It's that time of year again; tax season. Many of us will be looking for a professional to prepare our taxes. Therefore, I would like to share some tips and advice about how to choose a professional tax preparer.
All taxpayers should choose someone to prepare their taxes wisely. It's extremely important to choose a qualified professional when you are paying someone to prepare your taxes. Ultimately, the taxpayer is responsible for everything associated with their tax return, even when it's prepared by a professional.
You will find that a true professional will ask many questions and ask to see your records and receipts to determine your total income and how your qualifications for deductions, expenses and other items will affect your return. By doing this, you know they have your best interest in mind and not their own.
While there are many honest tax professionals to be found, taxpayers should use these great tips to help choose the best professional for them.
· Service fees - Always avoid professionals who claim they will obtain you a larger refund than other professionals or who guarantee a refund based on fees from percentage of the refund amount. Depending on your return, this could mean hundreds of dollars.
· Get references - Be sure to ask questions and get references from the professional's past clients. And, ask those clients if they were satisfied with the service they received.
· Research - Choose a preparer who you will be able to contact after the return is filed and who will be responsive to your needs. Check with the Better Business Bureau for any questionable history. You can also check with the state's board of accountancy for CPAs. Ask the preparer if they belong to any professional organizations that require members to pursue continuing education. Some organizations will hold the professional accountable to a code of ethics.
· Check their credentials - Is the professional a Certified Public Accountant, Attorney, or Enrolled Agent? If your professional is one of these, he or she can represent you in all matters that include appeals, audits and collections.
I hope you find these tips and advice useful in finding the best professional to handle your tax return. And, if you are a new homeowner, be sure to mention that to your tax preparer.
This blog is for anyone looking to buy a home in a great community with wonderful residents. When moving to a new city , you want to meet people that are friendly and will help you in your time of need. Amarillo , Texas is that perfect place.
Many Amarillo residents showed their love for the community and its needy on Tuesday by cooking and serving a Christmas luncheon to hundreds. Almost 400 people in need were served a terrific lunch on Tuesday at the Faith City Ministries dining hall on Second Ave. The meal was donated by Amarillo residents, and consisted of ham, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pies. Making everyone eating, feel the comfort of the holidays. There were even two women who sang "Silent Night" and "Away in the Manger" by the festive white Christmas tree, lifting everyone's spirits even more.
After the lunch, guests were guided into a room where they were greeted with hugs and each one received a special gift of cassette players, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, coats, and snacks. Children also received wonderful toys.
For years Amarillo has made the top of the list for best cities that give to the needy. And from the looks of it, they are working hard to stay on top.
Faith City Ministries has provided beds, food, clothing, spiritual guidance, and recovery programs to those in need for several years. In 2007, the ministry served over 58,000 meals to people in need.
This is what Christmas is all about. Amarillo residents are truly the best.
What better gift could anyone get than a new home for Christmas? People give cars all the time. Why not homes? Many people would say this blog title is just crazy. However, interest rates are so low now that many people can afford a new home. When you weigh in the factors of low interest rates, a buyer's market, and homes being sold below value, you have a great buy.
Today's interest rates are 5.27% for a 30 year fixed mortgage. And one of the top Treasury officials is hinting around that interest rates could drop as low as 4.5%. Could that really happen? No one will know for sure until it happens. Interest rates are affected by several unpredictable events such as political, economic, and social. We have no guarantee which direction the rates will go, despite expert's forecasts. But if rates do drop that low, it will only apply to 30 year fixed rates. Right now though, 5.27% is looking really good.
Because of today's housing market, we are seeing that buying a home with a fixed interest rate, no matter how long the loan is for, is a good idea.
Something to keep in mind when looking for a home to buy: don't obsess over the homes you look at, or you could miss out on a good real estate deal. However, there are some important things to do when buying a home. Get a good real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the area you are looking to move to, have the home inspected, research property values in that area, your Realtor® will be able to do this for you, and if you have children, be sure to check out the local schools. Also, remember to base buying a home on your budget, your future plans and your current needs.
I hope this advice will help you find the perfect home for you and your family this holiday season.
The holidays are definitely here and this is the season for giving. For over 30 years, the Amarillo Empty 
Stocking Fund has been providing hope and joy for those less fortunate, people down on their luck and the displaced. With so many people out of work this year, it's more important than ever to give a helping hand.
The Empty Stocking Fund helps provide the basic necessities for living to individuals and families. Sometimes, if possible, the fund provides a small gift for children. So, please keep in mind this holiday season that if it were not for the generous support of Amarillo residents, these people would have nothing for Christmas.
Every penny given to the Empty Stocking Fund goes directly to those who need it. The Amarillo Globe newspaper has absorbed all the operation costs of the fund annually since 1972 when it was created by the newspaper. And this year, the Amarillo College Community Band and two Amarillo Youth Choirs will be providing a free Christmas concert for the community. The concert has become an annual tradition for Amarillo . It provides entertainment and helps a worthy cause.
The Empty Stocking Fund receives hundreds of applications each year which volunteers screen. Once approved, the client will receive a voucher that is redeemable at the Downtown Women's Center Thrift Town , Wal-Mart, and United Supermarkets to buy the items they have requested.
The Empty Stocking Fund is hoping to disperse the uncertainty and cloud of gloom that seems to be hanging over this Christmas season with your help. Donations can be mailed to the Empty Stocking Fund, PO Box 2091 , Amarillo , TX 79166 . If you are interested in donating items such as adult diapers, Ensure, etc., please bring them to Susie Self at the Globe, building 900 South Harrison Street . If you have questions about donating, want to donate by phone, or are in need yourself, you can call (806) 345-3363.
Happy holidays to all.
The holidays are a special time of year for just about everyone and Amarillo , Texas residents really know how to do it up right. Amarillo features a variety of events around the holidays for everyone to enjoy. This time of year every family can find events to fill their free time.
Amarillo really goes all out. Bring your kids to have breakfast with Santa, or take your loved one on a romantic evening stroll around the community listening to Christmas hymns.
Some great events you can enjoy this holiday season are:
· Holiday in the City Parade - This is one of Amarillo 's most exciting holiday events of the year. The parade is filled with floats that are decorated with lights, garland and everything else you can imagine. The parade starts in downtown Amarillo and ends at the Amarillo Civic Center . Amarillo 's Christmas tree will be lit at 7:00 pm.
· Panhandle Plains Historical Museum Holiday Open House - This museum provides any and every type of holiday entertainment you can imagine, from musical entertainment to storytelling and much more. This is a free event for everyone.
· A Christmas Carol - The Amarillo Little Theater is the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy this classical performance. It's sure to be a festive way to celebrate the holidays in Amarillo .
· Annual Bishop Hill Light Tour - This is one of Amarillo 's best events. You will find some of the most breathtaking and elaborate Christmas lights in Amarillo . You will ooh and ahh the entire time.
· The Nutcracker - This is a world renowned performance that is sure to evoke the spirit of Christmas in everyone. Tickets begin at $15.
· Breakfast with Santa - An Amarillo tradition is to have breakfast with Santa at the Don Harrington Discovery Center . Kids of all ages can enjoy visiting the North Pole Village and meet Santa. They get to eat breakfast with Santa and his elves and participate in crafts and games.
I'm guessing you can see for yourself just how much Amarillo offers it residents. There is truly an activity for everyone, unless you're an old scrooge. The only problem you will have is choosing which ones to attend. So bring the family out and start your own holiday traditions. There's no better time than Christmas to make new memories.
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The Connie Taylor Group Specializes in the Potter & Randall County Communities of: Amarillo Real Estate * Canyon Real Estate * Lake Tanglewood * Bushland Real Estate
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