Houston & Alexander - August/September 2023

KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME FOR A REPLACEMENT Become a Roof Whisperer

Picture this: You wake up one morning to find your neighbor replacing their roof. A few days later, the neighbor on the other side replaces their roof. Before you know it, everyone in the neighborhood is replacing their roof. Do you need to replace yours now? How soon you need to replace your roof depends on the materials used and the weather conditions it has faced during its lifetime. Most roofs are outfitted with asphalt shingles, which have an average lifespan of 20–25 years. If you’ve lived in your home for a significant amount of time, you likely know how old your roof is and can estimate when it will need to be replaced. If you’ve recently moved

into a new home, and the previous owners had no idea when the roof was last replaced, you can find clues that reveal your roof’s age. Those living in a suburb full of houses constructed at the same time can look to their neighbors for guidance. If your neighbors are replacing their roofs, that likely means it’s time to have someone inspect yours. For those whose homes were built at a different time than their neighbors, you need to examine your shingles. Have you noticed any missing shingles on your roof or found any while mowing the lawn? Are your shingles starting to cup,

curl in, or crack? Is your roof sagging? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should have someone look at your roof as soon as possible, as it likely needs to be replaced. Another telltale sign is water damage anywhere inside your home. Once you think your roof needs to be replaced, it’s time to make some calls. If you think it needs to be replaced due to weather damage, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance to see if they’ll cover the replacement. If weather wasn’t a factor and your shingles have reached the end of their lifespan, call local roofing companies to get quotes and find one that fits your budget.

Even Beyoncé Owes Them Money! YOU’RE NOT ALONE WHEN DEALING WITH THE IRS

After filing your taxes, a thought that may race through your mind is, “I hope the IRS doesn’t come after me.” Thousands, if not millions, of people are in the same boat — including celebrities. Many celebrities have been in trouble with the IRS, such as Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Shakira, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Nicolas Cage, and more. However, we can add another A-List celebrity to this list who filed a petition against the IRS: Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. On Jan. 18, 2023, Beyoncé received a Notice of Deficiency, which outlined the amount of money she owed to the IRS. The organization estimated the singer owes $805,850 in taxes and $161,170 in penalties for 2018 plus $1,442,747 in taxes and $288,549 in penalties for 2019.

That’s almost $2.7 million that the “Crazy in Love” artist must pay!

Beyoncé filed a petition against the IRS’ claims on April 17, 2023, and asked them to reassess the penalties and amount of taxes she owes. According to Beyoncé’s lawyer, Michael C. Cohen, the singer should get an itemized deduction of $868,766 since she donated to charity in 2018. Beyoncé founded the BeyGood Foundation, an organization created in 2013 that assists others with education, disaster relief, mental health, and other issues. However, at the time of writing, it’s unclear which charities she donated to. Additionally, Beyoncé’s petition states that the IRS allegedly disallowed portions of Beyoncé’s business income deductions, utilities, insurance, management fees,

and legal and professional services in 2018 and 2019. Furthermore, Cohen argues that even if she owes any tax deficiency payments, the penalty shouldn’t apply because Beyoncé has “acted reasonably and in good faith.” A court hearing has yet to be scheduled at the time of writing. But the former Destiny’s Child member’s lawyer told PEOPLE magazine that they “are working with the IRS and anticipate that the matter will be resolved shortly.”

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