Did most of the remaining work on my taxes today.  A writer's taxes can be complicated -- home office, self-employment, contract work, no predictable income from year to year.  I actually wrote a bit about it at the D.B Jackson blog a couple of weeks ago.  (Visit the blog here and scroll down if you're interested.)

But the part I had to fill in ( Read more... )

Today’s post can be found at http://magicalwords.net, the group blog on the business and craft of writing fantasy that I maintain with fellow authors Faith Hunter, Misty Massey, A.J. Hartley, and Stuart Jaffe, among others. The post is called “Of Birthdays and Taxes...” and it’s about middle-aged life as a writer. I hope you enjoy it.

I'm torn, because I have a friend who has been heavily involved in the "Tea Party" protest that took place in Chattanooga near my home town, and I don't want to denigrate his hard work.  There are legitimate concerns about the growing national debt and I respect those who are willing to get out and express those concerns publicly ( Read more... )

My new version of TurboTax came today and it's already installed on my computer!  I can't wait to play with it.  Should be a great weekend!

Suddenly I feel such a kinship to Tom Daschle....

Are they really this stupid?  Is that even possible?  Does Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota not realize that in rehabilitating ATV and recreational trails in national monuments and parks we are creating necessary work for people who have no jobs?  Does Republican Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas not understand that in renovating ( Read more... )

The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that gives money to low income workers.  It is paid for by the taxes paid by higher income earners.  Under John McCain's definition of such things, it's socialism.  The EITC was enacted in 1975 under Republican President Gerald Ford and vastly expanded by Ronald Reagan in 1986.  So under John ( Read more... )

About midway through this week I received a nomination for this week's BOW (Buffoon Of the Week) Award from a friend of mine.  The nomination was for Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden, who was at a rally (I'm not sure where) and he introduced a state senator by the name of Chuck Grahm and told the guy to stand up so that he could be ( Read more... )

I can't let go of this Mike Huckabee-IRS thing quite yet.

What does he want instead of the current tax code?  The so-called National Fair Tax!  Okay, let me start by saying that I'm no fan of the current tax code.  It's complicated as hell, it's filled with loopholes and gimmicks, the vast majority of which are geared toward the rich.  But at least ( Read more... )