Get Focused and Get Going
2010 is a thing of the past and many have said "Good Riddance".
Now, what if you could guarantee that 2011 will be satisfying?
Better yet, what if it could be a guaranteed higher performance year for you and your team?
What would you pay for a guarantee for a more effective team, business or even family?
This type of guarantee is possible and it starts with: FOCUS
• Focus on what your team can control
• Focus on what your team has the discipline to achieve
• Focus on what the collective expectations of your team and company are
• Focus on what different results will look like
• Focus on how to make a plan that looks at your new focus daily
• Focus on who our partners are and are they on the same path (plan) with you.
Don't have a team? Think about who benefits from your success - they may be the start of your team. To guarantee success for 2011 will require an unwavering focus. Staying "In-Focus" will guarantee a great year!
Copyright 2011 Linda Fayerweather MBA EA
2011 Three words: Implement-Lead-Relax
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
419-897-0528
linda@changinglanes.biz
Consider working with a coach or a MasterMind Team to make 2011 the year of your dreams!
Vacation and Taxes
Today is Martin Luther King Day and most schools, banks and government offices are closed. You be may thinking about some time off. With proper planning, you can deduct much of your vacation if you combine it with business. That can make your life a lot less taxing! So here are some tips to get you on your next business vacation.
1. The Right Reason. Make sure the primary reason for the trip is business therefore, make your business appointments before you leave for your trip. If the primary purpose of the trip is vacation, then not a penny of the travel & lodging will be an allowable deduction.
2. Sandwich weekends between business days. The IRS notes that if you have a business day on Friday and another one on Monday, then the weekend days are counted as business days and you will be allowed to deduct all the on-the-road expenses.
3. Make the majority of your trip business days. To prove that a trip is primarily for business reasons, you must show that the number of days spent on business (including the weekend as noted above) exceeds the number of personal days. Remember that travel days are business days.
4. Keep great records. Record your expenses and activities for each day you're away. While on business travel, you can deduct 100% of your travel & lodging (hotels, tips, car rentals, taxi fares, plane/train/auto costs, laundry & dry cleaning) and 50% of your food. Plan to have a simple method to capture all those receipts. Keeping a diary of your expenses and activities either by hand or on your PDA will help you make sure your get all the deductions you're entitled to have.
5. Entertainment. If you play a little golf to relax, it is only deductable if you were entertaining a prospect, client or vendor. Then, the IRS rules for entertainment apply.
Tim Pinkelman CPA, Accounting Center and Tax Service, Inc.
419.882.9255
734.847.0400 Ext.201
http://www.accounting-centers.com/
