|
|
 |
|
| SETFS, LLC |
Thoughts to Ponder
We are in business to help
our clients achieve their goals. Changing
Lives - One Legacy at a Time. Email: katherine.nixon@jwcemail.com Phone: 281-370-6622
|
|
|
|
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A recent tax law change may affect donations being made related
to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti, you may be able to claim those donations on your 2009 tax return.
Per the IRS here are 10 important facts you should know about this special provision:
1 - A new law allows you
to claim donations for Haitian relief on your 2009 tax return, which you will be filing this year.
2 - The contributions
must be made specifically for the relief of victims in areas affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.
3 -
To be eligible for a deduction on the 2009 tax return, donations must be made after Jan. 11, 2010 and before March 1, 2010.
4 - In order to be deductible, contributions must be made to qualified charities and can not be designated for
the benefit of specific individuals or families.
5 - The new law applies only to cash contributions. (Cash Contributions
mean non-goods donations, like clothing, food, etc.)
6 - Cash contributions made by text message, check, credit
card or debit card may be claimed on your federal tax return.
7 - You must itemize your deductions in order to
claim these donations on your tax return.
8 - You have the option of deducting these contributions on either your
2009 or 2010 tax return, but not both.
9 - Contributions made to foreign organizations generally are not deductible.
You can find out more about organizations helping Haitian earthquake victims from agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International
Development ( www.usaid.gov).
10 - Federal law requires that you keep a record of any deductible donations you
make. For donations by text message, a telephone bill will meet the record-keeping requirement if it shows the name of the
organization receiving your donation, the date of the contribution, and the amount given. For cash contributions made by other
means, be sure to keep a bank record, such as a cancelled check or a receipt from the charity. Receipts should show the name
of the charity, the date and amount of the contribution.
Matt Gaylor is a fellow blogger with Gaylor Tax Services
LLC. His recap was spot on. Thank You Matt.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
| Are You Aware? | State Of Texas Sent You a Letter
If you are between 45 and 60 you should have received a mailing from the State of Texas recently.
The State mailing clearly advocates long-term care planning and states, "long-term care coverage
should be a part of your finanical plan."
Let us be your most excellent resource to answer your questions
about long-term care funding choices and the options that best suit your family when those senior care planning events occur. It
is not a matter of if, it is a matter of when. How prepared are you? We can help.
For years, we have been advocating that "long-term care
coverage should be a part of ever financial plan." The time is now while your health is good.
For
more Information, Check out the Texas Website: |
"Get Motivated" Workshop Yields Sound Focus | Our team took a day and went to the "Get Motivated" workshop at the Toyota Center.
We were honored to hear from many great leaders and motivational speakers. Wow!
I am more
than ready to see 2010 have some proactive and positive economic growth even if we each are the ones to create it: a
t.e.a.m. effort, Together Everyone Achieves More. Here are some takeaways from the day: 1. Offer Praise to Your Inner Circle
of Family, Friends, and Co-Workers. Do It Regularly and Do It Often.
2.
Rudolph Giuliani says that we need to become information junkies. That is our competive advantage. He
said, "Read alot, listen carefully, prepare your thoughts on a matter, debate your point of view with others who agree
and disagree, write these things down, formulute your best ideas by writing them down, and finally, think for yourself."
3. Tamara Love said we are motivated by Drives, Needs, and Awards. Drives are
the internal forces that mobilize us to act. Our drives are either toward productivity or connecting with others. Needs
are the core requirements that a person must have to feel fulfilled. Our needs are either toward stability or variety.
Our awards are the preferred renumerations that we desire for achievement. Our awards satisfy us either by internally
or external recognitions. To learn more, go to getmotivatedbook.com.
I would like
to congratulate you on your prior successes and your perseverance in the pursuit of your personal and professional goals.
Thank you for allowing me and our team to have such an active role in your lives. It is our pleasure to work with you.
We see our role as one of information. We would like to give you enough information to make an informed decision.
The good news is that you get to make the decision.
Communication between all
concerned parties is paramount.
I am hopeful that you will take advantage of the services that we can provide
in the upcoming year. One of the ideas to discussed for 2010 is Complete Lifecycle
Planning. From the cradle to the grave.
We are here to be your partner.
We are privileged to have you as a client. I personally value you as well as our continuing professional relationship.
Our team anticipates a great year of personal service, and quality work. |
Insights From Great Leaders
| Other "Get Motivated" Insights | | Genuine Leadership Genuine Leadership Requires GRACE: G
- Give Back. Look at yourself in the mirror and say, "Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Here I am. What is our call?
R - Relationships. Restore your relationships. A
- Amicable Partnerships. Develop synergy. C - Complete Ownership. Take responsibility for your actions. E - Effective Stewardship.
Prioritize, Budget, and Meet the Goals.
Colin Powell said we need an open welcoming society. We need to empower those
who follow us. He said it is important to take care of "our troops" (co-workers, friends, family) with
training, education, and the right tools so that will trust us to lead them. "Our troops" will follow us maybe first
out of curiosity, then confidently when they trust us, know we care, and do our best. He says that the secret
to us thriving going forward is wealth creation, economic growth, and energy. Lou Holtz said we
need a dream, then the right attitude, add a dash of passion. The dream is important. Martin Luther King did not
say, "I have a goal or a strategic plan." He said to ask three important questions: who do you trust,
who will do their best, and who will care that you accomplish your dream. |
Symbols on Your Keyboard
| Did You Know: |  Symbols on Your Keyboard
1. Make sure your keyboard is in NumLock mode.
2. Hold down the ALT key and enter the
number on the numeric keypad. (Note that many laptops have a blue FN key that changes a set of keys, also with blue numbers
on them and usually in the 7-8-9-U-I-O area, into a numeric keypad.)
for ☺ 1
for ☻ 2
for
♥ 3 <===
for ♦ 4
for ♣ 5
for ♠ 6
for · 7
for ◘ 8
for
○ 9
for ◙ 10
for ♂ 11
for ♀ 12
for ♪ 13
for ♫ 14
for ☼
15
for ► 16
for ◄ 17
for ↕ 18
for !! 19
for ¶ 20
for § 21
for ▬ 22
for ↨ 23
for ↑ 24
for ↓ 25
for → 26
for ← 27
for
∟ 28
for ↔ 29
for ▲ 30
for ▼ 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Katherine Nixon holds a BBA from Texas A&M University.
She is certified as a public accountant, a personal financial specialist, a professional coach and a long-term care specialist.
Her firm, SETFS, LLC is not a CPA firm. Securities are offered through J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. (JWC), Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Jonathon Roberts Advisory Group (JRAG). Tax preparation services
are not offered through JWC/JRAG. Insurance is offered as an independent agent.
As a Registered Representative, Katherine Nixon, may only conduct business with residents of the
states for which properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. No information provided
on this site is intended as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. The investments and services mentioned may not be
available in every state. No security will be offered or sold to any person, in any state in which such offer, solicitation,
purchase, or sale would be unlawful under securities laws of such jurisdictions.
|
|
|
|
