$Account.OrganizationName
The Accounting Educator from Your Financial Success Advisors
April 10, 2008

Greetings!

"Thank you!" to our clients for allowing Sterck Kulik O'Neill accounting group, inc. prepare your 2007 tax return. We appreciate the opportunity to continue our relationship with you and to help you achieve financial success.

Our office will be closed Wednesday, April 16th and will reopen Thursday at 8:30 am. And, we will notify the winners of our Tax Filer Give-away by May 15th!

in this issue
  • Avoid the Tax Scams
  • Are You Ready for Disaster?
  • The 62/70 Solution
  • The Rest of the News

  • Are You Ready for Disaster?

    For those who haven't experienced a disaster first hand it's difficult to imagine, even from the graphic images fed to us by the media, the realities of the situation.

    What pictures cannot convey is the frustration of an owner watching their business suffer through the several days or weeks during which power is unavailable, transport facilities are out of operation, communications are down and access to the premises is prohibited.


    The 62/70 Solution

    You will get bigger monthly check if you wait to apply for Social Security benefits. The question, of course, is whether you can/should wait until you're older to start collecting benefits, or if you'll get more money during your lifetime if you start receiving Social Security as soon as you're eligible.

    Forbes magazine says, for married couples, the lower wage earner should apply as soon as possible while the higher earner should wait.

    And, did you know that if you start collecting at 62, when you're 70 you can change your mind, pay back the government without interest, and then start collecting at a higher rate?

    Read the general information in the article, and please call Sterck Kulik O'Neill for specific advice on your retirement planning.


    The Rest of the News

    newsboy Don't forget to visit our news page for regularly updated articles for your financial success. Today the news page talks about:

    • the ups and downs of falling interest rates for tax planning
    • IRS audit rates
    • 2008 vehicle depreciation limits
    • the decisions you need to make to take advantage of business economic stimulus incentives

    ... and more stories to help you and your business.


    Avoid the Tax Scams

    Next week's tax filing deadline always energizes shady people who want to take advantage of people's uneasiness with the IRS.

    Here are two tricks people have played in the past. Don't fall for these old clunkers... and we know that they'll be new twists for 2008!

    • Crooks send email pretending to be from the IRS... they are really phishing to steal your identify (more info)
    • "Services" offer to get you your IRS refund or stimulus check. While some of these businesses may not be stealing from you, all of these people charge money for something you can do easily yourself.

    If you have any questions about email or telephone correspondence from anyone you don't know, do not give out any information. Instead, please give Sterck Kulik O'Neill a call if you have questions about any communications you get from the "IRS".

    -- Charles R. Sterck, CPA
    Managing Director

    Contact Your CPA
    Quick Links...

    About Us

    Contact Us

    Financial Calculators

    News and Tips

    Newsletter Archives

    Recommended Reading

    Tax and Financial Planning Guide – Free!



    Join our mailing list!
    phone: 415 433-4500