It's April 2nd, do you have your taxes done?

It is not too late to give us a call; the professionals at Archer Group are ready to assist you with your tax needs. From personal to business and everything that falls between and around, we have the experience and knowledge to make this your best tax season yet!

Two new tax benefits are now available to employers hiring workers who were previously unemployed or only working part-time. These are part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act which was recently enacted.

 Employers who hire unemployed workers after February 3, 2010 and before january 1, 2011 might qualify for a 6.2% payroll tax incentive; in effect exempting them from their share of Social Security taxes on wages paid to these workers after March 18, 2010. This reduced tax withholding will have no effect on the employee's future Social Security benefits and employers would still need to withhold the employee's 6.2% share of Social Security taxes as well as income taxes. The employer and employee's share of Medicare taxes would also still apply to these wages.

In addition, for each worker retained for at least a year, businesses may claim an additional general business tax credit up to $1,000 per worker when they file their 2011 income tax returns.

The two tax benefits are especially helpful to employers who are adding positions. New hires filling existing positions also qualify but only if the workers they are replacing left voluntarily or for cause. Family members and other relatives do not qualify.

The new law requires that the employer get a statement from each eligible new hire certifying that he or she was unemployed during the sixty days before beginning work or that they have worked fewer than a total of 40 hours for someone else during the 60 day period. The IRS is currently developing a form employees can use to make the required statement.

Businesses, agricultural employers, tax-exempt organizations and public colleges and universities all qualify to claim the payroll tax benefit for eligible newly-hired employees. Household employers cannot claim this new tax benefit.

1. You don't have to be a tax guru. This is why we have professionals to help you through the daunting process of completing your tax return. Do not stress yourself out; instead, hire someone. This will cut down on the number of mistakes and missed deductions on your tax return.

2. Keep tax information in one specific location. Using a filing cabinet or storage box takes up little space and makes organizing tax papers much easier. Throughout the year, as you receive tax information or deduction slips, put them in your specific location for simple organization when it comes time to give your information to your preparer.

3. Categorize everything. In your designated area (i.e. filing cabinet or storage box) create folders to put similar types of items. This will reduce your 'rummage' time when completing your tax organizer for your preparer.

4. Complete your organizer. Each year, in preparation for tax season, we mail out tax organizers to our clients. This tool is incredibly useful to you and your tax preparer in ensuring your return is completed in an accurate and timely manner.

 

Congratulations Bernadette Halliday, on her partnership with Archer Group, PS!

We are currently in the process of developing our new sign signifying the new name: Archer Halliday, PS

Stay tuned for more information and a celebration party!

Jaycie Wakefield joins Archer Group as our newest Front Desk Coordinator. Jaycie graduated from Western Washington University with her Bachelor degree in fine arts.

Jaycie's duties include front desk customer service, telephone direction, data entry and other various clerical duties. Her helpful attitude and helping hand is a key factor to our front desk.

Welcome Jaycie!

Clint McDermott, a graduate from Western Washington University's Accounting program has joined Archer Group as a Tax Reviewer.

Clint has become a part of the team after many years' experience of tax review, research and tax preparation. His attention to detail and strong work ethic make him a valuable part of our team and an asset to our clients.

Welcome Clint!

Tax season is upon us! Our team is dilligently working on our valued client's tax returns.

If you are a current client and you have not turned in your tax information, please do so ASAP. The sooner you get your information to us, the quicker you will have your return.

If you are not a client, give us a call or email and experience first hand our stellar customer service and attention to detail.

This useful information is being passed on from The Bank of the Pacific

Warning: 2010 Census cautions from the Better Business Bureau; be cautious about giving information to Census workers

With the US Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureay (BBB) advises people to be cooperative but cautious so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 US Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country.

Eventually more than 140,000 US Census workers will count every person in the United States and gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race and other relevant data.

The big question is: How do you tell the difference between a US Census worker and an con artis? BBB offers the following advice:

If a US Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag and a confidentiality notice. ASK TO SEE THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND THEIR BADGE BEFORE ANSWERING THEIR QUESTIONS; however, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

At this time, Census workers are only knocking on doors to verify address information.

DO NOT GIVE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, CREDIT CARD OR BANKING INFORMATION TO ANYONE, EVEN IF THEY CLAIM THEY NEED IT FOR THE US CENSUS.

REMEMBER: No matter what they ask, you really only need to tell them how many people live at your address.

While the Census Bureau may ask for basic financial information such as salary range, you do not have to answer anything at all about your financial situation. THE CENSUS BUREAU WILL NOT ASK FOR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, BANK ACCOUNT OR CREDIT CARD NUMBERS; NOR WILL EMPLOYEES SOLICIT DONATIONS. Anyone asking for that kind of information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

The Census Bureau has decided not to work with Acorn on gathering this information. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail or in person at home; however, the Census Bureau will not contact you by email, so be on the lookout for email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an email that are supposedly from the US Census Bureau.

For more information on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org

Welcome to 2010! A new year means new beginnings and the start of tax season. Tax organizers will be mailed to our current clients in a few days. Please fill them out and get your information in to us as soon as possible. Remember: the sooner you bring in your information, the sooner your return will be processed!

If you are not yet a client, please contact us and inquire about receiving your tax planner.

The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

FOR SALES OCCURRING AFTER NOVEMBER 6, 2009, THE ACT ESTABLISHES INCOME LIMITS OF $125,000 FOR SINGLE TAXPAYERS AND $225,000 FOR MARRIED COUPLES FILING JOINT RETURNS.

The income limits for sales occurring after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009 remain at $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayer filing joint returns.