Taxes and Planning

Avoiding Identity Theft
Checks
Wallet Contents
Damage Control
Business Recommendations
Helpful Links

Things To Think About

Helpful ideas and information about taxes, planning and other useful subjects...

Avoiding Identity Theft

Here's some advice I recommend to all my Clients. Feel free to make a copy for your files.

Checks

• The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them.
  If someone takes your checkbook they won't know if you sign your checks with just your
  initials or your first name, but your bank will.
• DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line when paying credit card bills by check.
  Instead, just use the last four account numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the numbers; anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the processing channels won't have access to it.
• Put your work phone number on your checks instead of your home phone.
  If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you don't have a PO Box,
  use your work address.
• NEVER have your Social Security number printed on your checks.
  Your Social Security number is the key to many of your financial records. You can add the number by hand if necessary, but if it's printed, everyone can have access to it.
• Consider paying your bills online, electronically.
  Most identity theft occurs from the paper trail left by bills and credit card statements in the garbage. Paying online is safer than paying by check and generates less paperwork. Most banks cover the loss from online theft. Federal law limits maximum credit card liability to $50 per card.
• Invest in a good paper shredder.
  It's a legitimate, deductible business expense.

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Wallet Contents

• Photocopy the contents of your wallet.
  Copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. and keep in a safe place. This way, you'll always know what you had in your wallet, and all the account and phone numbers.
• Carry a photocopy of your passport when you travel domestically or internationally.
  In case your passport is stolen, this will help you prove your identity until you're able to replace the passport.

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Damage Control

• Keep credit card numbers and the toll-free Customer Service numbers for those cards handy.
  If your wallet is stolen, you'll know who to call and the account numbers of the cards you need to cancel.
• File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred.
  This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and is a first step toward an investigation (if there is one).
• Call the three national credit reporting organizations and the Social Security Administration immediately.
  The alert means any company that checks your credit will know your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit—no new applications for credit can be made in your name. The numbers are:
  Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
  Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
  Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
  Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

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Business Recommendations

For start-ups and many continuing businesses, QuickBooks is an excellent accounting package. The product meets financial management needs without the necessity of having an in-depth knowledge of accounting, record-keeping requirements and financial reporting. This software offers fast and easy tools to help manage your business effectively. It is much more efficient than using spreadsheets, word processing programs or old-fashioned paper ledgers. QuickBooks can help you:

• Prepare books and records for your business
• Prepare financial statements for lenders, investors, etc.
• Pay bills
• Prepare sales invoices and send via e-mail
• Track projects and types of income and expenses

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Helpful Links

Links you can benefit from throughout the year.

Internal Revenue Service Homepage
Takes you to the IRS homepage, for an overview of tips, information, forms, publications and frequently asked questions for businesses and individuals.
http://www.irs.gov/

Internal Revenue Service Forms and Instructions
View and download IRS forms and publications. Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view and print these PDF files.
http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/0,,id=97817,00.html

2004 New York State Tax Calendar for Corporation Tax, Personal Income Tax and Sales Tax
Helpful month-by-month calendar containing tax due dates, and more.
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/tp/calendar.htm

New York State Taxpayer Answer Center for Businesses and Individuals
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions.
http://www.tax.state.ny.us/faq/

IRS for Businesses
This is the area of the IRS site specifically for businesses. You may be able to find quick answers to many of your questions here.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/index.html

2004 New York City Business, Excise and Real Estate Tax Calendar and forms.
Helpful month-by-month calendar containing tax due dates, and more.
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dof/html/taxcal2004.html

New York City Department of Finance's Tax Forms and Applications Archive.
Through this page, you can download many different New York City Property, Business, and Excise Tax Forms for Tax Years 1996 to the present. Please note that these forms are available in Adobe .PDF format.
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dof/html/taxforms.html

2004 State of New Jersey Online Tax Forms and information.
Find tax information, tax tips of the day, NJ SAVER Rebate and other Property Tax Programs, Sales and Use Tax Review Commission, and more.
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/2003taxinfo.htm

State of Connecticut – Department of Revenue Service.
Information, explanations and forms for businesses and individuals.
http://www.ct.gov/drs/site/default.asp

Emergency Preparedness Resources for Businesses
A good resource for disaster planning with a list of publications and documents to help businesses plan for the unthinkable.
http://www.tvfr.com/Dept/em/em_business.html

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