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Saturday, February 12, 2011

Office Depot Can Help! Interview and H&R Block Tax Software {Giveaway Closed}

Office Depot has partnered with Personal Finance Expert Farnoosh Torabi regarding personal finance, tax, home and office organization tips. 

I think a huge problem for many families is keeping those papers and mailings organized: How to organize personal documents, which papers to save, and which to shred – and how to keep it all together! Farnoosh had a few ideas on how to stay organized, by getting organized! If your workspace is cluttered, your life will feel cluttered!  I can’t agree with this more! 
I had the wonderful opportunity to do an over-the-phone interview with Farnoosh.  Please see this video:
 
You can assess the mess and focus on three key areas: debt, savings, and your credit:
  • Gather bills and statements from all three categories and begin arranging them using labels, folders and other organizational tools
  • A shredder also comes in handy when you want to get rid of dated materials and personal information you no longer need.
  • Begin looking ahead – make sure your messy desk doesn’t create messy finances, especially when dealing with tax-related paperwork, mortgage or rent statements, car insurance bills, warranties and other important documents  
Office Depot is also hosting a giveaway for TWO H&R Block’s At Home Deluxe or Business tax software! The software is easy to use, intuitive and will help your readers get their taxes ready to go long before the IRS deadline. 
Office DepotOffice Depot has a great site (http://www.officedepot.com/tax) where readers can go to get a plethora of tax-related information and tips, and they are also offering customers 25 free copies of their tax return (coupon can be found here: http://f.chtah.com/i/48/1237020949/CPD_TaxLand_1210.pdf ) until 4/15/11.
Last Minute Tax Tips from Office Depot’s Finance Expert, Farnoosh Torabi:
Good news is you have three EXTRA days this year to file, due to April 15 falling on a holiday in D.C. this year.
1.       File Online. Go green and save time and money. Choose from a variety of affordable online software to help you file your taxes [H&R Block At Home Deluxe & At Home Business] Note that taxpayers whose adjusted gross income was $58,000 or less in 2010 can file electronically for free through the IRS web site at freefile.IRS.gov.
2.       Boost IRA Savings. Contributing to a traditional IRA is one of the last ways to really reduce your 2010 taxable income before April 18.  You have until the very last day to contribute to this retirement account and deduct the amount from your taxable income. The dollar limit contribution for 2010 is $5,000 is you’re 49 or younger. $6,000 if you’re age 50 or older.
3.       Remember the Basics. Be sure to sign and date your 1040. Review your personal identification – social security, address, business ID (for business owners), etc.  
4.       Opt for Direct Deposit. Another perk to filing electronically is that if you're expecting a refund, you can get your check sent directly to your savings account. And because you avoid snail mail you can probably get paid a week early.
5.       Add Up All Your Write-Offs.  Deductible expenses here and there can add up to big savings come tax day. Job hunting-related expenses such as relocation (50 miles away from current home), travel and meals, copies, faxes, are eligible for a tax deduction. Also, if you are self-employed you may receive deductions for insurance paid out of pocket and any self-employment taxes.  Don’t forget deductions for student loan interest and medical savings accounts, too.
6.       Make a Copy of Your Return. It will come in handy when filling out next year’s return. Plus if you apply for a mortgage or a refinance, banks will want to see your tax return.  Keep returns for an average 3 years from when it was filed, during which time the IRS is most likely to audit (if at all).
7.       Stay Organized. As soon as you’re done filing make sure you keep all your paperwork organized. Your return, your paystubs, your receipts, will all come in handy down the road if (and I hope this doesn’t happen) the IRS decides to audit your return or if there is a discrepancy between the IRS records and what you claimed and you need to prove that, indeed, you filed everything correctly. 
8.       Out of Time? Get an Extension. If you absolutely can’t make the April 18th deadline this year, you can request a six-month extension by filling out the IRS Form 4868. 
WIN IT!!!!
Thanks to Office Depot, Two lucky readers will be randomly selected to win H&R Block’s At Home Deluxe/ Business tax software!! (MSRP:  $44.95)
H&R Block Deluxe Software
  • This first entry is MANDATORY.  Leave a comment below telling me your favorite tax time tip!
Extra Entries: (Current subscribers count as well!)
  • Subscribe to my blog via email (upper left email insertion box)
  • Follow my blog publicly via GFC (right side center)
  • Post my Button on your blog. (please leave a link!)
  • Follow @OfficeDepot on Twitter
  • Follow  GrinCheek2Cheek on Twitter on twitter and tweet about this giveaway:  (this may be done daily as well)
    Enter to #win H&R Block’s At Home Deluxe Software #Taxes #Irs #HRBlock @officedepot @GrinCheek2Cheek Ends March 3rd! http://tiny.ly/tJze
  • Like GrinningCheektoCheek on Facebook! please include your facebook name with your entry.
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  • Enter any of my other Current giveaways. 1 extra entry per contest entered.
Open  to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends March 3rd, 2011 at 11:59pm. Winner  will be drawn by random.org the following day, and will be e-mailed. Winner will  have 48 hours to respond or a new  winner will be drawn.  Winners will be announced on this blog after all have responded.  I received a Gift Card and Software in exchange for this post. However, all of my opinions are 100% my own and are no way influenced by compensation received.

70 comments:

  1. Organize all your tax related paperwork through out the year so it will be easy to find at tax time!

    onestopmom(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I added your button to my blog's sidebar http://giveaways.1stopmom.com/

    onestopmom(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like Office Depot on Facebook (Latricia B)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I left a comment on Office Depot's Wall. (Latricia B)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like your site on Facebook (Latricia B)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I voted for you on Picket Fences!!

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  7. My favorite "tax time tip" would be keeping everything well recorded and up to date throughout the year!!

    Thanks for the great giveaway!!

    pickelfacebook (at) live (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I "like" you on facebook as Pickel Palm Coast!

    pickelfacebook (at) live (dot) com

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  9. I also "like" Office Depot as Pickel Palm Coast!

    pickelfacebook (at) live (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I commented on Office Depot's wall! Again, as Pickel Palm Coast!

    pickelfacebook (at) live (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I voted for you!! Hope you win! Woohoo! :o)

    pickelfacebook (at) live (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm following you as love4moms! :o)

    pickelfacebook @ live (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  13. My favorite tax time hint is to exit the house and go to a movie while my husband does the taxes.
    Kims2312@verizon.net

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  14. I follow via email
    Kims2312@verizon.net

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  15. I make a list of all the documents I will need and check them off as they filter in during January.

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  16. Favorite tax time tip? Don't really have one. Don't pay all that extra money just to get your refund back fast. mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  17. I subscribe via email. mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  18. I follow your blog publicly via GFC. (mommy2rylie) mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  19. Follow @OfficeDepot on Twitter. (@Mom2Rylie) mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  20. Follow GrinCheek2Cheek on Twitter. (@Mom2Rylie) mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  21. Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/40747114757623808 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Liked GrinningCheektoCheek on Facebook! (Shawna ELkins) mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  23. Liked Office Depot on Facebook. (Shawna Elkins) mommy2rylie@Ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wrote on their wall. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150100746027099&id=100001945995797 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Follow your blog via Networked Blogs. mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  26. Voted for you on Picket Fence Blogs. mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  27. Entered 03/17 Smarcks Smart Talking Building Blocks Giveaway! mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  28. entered another giveaway: bag holder/outback

    gmail.com as user pennywatcher

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  29. entered another giveaway: smarcks blocks

    gmail.com as user pennywatcher

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  30. Daily Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/41185933017489408 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  31. Voted for you today! 2/25/11 mommy2rylie@Ymail.com

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  32. Voted for you today! 2/26/11 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Daily Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/41474887679881216 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  34. Voted for you today! mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  35. Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/41987433969094656 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  36. Daily Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/42259962130472960 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Voted for you today! 2/28/11 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  38. keep everything together that way when it is time to do the taxes you do not spend hours looking for everything!

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. fb fan: xferriza2 (danielle b)

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. fb fan them: xferriza2 (Danielle b)

    ferriza2(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  41. Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/42762404907589633 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  42. Voted for you today! 3/1/11 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

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  43. I keep a file all year so I can easily file everything i need throughout the year.

    Thanks
    surveys4lori@rocketmail.com

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  44. My favorite tax time tip is always saving all my receipts for any major purchases in one folder I keep next to my desktop!

    tke1023(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  45. Daily Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/43096801213030400 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I let someone else handle it. :]


    clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

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  47. My advice is file early!
    cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

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  48. i follow on GFC
    cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  49. i follow office depot on twitter @jeffandmandy
    cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

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  50. I like you on FB-Mandy Hatch AGnello
    cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

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  51. I like office depot on FB-Mandy Hatch Agnello
    cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I follow on networked blogs
    cluelessme8{at}hotmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Just remember to save your receipts!!
    hrddiana556(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I follow Office Depot on Twitter
    Diana Hatch
    hrddiana556(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I lke Grinning Cheek to Cheek on FB
    Diana Bradford Hatch
    hrddiana556(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I like Office Depot on FB
    Diana Bradford Hatch
    hrddiana556(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Organize your receipts throughout the year. suelee1998 @ gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Stay organized! So hard to do with all the papers involved!

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I subscribe via e-mail

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I follow you via GFC as Melissa

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I follow Office Depot on Twitter as shmel424

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow you on Twitter as shmel424 and tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/#!/shmel424/status/43399422050185216

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I wrote on Office Depot's FB wall

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I entered the Mommy's Medicine Kit

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

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  65. I entered the Snug around

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

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  66. I entered the Post Natal DVD

    edz.mels at yahoo dot com

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  67. Daily Tweet! http://twitter.com/#!/Mom2Rylie/status/43459278891261953 mommy2rylie@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Voted for you today! mommy2rylie@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. my tax time tip is to get it done so you don't have to worry about it when the time is up
    susansmoaks at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. My favorite tax time tip is to boost IRA Savings. It helps retirement and it saves on taxes. garrettsambo@aol.com

    ReplyDelete