Question:

Ron didn’t you work in Washington DC at some point in your life? If not, maybe I have you confused with someone else. Can I ask you a question about govt jobs/cost of living in DC? A friend of mine is talking about trying to get a federal job in Washington DC. The problem is though, I think he’s a little naive about how expensive it is to live there. He initially thought that he could work and live in Washington DC while making $30,000 a year!!! Is he crazy? I got some advice about this on aanother newsgroup. The consensus is that it would be pretty darn hard to live and work in DC while making such a small salary. Now, he’s talking about only going to live and work there if he can land a job making $40,000. I’m not sure that even this amount is workable. How much money in your opinion does someone need to be making to have a fairly comfortable living in DC? Can someone do allright on $30,000 or $40,000?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ron didn’t you work in Washington DC at some point in your life? If not, maybe I have you confused with someone else. Can I ask you a question about govt jobs/cost of living in DC? A friend of mine is talking about trying to get a federal job in Washington DC. The problem is though, I think he’s a little naive about how expensive it is to live there. He initially thought that he could work and live in Washington DC while making $30,000 a year!!! Is he crazy? I got some advice about this on aanother newsgroup. The consensus is that it would be pretty darn hard to live and work in DC while making such a small salary. Now, he’s talking about only going to live and work there if he can land a job making $40,000. I’m not sure that even this amount is workable. How much money in your opinion does someone need to be making to have a fairly comfortable living in DC? Can someone do allright on $30,000 or $40,000?

depends on your definition of allright but consider this –  a small house in the wayout burbs costs $250,000, apartments rent for $1,500 a month.  It would be difficult to live on that salary unless you shared housing!

Response:

Ron didn’t you work in Washington DC at some point in your life? If not, maybe I have you confused with someone else.

Nope, I’ve always lived in "fly over country." Tip can help you with the D.C. options, last I heard he was working downtown.

Response:

Ron didn’t you work in Washington DC at some point in your life? If not, maybe I have you confused with someone else. Nope, I’ve always lived in "fly over country." Tip can help you with the D.C. options, last I heard he was working downtown.

All right Ron, well thanks anyway. I guess I had you confused with someone else.

Response:

Sorry a little late to weigh in by I’m using cable internet and haven’t got a handle on the newsgroups yet. I wouldn’t move anywhere for $30K beginning salary.  If your friend is going to move, he/she should have a good idea that the job will work out for "him."  Nothing can be more miserable than working 8 hours a day at something or somewhere you don’t like. DC is high cost, nearly comparable to living in San Francisco or NYC.  Housing is out of sight and rising. The Feds do get a cola based on where you live.  The salary charts can be found at www.opm.gov.  Degreed accountants/auditors can expect to be hired at the GS-7 or 9 level plus Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).  The DC government also hires accountants/auditors and the levels vary even more and the salary of the grade is a little more complex– but the feds pay more. As for working in the DC area, it has a lot to offer historically, culturally, etc.  The metropolitan area is diverse in about every way– large populations from all over the world.  If you are young, you may want to live in DC itself, but it will be expensive.  If you have school age children, you will want to be in Fairfax County or perhaps a Maryland suburb.  However, Fairfax County had the highest family income in the Nation last year and is perhaps 3rd this year.  Housing is also out of sight in the suburbs– there are breaks, especially in DC, for first time buyers of homes.  The farther out from DC you move, the lower the cost of housing and the longer the commute. DC can be exciting for 20-30 single yo crowd. — Tippy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ron didn’t you work in Washington DC at some point in your life? If not, maybe I have you confused with someone else. Can I ask you a question about govt jobs/cost of living in DC? A friend of mine is talking about trying to get a federal job in Washington DC. The problem is though, I think he’s a little naive about how expensive it is to live there. He initially thought that he could work and live in Washington DC while making $30,000 a year!!! Is he crazy? I got some advice about this on aanother newsgroup. The consensus is that it would be pretty darn hard to live and work in DC while making such a small salary. Now, he’s talking about only going to live and work there if he can land a job making $40,000. I’m not sure that even this amount is workable. How much money in your opinion does someone need to be making to have a fairly comfortable living in DC? Can someone do allright on $30,000 or $40,000? depends on your definition of allright but consider this –  a small house in the wayout burbs costs $250,000, apartments rent for $1,500 a month.  It would be difficult to live on that salary unless you shared housing!

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … As Ron states in his commentary, this is "due process", American style. More like due process, fascist or soviet style. …. You really should go live in another country for a decade.  Maybe a work study program to China, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Burma, or Rwanda. I have had friends

… No, you really ought to go first and experience it first hand.  Maybe the U.N. has a program that would help you.  Sorry, I don’t have a phone number to give you. bon voyage…. — *             Ronald Lee Todd M.B.A., C.P.A.                  * *  Unemployed for six years, mistake of being an accountant.  * *   Students, when someone tells you of your great future as  * *       an accountant, ask him to show you the job.           *

Response:

I am commenting on the practical reality of American jurisprudence; nothing more; nothing less. With no commensurate condemnation of the idea that emoting your way thru a problem is wrong, either, but rather a short anecdote about your son doing the same thing .That would seemingly be an endorsement of Andersen’s tactics, rather than a criticism.

This is real life, not "bean bag".  Rusty Hardin is doing exactly what I would expect a competent criminal defense lawyer to do. Don’t you think merit should be the factor here for consideration? Or how about since your son didn’t actually harm anyone but himself, there woudln’t be any need to cite him, that citing him was a rather extreme position/action given the circumstances? but you likened it to Andersen’s actions, which I think most people here would agree were not moral. I think that lack of objectivity is what I’m trying to drive at. That was, at one time, why accounting was created, right? to safeguard against exaggeration and fudging, and to provide a checkpoint or safeguard of objectivity about a company’s financial position? Admitting that things are different should result, under a system based on principles, in the people who endorse those principles bringing them up and chastising people when they aren’t followed,  not on their tacit endorsement by mentioning how they do the same thing and were successful, don’t you think?

Just who would you have me chastise, and under what authority would you have me do it? The government must prove that Andersen is "guilty as charged, beyond a reasonable doubt", not that Andersen is "guilty of something".   With regards to my son, he readily admitted he hit the bus.  His argument was with the charge – "driving too fast for conditions".  He convinced the judge that his driving speed was both prudent and within the limits of the law.   Had he been charged with driving while wearing athletic shoes he would have been "guilty as charged". Andersen admits they destroyed documents.  They deny they destroyed evidence with intent to obstruct justice.   As a matter of law, the defense in this case would be defective if it did not use every lawful tool available to it, including emotional manipulation Prove this. I don’t see anything anywhere, either in my constitutional law books on rights nor my business law noteds and handouts that says manipulating people is okay.

RULE 3:07 MASSACHUSETTS RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT  CLIENT-LAWYER RELATIONSHIP [Including amendments through 12/01/2000] RULE 1.3 DILIGENCE A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client. The lawyer should represent a client zealously within the bounds of the law. Comment [1] A lawyer should pursue a matter on behalf of a client despite opposition, obstruction or personal inconvenience to the lawyer, and may take whatever lawful and ethical measures are required to vindicate a client’s cause or endeavor. A lawyer should act with commitment and dedication to the interests of the client and with zeal in advocacy upon the client’s behalf. http://www.state.ma.us/obcbbo/rpc1.htm#Rule%201.3 If you can prove, based on an authoritative source, that emotional manipulation is not lawful or not ethical I will discuss the matter further. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – .  It is the job of the jury to sort through the tears and mystification and to determine the facts. And the job of every person to be honest and forthright too, you know, to have charachter. You are leaving that out here, I noticed. You have no legitimate quarrel with me here.  If you don’t like what I’m saying you have a quarrel with our law and our system. No, I have a quarrel with you over morals, and your seeming evasion of that in your post.

It takes two to quarrel, and I’m not going to engage you on this issue. You are free to advocate any law, system or process you want, however you also have a duty to attempt a little accuracy in attribution. I agree, but that is what I’m doing. Do you remember a ittle while back when a student postd that you seem to be in denial about what is going on in accounting, and how he felt you kept evading topics that would implicate or accounting with responsibility for their outcomes? D oyou see why?

I don’t remember the post you are referring to.  You are certainly free to provide me with a specific reminder (date, title, etc). — Jim Hudspeth, CFE, CPA   http://survivalworks.com

Response:

In view of the nearly total lack of effective compliance and enforcement of IAS in Europe (AKA

Question:

Please does anyone have any information regarding working part time at Disneyworld.   I would be grateful for any news. Thank you Carol.

Response:

Please does anyone have any information regarding working part time at = Disneyworld. =20 I would be grateful for any news. Thank you=20 Carol.

Carol, First your going to have to grow BIG EARS and a tail, then call 1-800 IMICKEY Goodluck. Digger, AKA Grumps (old and crusty) hometown.aol.com/jynndi/myhomepage/profile.html All errors; spilling, grimatical, ore tieping intenshunal.

Response:

There are two kinds of people, Digger. Those who occasionally have their head up their ass, and those who lie about it. Lon

Lon, I never accused you of lying I know where your head is; safely out of the sunlight.. Digger, AKA Grumps (old and crusty) hometown.aol.com/jynndi/myhomepage/profile.html All errors; spilling, grimatical, ore tieping intenshunal.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Heck, Digger, if that was possible, plenty of us would be lining up to buy the secret. Bigger ears would make it a LOT easier to get our heads out, on those occasions when we have them (our heads) firmly implanted up our asses. Lon You may be right Lon, sorry about you affliction. There are two kinds of people, Digger. Those who occasionally have their head up their ass, and those who lie about it. Lon

The expert speaks again. LZ

Response:

Currently there is a hiring freeze, but I think this is just temporary.   With over 50,000 employees they are always looking for people. They are real interested in anyone who wants to work security. At this point most of the cutbacks are for full time employees.  The part time workers are just seeing fewer hours.  A lot depends on the next few weeks as Disney world depends on people flying in from out of state.  I have a small web page on working at Disney    you can find it at. http://hometown.aol.com/bhduck/advice/index.htm

Response:

Heck, Digger, if that was possible, plenty of us would be lining up to buy the secret. Bigger ears would make it a LOT easier to get our heads out, on those occasions when we have them (our heads) firmly implanted up our asses. Lon You may be right Lon, sorry about you affliction.

There are two kinds of people, Digger. Those who occasionally have their head up their ass, and those who lie about it. Lon

Response:

Heck, Digger, if that was possible, plenty of us would be lining up to buy the secret. Bigger ears would make it a LOT easier to get our heads out, on those occasions when we have them (our heads) firmly implanted up our asses. Lon

I’d suggest getting a clear plastic belly button installed then…  that way one can have their head up their ass and still see where they are going. Mark

Response:

Carol, First your going to have to grow BIG EARS and a tail, then call 1-800 IMICKEY Goodluck. Heck, Digger, if that was possible, plenty of us would be lining up to buy the secret. Bigger ears would make it a LOT easier to get our heads out, on those occasions when we have them (our heads) firmly implanted up our asses. Lon

The expert speaks. LZ

Response:

This "job party" made the news several times and will give you a good idea of what’s happening in Orlando since Septemebt 11th: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bizopry13111301nov13.story Posted November 13, 2001 KISSIMMEE — Andrea Gomez was treated like a star in her bid to become one of the STARS at Central Florida’s newest resort. Gaylord Palms calls its employees STARS, a reference to its five core beliefs in Service, Teamwork, Attitude, Reliability and Smiles. Gomez went to the hotel and convention center Sunday, the last day of a four-day job fair to fill 1,400 positions at the Gaylord, which will open in January. Turns out, the Orlando woman was the 11,000th applicant to walk through the doors. So, in what is becoming known as Gaylord’s goofy signature, staffers applauded whenever she walked into a room. There were songs and cheers. And yes, there was a job. Gomez, her husband, Luis, and son Luis Jr. all landed on-call banquet servers positions, then were whisked away to a celebration on-site with other new hires. "I was never 11,000 of anything," said Gomez, who works with her family at other convention halls in the area. "They made it so much fun, and since we work as a family, it was very special." Gaylord, formerly known as Opryland Florida, kicked off its hiring blitz with an overnight "pajama party" Wednesday that drew 3,000 job hopefuls and backed up Interstate 4 for two miles. In all, slightly more than 12,000 people experienced the two-hour interview process that included staffers leading "the wave" during the paperwork session and one-on-one interviews with The Three Stooges playing on a large screen in the background. A steady paycheck, though, was the biggest lure. The tourism industry has been reeling since Sept. 11, with many workers facing reduced hours and layoffs. Both Osceola and Orange counties, the heart of the tourism corridor, have reported tumbling tourist tax revenues as hotels fill only 10 percent to 50 percent of their rooms. Faced with that economy, only a handful of Gaylord jobs remains. They are positions that will require special skills, such as state certifications for jobs such as engineering, hotel spokesman Keith Salwoski said Monday. So, this week, officials will call and notify those people who weren’t hired on the spot that they have jobs if they want them and will also craft want ads for the few remaining positions. Those hired will begin work next month during orientations set up like conventions for new workers. The 1,406-room hotel and 400,000-square-foot convention center will host its first major convention in February and has bookings into 2003, accounting for nearly a million room nights. "It was just crazy, but it turned out wonderfully," Salwoski said. "We have a really good network of people to draw on." Some are still unsure if the long process, and up to five-hour wait to get in the door, was worth it. Chris Anastasia of Kissimmee showed up Wednesday night hoping to find another serving job to supplement his work at Medieval Times in Osceola County. For his effort, he got a business card promising someone from the hotel would contact him. He doesn’t know if that means he has been hired or not. "I was paranoid, because I had heard they were hiring people on the spot," said Anastasia, a single father of a teenage daughter. "They said they would call me, so I am just waiting." — Dot North Central Florida      http://www.dreaves.com

Response:

Heck, Digger, if that was possible, plenty of us would be lining up to buy the secret. Bigger ears would make it a LOT easier to get our heads out, on those occasions when we have them (our heads) firmly implanted up our asses. Lon

You may be right Lon, sorry about you affliction. Digger, AKA Grumps (old and crusty) hometown.aol.com/jynndi/myhomepage/profile.html All errors; spilling, grimatical, ore tieping intenshunal.

Response:

Please does anyone have any information regarding working part time at Disneyworld. I would be grateful for any news. Thank you Carol.

Hi Carol, We were recently in Orlando near Disney World for a week. Here is what I can tell you that I observed. The economy is currently on the ropes there. Business is way down. We went to Epcot and there were no lines at all. The timeshare we in was like only 25% full. Restaurants are real empty. It looked to like some of the support busness in that area was lilely to fail if business does not pick up soon. The local paper said that Disney was going to cut back hours on 4000 regular fulltime workers. Some of the higher paid actors are being offered service jobs at like 1/3 of their present pay. This doesn’t mean you might not be able to get a part time job there however. Disney may actually be looking for people that are more willing to work part time. Hope this helps you with some insight. Good Luck! Jan Eric Orme

Response:

Carol, First your going to have to grow BIG EARS and a tail, then call 1-800 IMICKEY Goodluck.

Heck, Digger, if that was possible, plenty of us would be lining up to buy the secret. Bigger ears would make it a LOT easier to get our heads out, on those occasions when we have them (our heads) firmly implanted up our asses. Lon

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please does anyone have any information regarding working part time at = Disneyworld. =20 I would be grateful for any news. Thank you=20 Carol. Carol, First your going to have to grow BIG EARS and a tail, then call 1-800 IMICKEY Goodluck. Digger, AKA Grumps (old and crusty) hometown.aol.com/jynndi/myhomepage/profile.html All errors; spilling, grimatical, ore tieping intenshunal.

Response:

30 seconds at http://www.disney.com came up with this: http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/

Please does anyone have any information regarding working part time at Disneyworld. I would be grateful for any news. Thank you Carol.

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi: I have a small business,  I recorded in the books of the business the acquisition of a vehicle with personal funds (No line of credit yet)  by doing this journal entry Vehicle   25,000        Additional Contribution (Equity) 25,000 This is only a portion of the cost of the vehicle.  This is the maximum allowed by the state treasury dept.  I know the cost seems awfully high for a small business but I purchased this car when I was making some good money working for a corporation.  Now I’m on my own and having a difficult time to make ends meet. In august, I sold the vehicle at a loss, so that I could buy something cheaper. In all I took s 3,000+ loss on the transaction.  I have no Idea how to record that in the books I checked an accounting manual and it suggests that I do this: Cash                                 XXX Accumulated Depreciation 10,000 Loss On Disposal                3,000                 Vehicle                            25,000 The only problem is that I did not receive any cash for the vehicle.  I paid someone to take over the payments of the account.  The account was legaly transferred to him.  I also never recorded the liability in the books since this was a personal purchase.  I just recorded  45% of the vehicles cost  in the business. Should I record 45% of the loss?  How can I properly record this transaction? Was the original transaction proper?  If not, how can I correct it? Please help!!  We are getting closer to year end and I have no clue on how to proceed with this Thanks

The information provided is not sufficient to provide the basis for a solid answer.  Further information needed is: 1)  When was the vehicle purchased? 2)  When was the vehicle booked? 3)  What is the form of business entity? 4)  Was any depreciation taken on any tax return?  If so, how much and when? 5)  What was the percentage of business use? 6)  Were the payments recorded?  If so, how? The answers to these questions very well may generate a need for more questions. Are you sure you want to do this in a newsgroup?  If it were me I would be talking to a local tax accountant. – Jim Hudspeth, CFE, CPA http://survivalworks.com Washington, USA

Response:

Hi: I have a small business,  I recorded in the books of the business the acquisition of a vehicle with personal funds (No line of credit yet)  by doing this journal entry Vehicle   25,000        Additional Contribution (Equity) 25,000 This is only a portion of the cost of the vehicle.  This is the maximum allowed by the state treasury dept.  I know the cost seems awfully high for a small business but I purchased this car when I was making some good money working for a corporation.  Now I’m on my own and having a difficult time to make ends meet. In august, I sold the vehicle at a loss, so that I could buy something cheaper. In all I took s 3,000+ loss on the transaction.  I have no Idea how to record that in the books I checked an accounting manual and it suggests that I do this: Cash                                 XXX Accumulated Depreciation 10,000 Loss On Disposal                3,000                 Vehicle                            25,000 The only problem is that I did not receive any cash for the vehicle.  I paid someone to take over the payments of the account.  The account was legaly transferred to him.  I also never recorded the liability in the books since this was a personal purchase.  I just recorded  45% of the vehicles cost  in the business. Should I record 45% of the loss?  How can I properly record this transaction? Was the original transaction proper?  If not, how can I correct it? Please help!!  We are getting closer to year end and I have no clue on how to proceed with this Thanks

Response:

Question:

Doesn’t some of the finest hashish in the world come from Afghanistan? And opium? Not anymore. That’s why Dubya sent $43 million to them.

Its a price support program. There is a glut of opium. They are still selling old stocks. M. Simon  Space-Time Productions http://www.spacetimepro.com               Free CNC Machine Control Software               Free Source Code               Control the World From a Parallel Port

Response:

__Why Did Bush Give $43 Million to Afghanistan in May? He didn’t.  The the state dept continued the humanitarian aid to the Afgani victims of the Taliban this year, just as they did ($60 million) last year under Clinton. Anything to bash Bush, sad really.

Well, actually he did give $43 million, but if you can believe this unbiased link (http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2001/index.cfm?docid=2928), it is not going to the Taliban ("Our aid bypasses the Taliban, who have done little to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people") And it brings this years total aid (at the time anyway) to Afghanistan to $124 million, $10 million higher than last year’s $114 million. Just because Clinton gave them money doesn’t mean it’s okay for Bush to continue the policy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – __Why Did Bush Give $43 Million to Afghanistan in May? He didn’t.  The the state dept continued the humanitarian aid to the Afgani victims of the Taliban this year, just as they did ($60 million) last year under Clinton. Anything to bash Bush, sad really. Well, actually he did give $43 million, but if you can believe this unbiased link (http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2001/index.cfm?docid=2928), it is not going to the Taliban ("Our aid bypasses the Taliban, who have done little to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people")

The aid is in the form of food and other materials, probably purchased from farmers in the US.  It was not a cash handout to the Afghans or Taliban. Are you questioning the State Dept’s credibility?  Don’t you think it would get out if there was a conspiracy and lies coming out of the State Dept?  They are subject to congressional oversight, and I am sure that every transaction made with the funds are public record, as well as subject to GAO accounting.  If you have some reason/evidence to suspect a conspiracy, lemme know. And it brings this years total aid (at the time anyway) to Afghanistan to $124 million, $10 million higher than last year’s $114 million.

Congress appropriates the money to the state dept, and can easily cut their budget. Just because Clinton gave them money doesn’t mean it’s okay for Bush to continue the policy.

Me thinks that aid will come in very handy soon, it may have bought us enough friends there to save some lives. Having said all of that, I don’t really think the govt is the right organization to handle international humanitarian aid, I think private organizations should do it (like Unicef), and those who want to help people internationally should give to those organizations (with 100% tax breaks). I don’t think humanitarian aid should be a function of Govt.  Taxpayers who are forced to do good are not really doing good at all.

Response:

Doesn’t some of the finest hashish in the world come from Afghanistan? And opium? Not anymore. That’s why Dubya sent $43 million to them. Actually, the reason the US govt. was cozying up to the taliban regime before is that they would love to build a pipeline from the oil-rich central asian states that were former pieces of hte Soviet Union to a port on the Indian Ocean.  To do this, the pipeline would have to cross either Iran or both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Do you have anything to support what you say, or are you just venturing a guess?  I have never heard of any plans to run a pipeline through the hot beds of Afganistan and Pakistan. US Oil companies (not the US govt) have expressed interest in the areas around the Caspian (Azerbaijan et al) in the past, with the idea of a pipeline through Turkey, but that is fading in last couple years due to too much political trouble there. http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2001/02/21022001122555.asp

Response:

Did any *other* source report this?   I doubt it, what other source would believe that the Taliban are anti-drug?

Doesn’t some of the finest hashish in the world come from Afghanistan? And opium?

Response:

Did any *other* source report this?   I doubt it, what other source would believe that the Taliban are anti-drug? Doesn’t some of the finest hashish in the world come from Afghanistan? And opium?

Not anymore. That’s why Dubya sent $43 million to them.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – __Why Did Bush Give $43 Million to Afghanistan in May? He didn’t.  The the state dept continued the humanitarian aid to the Afgani victims of the Taliban this year, Not according to the article that appeared in the LA Times in May. Here is the full text.    Bush’s Faustian Deal With the Taliban    By Robert Scheer Scheer is a certified nutcase, and has trouble with the facts. Read this and weep: My, my. There’s an unprejudiced source. (That’s sarcasm for the humor impaired) http://www.frontpagemag.com/columnists/horowitz/2001/dh02-19-01.htm So, in other words, you have no reply when faced with the facts? Stupendous Man‹have assault rifle, will travel. Osama: you can hide but we will still find you! Wanted‹dead: Osama Bin Laden.   $5 million reward!

Let’s just say that I don’t regard Front Page as having all the facts.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you have anything to support what you say, or are you just venturing a guess?  I have never heard of any plans to run a pipeline through the hot beds of Afganistan and Pakistan. US Oil companies (not the US govt) have expressed interest in the areas around the Caspian (Azerbaijan et al) in the past, with the idea of a pipeline through Turkey, but that is fading in last couple years due to too much political trouble there. http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2001/02/21022001122555.asp You’re thinking of the wrong oil-fields, John.  The "Unocal/Delta proposal" runs the pipe due south from central Turkmenistan through Afganistan and Pakistan to the Gulf of Arabia.  See: http://www.chevron.com/newsvs/speeches/1997/97-5-21-matzke.shtml

They are already shipping oil out of Kazakstan to the north, and would undoubtedly go that way before going south through the Muslim countries.  I think the Taliban has declared "Jihad" against several of the southern Russian "stan" states, IIRC, Turkmenistan is one.  If any southern route would be created, it would undoubtedly be through Iran these days, but as is indicated in the RFE article I linked to, Russia is getting territorial in that part of the world anyway, and US companies might not be able to get anything done, including a Caspian/Turkey pipeline. I wasn’t aware of those 1997 proposals, but it is a firm bet they are long dead.  Even that page says in 1997: "Nobody can forecast the outlook for these "southern solutions,"  but I think it is fair to say that the idea of running pipelines across  Afghanistan or Iran makes even the CPC project look tame by comparison." It then goes on to give all the reasons why a western route would be better. Delta is a Saudi Company, and Unocal is of course the old "Union Oil" ("76") established in Santa Paula, CA in 1890. Have Bush and Cheney had extensive dealings with Unocal?  Of course – they’re oilmen!

Broad labels convince me of nothing, and as has been stated in this thread, all of the so called Taliban ‘Payola’ is in the form of food given directly to the people of Afghanistan via NGOs.   The Clinton admin (the state dept really) gave as much or more, and he wasn’t an ‘oilman’, whatever that is exactly.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Do you have anything to support what you say, or are you just venturing a guess?  I have never heard of any plans to run a pipeline through the hot beds of Afganistan and Pakistan. US Oil companies (not the US govt) have expressed interest in the areas around the Caspian (Azerbaijan et al) in the past, with the idea of a pipeline through Turkey, but that is fading in last couple years due to too much political trouble there. http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2001/02/21022001122555.asp You’re thinking of the wrong oil-fields, John.  The "Unocal/Delta proposal" runs the pipe due south from central Turkmenistan through Afganistan and Pakistan to the Gulf of Arabia.  See: http://www.chevron.com/newsvs/speeches/1997/97-5-21-matzke.shtml They are already shipping oil out of Kazakstan to the north, and would undoubtedly go that way before going south through the Muslim countries.  I think the Taliban has declared "Jihad" against several of the southern Russian "stan" states, IIRC, Turkmenistan is one.

Not exactly.  Pakistan has been using bin Laden to propagandize and support Muslims fundamentalists in Kashmir, and each of the central Asian states has a fundamentalist minority that is vying for power, accepting arms from Pak and the Taliban, financed by drug trafficking. This is also true with Xingiang Province in China.   If any southern route would be created, it would undoubtedly be through Iran these days, but as is indicated in the RFE article I linked to, Russia is getting territorial in that part of the world anyway, and US companies might not be able to get anything done, including a Caspian/Turkey pipeline. I wasn’t aware of those 1997 proposals, but it is a firm bet they are long dead.  Even that page says in 1997: "Nobody can forecast the outlook for these "southern solutions,"  but I think it is fair to say that the idea of running pipelines across  Afghanistan or Iran makes even the CPC project look tame by comparison."

No, it’s not long dead – still quite alive.  It took 20 years to get the Alaska pipeline over all the hurdles, and if it hadn’t been for the "energy crises" it probably wouldn’t have breached the environmental and Native Alaskan issues (or at least been significantly delayed.) The Pakistani Bhutto government was neutral insofar as contractors were concerned (free trade), but Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and the US State Department were pushing the Delta/Unocal side of the competition.  So Bhutto lost to the Sharif Government in Pakistan and the new government opted for Delta/Unocal, responding to US pressure.  Both the US and Pak cultivated the Taliban to take control of the many competing Afgan warlords and stabalize the area, but the Taliban betrayed them, since the competition, Bridas of Argentina, got to the Taliban and offered them a deal they couldn’t refuse.  The Taliban announced on May 4, 1997 that they would sign a contract with Bridas. Solution (to US and Pakistan’s interests)?  Get rid of the Taliban. It then goes on to give all the reasons why a western route would be better.

There are two huge problems with the western route, the biggest being that the 10-15 year market projections are that the demand in Asian markets will be 10 times greater than the demand in in the European market.  The second is the Black Sea "Choke Point," the Bosporus (or Turkish Straights). This narrow passage, difficult to navigate, already has tanker traffic that is causing problems.  Additionally, Turkey is raising objections on issues of congestion and environment.  This is what makes the deep water ports of Pakistan on the Arabian Sea economically attractive, since markets in Pakistan and India alone are huge. As for going south through Iran – more big problems.  US Law forbids any US oil companies to deal with Iran through the aegis of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) of 1986, modified in 1996 by congress. Delta is a Saudi Company, and Unocal is of course the old "Union Oil" ("76") established in Santa Paula, CA in 1890. Have Bush and Cheney had extensive dealings with Unocal?  Of course – they’re oilmen! Broad labels convince me of nothing, and as has been stated in this thread, all of the so called Taliban ‘Payola’ is in the form of food given directly to the people of Afghanistan via NGOs.   The Clinton admin (the state dept really) gave as much or more, and he wasn’t an ‘oilman’, whatever that is exactly.

Well, we all know what "oilmen" means, and it is not a broad label at all.  I think anyone is pretty naive to claim (or believe) that oil is not a (the) major player in international politics.  After all, it is considered a national security item by our government. As for the "Payola" it wasn’t all food.  Medical, and alternative farmimg training/supplies (for a crop besides opium) was included, as well as cash to augment the Taliban police infrasturcture so they could enforce the poppy ban. But you know, Afgani farmers earn about 5 bucks a month with legal crops, and they can earn 500 bucks on an acre of poppies.  Afganistan is the largest producer of heroin in the world.  30 billion a year are estimated to flow into the Pak economy from heroin. EAM

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – __Why Did Bush Give $43 Million to Afghanistan in May? He didn’t.  The the state dept continued the humanitarian aid to the Afgani victims of the Taliban this year, Not according to the article that appeared in the LA Times in May. Here is the full text.    Bush’s Faustian Deal With the Taliban    By Robert Scheer Scheer is a certified nutcase, and has trouble with the facts. Read this and weep: My, my. There’s an unprejudiced source. (That’s sarcasm for the humor impaired)

Who’s Mr. Pot calling ‘black’ now? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – http://www.frontpagemag.com/columnists/horowitz/2001/dh02-19-01.htm

Response:

Bush’s Faustian Deal With the Taliban By Robert Scheer Published May 22, 2001 in the Los Angeles Times Enslave your girls and women, harbor anti-U.S. terrorists, destroy every vestige of civilization in your homeland, and the Bush administration will embrace you. All that matters is that you line up as an ally in the drug war, the only international cause that this nation still takes seriously. That’s the message sent with the recent gift of $43 million to the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, the most virulent anti-American violators of human rights in the world today. The gift, announced last Thursday by Secretary of State Colin Powell, in addition to other recent aid, makes the U.S. the main sponsor of the Taliban and rewards that "rogue regime" for declaring that opium growing is against the will of God. So, too, by the Taliban’s estimation, are most human activities, but it’s the ban on drugs that catches this administration’s attention. Never mind that Osama bin Laden still operates the leading anti-American terror operation from his base in Afghanistan, from which, among other crimes, he launched two bloody attacks on American embassies in Africa in 1998. Sadly, the Bush administration is cozying up to the Taliban regime at a time when the United Nations, at U.S. insistence, imposes sanctions on Afghanistan because the Kabul government will not turn over Bin Laden. The war on drugs has become our own fanatics’ obsession and easily trumps all other concerns. How else could we come to reward the Taliban, who has subjected the female half of the Afghan population to a continual reign of terror in a country once considered enlightened in its treatment of women? At no point in modern history have women and girls been more systematically abused than in Afghanistan where, in the name of madness masquerading as Islam, the government in Kabul obliterates their fundamental human rights. Women may not appear in public without being covered from head to toe with the oppressive shroud called the burkha , and they may not leave the house without being accompanied by a male family member. They’ve not been permitted to attend school or be treated by male doctors, yet women have been banned from practicing medicine or any profession for that matter. The lot of males is better if they blindly accept the laws of an extreme religious theocracy that prescribes strict rules governing all behavior, from a ban on shaving to what crops may be grown. It is this last power that has captured the enthusiasm of the Bush White House. The Taliban fanatics, economically and diplomatically isolated, are at the breaking point, and so, in return for a pittance of legitimacy and cash from the Bush administration, they have been willing to appear to reverse themselves on the growing of opium. That a totalitarian country can effectively crack down on its farmers is not surprising. But it is grotesque for a U.S. official, James P. Callahan, director of the State Department’s Asian anti-drug program, to describe the Taliban’s special methods in the language of representative democracy: "The Taliban used a system of consensus-building," Callahan said after a visit with the Taliban, adding that the Taliban justified the ban on drugs "in very religious terms." Of course, Callahan also reported, those who didn’t obey the theocratic edict would be sent to prison. In a country where those who break minor rules are simply beaten on the spot by religious police and others are stoned to death, it’s understandable that the government’s "religious" argument might be compelling. Even if it means, as Callahan concedes, that most of the farmers who grew the poppies will now confront starvation. That’s because the Afghan economy has been ruined by the religious extremism of the Taliban, making the attraction of opium as a previously tolerated quick cash crop overwhelming. For that reason, the opium ban will not last unless the U.S. is willing to pour far larger amounts of money into underwriting the Afghan economy. As the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Steven Casteel admitted, "The bad side of the ban is that it’s bringing their country–or certain regions of their country–to economic ruin." Nor did he hold out much hope for Afghan farmers growing other crops such as wheat, which require a vast infrastructure to supply water and fertilizer that no longer exists in that devastated country. There’s little doubt that the Taliban will turn once again to the easily taxed cash crop of opium in order to stay in power. The Taliban may suddenly be the dream regime of our own war drug war zealots, but in the end this alliance will prove a costly failure. Our long sad history of signing up dictators in the war on drugs demonstrates the futility of building a foreign policy on a domestic obsession. http://robertscheer.com/1_natcolumn/01_columns/052201.htm

Response:

Do you have anything to support what you say, or are you just venturing a guess?  I have never heard of any plans to run a pipeline through the hot beds of Afganistan and Pakistan. US Oil companies (not the US govt) have expressed interest in the areas around the Caspian (Azerbaijan et al) in the past, with the idea of a pipeline through Turkey, but that is fading in last couple years due to too much political trouble there. http://www.rferl.org/nca/features/2001/02/21022001122555.asp

You’re thinking of the wrong oil-fields, John.  The "Unocal/Delta proposal" runs the pipe due south from central Turkmenistan through Afganistan and Pakistan to the Gulf of Arabia.  See: http://www.chevron.com/newsvs/speeches/1997/97-5-21-matzke.shtml Delta is a Saudi Company, and Unocal is of course the old "Union Oil" ("76") established in Santa Paula, CA in 1890. Have Bush and Cheney had extensive dealings with Unocal?  Of course – they’re oilmen! EAM

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – __Why Did Bush Give $43 Million to Afghanistan in May? On May 22, LA Times columnist Robert Scheer denounced "the recent gift of $43 million to the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan, the most virulent anti-American violators of human rights in the world today. The gift, announced last Thursday by Secretary of State Colin Powell… makes the U.S. the main sponsor of the Taliban and rewards that "rogue regime" for declaring that opium growing is against the will of God… Never mind that Osama bin Laden still operates the leading anti-American terror operation from his base in Afghanistan, from which, among other crimes, he launched two bloody attacks on American embassies in Africa in 1998. Sadly, the Bush administration is cozying up to the Taliban regime at a time when the United Nations, at U.S. insistence, imposes sanctions on Afghanistan because the Kabul government will not turn over Bin Laden." Is the US funding the Taliban? Bush needs to tell Americans the truth. http://www.robertscheer.com/1_natcolumn/01_columns/052201.htm

You have to love Socialist propaganda.  $43 million in food aid suddenly becomes AK-47s and support for terrorists. Stupendous Man

Question:

Ken, Your accountant would probably charge you less if you presented your accounts in a recognised accounting program. I can recommend Pastel SOHO, which sells in Australia for $199.  It is available in the UK.  Visit their website http://www.pastel.com/

Thanks for the pointer, the UK Pastel site had the following versions… Bookkeeper Accounting P.O.S. Manufact Ultra I guess the SOHO would be the same as the Bookkeeper version. Even that seems overly complex for my business. Thanks for the tip on the accountant fees. Simon

Response:

Simon, SOHO is about a third the price of Bookkeeper.  It’s worth asking Pastel why they don’t market SOHO in the UK, it would suit your requirements perfectly. Ken Russell Sydney Australia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ken, Your accountant would probably charge you less if you presented your accounts in a recognised accounting program. I can recommend Pastel SOHO, which sells in Australia for $199.  It is available in the UK.  Visit their website http://www.pastel.com/ Thanks for the pointer, the UK Pastel site had the following versions… Bookkeeper Accounting P.O.S. Manufact Ultra I guess the SOHO would be the same as the Bookkeeper version. Even that seems overly complex for my business. Thanks for the tip on the accountant fees. Simon

Response:

SOHO is about a third the price of Bookkeeper.  It’s worth asking Pastel why they don’t market SOHO in the UK, it would suit your requirements perfectly.

Hmm thanks, why do we allways pay over the odds for things ??? Simon

Response:

My Questions 1)As my records are so simple is it worth purchasing an accounting package? or should I simply stick with my spreadsheet? Personally I’d suggest that the issue isn’t so much what the accounts were done in as much as how readable they are.

That’s good to hear, I am tending towards the Excel route, I just don’t want to get bitten down the line. If the Excel spreadsheets are clean, concise and obvious then there’s no reason Excel couldn’t still be used. The main thing would be to make sure that the sheet(s) summarise nicely. There’s no reason that you can’t use functions like SUMIF and so forth to do a very tidy "trial balance" effectively in Excel.

I think I need to get a book out of the library on what a set of accounts should look like! Making Excel jump through hoops is not a problem for me, my problem is "what will the accountant/government want the output to look like" Actually about 5 years ago I wrote a payroll program in Excel for someone. It’s a shame I didn’t do the accounting bit for him aswell! The main concern would be *volume* of transactions. If you’re generating a great deal of data then an Excel sheet can become pretty unwieldy.

At present I have about 400 lines in my ledger at the end of the year so it’s not big by any stretch of the imagination! 3)Can anybody advise about transferring assets to the newly formed company? Do I put money into the company who then buys the assets off me? (Seems a bit awkward but kind of logical) Obtain a valuation of the assets intended to be transferred, and simply "introduce" them at that valuation (ie the company "buys" them off you and effectively "owes" you the money but none actually need change hands. The "loan" becomes your share-holder current account balance)

Ah, that’s good to hear, I had horrible thoughts of cheques written by me, written to me! Can I do the valuation based on how much I bought it for and how much I claimed back as allowable expenses as a sole trader? (I’m thinking mainly about the computers) Thanks Simon Byte-Sized Computing www.byte-sized.com

Response:

Simon, As a qualified accountant, I’d agree with the advice about work being in good order, rather than on which package you put it on. Remember, most accountants in the UK use account production software which saves them hours of fun. Provided you have a TB and can demonstrate where figures came from, sit with them for 2/3 hours to finkish it all in one go. We are a UK reseller of (among other products) Pastel. SOHO is not available in the UK because the market is saturated by single currency packages offered by MYOB, Quickboobs, Sage – all of which have their supporters and attackers. If you were thinking of changing from excel, then goto Staples or Computer World or something like thaty and pay your

Question:

Can someone tell me how to create an income statement for this version of Peachtree that includes month-to-date, quarter-to-date and year-to-date numbers.  Is it possible – I’ve tried several ways to do this without any success. Thanks in advance. Pat

Response:

Can someone tell me how to create an income statement for this version of Peachtree that includes month-to-date, quarter-to-date and year-to-date numbers.  Is it possible – I’ve tried several ways to do this without any success. Thanks in advance. Pat

From the file menu, REPORTS Then FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      INCOME STATEMENT      (run it) Then DESIGN      RightClick COLUMNS chhooseProperties) In the column definition contents you can choose current activity. Then you can set it to month-1 or -2, etc. (last month or any historical month)   You can set the column definition contents to add other columns. You can apply filters such as departent masks.   In all, it is a very flexible reportwriter, you’ll like it. BUT you have to read the helpfile and take advantage of it. Todd Boyle CPA kirkland wa

Response:

Question:

 If you use Quickbooks Pro 5, you can keep your books on the cash and accrual methods.

Response:

Actually, that is the problem I have with it.  You can keep your book on cash AND accrual at the same time.  While there may be a way around this I have yet to find it.  That is one of the main reasons I use Peachtree. Scott – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you use Quickbooks Pro 5, you can keep your books on the cash and accrual methods.

Response:

I am working on bookkeepping for a synagogue. We want to use a cash method of accounting rather than accrual method. How do we book billing for dues using the cash method? I know I can debit the a/r, but what is the offsetting entry. I can’t credit income, since we don’t have the cash yet.

Response:

You don’t book dues when you bill them under the cash method.  The idea of the cash method is you book money as income only when you receive it.  So you won’t have any accounts receivable.  Just when money comes in, you make an entry:      Cash                        100             Income                        100 If you have accounts receivable, you’re not using the cash method. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am working on bookkeepping for a synagogue. We want to use a cash method of accounting rather than accrual method. How do we book billing for dues using the cash method? I know I can debit the a/r, but what is the offsetting entry. I can’t credit income, since we don’t have the cash yet.

Response:

The first response to this questions is correct.  However, I would suggest that you accoint for dues with the following entries. Entry to Record Sending of Dues Bills Dr. Dues Receivable    Cr. Deferred Dues Income Entry To Record Colection of Cash Dr. Cash   Cr.  Dues Receivable Dr. Deferred Dues Income   Cr. Dues Income This method will allow you to keep your accounts receivable on a computerized system (Quickbooks, Peachtree), monitor collections and monitor the amount of dues revenue uncollected. Hope this helps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am working on bookkeepping for a synagogue. We want to use a cash method of accounting rather than accrual method. How do we book billing for dues using the cash method? I know I can debit the a/r, but what is the offsetting entry. I can’t credit income, since we don’t have the cash yet.

Response:

I am working on bookkeepping for a synagogue. We want to use a cash method of accounting rather than accrual method. How do we book billing for dues using the cash method? I know I can debit the a/r, but what is the offsetting entry. I can’t credit income, since we don’t have the cash yet.

there is no accounts receivable using cash accounting. if you want billing and collection of dues, this is accrual accounting.  What accounting sofware package are you using?

Response:

I am working on bookkeepping for a synagogue. We want to use a cash method of accounting rather than accrual method. How do we book billing for dues using the cash method? I know I can debit the a/r, but what is the offsetting entry. I can’t credit income, since we don’t have the cash yet. there is no accounts receivable using cash accounting. if you want billing and collection of dues, this is accrual accounting.  What accounting sofware package are you using?

13 column paper probably.

Response:

Deferred Income or credit a/r and remember that the schedule will not reconcile with the trial balance.  Better yet use a seperate database program to handle "dues" etc and post to the accounting system only cash reciepts

Response:

I am working on bookkeepping for a synagogue. We want to use a cash method of accounting rather than accrual method. How do we book billing for dues using the cash method?

Any non-profit, no matter how small, (and any religious group falls into this category) should use proper fund accounting, but an approximation can be done in Quicken.  Set up several "companies": the regular operating expenses and regular donations stay more or less as they are, and endowments, building funds, and the like become separate "companies". Quicken can handle investments fairly well. The pledges and dues go into yet another "company", in which theses non-enforcible obligations can be treated as uncollected assets for convenience. Martha Brummett, E.A. Denver CO

Response:

Question:

Internet Proficient, Windows 95, MS Office 97, Lotus, Accounting Software

What has this to do with ADA.  So much for internet proficiency. — Mark Turnbull

Response:

: : Internet Proficient, Windows 95, MS Office 97, Lotus, Accounting Software : : : What has this to do with ADA.  So much for internet proficiency. : : — : Mark Turnbull I can’t help meself.  I think he left out wanker. — Cheers, Herdy  | University of Newcastle       |                 ~~~| /~~  |

Response:

JOHN V. AGUILERA [snip] Computer Skills Internet Proficient, Windows 95, MS Office 97, Lotus, Accounting Software

forgot to add Spamming sp –==" Believe me Jerry, somewhere in this hospital the anguished voice of       pig-man cries out for help "  Kramer.. ==–

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : Internet Proficient, Windows 95, MS Office 97, Lotus, Accounting Software : : : What has this to do with ADA.  So much for internet proficiency. : : — : Mark Turnbull I can’t help meself.  I think he left out wanker. — Cheers, Herdy | University of Newcastle       |                 ~~~| /~~  |

Response:

JOHN V. AGUILERA 3562 Pine Street Jacksonville, Florida  32205 (904)   388-5510 PROFILE Results oriented manager with strong leadership capabilities and proven decision making skills.  Flexible and adaptable in dynamic, high pressure situations.  Articulate and assertive individual with excellent written, verbal, presentation, and networking skills.  Works well within a team or independently.  Successful and diverse experience in sales, marketing, operational management, fixed time projects, recruiting and human resources. EXPERIENCE 1996 to Present, Avondale Search International, Inc. Director of Operations Implemented successful strategies in sales presentations, contract negotiation and as acting CFO implementing all financial planning which guided the growth of this international recruitment firm from its inception to immediate profitability. Prospected and signed three contracts with multinational corporations and have successfully placed over  60 qualified candidates. MILITARY EXPERIENCE 1989 to Present: Lieutenant, Naval Aviator, United States Navy Training Officer Developed and executed a detailed program for 63 naval helicopter pilots which has now become the standard for the training department. Solely responsible for reducing the time students took to go through syllabus from nine months to under six months. Specifically recognized by commanding officer and among peers as one of the top instructor pilots in the squadron. Operations Officer Chosen to represent and coordinate U. S. Navy operations at UN Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia during Operation Restore Hope. Designed  the primary air route used to train NATO and American Combat Search and Rescue crews for night vision goggle flight in the Adriatic/Bosnian theater of operations. Smoothly executed daily flight schedule of over 40 instructors and 63 students. Quality Assurance Officer Responsible for ensuring quality maintenance practices on six SH-60 helicopters valued at over nineteen million dollars each. Directly managed forty maintenance technicians. Responsible for personnel administration, human resource programs and preparation of performance evaluations. AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS Awarded Naval Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Navy for heroic lifesaving efforts involving a burning Turkish ship in the Aegean Sea (1992). Awarded Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for leadership excellence. Pilot of the Year 1995 – Association of Naval Aviators (ANA). CIVIC INVOLVEMENT United Way Community Solutions Volunteer. Raised $1,700 and over 50 sponsors in one week for the 1997 American Diabetes Golf Marathon. Hand picked to speak at local area schools regarding the importance of education, motivation, and success. Education BS/BA Business Administration (Finance) 1989, Boston University Languages       English, French Computer Skills Internet Proficient, Windows 95, MS Office 97, Lotus, Accounting Software

Response:

Question:

Does anyone have information which has been verified by surviving an audit or otherwise about what items can be depreciated vs deducted by professional woodworkers and if depreciated, over what useful life time? To my mind there should be differences between stationary power tool(longer life), portable power tools(shorter life),cutting items like saw blades/ router bits(deduct outright?),supplies like abrasives/adhesives/ fasteners/wood stock(surely deductable outright).Any publications going into this? I am a one man shop with occasional help. Any help very much appreciated.

Response:

Regarding depreciation of tools: You CAN "elect to expense" up to $10,000 of depreciable property in the year it was purchased! That amount may have gone up in the last few years. Some items, like buildings and autos cannot be expensed, and must be depreciated. IRS has pamphlets that tell what IS and what ISN’T depreciable, and for how many years.  Good luck! —        "We may use wood with intelligence only if we understand wood"                         —–Frank Lloyd Wright

Response:

: Does anyone have information which has been verified by : surviving an audit or otherwise about what items can be : depreciated vs deducted by professional woodworkers and if : depreciated, over what useful life time? To my mind there : should be differences between stationary power tool(longer life), : portable power tools(shorter life),cutting items like saw blades/ : router bits(deduct outright?),supplies like abrasives/adhesives/ : fasteners/wood stock(surely deductable outright).Any publications : going into this? I am a one man shop with occasional help. Any help : very much appreciated. — My Schedule C sole proprietorship (my wife’s actually) has been audited twice.  In both cases, no additional tax was assessed, all items on the form were accepted.  I depreciate only major items that are used solely by the business (i.e. lathe, knitting machine, not car, house, computer).  Things like hand tools, saw blades, yarn, wood, etc I consider supplies.  Supplies I deduct as business expenses.  since the accounting is cash-basis, I don’t need an inventory (glory hallelujah!). Take this as indicative, not definitive.  Though I work for that organization you all love to hate each April 15th, I’m not a tax law or accounting expert.  (One of the wonderful side benefits of working for IRS is annual audits!  And no, there’s no employee’s discount.  Au contraire!)         (Fax)

Response:

Does anyone have information which has been verified by surviving an audit or otherwise about what items can be depreciated vs deducted by professional woodworkers and if depreciated, over what useful life time? To my mind there should be differences between stationary power tool(longer life), portable power tools(shorter life),cutting items like saw blades/ router bits(deduct outright?),supplies like abrasives/adhesives/ fasteners/wood stock(surely deductible outright).Any publications going into this? I am a one man shop with occasional help. Any help very much appreciated.

Get a copy of IRS publication # 534 "Depreciation" and read up on the section 179 deductions.  I think you can deduct up to $17.5k worth of the items you described per year.  The depreciation form you use for your tax return is #4562, if memory serves.  Basically the section 179 deduction allows you to fully depreciate a large class of non-real property expenses in the year they were incurred. I use these type of deductions to deduct certain expenses on my rental property business that would otherwise be depreciated over several years. For gosh sakes, spend $50 and go talk to a local tax accountant before you do anything with your taxes. Andrew Sexton "Not a tax accountant by any far stretch of my or anyone else’s imagination"

Response:

: Does anyone have information which has been verified by : surviving an audit or otherwise about what items can be : depreciated vs deducted by professional woodworkers and if : depreciated, over what useful life time? To my mind there : should be differences between stationary power tool(longer life), : portable power tools(shorter life),cutting items like saw blades/ : router bits(deduct outright?),supplies like abrasives/adhesives/ : fasteners/wood stock(surely deductable outright).Any publications : going into this? I am a one man shop with occasional help. Any help : very much appreciated. Nacio, I have survived two IRS audits on my business in the last two years.   Mistakes made in the first audit turned out in my favor.  No mistakes found in the second audit. In general, all of your machinery and tools are seven year items.  It does not matter if they are hand tools or stationary tools (what we think is logical has nothing to do with the IRS).  The letter of the law states that all durable goods (ones that last for more than a year) must be depreciated.  The section 179 rule allows you to expense up to $17,500 worth of depreciated items in one year (raised from $10,000 last year). You still must list that property as depreciated and "elect" to expense the amount under section 179. "Listed property" is stuff like computers and cellular phones.  They are depreciated over five years and can also be included in your section 179 expense. That’s the letter of the law.  However, the IRS is really concerned with your reporting and how consistant it is.  For example, all the agents that I have talked to about depreciation vs. expense have told me that I should set a dollar limit ($100, $200, etc.) and expense all items under that limit.  Any item over my limit should be depreciated.  The limit is arbitrary so long as you apply it consistantly.  For example, I know that some large companies set the limit at $1000 just because it would be impossible to keep depreciation records on the zillions of items under $1000. Often, items over the limit are called "capital goods" and those under the limit are called "expensed items". Any consumables, like sandpaper, glue, fasteners, blades, bits, etc. are always expensed under "Cost of goods sold" as "materials and supplies". Hope this helps!  – Ed Bennett                 Inventor of TS-Aligner (Not an advertisement, just a fact)

Response:

Right, but there’s a very important distinction: the 179 deduction cannot be used to create or increase a loss. In other words, the 179 deduction is also limited to a maximum of your profit (if your profit is less than — I believe — 17.5k). For this reason, it’s best not to tool up one year and produce the second. ;D _Deirdre – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Get a copy of IRS publication # 534 "Depreciation" and read up on the section 179 deductions.  I think you can deduct up to $17.5k worth of the items you described per year.  The depreciation form you use for your tax return is #4562, if memory serves.  Basically the section 179 deduction allows you to fully depreciate a large class of non-real property expenses in the year they were incurred.

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: In general, all of your machinery and tools are seven year items.  It does : not matter if they are hand tools or stationary tools (what we think is : logical has nothing to do with the IRS).  The letter of the law states : that all durable goods (ones that last for more than a year) must be : depreciated.  The section 179 rule allows you to expense up to $17,500 : worth of depreciated items in one year (raised from $10,000 last year). : You still must list that property as depreciated and "elect" to expense : the amount under section 179. The above is correct.  I would add that your 179 deduction for any given year is limited to your profit from the business.  It’s a little more complicated than that if you have more than one ’self-employed’ business, or if your spouse is also self-employed.  Or if you also own a Subchapter S corporation.  Also note that many small businesses don’t show a profit, especially in the first few years of operation.  There is no section 179 deduction for any year with a loss. : "Listed property" is stuff like computers and cellular phones.  They are : depreciated over five years and can also be included in your section 179 : expense. Also true, also you’ve left out the big item in listed property, which is cars and trucks.  More specifically, four-wheeled vehicles.  The big issue here is that cars and trucks that are listed property have had their depreciation deductions severely curtailed.  To avoid this you either convert the vehicle to be ‘not suitable for personal use.’  ie, gut the interior, put racks and bins in the back, a rack on top, remove all but the front seats, and put a hideous sign on the side.  Or, alternatively, buy a pickup with a dual rear axle, which gets you away from listed property altogether for that vehicle.  Be aware that the IRS likes to audit the living **it out of vehicles in self-employed situations, esp. if it’s your only transportation. : That’s the letter of the law.  However, the IRS is really concerned with : your reporting and how consistant it is.  For example, all the agents : that I have talked to about depreciation vs. expense have told me that I : should set a dollar limit ($100, $200, etc.) and expense all items under : that limit.  Any item over my limit should be depreciated.  The limit is : arbitrary so long as you apply it consistantly.  For example, I know that : some large companies set the limit at $1000 just because it would be : impossible to keep depreciation records on the zillions of items under $1000. : Often, items over the limit are called "capital goods" and those under : the limit are called "expensed items". Correct.  Highly suggest your limit be at least $250, unless you want to compute depreciation for a 10 page list every year. : Any consumables, like sandpaper, glue, fasteners, blades, bits, etc. are : always expensed under "Cost of goods sold" as "materials and supplies". Unless of course, you decide to buy a 5 year supply of these items.  Your general rule is you can deduct what you used, provided you paid for it or put it on a charge card.  (Assuming you’re on the cash basis.)  If you’re a cash basis taxpayer and you bought *supplies* on account in December and paid for it in January, your deduction is in January.  This same situation applied to inventory (wood) could end up with a different answer, depending on what happened to the wood (that was bought on account) before the end of the year. Always look at your completed tax return and say to yourself, ‘would this make sense to someone else.’ If you have $1000 in revenues, and $10,000 in deductions, you need to be able to explain that if you’re ever asked. And the explanation needs to be suitable to the IRS.  Do not ever represent yourself before the IRS. Don’t anybody take this personal, but most people that are self-employed that do their own tax returns are in water way over their heads, and don’t know it.  Get professional help, and get it before you start the business.  (No, I am not soliciting your business.) Glenn Ponder, CPA and tax geek  

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=Don’t anybody take this personal, but most people that are self-employed =that do their own tax returns are in water way over their heads, and =don’t know it.  Get professional help, and get it before you start the =business.  (No, I am not soliciting your business.) He’s right. And our tax system in inherently unjust.  No honest man should require professional help to comply with the law.

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