Please enjoy the latest edition of our Newsletter!
119 Old State Rd., Ellisville, MO 63021 CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com THE WEALTH ZONE April Organization Brings May Freedom KEEP SHREDDING IT! APR 2020
Last year, your efforts saved 35 trees and recycled over 2 tons of paper. Isn’t that impressive? Give yourself a pat on the back, get your outdated documents organized, and come join us this year! For some guidance on what can be disposed of, the IRS recommends that you keep supporting documents for at least four years after your return has been filed.This can include bills, credit cards, invoices, proofs of payment, or proofs of donations.The three-year guideline also applies to property that you’ve sold in the last three years.This may include home purchases and home improvement costs, stocks, investments, and individual retirement account transactions. For business owners, you’ll want to keep all of your employment tax records for at least four years after the tax is due or is paid — whichever comes later. You’ll also want to hang onto records relating to gross receipts, expenses, assets, and proofs of purchase.These may include receipt books, invoices, cash register tapes, and sales slips.The records can also extend to databases, saved files, and emails. To keep everything in order, use labeled, hanging files organized by year and category to make it easy to find. If you ever do receive a notice from the IRS, give us a call. You’ll be able to respond
Happy spring! Doesn’t it feel great to know we’re headed toward longer, warmer days? There’s a lot to be excited about this season. For one, we are well on our way to wrapping up taxes and getting them filed. By now, you’ve probably passed everything over to us and can rest easy knowing we’ll take care of the rest. Once you’ve passed it all off, you can say au revoir to your 2019 taxes and hello to a great spring season! We’re also so excited to announce our eighth annual Shred Day! Taking place April 18, 2020, we’ll have everything ready to shred your outdated documents. Join us from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at our office in Ellisville for the party. On-site shredding services are provided by Pro-Shred, a locally owned document shredding service where professionals securely dispose of your sensitive documents. Each year following the event, they give us a “Certificate of Destruction” that lets us know the positive impact we’ve had on the environment. Every year, that impact gets bigger and better! In 2018, thanks to all of you who came out and brought your outdated documents, we saved 20 trees!
quickly, knowing exactly where to access the information. Once the suggested timeline is up on those documents, it’s time to shred! So bring in those several-year-old documents and let the shredding superpowers take care of them! We’ll bring the shredders and snacks; you bring your boxes of old paperwork and the thrill of it all being securely disposed of. We can’t wait to see you! -John and Jeff Zufall
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Few things change faster than the internet, and how we connect with the internet is constantly evolving. When it comes to wireless capabilities, fourth-generation (4G) networks have been the norm for 10 years. But 4G couldn’t meet demands forever, and there’s already talk of a fifth- generation (5G) network taking center stage. So, what makes 5G different from 4G, and how will it affect consumers and Simply put, 5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology that enables mobile devices like cellphones and stationary devices like desktop computers to send and receive data without being physically connected to a network via cables. As technology improves and more connection points are established around the globe, new network generations are “released” to represent significant advancements in speed and reach. HOW POWERFULWILL IT BE? Consumers will notice the rise of 5G mostly with their smartphones. Apps and services that function using the internet will have fewer delays, faster loading times, more reliable internet access in remote locations, and more stable downloading and uploading capabilities. Experts predict that 5G will provide download speeds of up to 10,000 megabits per second, which is roughly 100 times faster than 4G. While it can take a 4G network upward of 15 seconds to download a simple 5-megabyte music file, a 5G network will be able to download an entire movie in less than two seconds. WHAT’S NEXT? These network updates are all about speed, but that doesn’t mean you should rush to switch your cellphone over to 5G. Many providers are still testing the service with select markets, and a full rollout of 5G isn’t expected until later this year. Check with your network provider about the options they currently offer and get ready to connect with the world like never before. their internet-enabled devices? WHAT ARETHE BASICS? A New Horizon in Wireless Technology SO, WHAT IS 5G?
Most people love to travel, but few people enjoy business trips. While that can partially be chalked up to the extra rest and relaxation you might have on a nonwork-related trip, unhealthy habits can make business trips even more draining. If business trips leave you feeling like you need a vacation, you might be 4 Travel Mistakes You Keep Making BUSINESS TRIPS DON’T HAVE TO BE TERRIBLE On hectic mornings with early meetings, it’s tempting to skip breakfast and just grab some coffee. But if you usually eat breakfast at home, skipping your morning meal can cause you to be a lot hungrier later, which can lead to excess snacking or overeating at lunch. When traveling, stick to your regular eating habits. EATING RESTAURANT SERVING SIZES If you’re eating three restaurant-sized meals a day, you’re going to get more calories than if you were cooking at home. Don’t be afraid to order half-portions or stick to the appetizer menu. You can also ask about ordering meals à la carte — no one needs all those fries with their burger, anyway.These strategies will help you save money and stick to a healthy calorie count. NOT PACKINGWORKOUT GEAR Research from the travel risk management company On Call International found that 54% of people say they’re less likely to exercise while on a work trip, but you shouldn’t let fitness take a back seat. Packing workout clothes can serve as a reminder to get some exercise. Get in a good workout by taking advantage of the hotel gym, walking to nearby destinations, or doing Early morning meetings, late-night networking events, and unfamiliar hotel rooms are a recipe for lost sleep. Lack of sleep puts your body on the fast-track to poor health, so you need to make good sleep a priority. Do your best to maintain your sleep schedule and bedtime routine while traveling. Better yet, check the guest reviews before booking your hotel. Heed complaints about thin walls or uncomfortable beds and find accommodations that support a good sleep environment. You shouldn’t have to dread business trips. Build better travel habits to feel healthier and enjoy every kind of trip you take this year. some yoga in the hotel room before bed. NOTTAKING SLEEP SERIOUSLY making the following mistakes. SKIPPING BREAKFAST
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BUSTING TAX MYTHS Clearing Up 3 Common Misconceptions
Have you ever felt like someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes? This is common enough on April Fools’ Day, but when it comes to the world of taxes, it can feel like the rules are always changing and someone is always playing a trick on you. Because you only do them once a year, you can’t be expected to know everything, and fortunately, you don’t have to! We’re here to bust a few of the tax myths that get tossed around so you don’t make these mistakes. MYTH NO. 1: PETS CAN QUALIFY AS DEPENDENTS. No, sadly. As much as you might care for Max like your own kin, his four legs and droopy ears disqualify him from being claimed as your dependent on taxes.The good news? If your pet is directly connected to your business (say, a guard dog) or you need them for medical reasons, you can write off expenses related to their care. MYTH NO. 2: FILING AN EXTENSIONMEANS YOU CAN PAY LATER. Don’t make this mistake! Folks sometimes file an extension thinking it extends the amount of time they have to pay taxes owed. An extension only extends the time you have to file your taxes, but if you owe taxes, you owe taxes, and they are still due on April 15.
(Take note that the U.S. tax filing deadline has been pushed to July 15 this year due to global health concerns around coronavirus.) MYTH NO. 3: IF YOU CLAIMTHE HOME OFFICE DEDUCTION, YOU’LL GET AUDITED. As long as your claim falls within IRS rules, it shouldn’t trigger an audit. For a home office to qualify as a deduction, it needs to be your primary office and where you hold meetings.These days, home offices are very common and, as long as you’re claiming a legitimate deduction, should not trigger an audit. Do you rest easy knowing Capital Advisory Group is taking care of the tax strategy and preparation for your business and personal accounts? Let us know! We love working with you, and your referrals are greatly appreciated. Leave your review at CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com and tell your friends and family about us.Thanks for helping this small business grow!
TAKE A BREAK
EASY DEVILED EGGS
Ingredients
Directions
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 2 tbsp milk • 1 tsp dried parsley flakes • 1/2 tsp dill weed • 1/2 tsp fresh chives, minced • 1/2 tsp ground mustard • Salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper, to taste • 12 large eggs, hard-boiled • Fresh parsley, minced, and paprika for garnish
1. In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, milk, parsley flakes, dill, chives, mustard, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix well and set aside. 2. Cut eggs lengthwise and remove yolks carefully to preserve egg whites. 3. In a small bowl, mash yolks. 4. Mix mashed yolks with mayonnaise mixture. 5. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into the egg whites. 6. Garnish with fresh parsley and paprika. Refrigerate before serving.
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Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
(636) 394-5524
119 Old State Rd. Ellisville, MO 63021 CapitalAdvisoryGrp.com
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‘Tis the Season (for Filing and Shredding)
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Are Business Trips Bad for Your Health?
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5GMade Simple
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The 3 Biggest Tax Myths
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Easy Deviled Eggs
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The Last Laugh
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The Tradition of April Fools’ WHO HAS THE LAST LAUGH?
Every year on April 1, pranksters have their fun at a fool’s expense.The exact origins of this holiday remain a mystery, but historians often link it to when France switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which meant New Year’s Day moved to Jan. 1.The poor folks who didn’t get the memo and continued to celebrate on April 1 were made the butt of jokes around town — hence, the fools. The modern-day version of the holiday is an excuse for mischievous minds to pull out all the stops for elaborate pranks. Some are planned months in advance. Others, like the three featured below, used public domains to prank on a grand scale.
GENIE-US James Monroe Iglehart, who won a Tony Award for his portrayal of the Genie in Broadway’s original “Aladdin,” put his acting chops to use in Madame Tussauds one April when he pretended to be the wax figure of his famous character. When visitors went in for a photo op, they received quite a spook when the Genie suddenly came to life. BIKE MANIA On March 31, 2016, Google debuted a self-driving bicycle in a YouTube commercial.The video advertised the bike’s April 1 release in the Netherlands, one of the most bike-friendly countries in the world. Its ability to right itself would prevent accidents and injuries — if only it were real!
WORD OFTHE DAY In 2016, Oxford Dictionaries announced a slew of new words they were adding to their bank on April 1, including “parrotocracy,” a hypothetical society governed by people selected according to their ability to repeat slogans and soundbites mechanically; “Leo’d,” a verb meaning to achieve
something after years of trying; and “Obamacar,” a hypothetical scheme under which Barack Obama would provide free cars to every citizen in America. If you clicked on the words to find their
entries, the website would take you to a term you already knew: “April Fool.”
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