Tax Tips
Q. I’ve been paying off old income taxes through an installment plan, but with penalty and interest, it seems the amount I owe never decreases. I keep seeing commercials about ways to get past tax debt slashed. Is there a legal way to do this?
A: Uncle Sam is not your relative, but he will always be in your life. I understand your frustration with the installment plan that seems neverending because of the penalties and interest. Keep in mind plans are meant to be changed.
You do have options. Note: A taxpayer ends up paying more with an installment agreement. For example, if you owe $20,000, you actually pay $24,910 (based on a five-year plan and the 9% IRS interest rate).
The installment plan compromise offer is not for everyone, but you should seek advice from a tax adviser as soon as possible. So how do you find a reputable advisor?
- Get referrals from people you trust.
- Interview tax firms that specialize in tax relief such as: www.txmstr.com/offerincompromise; www.ufsdebtconsolidation.org; www.jkharris.com or www.goodaccountants.com
Believe it or not the IRS has a Taxpayer Advocate Service. Go to www.irs.gov or
call (800) 829-4933 for more information. And always remember :THE and IRS together is “THEIRS!”
– Gail Perry-Mason
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This Month in Heart and Soul
Sensation Jill Scott Discusses Life on the Doorstep of Motherhood; 150
Tips, Lessons and Insights on Living a Healthier Life While Creating an
Eco-friendly World; a Look at Pain and Treatment; Finding Work Abroad
and a View into the Obama Health Plan
Baltimore, MD - Heart & Soul
magazine, the nation’s leading source of health and fitness information
for African-American women, goes “green” with an April/May issue
brimming with information designed to help readers lead a happier,
healthier and more environmentally friendly life. From recycling, to
conserving energy to identifying businesses with a commitment to a
greener world, Heart & Soul’s spring issue offers 150 tips to enhance mind, body and ecology.
Also,
singer, actress and cover girl Jill Scott discusses her life’s latest
challenges, including shooting the second season of her HBO series in
the Motherland, finding a new love and preparing for her greatest role
yet-motherhood.
Other features highlighted in the current book focus on such vital topics as getting
a grip on pain and treatment; a daughter’s take on coping with her
mother’s Alzheimer’s; how to land that dream job abroad; the real deal
on controlling cholesterol and a timely, up-to-date look at President Obama’s health care plan. Heart & Soul also
continues celebrating its 15th anniversary with the next in a series of
top 15 lists, this time giving nods to the nation’s most eco-friendly
companies.
Now on newsstands, the April/May issue also
provides a hefty serving of expert-driven insight on health, fitness,
nutrition, fiscal management and overall positive living, further
underscoring Heart & Soul’s role as the “healthy, wealthy and wise” choice for black women.
“We
all need to be conscious of the effect we’re having on the environment
so we can leave a better planet for our children,” says Heart & Soul’s
Executive Editor Kendra Lee. “That’s why it was so important to us that
we provide actionable tips for our readers to go green in their
personal lives. And as always, we’ve packed this issue full of the
kinds of stories people have come to expect: ones that help women find
the health and wellness information vital to living their best lives
ever!”
Heart & Soul’s Eco-Savvy Sister Features:
“The Green Road - 4 Steps to a Sustainable Lifestyle” by M.C. Tapera
(p. 36). Working to preserve the planet is a process that begins and
ends with personal responsibility. This piece takes readers through
four basic steps geared to help them review their own behavior and make
better, more eco-friendly choices in their day-to-day lives.
“Easy Green Wedding - 8 Ways to Have Eco-conscious Nuptials” by Claire Sulmers
(p. 38). Getting married should be one of life’s most memorable
experiences. And it can be even better when plans are made with an eye
on environmentally helpful practices. Writer Claire Sulmers reviews
eight simple ways to ensure that the lucky couple’s life gets off to a
great, green start.
“Top 15 Green Businesses” by Debora L. Shelton (p. 40). In honor of its 15th anniversary, Heart & Soul
continues its series of top 15 lists by enumerating the nation’s
leading green businesses. With Whole Foods anchoring the top of the
list, there are some easy calls, but be prepared for a few surprises.
“15 Ways to Go Green While You Go Lean” by Nichele Hoskins
(p. 42). Staying fit and trim is the foundation of a healthy, strong
personal life. But incorporating green practices into your workout
ensures that your exercising helps others as well. Trading plastic for
reusable water bottles, picking up trash on your next power walk or
washing your workout gear in cold water are but a few of the ways to go
green and lean.
Other Features in the Current Issue Include:
“The Golden Life of Jill Scott” by Sherri McGee McCovey
(p. 34). We’ve been on our long walk with Jill Scott for just shy of a
decade now, and the journey only gets better and better. Writer Sherri
McGee McCovey shares the multi-talented performer’s latest joys,
including her hit HBO series, connecting with a new love and the thrill
of preparing for the birth of her first child.
“Feel No Pain” by Tamara Y. Jefferies
(p. 44). Few things in life confound and confront so many people as
does pain. And while universally experienced, it is not nearly as
widely understood, even by the experts. “Feel No Pain” looks at the
issue from a number of angles and encourages readers to try a variety
of approaches to bring their pain to an end.
“For Mom” by Renee D. Turner
(p. 46). With Mother’s Day around the corner, Renee D. Turner shares a
timely and intimate view into her journey handling her mother’s descent
in Alzheimer’s disease. She shows, through personal example, that
while the illness is devastating, you can still find love, some joy and
lots of understanding on the other side.
“Far From Home” by Afi Scruggs
(p. 48). With the U.S. economy taking it on the chin almost daily, a
viable option may be to look for employment overseas. This piece looks
at four spot-on steps to help prepare you to a land a career abroad.
“Cholesterol Tool Kit” by Kennedy Spencer
(p. 50). Bad cholesterol. Good cholesterol. LDL. HDL. How much of
each do you have? For African-American women (and anyone else for that
matter), understanding the role this waxy, fat-like substance plays in
the body’s ability to function properly-as well as lower the risk of
heart disease-can be life saving. Writer Kennedy Spencer breaks down
the ins and outs of cholesterol, including whether or not medication is
the best way for you.
“Will the Obama Plan Be a Better Deal?” by Sheree Crute
(p. 52). Quality, affordable health care remains one of the black
community’s most daunting challenges. For African-American woman
between the ages of 19 and 55, finding a plan is not only harder than
it is for men, it is also more expensive and often not comprehensive.
President Obama made this issue a campaign cornerstone and has set out
to make good on his word. This article details what his plan is all
about and what everyday Americans can and should expect from it.
Other highlights include:
·
Natural Wonders: From antioxidant-rich berries to oils and spices and
beyond, here’s a guide to nature’s own ingredients for a more beautiful
you.
· Soul singer Ledisi shares insights on how she keeps her looks as silky smooth as her Grammy-nominated voice.
·
Stick and Move: Boxer Yolanda Ezell takes readers inside the ring with
tips on how to incorporate boxing techniques into a championship
workout.
· BJ Reed discusses how a commitment to fitness helped her cope with a difficult breakup, as well as eliminate joint pain.
· Singer-songwriter Maiysha details how she’s developed a successful, nurturing relationship-with food.
· Living Green! Nine simple, green-friendly tips to observe in your home every day.
· Writer Jessie States goes green in the fullest sense with an eco-conscious journey to the forests of Brazil.
· Beware of Your Plate: Know what allergies lurk in your food before it’s too late.
For additional information or to set up an interview with anyone at Heart & Soul, please email Chris@OneDG.com, or call 213/840-8740.
