month showing how he’s managed
to discover and use these little-known investment
strategies, and has decided to share it with the
public over the next few days.

I just finished watching Part I here about his economic
predictions for 2012, and it’s a MUST WATCH. Just copy and paste this in your browser.

http://theelevationgroup.net/yearinreview/index.php?a_aid=156393&a_bid=418a665e

I’d have to say my favorite part about his strategies
is that you don’t need to be a trader, and you
don’t need to be rolling in money. All you need is
the desire to learn how the rich are getting richer
these days, so you can too…

You can watch all three videos along with me this
week by going to his site with the link below.

http://theelevationgroup.net/yearinreview/index.php?a_aid=156393&a_bid=418a665e

Enjoy,

Howard

IRS changes the Standard Mileage Rate

The Internal Revenue Service announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes.

The rate will increase to 55.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011. This is an increase of 4.5 cents from the 51 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2011.

The real question is whether this rate is realistic for the increasing costs we face while using our vehicles for business.  The only way to know for sure is to keep track of your expenses and see which method works best.

If you need help in setting up a daily system to keep track of your expenses, let us know, we can help.

The Tax Paper Chase List-Check out our discount

This has ALREADY been one of our most intense years, in preparing the groundwork for “tax season”, simply because the tax code is getting even MORE complex. And, truly–it seems as if I write that *every* year, which isn’t a great sign for families who are wanting to do their own taxes!

And, of course, Congress’ last-minute tax agreement didn’t make things any easier.

Don’t cry for us — this is our full-time occupation, after all! But I truly do pity those who attempt to wade through all of the different codes and forms on their own, and not devote a week’s labor to the transaction. It really doesn’t pay to “go it alone” for certain tasks.

So, for those of you who want our help, I’ve got a special incentive for you at the end of this blog post l … AND, I’ve got a handy little list of what you’ll need to bring in or will need to complete your tax organizer we send to you. It’s mostly complete, but there may be certain situations where we’ll need other documentation to get you even more deductions. But, of course, we’ll let you know about that, should the situation arise!

Let me know your thoughts … and, of course, if you’d like to talk this over with us we DO have a couple slots left! Call or email soon, though.

The Tax Paper Chase List
Yes, this is a long list — but it’s the unfortunate reality of our tax code that it’s not even comprehensive! But these items will cover 95% of our clients.  Really, this is for ensuring that we’re able to help you keep everything you deserve to keep under our tax code.

Even if for some strange reason you won’t be using our cost-effective services this year, feel free to use this list as a handy guide…

Personal Data
Social Security Numbers (including spouse and children)
Child care provider tax I.D. or Social Security Number

Employment & Income Data
W-2 forms for this year
Tax refunds and unemployment compensation: Form 1099-G
Miscellaneous income including rent: Form 1099-MISC
Partnership and trust income
Pensions and annuities
Alimony received
Jury duty pay
Gambling and lottery winnings
Prizes and awards
Scholarships and fellowships
State and local income tax refunds
Unemployment compensation

Homeowner/Renter Data
Residential address(es) for this year
Mortgage interest: Form 1098
Sale of your home or other real estate: Form 1099-S
Second mortgage interest paid
Real estate taxes paid
Rent paid during tax year
Moving expenses

Financial Assets
Interest income statements: Form 1099-INT & 1099-OID
Dividend income statements: Form 1099-DIV
Proceeds from broker transactions: Form 1099-B
Retirement plan distribution: Form 1099-R
Capital gains or losses

Financial Liabilities
Auto loans and leases  (account numbers and car value) if vehicle used for business
Student loan interest paid
Early withdrawal penalties on CDs and other fixed time deposits

Automobiles
Personal property tax information
Department of Motor Vehicles fees

Expenses
Gifts to charity (receipts for any single donations of $250 or more)
Unreimbursed expenses related to volunteer work
Unreimbursed expenses related to your job (travel expenses, entertainment, uniforms, union dues, subscriptions)
Investment expenses
Job-hunting expenses
Education expenses (tuition and fees)
Child care expenses
Medical Savings Accounts
Adoption expenses
Alimony paid
Tax return preparation expenses and fees

Self-Employment Data
Estimated tax vouchers for the current year
Self-employment tax
Self-employment SEP plans
Self-employed health insurance
K-1s on all partnerships
Receipts or documentation for business-related expenses
Farm income

Deduction Documents
State and local income taxes
IRA, Keogh and other retirement plan contributions
Medical expenses
Casualty or theft losses
Other miscellaneous deductions

We hope this helps, and we look forward to seeing you this year!

++++++++

Warmly,

Howard

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Special Early 2011 Blog Offer
$29.00 Off Any Tax Service
Special Gift Certificate
Print This blog post and bring it to our office–and receive an instant $29 credit towards any tax or financial service for 2011

Expires February 11th, 2011
Not valid with any other offer
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

All I can say is WOW

Ok… this is one of the coolest “projects” I’ve ever seen…

It’s pretty obvious that the big-shot bankers on Wall Street have been getting richer and richer during this economic crisis, while your friends and family members haven’t.

Well if you’re interested in cracking open the “black-box investing strategies” of the rich, so you can see how they’re doing it, you’ve gotta check out this video Mike Dillard just posted…

Despite the fact that he’s not an investor, trader, or financial guru of any kind, he’s made a 280% return since 2008, while the rest of the world has lost 30-40% of their portfolio.

How?

Get this… He found a “map” back in 2007 that’s allowed him to basically predict the future.
Like I said… VERY COOL…

Check out this video he just posted and you’ll see how he’s doing it…

http://www.theelevationgroup.info/click.track?CID=142138&AFID=156393&ADID=411870&SID=

Let me know what you think.

Howard