Stop Guessing Your Business Miles, Use a GPS Tracking Device

Get the EM LOG!

SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD USE THE EASY MILE LOG


 -Mileage Tracker
-Easy to Use
-Built-In GPS
-No Monthly Fees
-Tax Deductible
-At the End of Year, Print the report (Click here to view Sample Report)

Our GPS unit tracks where you go for work or personal based on either your normal work schedule (which you input) or when you press a button.

• Your driving records are saved on the device itself, and can easily be copied onto your computer.
• You never have to pay a monthly service fee to get your own records (or worry about someone else having your driving history).
• You control your information – give the IRS proof of your work miles. If audited, just give the unit to the IRS agent, and they will know that your claimed miles are accurate.

After setting up the unit (which takes minutes) plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter. Pressing the Work or Personal button tells the unit what you are driving for. The unit’s built-in GPS will then track where you go. Leave it in your car for the year, month, week, day – whatever you want. When you want to know your total miles, just plug it into your computer and print the summary report which can be handed to your accountant for your taxes – or use it yourself with your own tax software. If you ever need to see a trip, look at the detail travel – which then shows each trip individually – starting and ending point, as well as date/time/distance. This is what the IRS would want to see as well – the detailed trips. These trips are stored on the device until you decide to remove them – so you are ready in case you are ever audited.

This sounds pretty easy – but we have tried to make it even more fool-proof. If you drive during set hours, say from 9-5, then tell the unit your schedule and it defaults those trips to “Work” – now, you don’t even need to press the button! This schedule can be set up differently for each day of the week if needed.

Click your choice of color below:

Click here for gray device

Click here for black device


The EM LOG gets power through its USB cable – either from your computer or your car’s cigarette lighter (our adapter is included). It also has a built-in rechargeable Li Ion battery which can vary in life based upon how much you drive . While you can turn it on/off manually, the unit will turn itself off if it stays in one place for 5 minutes. It will also turn itself back on as soon as it senses power through the USB, or within 2 minutes of it sensing actual movement (like the car starting to drive).

We have tried to make the EM LOG the Easiest Automatic mileage log on the market. Try it and you will agree – it is EASY!

Save $10 (Only $149)
 
Mention coupon code 2100020023 to save $10 when ordering!

Simply Click the device color  (black or gray) you want and receive the $10 discount.


 *Don't forget to use coupon code 2100020023


To order by phone, call Cheryl at 866-586-9658.
 


 

IRS Seeks to Return $153 Million in Undelivered Checks to Taxpayers

IRS Seeks to Return $153 Million in Undelivered Checks to Taxpayers; Recommends e-file, Direct Deposit to Avoid Future Delivery Problems 

WASHINGTON — In an annual reminder to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is looking to return $153.3 million in undelivered tax refund checks. In all, 99,123 taxpayers are due refund checks this year that could not be delivered because of mailing address errors.

Undelivered refund checks average $1,547 this year.

Taxpayers who believe their refund check may have been returned to the IRS as undelivered should use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool on IRS.gov. The tool will provide the status of their refund and, in some cases, instructions on how to resolve delivery problems.

Taxpayers checking on a refund over the phone will receive instructions on how to update their addresses. Taxpayers can access a telephone version of “Where’s My Refund?” by calling 1-800-829-1954.

While only a small percentage of checks mailed out by the IRS are returned as undelivered, taxpayers can put an end to lost, stolen or undelivered checks by choosing direct deposit when they file either paper or electronic returns. Last year, more than 78.4 million taxpayers chose to receive their refund through direct deposit. Taxpayers can receive refunds directly into their bank account, split a tax refund into two or three financial accounts or even buy a savings bond.

The IRS also recommends that taxpayers file their tax returns electronically, because e-file eliminates the risk of lost paper returns. E-file also reduces errors on tax returns and speeds up refunds. Nearly 8 out of 10 taxpayers chose e-file last year. E-file combined with direct deposit is the best option for taxpayers to avoid refund problems; it’s easy, fast and safe.

The public should be aware that the IRS does not contact taxpayers by e-mail to alert them of pending refunds and does not ask for personal or financial information through email.  Such messages are common phishing scams.  The agency urges taxpayers receiving such messages not to release any personal information, reply, open any attachments or click on any links to avoid malicious code that can infect their computers.  The best way for an individual to verify if she or he has a pending refund is going directly to IRS.gov and using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool. 

 Source:  Issue Number:    IR-2011-113

Back-to-School Tips for Students and Parents Paying College Expenses

 Whether you’re a recent graduate going to college for the first time or a returning student, it will soon be time to get to campus – and payment deadlines for tuition and other fees are not far behind. The Internal Revenue Service reminds students or parents paying such expenses to keep receipts and to be aware of some tax benefits that can help offset college costs.

Typically, these benefits apply to you, your spouse or a dependent for whom you claim an exemption on your tax return.

American Opportunity Credit This credit, originally created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has been extended for an additional two years – 2011 and 2012. The credit can be up

1.     to $2,500 per eligible student and is available for the first four years of post secondary education. Forty percent of this credit is refundable, which means that you may be able to receive up to $1,000, even if you owe no taxes. Qualified expenses include tuition and fees, course related books, supplies and equipment. The full credit is generally available to eligible taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is below $80,000 ($160,000 for married couples filing a joint return).

2.     Lifetime Learning Credit In 2011, you may be able to claim a Lifetime Learning Credit of up to $2,000 for qualified education expenses paid for a student enrolled in eligible educational institutions. There is no limit on the number of years you can claim the Lifetime Learning Credit for an eligible student, but to claim the credit, your modified adjusted gross income must be below $60,000 ($120,000 if married filing jointly).

3.     Tuition and Fees Deduction This deduction can reduce the amount of your income subject to tax by up to $4,000 for 2011 even if you do not itemize your deductions. Generally, you can claim the tuition and fees deduction for qualified higher education expenses for an eligible student if your modified adjusted gross income is below $80,000 ($160,000 if married filing jointly).

4.     Student loan interest deduction Generally, personal interest you pay, other than certain mortgage interest, is not deductible. However, if your modified adjusted gross income is less than $75,000 ($150,000 if filing a joint return), you may be able to deduct interest paid on a student loan used for higher education during the year. It can reduce the amount of your income subject to tax by up to $2,500, even if you don’t itemize deductions.

For each student, you can choose to claim only one of the credits in a single tax year. However, if you pay college expenses for two or more students in the same year, you can choose to take credits on a per-student, per-year basis. You can claim the American Opportunity Credit for your sophomore daughter and the Lifetime Learning Credit for your senior son.

You cannot claim the tuition and fees deduction for the same student in the same year that you claim the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit. You must choose to either take the credit or the deduction and should consider which is more beneficial for you.

For more information, visit the Tax Benefits for Education Information Center at www.irs.gov or check out Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education, which can be downloaded at www.irs.gov or ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

IRS Tax Tips for 2011

Keep Good Records Now to Reduce Tax-Time Stress

You may not be thinking about your tax return right now, but summer is a great time to start planning for next year. Organized records not only make preparing your return easier, but may also remind you of relevant transactions, help you prepare a response if you receive an IRS notice, or substantiate items on your return if you are selected for an audit.

Here are a few things the IRS wants you to know about recordkeeping.

1. In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your federal tax return. It’s a good idea to have a designated place for tax documents and receipts.

2. Individual taxpayers should usually keep the following records supporting items on their tax returns for at least three years:

·    Bills

·    Credit card and other receipts

·    Invoices

·    Mileage logs

·    Canceled, imaged or substitute checks or any other proof of payment

·    Any other records to support deductions or credits you claim on your return

You should normally keep records relating to property until at least three years after you sell or otherwise dispose of the property. Examples include:

·    A home purchase or improvement

·    Stocks and other investments

·    Individual Retirement Arrangement transactions

·    Rental property records

3. If you are a small business owner, you must keep all your employment tax records for at least four years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. Examples of important documents business owners should keep Include:

·    Gross receipts: Cash register tapes, bank deposit slips, receipt books, invoices, credit card charge slips and Forms 1099-MISC

·    Proof of purchases: Canceled checks, cash register tape receipts, credit card sales slips and invoices

·    Expense documents: Canceled checks, cash register tapes, account statements, credit card sales slips, invoices and petty cash slips for small cash payments

·    Documents to verify your assets: Purchase and sales invoices, real estate closing statements and canceled checks

For more information about recordkeeping, check out IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals, Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, and Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses. These publications are available at www.IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Tax Consulting By Cheryl