Tax Time Tips

Yes, it's that time of the year folks - Tax Time! Do not fear though. If you have been keeping up with your bookkeeping, you are in good shape. However, if you have not been diligent in that area, here are some tips:

1. Don't Panic - Take a deep breath and call your accountant.
2. Start Today - Call a bookkeeper to see if they can help you get caught up NOW.
3. Don't Procrastinate - Don't wait until April 14th to start doing something about your books.
4. Breathe - If you don't have an accountant, CPA or bookkeeper, call your friends and business associates for referrals to someone they trust.

Good luck and many happy returns! - CJ

Bloggers Unite for World AIDS Day - December 1st

This December 1st, 2008, BlogCatalog members are joining with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of HIV/AIDS Policy’s AIDS.gov for Bloggers Unite For World AIDS Day.

"Nearly half of all AIDS cases in the U.S. involve people 13 to 24 years of age, placing many of BlogCatalog members or their children in the highest risk age groups. More than 250,000 are estimated to be HIV positive and not know it. And more than 1 million are estimated to have AIDS. Of course, AIDS is not limited to the U.S. There are an estimated 33 million people with AIDS worldwide. It affects every country, city, and town in the world. And, the most frightening thing about it is that it is going largely unchecked."

Please get tested. It could save your life or the life of someone you love.

For more information, check out http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/DrugAbuse.html
and http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/

Question of the Week

"How do I pay myself as a Sole Proprietor?" - Scott Moore of Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction http://www.bellevuefineart.com/

According to the IRS, sole proprietors and partners in partnerships are business owners, not employees. (Corporations are different - A corporate owner who provides services to the corporation is usually considered an employee. So as a corporate owner, you would use the same procedures to pay yourself as you do with regular employees.)

In Quickbooks, this is known as an "owner draw." You can take owner draws as money spent on personal items from the business account or pay yourself on a regular basis (depending on your profits). This is because as a sole proprietor, you and your company are considered the same economic entity.

Thanks Scott! -CJ

Beancounting & Bizniking!

I love the fact that I could take time to co-present a workshop in the middle of the day. I love that I got to meet lots of interesting people from all different fields. I love that I learned about what I don't know and what I need to know for future presentations. I love that I got some insight into how people deal (or don't) with their finances. I love that I have the opportunity to practice my principles about empowering business owners to be involved in their financial health. I love the fact that I can continue to learn as I grow, change and evolve. And I love the fact that I helped to create a safe place for people to ask questions, even when I didn't know the answers! -CJ

Getting Some Attention

Being my own boss is a blessing and a curse. I set my own schedule, try to work around my children's school schedule and often work many, many hours. However sometimes that hard work pays off...I was recently interviewed for an article on ABCnews.com! Read all about me on pages 2 and 3 of the following link.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/CareerManagement/Story?id=5293600&page=1

Artopia in Georgetown

Ah, it's that festival time of year. When I am not actively working a festival, I love to explore the local art and music scenes. I got my photo snapped while I was waiting for my son to finish his spin art project. We had a fabulous time! -CJ

*photo by Grant M. Haller - Seattle Post-Intelligencer http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/368851_artopia29.html