Getting the Right Answers on Your Taxes
It’s no secret that taxes can be complicated. Most of us don’t have backgrounds in tax code or tax preparation or anything tax- related. Before I met Toph, I hired someone to do my taxes. I didn’t know what to do. I knew very little about the tax system. But at the same time, if you had asked me if I would recommend hiring a tax professional over doing your own taxes at home, I wouldn’t know how to answer that question, either. But after I met Toph, I learned a lot, and I learned just how important hiring a tax professional can be.
someone to enter the data for you. These types of services aren’t designed to give you the complete care and attention you (and your taxes) need. For one, tax software is designed from a “one-size-fits-all” approach. They want the software to apply to as many people as possible. The problem is that everyone has a different tax situation. The software can’t deal with every variable. It can’t catch every human error. Plus, the more complicated the tax situation, the less useful these services become.
Most people have a general idea of how to do their taxes, with the help of software. Or they hear about tax strategies from friends. “You should do this, not that,” or “make sure you deduct this.” Everyone has their opinion on what you “need” to do, without being fully informed. Many people try to get by. Along these same lines, a lot of people rely on “do-it-yourself” tax software or “big box” tax preparers to get their taxes done. Using one of these services might save you money in the short term, but if you’re self-employed or a small-business owner, the long term might be a completely different story.
Toph, for instance, corrects the tax documents of many of his clients all the time. He’ll go through their taxes and catch something the software or the last tax preparer didn’t catch. Additionally, he’ll amend the client’s tax documents in order to get them a bigger return or reduce what they owe. As 2019 comes to an end and the new year begins (and the new tax year), it’s important to think about who you entrust your taxes to — especially when you have questions that need answers or concerns about what you may owe in the coming year. That’s one of the great things about Toph: He’s local and he gives his direct line to every client, so if they do have questions, he can answer them.
– Ashley Sheldon
These services are all about inputting data into software. The major difference between “do-it-yourself” software and a “big box” tax preparer is that you’re paying
Cranberry Gingerbread
TAKE A BREAK
Gingerbread is a holiday classic of the very first order, but it’s often a construction material rather than a treat. This recipe, on the contrary, is purely for eating.
Ingredients
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1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for greasing 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
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1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
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2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Directions
1.
Heat oven to 350 F.
cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until blended. Scrape batter into loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes.
2.
Grease a loaf pan with canola oil.
3.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together 1/2 cup canola oil, molasses, brown sugar, eggs, ginger, and cranberries. In a separate bowl, sift and combine flour with baking powder, baking soda,
4.
Solution on Page 4
5.
Transfer to a rack, let cool for 20 minutes, slice, and serve.
Inspired by Food & Wine Magazine
TOPHCPA.COM
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Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
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