Showing posts with label information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label information. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Friday, March 5, 2010
Social Networking on the Internet by Susan Ayers Walker
Social Networking on the Internet: The New Way to Make Friends and Have Fun
Susan Ayers Walker
SmartSilvers Alliance
ant to know which South Florida nightclubs have a senior-friendly reputation? A member of the social networking site Eons recently put together a list. Meanwhile, several AARP networkers shared opinions about dentists in Los Angeles. And would you like to meet some nearby singles in your age group? Members of the Gather social networking site regularly swap information on the subject.These are a few of the thousands of ways that seniors are exchanging information, making new friends and keeping up with older friends on the Internet’s social networking sites.Networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, sprang up several years ago, largely for Web-savvy young people. Today, there’s a growing number of social networks specifically for adults who are interested in travel, health, dating, politics, second careers, movies and hundreds of other subjects.
How they work: Social networking sites typically ask you to create a profile about yourself that includes basic information, such as the city where you live, your hobbies and other interests, as well as a network nickname by which members can refer to you. Members usually include pictures in their profiles. There’s rarely a charge to join a network, but most sites have lots of advertising.
Once you register on a social networking site, you can search for people with similar interests, location or hobbies. You can get in touch with other members by posting a message on a person’s profile, or by joining a discussion group. Only the site has your real e-mail address unless you give it to another member -- which you may want to do after developing a trusting relationship. Social networking sites usually have blogs that let users post comments, exchange views and ask for advice on a wide variety of subjects.
Examples: One member of a networking site recently asked for information on jobs for seniors in the Chicago area. Another wanted advice on repairing a wooden sailboat, and many more were still exchanging views on the November election.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
Some of the best social networking sites for adults...
Eons (www.eons.com) is a social network for older adults interested in leading healthy and fulfilling lives. One of the most popular features of the site is the Longevity Calculator, which asks a series of health-related questions and then estimates your life expectancy. Among the popular social groups at Eons are those that discuss spirituality, pop music and saving money.AARP Online Community (www.aarp.org/onlinecommunity) is a new feature of the country’s largest organization for seniors and is growing strong. As it grows, the social network will connect more and more adults interested in such subjects as entertainment, education, health, careers, sports and volunteering. You don’t have to be an AARP member to take part in its social networking.Gather (www.gather.com) is a social network with an especially large number of interest groups, including those for adults interested in horror movies, baking bread or writing poetry. When members use Gather, they build up credits that can be redeemed at retailers such as Amazon.com, the Gap, Starbucks and Target.SPECIAL INTERESTS
Many social networking sites are now aimed at people with specific interests...
Literature. At Goodreads (www.goodreads.com), you can network with people who love to read books and want to exchange information about authors, best sellers and publishing industry events.Women’s issues. iVillage Connect (http://connect.ivillage.com) is one of the few social networking sites devoted solely to women, covering a wide range of topics from health, careers and relationships to shopping and style.Careers. Of the many sites for career-minded networkers, LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) is one of the most popular. Members exchange information about career interests and skill sets, post their résumés and invite people they have met in business to join their online network of business colleagues. Your network expands as you are introduced to other businesspeople -- a bit like exchanging business cards, except it is done online in this network. Personal finance. ValueForum (www.valueforum.com) is one of a growing number of specialized networking sites that charge for membership. For about $21 a month, members exchange information about their personal experiences with a wide variety of timely investments, including municipal bonds, energy-related stocks, real estate, foreign equities and gold.Language learners. LiveMocha (www.livemocha.com) is a network for language learners, allowing them to connect with native speakers throughout the world. LiveMocha supports learners of English, French, German, Hindi, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish and is expected to add more languages. To find other social networks on the Web, enter "social networking" into Google or another search engine. To find a site for people with a specific interest, add the name of that interest in the search box. Example: "Social networking cooking."
SMART NETWORKING
With so many social networking sites available, it’s difficult to choose the ones that are right for you... and then to use them to your best advantage.
Visit one or two networks frequently for about a month to decide whether you’re connecting with like-minded people. If the site is not for you, remove your profile by deleting all the information you provided, including pictures.
But if you do like the site, be sure your profile includes a picture, either of yourself or something that represents your hobby. If you don’t, the profile won’t attract many interested networkers.
Be cautious about giving out your phone number, street address, real e-mail address or other personal information. Though the majority of networkers are honest, a few disreputable people always sneak in, sometimes to sell you a product or lobby a point of view that doesn’t interest you.
It’s usually best to remain online friends with a fellow networker unless the person can provide references that you can check (mutual friend, church or club affiliations).
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Thursday, April 9, 2009
Is Your Tax Return Asking for an Audit?
by Barbara Weltman, Esq.
An IRS audit. It's what taxpayers most dread as they prepare their returns and what 1.3 million of them faced last year -- up 5% from the year before.
As the White House and Congress look for more ways to shrink the federal budget deficit, your chances of being audited are likely to grow, especially if your income tops $100,000.
Although there are no foolproof methods to avoid an audit -- and many returns are chosen randomly -- there are certain red flags that draw the attention of IRS computers and auditors.
Here are mistakes that could cause your return to stand out and suggestions on how to avoid an audit...
Omitting or underreporting income. Employers and financial institutions sometimes report income incorrectly to taxpayers and the IRS on W-2 forms (for employees) and 1099 forms (for independent contractors).
Safest: If you receive an incorrect W-2 or 1099, don't just substitute a different figure on your tax return. Get the mistake corrected by the source, and ask for a new W-2 or 1099.
Failing to fill out an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) schedule. This year, more than 3.5 million individuals are expected to owe this tricky tax, which kicks in when deductions push the regular tax below a certain minimum amount. Taxpayers who live in "high tax" states, such as New York and New Jersey, are particularly vulnerable, because state and local income tax and sales tax are not deductible for AMT purposes
Safest: Use the IRS 2006 AMT assistant, an online calculator at www.irs.gov (put "AMT Assistant" in the search window), to determine whether the AMT applies to you.
Messing up the math or leaving blanks. IRS computers easily detect math errors and omissions.
Safest: Print out your calculations so that you can double-check them. Review all lines, as well as blanks, to make sure that you didn't leave out required information or put it in the wrong place. That includes the signature lines -- remember that both spouses must sign a joint return.
Better yet: File electronically. It cuts down on math errors -- E-filed returns have an accuracy rate of more than 99%, compared with 80% for paper returns, because the program checks the math.
Claiming too many deductions and/or credits. The IRS is on the lookout for excessive deductions and credits.
Example: In January, the IRS said that some taxpayers are asking for too much in refunds for certain taxes they paid in the past on long-distance phone bills. Those taxes have been ruled illegal, and the government is offering to refund to each taxpayer a "standard" phone tax amount of $30 to $60, depending on the number of exemptions claimed on the tax return, without requiring any proof. For higher amounts, proof of what was paid in phone taxes is required. IRS commissioner Mark W. Everson said that "people requesting an inflated amount will likely see their refund frozen, may have their entire tax return audited and even face criminal prosecution where warranted."
If you request more than the standard phone tax refund, be sure to have on hand the phone bills that prove what you claim.
Safest: In general, don't claim deductions that far exceed what tax preparers say is reasonable for your income bracket, or if you do, attach an explanation. Attach copies of bills for unusually high medical expenses. Have proper documentation for donations to charity. For used clothing and household items, take pictures of the items to show that they were in good used condition or better.
Guidelines: There are no "standard" deduction amounts. Based on IRS statistics for 2004, taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of $50,000 to $100,000 itemized an average of $2,663 in charitable contributions and $6,125 in medical costs. Those with AGIs of $100,000 to $200,000 itemized an average of $4,130 for charity and $9,811 for medical costs.
Claiming losses on hobbies. Deductions for a fun activity, such as coin collecting, may be rejected if the activity results in losses that don't make commercial sense year after year.
Safest: Don't claim deductions for hobby expenses unless you are prepared to show that you are engaged in the activity for profit.
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Barbara Weltman, Esq., an attorney in Millwood, New York, author of J.K. Lasser's 1001 Deductions and Tax Breaks 2009 (Wiley). She is publisher of the free monthly online newsletter Big Ideas for Small Business. www.barbaraweltman.com.
An IRS audit. It's what taxpayers most dread as they prepare their returns and what 1.3 million of them faced last year -- up 5% from the year before.
As the White House and Congress look for more ways to shrink the federal budget deficit, your chances of being audited are likely to grow, especially if your income tops $100,000.
Although there are no foolproof methods to avoid an audit -- and many returns are chosen randomly -- there are certain red flags that draw the attention of IRS computers and auditors.
Here are mistakes that could cause your return to stand out and suggestions on how to avoid an audit...
Omitting or underreporting income. Employers and financial institutions sometimes report income incorrectly to taxpayers and the IRS on W-2 forms (for employees) and 1099 forms (for independent contractors).
Safest: If you receive an incorrect W-2 or 1099, don't just substitute a different figure on your tax return. Get the mistake corrected by the source, and ask for a new W-2 or 1099.
Failing to fill out an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) schedule. This year, more than 3.5 million individuals are expected to owe this tricky tax, which kicks in when deductions push the regular tax below a certain minimum amount. Taxpayers who live in "high tax" states, such as New York and New Jersey, are particularly vulnerable, because state and local income tax and sales tax are not deductible for AMT purposes
Safest: Use the IRS 2006 AMT assistant, an online calculator at www.irs.gov (put "AMT Assistant" in the search window), to determine whether the AMT applies to you.
Messing up the math or leaving blanks. IRS computers easily detect math errors and omissions.
Safest: Print out your calculations so that you can double-check them. Review all lines, as well as blanks, to make sure that you didn't leave out required information or put it in the wrong place. That includes the signature lines -- remember that both spouses must sign a joint return.
Better yet: File electronically. It cuts down on math errors -- E-filed returns have an accuracy rate of more than 99%, compared with 80% for paper returns, because the program checks the math.
Claiming too many deductions and/or credits. The IRS is on the lookout for excessive deductions and credits.
Example: In January, the IRS said that some taxpayers are asking for too much in refunds for certain taxes they paid in the past on long-distance phone bills. Those taxes have been ruled illegal, and the government is offering to refund to each taxpayer a "standard" phone tax amount of $30 to $60, depending on the number of exemptions claimed on the tax return, without requiring any proof. For higher amounts, proof of what was paid in phone taxes is required. IRS commissioner Mark W. Everson said that "people requesting an inflated amount will likely see their refund frozen, may have their entire tax return audited and even face criminal prosecution where warranted."
If you request more than the standard phone tax refund, be sure to have on hand the phone bills that prove what you claim.
Safest: In general, don't claim deductions that far exceed what tax preparers say is reasonable for your income bracket, or if you do, attach an explanation. Attach copies of bills for unusually high medical expenses. Have proper documentation for donations to charity. For used clothing and household items, take pictures of the items to show that they were in good used condition or better.
Guidelines: There are no "standard" deduction amounts. Based on IRS statistics for 2004, taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of $50,000 to $100,000 itemized an average of $2,663 in charitable contributions and $6,125 in medical costs. Those with AGIs of $100,000 to $200,000 itemized an average of $4,130 for charity and $9,811 for medical costs.
Claiming losses on hobbies. Deductions for a fun activity, such as coin collecting, may be rejected if the activity results in losses that don't make commercial sense year after year.
Safest: Don't claim deductions for hobby expenses unless you are prepared to show that you are engaged in the activity for profit.
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Barbara Weltman, Esq., an attorney in Millwood, New York, author of J.K. Lasser's 1001 Deductions and Tax Breaks 2009 (Wiley). She is publisher of the free monthly online newsletter Big Ideas for Small Business. www.barbaraweltman.com.
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