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I am a homeschooling mother and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) combining my experience and knowledge to help micro businesses, families and homeschool organizations such as co-ops. This blog will cover topics on running a small business, working from home, taxes and personal finance.
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1:06 PM, Mar. 9, 2008
Report on my stint as the Tax Answer woman
(view similar articles on Personal Finance and Taxes)
My volunteer stint at the Tax Tips Hotline for a local TV show went pretty well. The phones never stopped ringing during my two-hour shift. I answered 47 calls in two hours, or one every 2.5 minutes. My ear was sore!
My husband asked me, "What can you tell people about their taxes in two-and-a-half minutes?" Well, here's the topics I discussed:
- Economic Stimulus Rebate (about 3/4 of the calls were on the rebate program)
- Tax treatment of a home repair project
- Rental Property
- Amended tax returns
- Withdrawals from an IRA
- Tuition payments to college
- College student working in another state
- Energy credits
- Student loans
- Lawsuit payments
Some of the other CPAs answering the phones (there were 6 of us) are getting together to swap stories. Here's my favorite:
Caller (an 83 year old woman asking about filing Form 1040A to receive her Stimulus Rebate Check): "Do I put my husband's name on the form also? He passed away."
HomeschoolCPA: "Oh , I'm so sorry. When did he pass away, ma'am?"
Caller: "Oh, more than twenty years ago."
HomeschoolCPA (trying not to laugh): "No you don't need to include his name, then."
Caller: "Alright, what do I put for occupation?"
HomeschoolCPA: "Retired."
She was quite satisfied with those answers and thanked me for my help! How sweet! It was all I could do to not laugh at this sweet lady still married to her long-deceased husband in her heart! Many of the seniors calling in with questions were quite proud of their senior status and told me their age. They were also very appreciative!
Carol
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I'm glad it went well for you, Carol! And I'm sure you were a big blessing to all those that called in. :-)
Posted by drewsfamilytx on Mar. 10, 2008 at 12:19 AM
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