Crazy Woman Driver takes a Sunday drive

Don't overlook these tax breaks

IRS could have prevented subprime mess

Crazy Woman Driver takes a Sunday drive

Sunday, April 06, 2008

UPDATE August 2011: This post will no longer be updated.
Links to my racing columns, Crazy Woman Driver
and Views From The Grandstands,
are now on a separate blog page.
Please check there for the my racing rants and raves.

I'm begging your indulgence today to take a brief detour off the usual tax and financial matters highway.

As long-time readers know, I'm a NASCAR fan, having blogged previously about some of Jeff Gordon's racing milestones (here and here). This weekend, NASCAR pulled into my home state, taking the track at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

That's a little over three hours away from my Austin home, a negligible drive by Texas standards. Heck, I once traveled seven hours from Lubbock to Dallas for an Eagles concert, then after the encore turned around and headed right back home, albeit at a much younger age and as a passenger who got to doze a bit.

But I'm not at TMS today. Neither distance nor age is the problem. Rather, I've still got just too much left to do this tax season. I do hope, however, to make it up there for the November race. And I'll be doing so as an official motorsports media member.

Yep, one of my newer journalism jobs is as the racing columnist for a national trucking magazine, one of the many publications of Randall-Reilly Publishing Co. Actually, it's a double mag; a digest that opens to Company Driver on one side and then, when you flip it over, becomes Owner Operator.

I've gotta thank my friend and fellow racing enthusiast JL, editor of the mags, for giving me the chance to pontificate on all types of racing.

Cwd_logo3_3_2 And I've got to especially thank him for championing the name I selected for the column: Crazy Woman Driver.

I've gotta chuckle, though, at a couple of things. First, I didn't realize that the photo I sent the magazine would make my 'do look so much like a mullet when it was converted to the column's logo.

Then there are the many, many, many times in the March issue, in which the inaugural CWD column appeared, where it was noted that I, the female author, came up with the title.

I guess the publisher didn't want any women drivers mad at the company! I totally understand, and I take full blame or, if you have a skewed sense of humor like me, credit for the name.

In trying to live up to that moniker, I get to sound off on all types of racing and motorsports issues. My March column looked at the bum rap international race fans give America's premier racing league. In April, I gave NASCAR officials tips on how to get back in fans' good graces.

Coming up in May, I tee off on greedy Tony George, the man who did all he could to wreck open wheel racing in the United States. I'm cogitating now on the June topic.

Digital driving: In addition to bound formats that drivers can carry with them in their cabs, the magazines are online in digital versions. That explains all the WiFi service at truck stops nationwide.

So below are links to the magazines, most recent issue first, with the columns.

If you're a racing fan, bookmark this entry. As more columns are published, I'll provide those links, too. And feel free to drop me a note if you agree, disagree or have a racing topic you think I need to address.

Expanded circulation: Beginning in March 2009, my racing column circulation expanded. It now is in another Randall-Reilly magazine, Truckers News. It's called Views from the Grandstands, but the "crazy" sentiments will continue.

In April, the column appeared in both Owner Operator as Crazy Woman Driver and with its "saner" name in Truckers News. Then in May, Crazy Woman Driver raced over to another Randall-Reilly digest, Changing Lanes. The column also periodically appears in Best Driver Jobs.

Links to all versions of my racing rants and raves are below.

Racing Report Card. At mid-season, things aren't looking so great for all your racing series' grades. Truckers News, July 2011, page 36.
What's the Points? NASCAR's revamped driver points system is better, but not good enough. Truckers News, June 2011, page 32; Best Driver Jobs, June 2011, page 40.
Glad Tidings ... And Good Luck. As the Indy 500 celebrates its 100th anniversary, recapturing series glory days presents big challenge. Truckers News, May 2011, page 40; Best Driver Jobs, May 2011, page 38.
Better, Not Shorter. Attention-challenged fans, TV execs and even some drivers say NASCAR's problem is too-long races, but they're wrong. Truckers News, April 2011, page 34; Best Driver Jobs, April 2011, page 38.
NHRA is the USA. The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is a perfect microcosm of the United States and the world. Truckers News, March 2011, page 34; Changing Lanes, March 2011, page 40.
King of the Open Wheel. Chip Ganassi's open-wheel teams were 2010's cream of the crop, but his Spring Cup lagged. Truckers News, February 2011, page 34; Changing Lanes, February 2011, page 42.
What's Wrong With Junior? NASCAR's most popular driver is raking in the bucks in endorsements, but his racetrack perforance is a bust. Truckers News, January 2011, page 34; Changing Lanes, January 2011, page 38.
Dear Racing Santa. St. Nick knows a thing or two about speed, seeing as how he gets around the world in one night. So he's in the perfect position to bring us fans, drivers and racing leagues just what we want for Christmas. Truckers News, December 2010, page 32.
Racing Thanks. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are some specifics that make us glad for all the on-track action. Truckers News, November 2010, page 34; Changing Lanes, November 2010, page 33.
Wanted: New Young Racing Guns. NASCAR's ranks are devoid of up-and-coming young drivers. The sport needs to remedy that situation and fast, or it risks losing an entire generation of fans. Truckers News, October 2010, page 36; Changing Lanes, October 2010, page 24.
Backmarkers, Be Gone! It's time for NASCAR to get tough with drivers who just aren't competitive. Truckers News, September 2010, page 38; Changing Lanes, September 2010, page 24.
Bring Back NASCAR's Crown Jewels Competition. Want to increase interest in NASCAR? Give fans a chance to see drivers compete to win three of four races on thesport's toughest, most historic tracks. Truckers News, August 2010, page 38; Changing Lanes, August 2010, page 22.
Cost of Cost Controls. NASCAR's efforts to make the sport more affordable is actually hurting smaller teams. Truckers News, July 2010, page 40; Changing Lanes, July 2010, page 22 (not available online).
Bring Back the No. 3. After a decade without the classic Earnhardt car in NASCAR's top-level races, 2011 is the perfect time for Richard Childress to put that ebony icon back on the track. Truckers News, June 2010, page 46; Changing Lanes, June 2010, page 40.
It's time for NASCAR to take charge. Despite Carl Edwards' admission that he intentionally crashed a fellow driver, he didn't face any real punishment by NASCAR. Why? Because the sport has decided this year to let the drivers handle things on their own. Not a good idea. Truckers News, May 2010, page 42; Changing Lanes, May 2010, page 36.
Trimming the Tracks. NASCAR's schedule has race fans seeing double too much of the time. It's time for the sport to shorten its season and include a true mix of courses. Truckers News, April 2010, page 38; Changing Lanes, April 2010, page 38.
Around the Racing Circuits. NASCAR started its engines a month ago, but March brings even more motorsports. Truckers News, March 2010, page 40; Changing Lanes, March 2010, page 24.
NASCAR's Toughest Competition? Rain. There's no way to beat Mother Nature, but NASCAR can improve how it competes with her. Truckers News, February 2010, page 34; Changing Lanes, February 2010, page 13.
It's Time to Change the Chase. If you can't beat 'em, make 'em better. Here are some ways that NASCAR can improve its chase for the championship playoff. Truckers News, January 2010, page 37; Changing Lanes, January 2010, page 13.
Dear Santa, Here's what racing needs. Here are some suggestions so St. Nick can put the perfect present under racers' and racing fans' trees. Truckers News, December 2009, page 41; Changing Lanes, December 2009, page 20.
C-O-T needs T-U-N-E-U-P. The Car of Tomorrow may sound like it's humming, but an overhaul is in order to keep fans and drivers happy. Truckers News, November 2009, page 41; Changing Lanes, November 2009, page 31.
Ageless Champ. Mark Martin is is acting his age, and like a champion. As NASCAR's oldest full-time driver, Martin is peerless on the track,where he's having a career year. Truckers News, October 2009, page 41; Changing Lanes, October 2009, page 19.
Get the big boys off the other tracks. In this tough economy it's time for NASCAR to quit letting the top tier drivers pick the pockets of the lower-level series' teams. Truckers News, September 2009, page 52; Changing Lanes, September 2009, page 23.
A New Era. It's the All-American sports car. But on the track it's even more. Corvette Racing approaches a decade of phenomenal American Le Mans Success. Truckers News, August 2009, page 46; Changing Lanes, August 2009, page 21.
Wrecking Isn't racing. Hey, all you so-called "fans" who watch NASCAR just to see crunched sheet metal, I have two words for you: Go Away! Truckers News, July 2009, page 46; Changing Lanes, July 2009, page 21.
Multicar mania. There is strength in numbers. Just ask Rick Hendrick, the man who gave NASCAR the modern-day multicar team concept. His drivers are always near the top of the standings. Truckers News, June 2009, page 40; Changing Lanes, June 2009, page 25.
Doing Double Duty. A plea for IRL and NASCAR to settle their differences over the biggest weekend in racing. Truckers News, May 2009, page 44; Changing Lanes, May 2009, page 20.
A Perfect Partnership. Now that Kyle Petty no longer has a full-time NASCAR ride, it's time for the sports leadership to hire Kyle as its official goodwill ambassador. Truckers News, April 2009, Page 42; Owner Operator, April 2009, page 25.
A Triple Crown. NASCAR's grueling season needs to hand out more hardware to reward competitors' efforts. Truckers News, March 2009, Page 35.
NASCAR's Personal Touch Makes the Sport Special. NASCAR executives recognize the value of their fans. Owner Operator, February 2009, Page 22.
Qualifying the Hard Way (or as it should be). Let's make getting into the race as fun as the race itself. Owner Operator, January 2009, Page 51.
Uh oh, Donner's Spun Blitzen into the Wall on Turn Four. Crazy Woman Driver's racing wish list for Ol' Saint Nick. Owner Operator, December 2008, Page 34.
Fights Under the Lights. Saturday Night is alright for NASCAR racing. Owner Operator, November 2008, Page 45.
Open-wheelers go home! NASCAR interlopers aren't cutting it so it's time we sent most of them back to the unfendered circuits where they can do less damage to cars are well as their careers. Owner Operator, October 2008, Page 42.
F1 is Fun! American race fans, here are some reasons why you should give Formula 1 racing a chance. Owner Operator, September 2008, Page 40.
Rick was Right. In NASCAR, chemistry is king and that was the key in bumping Kyle Busch from his HMS ride. Owner Operator, August 2008, Page 36. (Check out my blog addendum for a bit more on this topic.)
Women Racers Rule! OK, not quite yet. But female drivers are making inroads at types of tracks. Owner Operator, July 2008, Page 40.
The last NASCAR hero. It's probably not who you think. Owner Operator, June 2008, Page 48.
The Brickyard is Back! Tony George tried to kill U.S. open wheel racing, but reunification (finally!) means we might once again see some decent racing at Indianapolis. Owner Operator, May 2008, Page 38.
NASCAR needs to put fans first. Making up is hard to do, but NASCAR could try. Owner Operator, April 2008, Page 35.
Get Real Europe! Questionable world rankings put down NASCAR stars. Company Driver, March 2008, Page 30.

Now it's getting close to the the green flag, so I'm pulling into the blogging garage for a while. And, oh yeah: Go 24!

Posted on Sunday, April 06, 2008 at 01:11 PM in Autos, Motorsports, Sports | Permalink | Comments (1)

Comments

You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Congratulations! Sounds like a fun gig that you are going to have a ball with :)

Posted by: Chief Family Officer | Monday, April 07, 2008 at 11:02 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.

Today's Tax Tip

Tax benefit of volunteering on 911 Day and beyond — On this Patriot Day 2024, volunteer efforts honor those who died or were injured during the terrorist attacks in New York City, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 11, 2001. The value of the time you give to a nonprofit, on 911 Day or any time, is not tax deductible, but some associated expenses might be. (Sept. 11, 2024)
The 2024 Tax Tips offer ways to file your annual return, along with post-filing advice, important tax news and, of course, ways to cut your current tax year bill. You'll find the monthly assemblages on their own respective pages: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Remember, tax tasks and tips don't stop after you file your annual return!

All About Kay

OK, some about Kay

Kay Bell — Native Texan
(the blog title totally makes sense now, right?). Professional journalist. Tax geek.
LinkTree

My Other Accounts

Tick ... Tick ... Tick

Tax Season 2024 continues!

We made it. Tax Day 2024 is finally over. For most of us. An estimated 19 million taxpayers got an extension to file their 2023 tax year return. That's fine.
In fact, the Internal Revenue Service appreciates some of us spreading out our filings. It gives the agency time to process the surge of returns
that came in on April 15.

But enough about Uncle Sam's tax collector and its issues. The focus now is on all y'all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Let's get started on meeting that new Oct. 15 deadline. It will be here before you know it.

The monthly tips and reminders a little further down this column can help you finish up your Form 1040. There also will be tax tidbits each month that make sure you meet other tax deadlines. And, of course, you'll find advice on ways to cut your still adding up 2024 tax bill.

Finally, keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will help you track yet more days tick, tick, ticking off toward that absolutely final fall filing due date.
Note: I'm in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.

Time for Tax Tasks

🍁 Hello 🍁 September 🍁
🍂 Fall 🍂 is 🍂 here! 🍂

OK, fall’s not here yet, at least not here in Texas according to still quite-warm temperatures. But forecasters say cooler weather — like highs in the 80s; yes, everything, especially weather, is relative — is on its way, and that meteorological promise gives up hope.

via GIPHY

As we get ready for the promised bit of chill, September also is a great month to make some cool tax moves, like those listed below. So, grab a sweater (or not yet), and let's go!
Sept. 1: Today is Meteorological Fall, the three months from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30 when days get shorter and cooler, but not cold. It's also the start of the annual National Preparedness Month. This year’s theme is “Start a Conversation,” since it's important to talk with your loved ones about potential emergencies. It's also critical to be prepared, as the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico hurricane season usually peaks in September.

We’ve already had three tropical systems do enough damage to prompt Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) major disaster declarations. The 2024 tropical storm season’s second named storm, Hurricane Beryl, landed as “just” a category 1 on the Texas coast, but still took 38 souls and left Lone Star State residents facing an estimated $30 billion in damages.

Hurricane Debby made two U.S. landfalls, in the Big Bend area of Florida and then again in South Carolina before moving up the Eastern Seaboard, producing disaster declarations all the way up to Vermont. Tropical Storm Ernesto, followed, slamming the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as spawning deadly rip tides along East Coast beaches as the storm moved toward Bermuda.

And, coinciding with Meteorological Fall, we’ve still got three months of the 2024 hurricane season to go!

That has coastal residents on edge, since Uncle Sam's official forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center say we could get 17 to 25 total named storms, which are those with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, eight to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes, meaning winds of 74 mph or higher. Four to seven becoming major hurricanes; that’s category 3, 4 or 5, with winds of 111 mph or higher.

Regardless of the count, it only takes one to wreck your world. If you haven’t already, get ready for not just tropical systems, but whatever dangerous weather that’s common where you live. The countdown clock above can help you keep track of how many more days you have to worry about tracking any size or type of tropical storms. You also might want to check out the ol' blog's special Storm Warnings collection of special pages with posts offer tax advice on preparing for, recovering from, and helping those who sustain damages from the many ways that that weather goes wild.

Sept. 2: Happy Labor Day! This annual celebration of workers' contributions is a federal holiday and day off for many.

When you get back to work after this three day holiday, take a few minutes to check the federal tax amount that’s coming out of your paychecks. If you need to adjust your withholding so that you have the most accurate amount of taxes withheld, now is the time to do that. Submitting a new W-4 early this month will mean any changes are spread over the last four months of the year, making any impact less noticeable.

Sept. 3: If you live in Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland, or Union counties in Ohio, today is your Tax Day. The Internal Revenue Service granted individual and businesses in those counties tax relief since they were declared major disaster areas following a tornado outbreak in March.

Sept. 10: Do you work as a server at a restaurant or at any other establishment where gratuities from customers are part of your compensation? I hope you get all the tips you deserve for doing your job well. Remember, though, that those tips are taxable income.

Whether you're dining at your favorite eatery or getting food delivered to your home, if a tip isn't included on your restaurant or delivery bill, click the image above to calculate how much to tip the person who brought it to you.

And if you got at least $20 in gratuities in August for your extraordinary services as a food server or hair stylist or parking valet or whatever job where tipping is common, you must report that amount by today. Use Form 4070 to let your employer know the total tips you took in last month.

Sept. 16: Today is the deadline to pay your third installment of estimated taxes. This tax is due on income that’s not subject to withholding, such as investment earnings or contract work. Most estimated tax filers make the payments four times a year. The September payment is for such earnings received in June, July, and August. It’s usually on the 15th, but since that was Sunday, the deadline is pushed to the next business day — today!

Sept. 23: Sept. 22: The Autumnal Equinox arrives today at 8:44 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the first day of Fall for all us who don't follow the meteorological fall calendar. Adjust for your time zone, since the equinox occurs at the same moment worldwide. It's also a go-to day to think about home maintenance that will help you weather the coming colder weather. The Inflation Relief Act includes extension of older and addition of new energy-related tax breaks, including some for residential energy improvements.

Sept. 30: Wow! Where did September go? That’s a good question to ask if you got an extension to file your 2023 tax return earlier this year. The last day of this ninth month means that your absolutely final Oct. 15 due day is another month closer. So you might want to get to work on that Form 1040 now. The easiest way to do do is to use tax software and electronically file.

If your adjusted gross income is $79,000 or less, you should check into Free File, the no-cost online tax preparation and electronic filing program offered by the IRS and its Free File Alliance partners. It’s open through the Oct. 15 extension deadline. This year, eight tax software companies offer programs to qualifying taxpayers.

Note that the Free File $79,000 or less income threshold applies to all filing statuses. If your income is too high, you still can file for free by using Free File's Free Forms option.

Small Business Tax Calendar: Important filing, deposit and record keeping dates throughout the year that your company needs to know. You can get more tax calendar information at the IRS' online calendar page and view the full year's important business and individual tax dates in IRS Pub. 509.

State Tax Help

Don't forget your state taxes!
Forty-three states and D.C. collect personal income taxes. But even if you live in of the seven states without an income levy, you still face other state (and local) taxes.

State Tax Departments provides links to your state's Web page. The companion page, Tax Tidbits, is the compilation of blurbs about each state's tax laws. And for more state tax news, check out all our state tax bloggings.

Tax Forms

Thanks to our increased use of tax preparers and computer software, many of us don't see our tax forms until we sign and file them. But knowing what's on these documents, either in paper or digital form, and why the IRS wants it is key to understanding our tax system. And knowledge definitely is power, especially when it comes to tax savings. Find this valuable information in the ol' blog's special Tax Forms 2024 page.

What are you looking for?

Looking for something in particular? Start with the Table of Contents.
Or check out the Archives, where you can review posts by month and category. Or enter specific keywords in the box below to search
Don't Mess With Taxes.

Search

Subscribe:
E-mail, RSS or both!

Enter your Email

Powered by FeedBlitz
RSS

Affiliate Books

The Truth
About Paying Fewer Taxes
Are you a tax geek? Got tax geek friends? Do you or they just want to make sure you don't overpay the IRS? Then my book, "The Truth About Paying Fewer Taxes," is for all y'all.

Look for it on bookstore shelves
or order a copy (or two!) from
Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Find out more about my book and excerpted chapters at the FT Press
Truth About Paying
Fewer Taxes Web page.
You can read more
of Kay's tax insights in ...

Kay Bell helps you build
a solid tax foundation in
"Personal Finance: An Encyclopedia
of Modern Money Management"

Kay Bell breaks down taxes and
estate planning for millennials in
"Future Millionaires' Guidebook"

A collection of Kay Bell stories
is included in
"The Gambler's Guide to Taxes:
How to Keep More
of What You Win"

Tax Reading Room
You also might enjoy these other tax tips from some of my tax-writing colleagues:
J.K. Lasser 2024 Taxes
Taxes for Dummies 2024
Tax Savvy for Small Business

~~~~~~~
Don't Mess With Taxes
is an Amazon Affiliate.
If you click on the product links above and/or buy the items,
I will be compensated.

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 ...

Taxes are all about the numbers.
Check out these (mostly) weekly
By the Numbers figures.

Kudos Et Cetera

National Association
for Women in Communications
Winner, Best Personal Blog
2012, 2014 & 2017
Plutus Financial Bloggers Awards
Celebrating the Best
in Personal Finance
Winner, Best Tax Blog
2011 and 2013
Lifetime Achievement Nominee 2020

I gotta tell ya ...

AKA Disclaimer:

I am a professional journalist who has been covering tax issues since 1999. I am not a professional tax preparer.

The content on Don't Mess With Taxes is my personal interpretation and opinion based on my study and understanding of tax laws, policies, and regulations. It is provided for your private, noncommercial, educational, and informational purposes only. While I work to ensure each post's accuracy, the items are not recommendations of any specific tax action(s) you should or should not take. Similarly, mentions of commercial tax products or services are not endorsements.

In other words, my ramblings on the ol' tax blog are free advice, and you know what they say about getting what you pay for. That's why when it is time for you to file your own taxes, I urge you to get additional, professional, paid-for guidance from an accountant, Enrolled Agent, or other reputable, qualified tax preparer who is familiar with your individual tax circumstances.

Privacy Policy

Wondering what happens to your information once you subscribe? Don't worry. Don't Mess With Taxes respects your wish not to be a mere data source. Check the ol' blog's privacy policy at the Table of Contents page, as well as on the separate Privacy Policy page.

©©©©© & ®®®®®

Don't Mess With Taxes®
is a registered trademark
of S. Kay Bell.

All content on this site is
© 2005-2024 S. Kay Bell
dba Write Here, a division of
SKB Editorial Services, LLC
And a bit of housekeeping.
Note 1: Some of the links on this site
are affiliate links. That means that
if you click through from
a Don't Mess With Taxes link
and then buy the product,
I receive a commission.

Note 2: Links to outside content
might become inactive due to changes
at the copy's originating website.
If you discover dead links, please e-mail me the details. Thanks.

Note 3: The banner art for the ol' blog
is courtesy Pictures of Money
via Flickr Creative Commons.

Blog powered by Typepad
Member since 11/2005

COVID-19 & Taxes

Coronavirus has wreaked havoc
on the 2020 and 2021 tax seasons.
These five Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Taxes pages have details:
March-July 2020
August-December 2020
January-December 2021
January-December 2022
…and so it continues into 2023
…and, alas, into 2024
You can find medical coronavirus resource links in the next section.

COVID-19 Resources

Need help finding a coronavirus vaccine in the United States?
Call 1-800-232-0233
or TTY 1-888-720-7489.
More information and resources at:
CDC Vaccines
CDC Booster Shots
HHS Combat COVID
USA.Gov COVID Info

September 2024

..................................................

Photo by Kay Bell
...............................................

Tell it to the Hill

While it's easy to rail at the IRS, for the most part we can thank — or blame — Congress and the White House for our tax laws. So if you have an issue with tax legislation or want a tax bill passed, you need to let your federal legislators and the White House occupant know of your concerns. You can find out who in Washington, D.C., to contact (and how), as well as get information on your local lawmakers for matters, tax or otherwise, closer to home, at USA Gov.

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30