Daycare.com Forum
Daycare and Taxes>If The IRS Challenges, What's The Point??
My4SunshineGirlsNY 06:37 AM 01-15-2011
Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed by what is acceptable to write off and what isn't?
It seems to me that if the IRS is going to question why you wrote off this and that if you get an audit, what is the point of even writing it off? I'm starting to get discouraged as to what I have to prove if I get audited. I don't want to get in trouble by the IRS yet I'm sure I'm not alone in this when I want to get my taxable income down.
Would if you make honest mistakes because you didn't know...do they automatically assume you should have known and are cheating on purpose? I'm trying to do everything right by educating myself but would if I miss something that I was unaware of and get audited? Am I thinking too deep into it? I just don't want an audit and get into trouble for a mistake I didn't know about. It stresses me out....anyone else??
It seems to me that if the IRS is going to question why you wrote off this and that if you get an audit, what is the point of even writing it off? I'm starting to get discouraged as to what I have to prove if I get audited. I don't want to get in trouble by the IRS yet I'm sure I'm not alone in this when I want to get my taxable income down.
Would if you make honest mistakes because you didn't know...do they automatically assume you should have known and are cheating on purpose? I'm trying to do everything right by educating myself but would if I miss something that I was unaware of and get audited? Am I thinking too deep into it? I just don't want an audit and get into trouble for a mistake I didn't know about. It stresses me out....anyone else??
Crystal 07:38 AM 01-15-2011
Don't stress over it to much. They aren't out to get you!
My second year in business I was audited. The auditor was very kind and worked with me. She didn't fully inderstand the food program rules, I didn't fully understand depreciation rules. SO, because I had used Tom's books to prepare my taxes, I emailed him and he helped me with my audit! He gave me the info I needed to educate the auditor about the food program and she was very receptive to it. I ended up doing fine.
Also, my entire audit was done by mail. I never had to meet face to face. I explained to the auditor the nature of my business and she allowed a mail audit so I wouldn't have to close. I simply made photocopies of all reciepts and sent those as well as my spreadsheets to her. She loved that I was very organized as well!
My second year in business I was audited. The auditor was very kind and worked with me. She didn't fully inderstand the food program rules, I didn't fully understand depreciation rules. SO, because I had used Tom's books to prepare my taxes, I emailed him and he helped me with my audit! He gave me the info I needed to educate the auditor about the food program and she was very receptive to it. I ended up doing fine.
Also, my entire audit was done by mail. I never had to meet face to face. I explained to the auditor the nature of my business and she allowed a mail audit so I wouldn't have to close. I simply made photocopies of all reciepts and sent those as well as my spreadsheets to her. She loved that I was very organized as well!
legomom922 07:48 AM 01-15-2011
Originally Posted by My4SunshineGirlsNY:
Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed by what is acceptable to write off and what isn't?
It seems to me that if the IRS is going to question why you wrote off this and that if you get an audit, what is the point of even writing it off? I'm starting to get discouraged as to what I have to prove if I get audited. I don't want to get in trouble by the IRS yet I'm sure I'm not alone in this when I want to get my taxable income down.
Would if you make honest mistakes because you didn't know...do they automatically assume you should have known and are cheating on purpose? I'm trying to do everything right by educating myself but would if I miss something that I was unaware of and get audited? Am I thinking too deep into it? I just don't want an audit and get into trouble for a mistake I didn't know about. It stresses me out....anyone else??
I feel the same way as I explained yesterday. It is very nerve racking, because I dont know what I'm doing and I dont need anymore stress, as I do suffer from aniexty and have panic attacks anyway.Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed by what is acceptable to write off and what isn't?
It seems to me that if the IRS is going to question why you wrote off this and that if you get an audit, what is the point of even writing it off? I'm starting to get discouraged as to what I have to prove if I get audited. I don't want to get in trouble by the IRS yet I'm sure I'm not alone in this when I want to get my taxable income down.
Would if you make honest mistakes because you didn't know...do they automatically assume you should have known and are cheating on purpose? I'm trying to do everything right by educating myself but would if I miss something that I was unaware of and get audited? Am I thinking too deep into it? I just don't want an audit and get into trouble for a mistake I didn't know about. It stresses me out....anyone else??
So teh best thingt o do is just come here and ask questions, and we all can help each other! Hugs
My4SunshineGirlsNY 09:10 AM 01-15-2011
Thank you Crystal for that information. If you get audited, do they withhold your refund until the audit is complete?
Legomom, I have also had panic attacks and anxiety in the past and found myself very close to one yesterday as I was reading all the info on taxes to figure it all out. I had to walk away from the computer for a while.
Legomom, I have also had panic attacks and anxiety in the past and found myself very close to one yesterday as I was reading all the info on taxes to figure it all out. I had to walk away from the computer for a while.
TomCopeland 11:14 AM 01-15-2011
Certainly it can be a stressful experience to be audited. However, we shouldn't be stressed out by an audit before it happens!
Do your best to claim everything you believe you are entitled to claim as a business deduction. If one of your deductions is denied at an audit, it's not the end of the world. You just owe some money. The IRS won't shame you. In my experience in many, many IRS audits of family child care providers, it's common for providers to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect.
Your chances of being audited are very remote, probably less than 2%.
If you ever are audited, contact me and I will help you for free.
Do your best to claim everything you believe you are entitled to claim as a business deduction. If one of your deductions is denied at an audit, it's not the end of the world. You just owe some money. The IRS won't shame you. In my experience in many, many IRS audits of family child care providers, it's common for providers to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect.
Your chances of being audited are very remote, probably less than 2%.
If you ever are audited, contact me and I will help you for free.
My4SunshineGirlsNY 12:57 PM 01-15-2011
Originally Posted by TomCopeland:
Certainly it can be a stressful experience to be audited. However, we shouldn't be stressed out by an audit before it happens!
Do your best to claim everything you believe you are entitled to claim as a business deduction. If one of your deductions is denied at an audit, it's not the end of the world. You just owe some money. The IRS won't shame you. In my experience in many, many IRS audits of family child care providers, it's common for providers to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect.
Your chances of being audited are very remote, probably less than 2%.
If you ever are audited, contact me and I will help you for free.
Thank you Tom, you are the best! I deeply thank you as I am one to worry alot and to know that I will have someone to turn to for help if and when I need it. I feel the stress lifting!Certainly it can be a stressful experience to be audited. However, we shouldn't be stressed out by an audit before it happens!
Do your best to claim everything you believe you are entitled to claim as a business deduction. If one of your deductions is denied at an audit, it's not the end of the world. You just owe some money. The IRS won't shame you. In my experience in many, many IRS audits of family child care providers, it's common for providers to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect.
Your chances of being audited are very remote, probably less than 2%.
If you ever are audited, contact me and I will help you for free.
legomom922 11:10 AM 01-16-2011
Originally Posted by TomCopeland:
Certainly it can be a stressful experience to be audited. However, we shouldn't be stressed out by an audit before it happens!
Do your best to claim everything you believe you are entitled to claim as a business deduction. If one of your deductions is denied at an audit, it's not the end of the world. You just owe some money. The IRS won't shame you. In my experience in many, many IRS audits of family child care providers, it's common for providers to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect.
Your chances of being audited are very remote, probably less than 2%.
If you ever are audited, contact me and I will help you for free.
Wow Tom, that is a terrific offer! Thank You! Certainly it can be a stressful experience to be audited. However, we shouldn't be stressed out by an audit before it happens!
Do your best to claim everything you believe you are entitled to claim as a business deduction. If one of your deductions is denied at an audit, it's not the end of the world. You just owe some money. The IRS won't shame you. In my experience in many, many IRS audits of family child care providers, it's common for providers to make mistakes. Nobody's perfect.
Your chances of being audited are very remote, probably less than 2%.
If you ever are audited, contact me and I will help you for free.
Sunshine girl, are you on anything? I take Zanax when needed, doesnt really seem to do much though...
My4SunshineGirlsNY 11:35 AM 01-16-2011
Originally Posted by legomom922:
Wow Tom, that is a terrific offer! Thank You!
Sunshine girl, are you on anything? I take Zanax when needed, doesnt really seem to do much though...
I have a small perscription for the generic of Zanax in case I need it. Thankfully I have kept it under control for years and haven't needed the meds, but back in 2004 when we were getting our new home and my husband's father died and he went out of state, I was left to care for our 3 young girls and with the stress of closing on the house and trying to move our belongings, I was going into so many attacks it was scary! I didn't even want to go to sleep, I was afraid I was going to die. Wow Tom, that is a terrific offer! Thank You!
Sunshine girl, are you on anything? I take Zanax when needed, doesnt really seem to do much though...
Back then I took the Zanax as needed and it helped instantly take the attack away, but I felt very tired when I took one...it kind of helps having the pills just incase, but haven't needed them...I come VERY close sometimes, but talk myself down....especially recently.
legomom922 02:07 PM 01-16-2011
I get them out of nowhere for no reason. Sometimes I will get one as I am trying to fall asleep, and those seem to be the worse! I'm glad to know I'm not alone.
momofsix 04:03 PM 01-16-2011
Originally Posted by My4SunshineGirlsNY:
...it kind of helps having the pills just incase, but haven't needed them...I come VERY close sometimes, but talk myself down....especially recently.
Me too! Just having the meds there can actually make things easier to go through-even if I don't take them. ...it kind of helps having the pills just incase, but haven't needed them...I come VERY close sometimes, but talk myself down....especially recently.
Can I ask if either of you has a heart murmur? I had a very pronounced one before I had surgery to repair my valve and read a book called "The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome", and until I read that I never know there was a connection between my murmer and the panic attacks (and tons of other things too!) That book was a great source of information for me. I guess if you don't have a murmur, ignore everything I said!
legomom922 05:10 PM 01-16-2011
Not that I know of!
My4SunshineGirlsNY 04:17 AM 01-17-2011
Originally Posted by momofsix:
Me too! Just having the meds there can actually make things easier to go through-even if I don't take them.
Can I ask if either of you has a heart murmur? I had a very pronounced one before I had surgery to repair my valve and read a book called "The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome", and until I read that I never know there was a connection between my murmer and the panic attacks (and tons of other things too!) That book was a great source of information for me. I guess if you don't have a murmur, ignore everything I said!
I get the feeling that my heart is skipping a beat which seems to provoke an attack....it was more frequent when I was pregnant so I sought out an appt. with the cardiologist. I wore a heart monitor and caught a few episondes on the monitor which showed my heart was contracting 2 times when it was typically supposed to contract once...what was explained to me is my heart would contract the 2nd time before it (my heart or chambers, I really don't understand it) would fill completely up with blood so it would feel as though it was skipping a beat. I was told it is not life threatening so I left it as that. The cardiologist said I could take beta blockers but I was pregnant and didn't persue any treatment for it. Me too! Just having the meds there can actually make things easier to go through-even if I don't take them.
Can I ask if either of you has a heart murmur? I had a very pronounced one before I had surgery to repair my valve and read a book called "The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome", and until I read that I never know there was a connection between my murmer and the panic attacks (and tons of other things too!) That book was a great source of information for me. I guess if you don't have a murmur, ignore everything I said!
I was told to drink more water because if your body is dehydrated it makes the condition worse. I did and that helped out a lot. For me it feels like my heart is beating out of rhythem, then I panic a bit and it feels like it won't go back into rhythem. I had an attack like that VERY bad after my 2nd daughter was born..heart was beating out of rhythem and wouldn't stop...I paniced, thought my heart would stop and I hyperventalated and everything. VERY SCARY! Sometimes I wonder if it's horomone related.
marniewon 11:46 AM 01-17-2011
Originally Posted by My4SunshineGirlsNY:
I get the feeling that my heart is skipping a beat which seems to provoke an attack....it was more frequent when I was pregnant so I sought out an appt. with the cardiologist. I wore a heart monitor and caught a few episondes on the monitor which showed my heart was contracting 2 times when it was typically supposed to contract once...what was explained to me is my heart would contract the 2nd time before it (my heart or chambers, I really don't understand it) would fill completely up with blood so it would feel as though it was skipping a beat. I was told it is not life threatening so I left it as that. The cardiologist said I could take beta blockers but I was pregnant and didn't persue any treatment for it.
I was told to drink more water because if your body is dehydrated it makes the condition worse. I did and that helped out a lot. For me it feels like my heart is beating out of rhythem, then I panic a bit and it feels like it won't go back into rhythem. I had an attack like that VERY bad after my 2nd daughter was born..heart was beating out of rhythem and wouldn't stop...I paniced, thought my heart would stop and I hyperventalated and everything. VERY SCARY! Sometimes I wonder if it's horomone related.
OH. MY. GOSH! This! Me....Yes!! I've never ever heard anyone describe their panic attacks the same as mine felt before, but you just did!! I don't get them much anymore, but there was a time that I did all the time! And like legomom said, they come out of nowhere!I get the feeling that my heart is skipping a beat which seems to provoke an attack....it was more frequent when I was pregnant so I sought out an appt. with the cardiologist. I wore a heart monitor and caught a few episondes on the monitor which showed my heart was contracting 2 times when it was typically supposed to contract once...what was explained to me is my heart would contract the 2nd time before it (my heart or chambers, I really don't understand it) would fill completely up with blood so it would feel as though it was skipping a beat. I was told it is not life threatening so I left it as that. The cardiologist said I could take beta blockers but I was pregnant and didn't persue any treatment for it.
I was told to drink more water because if your body is dehydrated it makes the condition worse. I did and that helped out a lot. For me it feels like my heart is beating out of rhythem, then I panic a bit and it feels like it won't go back into rhythem. I had an attack like that VERY bad after my 2nd daughter was born..heart was beating out of rhythem and wouldn't stop...I paniced, thought my heart would stop and I hyperventalated and everything. VERY SCARY! Sometimes I wonder if it's horomone related.
Do you have acid reflux? When I went to the doc once he told me that that "skip a beat" feeling could be caused by acid reflux also. I get that all the time. Drinking more water DOES help. So does staying away from too much salt and sugar. If you don't already, switch to RealSalt brand salt. It's seasalt and so much better for you. Spice up your meals (as seasoning on top, not cooked in the meal) - not only will it help your heart, it will help your metabolism!
I know we all kind of got of track here, but if anyone else has any hints/tips that work for their panic attacks, I would love to hear them!!
My4SunshineGirlsNY 07:37 PM 01-17-2011
no, I don't have acid reflux....I always think stress creates this skipped beat feeling, but yet I have had the episodes come out of nowhere when I wasn't stressed also. So I don't know why or what causes them. Thank you for the tip on the salt..I have heard recently that seasalt is so much better for you, however I was looking for it a couple of months ago at 3 different stores and couldn't find it..I thought it was odd it's so hard to find.
JeepGirl6 09:40 AM 01-18-2011
Originally Posted by momofsix:
Me too! Just having the meds there can actually make things easier to go through-even if I don't take them.
Can I ask if either of you has a heart murmur? I had a very pronounced one before I had surgery to repair my valve and read a book called "The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome", and until I read that I never know there was a connection between my murmer and the panic attacks (and tons of other things too!) That book was a great source of information for me. I guess if you don't have a murmur, ignore everything I said!
I also have panic attacks...Lately I have been okay but last year around this time it was horrible, I went to my doctor to talk to him about it...I also have Mitral Valve Prolapse. He said that my panic attacks were because of that...He put me on Inderal LA...but I don't think it seemed to help at all ( I lost my insurance so I couldnt get it anymore). He would not put me on any anxiety medication which I felt I really needed, I was so upset I left the doctors office crying because I felt like he didn't believe me. Anyways...I have not been back to the doctor in 9 months because I was without insurance and now I have insurance so I am wondering if I should get back the Inderal LAMe too! Just having the meds there can actually make things easier to go through-even if I don't take them.
Can I ask if either of you has a heart murmur? I had a very pronounced one before I had surgery to repair my valve and read a book called "The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome", and until I read that I never know there was a connection between my murmer and the panic attacks (and tons of other things too!) That book was a great source of information for me. I guess if you don't have a murmur, ignore everything I said!
momofsix 10:36 AM 01-18-2011
Originally Posted by JeepGirl6:
I also have panic attacks...Lately I have been okay but last year around this time it was horrible, I went to my doctor to talk to him about it...I also have Mitral Valve Prolapse. He said that my panic attacks were because of that...He put me on Inderal LA...but I don't think it seemed to help at all ( I lost my insurance so I couldnt get it anymore). He would not put me on any anxiety medication which I felt I really needed, I was so upset I left the doctors office crying because I felt like he didn't believe me. Anyways...I have not been back to the doctor in 9 months because I was without insurance and now I have insurance so I am wondering if I should get back the Inderal LA
If you get a chance to read the book, do it...it gives tons of great suggestions for diet and things to control symptoms, and also listed some things that are "symptoms" that I never would have thought of-like a hypersensitive startle reflex! I'm on a beta-blocker since my valve repair, and my heart beats so normally now I don't even notice it! That was weird for me because I always noticed my heart b/c it was WAY out of rhythm all the timeI also have panic attacks...Lately I have been okay but last year around this time it was horrible, I went to my doctor to talk to him about it...I also have Mitral Valve Prolapse. He said that my panic attacks were because of that...He put me on Inderal LA...but I don't think it seemed to help at all ( I lost my insurance so I couldnt get it anymore). He would not put me on any anxiety medication which I felt I really needed, I was so upset I left the doctors office crying because I felt like he didn't believe me. Anyways...I have not been back to the doctor in 9 months because I was without insurance and now I have insurance so I am wondering if I should get back the Inderal LA
Yes, panic attacks can definitely be related to hormonal changes.
One thing that really helped me during attacks is doing something that requires concentration and physical activity, like typing on the computer. Even if I was too shaky to type correctly, having to really concentrate on what I was doing, and concentrating on my fingers and not my heartbeat would really help me. Also try to breathe slowly, don't let yourself hyperventilate-that makes it even worse! One thing that did NOT help was DH rubbing my back and trying to make me relax, not sure why but that kind of stuff never helped.
If the inderal helper, by all means do what you need to do. I would find a different doctor if yours was not very compassionate about it. Panic attacks are actually quite common, and he should have known much more about them and how to help you. Do you go for echoe's ever? Do you take antibiotics before dental appointments? These are things. that are common for those with mitral valve prolapse, and you should ask about them if you're not. (BTW surgery is NOT common at all, i was one-in-a-million, so don't even worry about that!)
marniewon 11:40 AM 01-18-2011
Originally Posted by momofsix:
If you get a chance to read the book, do it...it gives tons of great suggestions for diet and things to control symptoms, and also listed some things that are "symptoms" that I never would have thought of-like a hypersensitive startle reflex!
I had no idea of this symptom, but back when I was battling panic attacks constantly I really did have a big startle reflex. To the point that I could even see someone coming toward me, but for some reason if they moved too fast or something else equally ridiculous, I would jump, then go automatically into "fight or flight" mode - aka panic attack!If you get a chance to read the book, do it...it gives tons of great suggestions for diet and things to control symptoms, and also listed some things that are "symptoms" that I never would have thought of-like a hypersensitive startle reflex!
BTW, which book are you talking about?
momofsix 01:16 PM 01-18-2011
Originally Posted by marniewon:
I had no idea of this symptom, but back when I was battling panic attacks constantly I really did have a big startle reflex. To the point that I could even see someone coming toward me, but for some reason if they moved too fast or something else equally ridiculous, I would jump, then go automatically into "fight or flight" mode - aka panic attack!
BTW, which book are you talking about?
Oh sorry! I mentioned it in an earlier post. I had no idea of this symptom, but back when I was battling panic attacks constantly I really did have a big startle reflex. To the point that I could even see someone coming toward me, but for some reason if they moved too fast or something else equally ridiculous, I would jump, then go automatically into "fight or flight" mode - aka panic attack!
BTW, which book are you talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/Mitral-Prolaps...5387892&sr=1-1
Bizzymom1111 07:07 PM 01-24-2011
Originally Posted by marniewon:
OH. MY. GOSH! This! Me....Yes!! I've never ever heard anyone describe their panic attacks the same as mine felt before, but you just did!! I don't get them much anymore, but there was a time that I did all the time! And like legomom said, they come out of nowhere!
Do you have acid reflux? When I went to the doc once he told me that that "skip a beat" feeling could be caused by acid reflux also. I get that all the time. Drinking more water DOES help. So does staying away from too much salt and sugar. If you don't already, switch to RealSalt brand salt. It's seasalt and so much better for you. Spice up your meals (as seasoning on top, not cooked in the meal) - not only will it help your heart, it will help your metabolism!
I know we all kind of got of track here, but if anyone else has any hints/tips that work for their panic attacks, I would love to hear them!!
I also get panic attacks! Totally happens for no reason sometimes too. I've been pretty good this last year, but I had some VERY bad episodes with it about 4 years back- I even hospitalized myself- I felt like I was going to die. I'm currently taking sertraline for it and have been on it ever since my initial episode. I'm afraid to go off it. I don't want to go back to how bad I had them. It was horrible.I also have Ativan in case I get an attack, but I haven't used that in about a year. I've gotten better at talking myself out of them if I feel one coming on. What I do is try to just keep myself distracted. I used to sit and stew over every little thing(I was a major hypochondriac) but now I just try to ignore these things bc I know nothing is actually wrong. I also swear by lavender. Not imitation lotions or sprays but pure essential oils and spray. I have a bottle of lavender spray that only has lavender and water and it instantly calms me down. you can literally feel your pulse slowin down!! Anyways- it is nice to not feel alone. I swear I thought there was something seriously wrong with me in the head, but it's reassuring to know that other people experience these things too.OH. MY. GOSH! This! Me....Yes!! I've never ever heard anyone describe their panic attacks the same as mine felt before, but you just did!! I don't get them much anymore, but there was a time that I did all the time! And like legomom said, they come out of nowhere!
Do you have acid reflux? When I went to the doc once he told me that that "skip a beat" feeling could be caused by acid reflux also. I get that all the time. Drinking more water DOES help. So does staying away from too much salt and sugar. If you don't already, switch to RealSalt brand salt. It's seasalt and so much better for you. Spice up your meals (as seasoning on top, not cooked in the meal) - not only will it help your heart, it will help your metabolism!
I know we all kind of got of track here, but if anyone else has any hints/tips that work for their panic attacks, I would love to hear them!!