Guest guest Posted January 7, 2000 Report Share Posted January 7, 2000 Get Turbo tax or similar tax software. Make sure it includes schedule C, and other related business schedules (I can't remember the exact ones). With this software, you can figure out which things to deduct, and how much to deduct, depending on your financial situation. SAVE ALL receipts, especially anything business related, car related, office related, etc. It helps to make copies and keep two files, in fact. The key to deductions is good documentation. For example, if you had a business lunch, who was it with, what date, what was discussed, etc. Keep a calendar, or several handy for info like this. I take the standard deduction for mileage, which is much easier, and we buy our cars at the end of the year (the 31st of Dec.) to simplify taxes. Generally, you must make a profit in one of four years to be considered a business, and not a hobby. Once you have figured everything and are satisfied that you have done a good job, then take it to H & R Block, or other tax professional. The fact that you have done all the schedules saves you a bundle, and you still get their tax expertise. One year I only paid around $70.00 for them to file the schedules that I had already " done " (they redid them on their software), but they found an additional $70.00 deduction that I wasn't going to fool with (because I wasn't sure how to do it). Also, I ALWAYS have them (or someone else)sign as my preparer. I believe that it is an extra protection. The extra bit of advise is always worth it. Don't scrimp when dealing with the IRS. The cost of being audited is far higher and much more stressful. I also never take all the deductions to which I am entitled. I always leave a few hundred dollars that I do not take. Why? If I am audited, and something is disallowed, I can pull out the receipts that I didn't declare, and deduct them at that time. If I declare everything, and something is disallowed, then I am socked with back taxes, interest, and maybe penalties. If I leave a few dollars " in limbo " to use later, then I generally lose only a few dollars in tax savings now, compared to what I would save if I were audited in the future. Every person must do what they believe is right for them, but I have been audited, and I speak from experience. Also, call the IRS with questions, and document the question, the person with whom you spoke, their answer, the date, etc. And interview as many accountants as possible. There are some good ones, and some terrible ones. You can learn a lot by " interviewing " them, with your tax questions. Hope this helps a little. Bev in Houston, TX area. p.s. Do not EVER take 100% car deduction for a business, even if that car is used 100% for a business. Even if you lose a little on the deduction, it is like a red flag for the IRS to audit you!!! The IRS assumes that you use the car to go to the drug store at least, and not on business time. Ask me how I know (bad advice from a bad " money manager " )! If you want to get even more money back, consider incorporating. Some people swear that this is the best way to save taxes, while running a business (for example, you can deduct much more of health premiums). But be prepared to have a tax preparer set you up, and guide you through the process. See an accountant or other tax advisor for the latest rule changes! --- by the way, does anyone > do they're own taxes? > what forms do you need to file a home business & > what can i deduct? any help > appreciated > felicia > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2000 Report Share Posted January 7, 2000 In a message dated 01/07/2000 8:25:16 AM US Mountain Standard Time, Fees@... writes: << by the way, does anyone do they're own taxes? what forms do you need to file a home business & what can i deduct? any hel >> Just a note to let you know that you must be VERY careful when taking deductions on a home based business. After taking a Small Business Management Class thru our college, and after talking to my CPA, they both agreed that it is best NOT to take any part of your house as a deduction on your business taxes. (such as, deduct an extra bedroom as an office, the kitchen as your workspace, etc..) This alerts the IRS and sends up " red flags " ....and targets you for an audit...something I personally would prefer to avoid like rats eating my feet.... Just my two cents worth... Robyn Abels Camelot Creations Goat's Milk Soap, Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 I've been on a trial 25mg of levothyroxine for about 5 weeks, but I actually feel worse than I did before I started it! In particular, for the last 2-3 weeks I've been very tired and lethargic, and my brain is so fogged that I can't really think straight at work (not unusual, but especially bad at the moment). Basal temp seems to be holding at around 36.5 most days (range is 35.9 to 36.9). Would low iron stop me absorbing the thyroxine? Iron-related results from last blood test in June (prior to treatment) are: serum ferritin 7.4 (range 15-300) - guess this is pretty low serum TIBC 84 (range 41-77) serum iron level 14 (7-26) - this is normal though! unsaturated iron binding capacity 70 (20-62) mean corpusc. haemoglobin 25.9 (27-3) I am also thinking that my adrenal levels may be low, but not sure how to check this - any ideas? I am seeing my GP again tomorrow, but am not due to have blood tests for another couple of weeks. Should I ask for an iron supplement and an increase in thyroxine to 50 or 75mg? Anything else? Thank you for any suggestions you can give. -Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Hi Jo, ferritin is very low, they should not hesitate to treat that, especially as it's out of range and you are at risk of anemia. Have you had a full blood count? I think it's red blood cells and haemocrit (spelling!) that would be abnormal in anemia. I read on www.stopthethyroidmadness.com that staying on the same dose too long will mean that your symptoms will come back with a vengence so may be what has happened. Did you see some improvement at all to begin with? 25 mg seems a very small amount? There's info about ferritin in the files here. Mine is 12 and has been for 5 years looking at past blood tests, pity i didn't know what I know now! Optimum is 70-90 so plenty of room for improvement! Do the blood pressure test (Raglan's sign) for adrenals. Have you many symptoms of adrenal probs? You could do the salivary adrenal stress index test if finances allow although NHS might dismiss it but may help you to help yourself? You could try taking Nutri adrenal extra (NAE) to see if there is any improvement? Hope this helps you, Ruth x > > I've been on a trial 25mg of levothyroxine for about 5 weeks, but I > actually feel worse than I did before I started it! In particular, > for the last 2-3 weeks I've been very tired and lethargic, and my > brain is so fogged that I can't really think straight at work (not > unusual, but especially bad at the moment). Basal temp seems to be > holding at around 36.5 most days (range is 35.9 to 36.9). > > Would low iron stop me absorbing the thyroxine? Iron-related results > from last blood test in June (prior to treatment) are: > serum ferritin 7.4 (range 15-300) - guess this is pretty low > serum TIBC 84 (range 41-77) > serum iron level 14 (7-26) - this is normal though! > unsaturated iron binding capacity 70 (20-62) > mean corpusc. haemoglobin 25.9 (27-3) > > I am also thinking that my adrenal levels may be low, but not sure > how to check this - any ideas? > > I am seeing my GP again tomorrow, but am not due to have blood tests > for another couple of weeks. Should I ask for an iron supplement and > an increase in thyroxine to 50 or 75mg? Anything else? > > Thank you for any suggestions you can give. > > -Jo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Hi Jo What IMMEDIATELY stands out from your message is your low ferritin. This is abnormally low and would be a cause of your thyroxine not being absorbed properly. You need to boost this immediately. with such a low ferritin reading you should not have to ask your GP for iron supplementation, he should have started you on this already. He will probably give you Ferrous Sulphate 200 mgs 3 times daily. You should take this with high doses of Vitamin C such as 3000mgs or even more. If you look on our website www.tpa-uk.org.uk and click on 'Hypothyroidism's and then click on 'Associated Conditions' in the drop down menu, you can click on Ferritin and read about the effect it has in people with hypothyroidism. Click also on 'Adrenals' and read everything there, especially http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/thyroid_adrenal_dysfunction.pdf Let us know how you get on. Luv - Sheila I am seeing my GP again tomorrow, but am not due to have blood tests for another couple of weeks. Should I ask for an iron supplement and an increase in thyroxine to 50 or 75mg? Anything else?Thank you for any suggestions you can give.-JoNo virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1568 - Release Date: 23/07/2008 06:55 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Hi Tracey, thanks for the suggestions. I didn't know that iron was available in liquid form as galfer syrup - that will be useful for me as I have difficulties taking tablets or capsules. I actually suggested the 25mcg dose to start with, because my GP has been a little hesitant to treat me and I wanted her to feel confident that I wouldn't be over-doing it. She was concerned I might get toxic effects as she doesn't think a TSH of around 3.8/4.1 (last two tests) is actually hypothyroid. I'll be asking for an increase now though. As far as hairloss goes, yes, I do notice some (hairdresser even pointed it out), but it doesn't seem quite as bad as it used to be when I had longer hair. It's certainly a lot drier, that's for sure. Eyebrows don't seem to be affected though. Anyway, thanks for the advice. I'll post an update later. -Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Hello Ruth, Looking at my last set of results, the RBC count was 4.59 (3.8-5.8) and haematocrit 0.379 (0.37-0.47) so both within range and I guess it means I'm not actually anaemic as such. I'm mostly veggie (little haem iron), and don't eat a lot of beans/pulses, so that may be one reason why my body doesn't get to store much iron. Going through the adrenal questions, a lot of things ring bells for me. My blood pressure is quite low (although hereditary), and I often get a kind of rush/blinding sensation when standing up suddenly from sitting or lying down. As I've not got a blood pressure monitor, I'll ask my GP to do the Raglan test as a starter today. Thanks -Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Thanks Sheila - the adrenal and ferritin documents make very interesting reading. I might even print them off for my GP -Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2008 Report Share Posted July 24, 2008 Apologies for replying to my own post, but I guess it was the easiest way to give an update without starting a new thread. I came out of my GP appt with a repeat thyroxine prescription - which I am free to take more of (i.e. 50 rather than 25), and also one for an iron solution - though she reckons it's vile and will probably cause constipation anyway She thought that adrenal deficiency was very unlikely, so we've not checked anything down that route. We'll re- test thyroid function in a couple of weeks as previously planned. One more thing: I can now get a prescription medical exemption certificate - guess that means I am " officially " hypothyroid - as well as saving some dosh, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Hi Jo, look on the Nutri website for info: http://www.nutri- online1.co.uk/ for info, you can buy nutri products from www.yournutritionshop.co.uk Are you looking for adrenal and thyroid supplements or something different? Ruth x > > Sheila, how would I go about obtaining the adrenal supplements? The > Nutri ones seem to be only available to medical practitioners. > > Also, how would I decide which one I would need? I'm a bit nervous of > self-medicating! > > -Jo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2008 Report Share Posted July 25, 2008 Hi Jo, you may find the liquid form of iron be gentler on your stomach, did you say you're ferritin was 7 or something very low anyway so needs sorting, you could try senokot or something similar if it causes probs? Anyway, NAE is classed as a supplement, NHS GP will not prescribe it. A lot of people on here have had good results with it and as you're adrenals don't sound overly bad you should respond well to it. Start off taking one a day and see what happens. Ruth x PS I don't think you really need GP's support on this, you'll just be giving your adrenals support not medicating if you take NAE. There is also Nutri adrenal (which is lower dose and less ingredients), if you're stomach is not very tolerant, may be an idea to get that instead? > > Hi Ruth, > > Hmm, it's not galfer, and I don't think it's ferrous sulphate, but I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 Hi Jo Taking Nutri Adrenal Extra is fine to take because it is a natural supplement and you don't have to run it by your GP. I am guessing, but I bet your GP knows little about low adrenal reserve and would not fully understand your need to take an adrenal supplement. It is not his/her fault, they are just not taught about an adrenal/thyroid connection and only understand there could be problems with the adrenals if a patient is suffering with Cushings Syndrome or 's disease. It can't be prescribed because it is just a supplement like Vitamin C etc. Luv - Sheila I had a look on yournutritionshop (found that site after I replied to Sheila), and might get some NAE, but I want to run it past my GP before taking it, though. Could it be prescribed, do you know?Thanks,-Jo>> Hi Jo, that's good news :-) What is the iron solution? Galfer? Did she > try to give you ferrous suplhate? Do you get constipated normally? Iron > has the opposite effect on me. Why does she think that adrenals are ok? > Do you think they are? Ruth x No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1571 - Release Date: 24/07/2008 17:42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 26, 2008 Report Share Posted July 26, 2008 Go to www.yournutritionshop.co.uk and you can purchase the Nutri Adrenal Extra there. They are not only available to practitioners, we buy them from there too. If you have low adrenal reserve, the Nutri Adrenal Extra are fine. You start by taking one with your breakfast, and, after a couple of days, add another tablet with your lunch. Don't take any after 1.00p.m. though as the wee bit of aextra adrenalin might keep you awake). After a couple of weeks, add another tablet with your breakfast and, after a while, if you feel you are still not quite getting 'there', then you can add yet another tablet. Some people need to take up to 6, but mostly, people are fine on 3 or 4. Luv - Sheila Sheila, how would I go about obtaining the adrenal supplements? The Nutri ones seem to be only available to medical practitioners.Also, how would I decide which one I would need? I'm a bit nervous of self-medicating!-JoNo virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.5/1571 - Release Date: 24/07/2008 17:42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2008 Report Share Posted August 4, 2008 Hi Jo, Take lots of vit C to counteract the constipation and help with absorption of iron- you'll need at least 3x daily dose. Subject: Re: Next step? I came out of my GP appt with a repeat thyroxine prescription - which I am free to take more of (i.e. 50 rather than 25), and also one for an iron solution - though she reckons it's vile and will probably cause constipation anyway ------------------------------------ TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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