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NORTON NEWSLETTER
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com JUNE 2025
EASE OF MIND • AVAILABILITY • FLEXIBILITY • INDIVIDUAL APPROACH • EXPERIENCE • TAX SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
QUICK ACTION MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE Don’t Panic Over That IRS Letter
Every year around this time, we start seeing more letters roll in from the IRS and state tax agencies. Some are right, but a lot of them are wrong. Computers send out things automatically, often before payments are processed or returns are posted, and it can take months before a real person looks at your account. I like to joke that this is my public service announcement for the season: If you get a notice, don’t panic. And whatever you do, don’t shove it in a drawer and hope it will go away. Send it to us as soon as possible. Most of the time, there is a fix — even if it looks scary. Tax notices are typically automated, and mistakes are common. Payments get posted to the wrong year. Stock sales show up without the purchase price. Franchise tax bills go out to businesses that do not owe the tax. Getting a notice doesn’t mean you actually owe the money. It just means the system found something it thinks needs attention.
One of the biggest mistakes we see is clients setting the notice aside and forgetting about it. Life gets busy, but the first notice usually has the most information. If you lose it or wait too long, later letters only make it harder to figure out what went wrong. Another common mistake is paying a small balance without checking if it is correct. It might seem easier to pay a hundred dollars and move on, but it is much harder to challenge a charge later once you pay. Cashing a refund you weren’t expecting can also cause problems. Sometimes, a check shows up because a payment was misapplied, not because a real refund is owed. If you cash it, you might end up with a letter asking for it back, plus penalties and interest. If a check comes in and you’re not sure why, call us first. The best thing you can do if any of these situations pop up is to act quickly. Scan the notice and upload it to SmartVault so we can figure out the best way forward. Most of the time, it’s fixable once we know what we’re dealing with. If you owe money, we usually recommend mailing a check by certified mail instead of paying online. That way, you have a physical paper trail. The IRS and state agencies still run on paper, no matter how much they talk about being digital. A paper check with a clear memo line is your best proof that you paid what you owed, when you owed it. If you do pay online, pay close attention to the year and period the payment is posted to. Computers will not double-check for you. They will just post it wherever you tell them. A few extra minutes verifying everything now can save you a lot of time, money, and stress later on.
Don’t panic if a notice shows up in your mailbox — and definitely don’t hope it will just disappear. Send it over, and we will help you figure it out before it grows into a bigger issue. Ignoring it only guarantees one thing: more mail. Let’s deal with it now and save future headaches.
–Bob Norton
985-690-4498 • 1
Safer Rides, Surer Roads
Smart Strategies for Superior Car Care
Park your precious car perfectly. Driving can be stressful, but parking can be a next-level source of worry. If parking on busy streets or in small spaces in cramped garages isn’t your strong suit, devices such as the Universal Laser Parking Assist kit from GoodChief provide affordable ways to easily navigate your vehicle into tight spots. Don’t bet on your battery. If your vehicle is three years or older, it is critical to monitor the health of your car battery, especially during high-humidity summers or frigid winters. Extreme weather conditions can weaken or corrode your battery’s terminals and prevent the car from starting — or even cause it to stop when driving through challenging conditions. You can purchase a battery hydrometer to check the battery’s strength or get it tested the next time you’re at a dealership or neighborhood mechanic. If your battery has already failed once recently, replace it as soon as possible rather than attempt to lengthen its lifespan through regular jumps and put yourself at risk of injury or death if it malfunctions during regular use. Go for pristine replacement parts. An automobile accident can be as expensive as it is frustrating, but your decisions during the repair process should never be based on price alone. Replacement parts generally come in three categories: brand-new ones made for or by the automaker specifically for your vehicle’s make or model (an original equipment manufacturer or “OEM” part); used or reconditioned parts (available at salvage yards or through other providers); or aftermarket parts made by a third party unaffiliated with the company that made your car. Although used and aftermarket parts are less expensive than OEM products — insurance companies often favor them as a result — some auto body repair associations and even automakers like Ford have questioned the quality and functionality of these options and strongly advise consumers to use only OEM replacement parts. To help prevent performance issues with your vehicle following a repair, carefully review your auto insurance policy for any limits or stipulations regarding parts usage and opt for OEM parts whenever possible.
Except for your mortgage or rent, your car is the most significant expense you’ll have in life. Even if you’ve paid it off, you will always need to follow basic steps to properly care for your car — and not doing so can drain your wallet or put you in danger. From DIY hacks to critical service reminders, here are four tips to get the most out of your car without putting yourself or your budget in harm’s way. Win the windshield wiper war. From snow and ice to bird poop and smashed insects, windshields are magnets for numerous nuisances that hinder our visibility on the road. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t take long before wipers crack or dry out. You can help prolong your blades’ life by regularly wiping them down with a rag soaked in glass cleaner. If your wipers have reached the screechy cycle of life, coat the moving parts with spray silicone lubricant to keep them from giving you an annoying roadway soundtrack until you can replace them.
While we all face risks every time we hit the road, following these simple rules will help ensure a safer and more enjoyable time behind the wheel.
2 • NortonAccountingServices.com
LOYALTY RUNS DEEP
GITA'S HEROIC DASH TO SAVE HER OWNER
The bonds we develop with our pets are unlike any other we experience. They depend on us for their every want and need, and we often give them whatever they ask for! We know they would do the same for us if the roles were reversed. As the years pass, that bond deepens, making us inseparable from our furry friends. Many of us have felt despair when we imagine life without our trusty dog, cat, or other pet. It turns out that some animals feel the same and will do everything in their power to protect their owner if tragedy occurs. An 84-year-old man in Washington state woke up one morning to the sound of his glucose machine telling him his blood sugar was too low. As he headed toward the fridge, he noticed his 13-year-old dog, Gita, wanted to go outside. Shortly after being let out, Gita took off toward
the woods, and her owner followed in pursuit. After traveling 20–30 feet, the man turned around to head back home when dizziness overcame him. He fell to the ground, broke his hip, and immediately started shouting for help. Gita remained by her owner’s side for some time before realizing nobody would hear him in the secluded woods. She jumped into action, heading toward a well-traveled street, where she encountered a sheriff’s deputy. The deputy tried to get the dog in his vehicle to no avail, so he surveyed the surrounding area to find Gita’s owner. The deputy could not locate the owner but still felt something was wrong, so he turned his attention back to Gita. The two locked eyes before Gita stood up and ran toward
an unmarked side street. Gita led the deputy directly to her owner before any more harm could come to him. After the event, the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office posted “Hero Dog Saves Owner” and their account of the story on Facebook. Gita certainly proved her loyalty and bravery that day!
Simple Summer Garden Pasta
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by TheKitchn.com
Ingredients
• 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, to taste) • 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper • 1 lb angel hair pasta • 1 cup fresh basil • 2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper and toss until well coated. 2. Cover and let the mixture sit at room temperature while the pasta cooks. 3. Add pasta to a pot of boiling water and cook per package directions until al dente. 4. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water to add to the tomato mixture. 5. Coarsely chop the basil leaves. 6. Add the pasta, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil to the tomato mixture and toss again until combined.
Adventure Barefoot
Hiking Juneteenth Park Picnic
Pride Sandals Sunburn Volunteer
Father Gemini
985-690-4498 • 3
Norton Accounting Services, LLC
THE REAL ESTATE TAX PRO ™
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
NortonAccountingServices.com 985-690-4498 Info@NortonAccountingServices.com
1527 Gause Blvd. Ste. 132 Slidell, LA 70458
INSIDE 1
The Right Way to Handle Tax Notices
2
Wise Ways for Worry-Free Driving
3
Hero Hound Saves Owner
Simple Summer Garden Pasta
4
Meet Procrastination’s Worst Enemy
Take a moment to reflect on your high school years. Were you the student who completed all your assignments well before the deadline? Or were you the student waiting until the last second to get started? Maybe you thought you could still do it in time with a passing grade, or perhaps you didn’t know where to begin. Regardless of the reason, you procrastinated. Many people associate procrastination with schoolwork, but you can procrastinate about work, household chores, and even fun experiences like vacation planning. Those who struggle with procrastination have likely tried countless strategies to improve their efforts, from adjusting their environment to utilizing time management applications. However, we often overlook one strategy that’s been around for over a century. The next time you procrastinate, try using the Zeigarnik Effect to your advantage. The Zeigarnik Effect is a phenomenon wherein people remember unfinished tasks better than completed ones. Here’s how it works: When you have tasks you need to do, don’t commit to finishing them in a day or assigning yourself a deadline. Instead, commit to doing them for five minutes. Once those five minutes have passed, you can step away from the task. THE ZEIGARNIK EFFECT COULD BE THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS Procrastination Got You Down?
However, oftentimes, you continue working because you’ve found your flow and don’t want to leave it unfinished.
If you continue to leave your tasks unfinished after starting them, try breaking them down into smaller steps. Each time you accomplish one of the smaller tasks, you gain motivation to continue your project. If you need to step away from your desk for more than a few minutes, write down the unfinished task. Doing so will keep it at the top of your mind, ensuring you return later to finish. This strategy shifts your mindset and increases productivity while avoiding the stress of starting something new.
Unfortunately, procrastination can be a roadblock to a happier, more fulfilling life. So, if other strategies have failed you previously, try the Zeigarnik Effect!
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