Adam:
I literally don't have any money, but I live in the neighborhood and can help you move or maybe fix stuff for you. Try me.
This is clearly a flaw in the income tax laws -- as a theologian, shouldn't Adam be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3)?
I joined the American Academy of Religion too late in the year to qualify.
Clearly, next year you need to make like L. Ron and found yourself a new sect.
I joined the American Academy of Religion too late in the year to qualify.
Wait, seriously?
Good luck!
I was kidding about the AAR -- I did join late in the year, but that has nothing to do with "theologian tax-exempt status," which I don't think exists.
Does anyone know anything about money laundering, so that this doesn't happen again next year?
Don't use bleach, it fades out the denomination markings.
Didn't you buy a new computer in order to do this freelance job? Or some new software? Hmmm? Oh wait, you're a theologian. retro me, satanas, sorry.
You've probably already filed your return, but otherwise 8 is right. Did you claim all legitimate business expenses, including but not limited to a computer and home office space? I believe you can quite legally write office sq ft/total sq ft. off one's rent, utilities, upgrades, furniture, etc.
Not that people shouldn't donate...but if push comes to shove.
On the software I used, I went through once with no deductions whatsoever, then went back and put in my health insurance costs, once I figured out I could do that -- but it made no difference to the final figure. My office space is very small as a fraction of my apartment (like probably 5% of the total space), and I only did that job for three months. Plus I used a computer I already had on hand and didn't need any new software.
Maybe I'm being overly honest here? I've just heard that the IRS is targetting poor people for audits.
Maybe I'm being overly honest here?
IANATL, and you shouldn't consider this legal advice, but I'd do just what you did. I've heard they're brutal with home-office deductions.
Ghod, taxes on freelance work are Teh Suck because you have to pay all the Social Security tax yourself. Thank you, Alan Greenspan, for increasing payroll taxes so. Awful nice that you wanted to do away with the program after that.
11: And in any case, one aspect of the job that was so appealling was precisely that there were so few expenses: no need to dress up, leave the house, shower, etc.
My savings on shampoo and deodorant more than make up for the minor expenses that I incurred during that period.
I wonder if you could deduct your shampoo and deodorant if you freelanced out-of-the-house. When I freelanced, my acct told me I could deduct meals, mileage, a percentage of my phone bill, all that shit I never keep track of. Imagine keeping a log of your phone calls! I decided never to freelance again, and now I don't really need an acct.
Of course, if anyone chips in, you'll have to pay taxes on that too, and it starts a vicious cycle of dependence!
(Just kidding- any contributions could be called gifts, and as long as they're under $11,000 per person, you don't have to pay taxes on them.)
SP, The thought did occur to me.
Yesterday you all raised just under $300 (you probably intended to give a little over $300, but there are small fees involved with PayPal). Thank you all for your generosity -- it helps my peace of mind immeasurably, thus allowing me to get out of the situation where I'm poor because I'm a grad student, but I'm so stressed out about money that I can't concentrate on my work, etc.
I've said this before, and it doesn't seem like it's a problem now; but the IRS will generally let you set up a payment plan in these situations if you write them a letter and ask them.
Good advice, Jonathan. That goes for hospital bills too and generally all sort of debt.
Yeah, the year I discovered saying "Quarterly estimated payments? We don't need no stinkinking quartly estimated payments" was a bad idea, the IRS was *really* reasonable. They let me set up a plan that worked for me. I think I took 14 months to pay off my total tax bill, and they were cool the whole way through. It was nice--just when I thought I was totally fucked, a giant federal bureaucracy was very helpful. Made me even more of a fan of big government.
A friend of mine once cried on the phone to the IRS and they rescinded a late fee.
Anyone have a syllabus they want to lend?
i'm trying to figure out how this got posted 4/20/06...
Basic intro to philosophy course? All this teaching experience and I have no clue how to design these things, or if it matters. Can't I just make them read the stuff I like?
24 - Labs postdated it so it would stay at the top of the page.
26: Excellent cover story. If people find out about the time machine, they'll never stop bothering us.
I can poke around in the archives. I know I've TA'ed one that's basically, you read the Trial and Death of Socrates, some arguments about the existence of God, Descartes' Meditations, and some free will stuff. But that's not the most exciting syllabus, except the Descartes. Is ethics supposed to be part of it?
Introduction to fun stuff you like ensures that at least you're interested.
As of now, even with Paypal fees included, I have reached the level of the full tax bill. If you feel really left out and still want to donate, I'm not in the habit of refusing to take money, but for the moment, I'm going to have to declare this "Mission Accomplished!"
Thank you again to everyone who donated.