Mar 9, 2004 -
Write It Down, Make It Happen and Seven
Day Tax Plan
Volume 3, Issue 10
The weekly ezine with a road map for
sidetracked writers.
"Be better writers today
than we were yesterday."
Thanks, gang, for your recommendations to your writing friends. This newsletter has been steadily growing thanks to you, and I appreciate it.
Thought for the Week - Write It Down, Make
It Happen
This week, I've found a new book for
you, and I think you are going to love it.
Write It Down, Make It Happen:
Knowing What You Want -- and Getting It! by Henriette Anne
Klauser is one of those books you just keep reading and
re-reading, because it is chock full of so much
wisdom. Each chapter provided at least one (and
sometimes more) nuggets of brilliance. Some of my
favorites include:
there's no "right way"
to write down a goal,
it's OK to get frustrated when
your goals don't go the way you think they should --
just keep writing about it and how you feel,
start from your destination and
figure out how to get there,
keep on writing when you'd rather
stop,
celebrate and acknowledge the
victories in your life,
your goals may not happen the way
you intend them to,
and lots more.
In each chapter, you'll learn about
an ordinary person who took the time to write down what
they wanted and how their goals came into existence (or
not!) once they started writing about it. You learn about how
Janine was able to live and travel in Europe and how
Gloria met her soul mate just by writing about
him The powerful stories in this book examine just how challenging it can be to make your goals
a reality. Find out more and buy the book from Amazon.
What am I writing down this week?
I want to finish my taxes by next week! Check out the
seven-day tax plan below, and get your refund early this
year.
Also, just to let you know, for those of you who have been
long-time subscribers, periodically over the next couple
months I'll be rerunning some old favorite columns to free
up some time for new projects... and plant some spring
flowers.
P.S. "This week, I had the pleasure of reading The Organized Writer and interviewing author Julie Hood.
This is a book no writer should be without...."
-- Michael Knowles, http://www.WriteThinking.net
==> Tax returns! By the way, I'm
assuming you have already
accumulated your income and expenses for 2003 and bought your tax
software. If not, don't
worry. Start there (it will take less time than you think) and then
jump into the seven-day plan!
Buy your software today. I've seen good deals on tax software at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club,
Office Max and Office
Depot. Of course, there's always Amazon.
Seven-Day Tax Plan: Day 1
What's new? Do you need an accountant? Are you international?
Read about the changes to the tax law for the 2003 tax season.
The best place to find an accountant is through other writers and authors you know. Try to find someone who works with authors and knows the types of deductions commonly taken.
You can also use Yahoo! yellow pages
(search for "accountant") and maps to find an accountant in your area:
----
For our international subscribers, read the US Tax Guide for
Aliens to determine if you need to file income tax on money
earned from US sources: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p519.pdf
or get a tax guide to help you. I get a different one each year.
Last year I read Taxes for
Dummies, a huge volume which tries to make the boring subject of taxes a little more fun (chapter 8 is entitled The Rest of the 1040 and Other Yucky Forms).
This year's book is from tax guru, Julian Block: Tax
Tips For Freelance Writers, Photographers and Artists. The book
answers those tricky freelance questions like "Can I record unpaid
income as bad debts?" and "What if my 1099 includes
reimbursed expenses?" He also explains some of the 2003
tax law changes and how freelancers can use depreciation.
One of the biggest hurdles for freelancers is maintaining a
business status. Block explains what's important to
consider, how to get free help from the IRS and how to
legitimately hire your children to help with your business.
I particularly like how this book addresses some of the
most complicated issues facing freelancers today. To get
your copy, send $9.95 for an e-mailed copy or $14.95 for a
postpaid, printed copy to Julian Block, 3 Washington Sq.,
#1-G, Larchmont, NY 10538.
You can also take Julian's continuing ed course called "Tax
Tips For Freelance Writers, Photographers And Artists." The
New School in New York City and several colleges in
neighboring Westchester County will offer the one-session
course in April and May. For more information, contact
Julian at julianblock@yahoo.com.
Seven-Day Tax Plan: Day 3
Gather Your Tax Stuff
Grab your Taxes 2003 folder (remember we made that folder back in
January?) and last year's taxes. Use the following tax prep checklist to make sure you've got everything in one place:
Gather anything you are missing. At a minimum, for your writing business, you need receipts showing how much income you earned and how much you spent on expenses. You should also have records of your queries and submissions.
Seven-Day Tax Plan: Day 4
How Will You File?
If you are not using an accountant, will you do your taxes with a software or by hand?
We use TurboTax, and it really cuts down on the headaches involved in math mistakes and the writing and erasing. Plus I love the interview feature that asks me questions to walk me through the return.
Seven-Day Tax Plan: Day 5
Today's the Day
Sit down, and start entering! And plan lots of chocolate breaks.
Finish up today. Fill in any holes, do a final review, check your social security numbers, and make sure you sign your return.
For my final review, I lay the 2002 and 2003
returns next to each other and compare.
Where are the numbers different? Can I
explain why? This is an easy way to spot
mistakes.
Seven-Day Tax Plan: Day 7
In the Mail
Head to the copy center, and make copies of all your important documentation.
Don't forget to file the return so you can find it back next year.
Note the following information, and stick it in
your Taxes 2004 folder. It will help with
planning for next year:
Wages, Salaries, and Tips
Total income
Adjusted gross income
Taxable income
Tax
Total refund or payment
Then get your return in the mail.
It's over -- time to celebrate! You are way ahead of the game and will be one of the first to get a refund.
Like Organized
Writer.com? You'll love the ebook.....
"Julie, I love your book. I have read (or at least opened) more than a trunk load of books about writing over the years. Yours is the first I have seen that gives readers so much in one place. For me, the Master List and putting that together was more than worth the cost."
-- David Stoddard
Motivational writer, trainer and publisher of the
Terrific Life Concepts ezine.
http://djstoddard.net
M T W T F S S
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1. Declutter (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2. Read (only 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3. Assess (30 seconds to 5 minutes)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4. Write (at least 5 minutes)
Weekly Checklist
For freelance writers: Use this weekly checklist to find, write and send a query every week of
2004!
Monday
__ Make notes on a new idea.
Tuesday: Accounting Day
__ Post your accounting records.
__ Pay bills.
__ Follow up on outstanding invoices and queries.
Wednesday
__ Find a new market using links below.
Thursday: Errand Day
__ Make copies.
__ Return books to library.
__ Make deposit at bank.
Friday
__ Finish query and submit.
__ Match your query to the market.
Saturday Weekly Review
__ How was this week?
__ What's up next week?
__ Review your Projects list in your planner and check the
status.
__ Jot the next action steps for your projects on next week's
calendar.
__ Backup your computer files.
__ Virus scan your computer.
__ Update windows software at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
__ Update Microsoft(R) office software at http://office.microsoft.com/officeupdate/default.aspx
Sunday
__ Relax and enjoy!
__ Do something fun today!
Thanks for visiting Writer-Reminders! If you have comments,
success stories, or suggestions, reply to this message or e-mail
me at :julie@writer-reminders.com
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Copyright 2002-2004 Finally Organized LLC. All rights reserved worldwide. This
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