Checklist For Tax Preparation

Ready or not, it’s time to start thinking about your taxes. Gathering the appropriate documents in advance can speed up the preparation process and help you take advantage of money-saving tax breaks. Here’s a list of items most taxpayers need to file their tax return.

Personal information

• Social security numbers and birth dates for you, your spouse and your dependents
• A copy of your prior year tax return
• Routing number and account number to receive your refund via direct deposit

Income

• W-2 forms for you and your spouse
• 1099-C forms for cancellation of debt
• 1099-G forms for unemployment income, or state or local tax refunds
• 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B forms for investment or interest income
• 1099-MISC forms for independent contractor income
• 1099-R forms for distributions from IRAs or retirement plans
• 1099-S forms for sale of property income
• SSA-1099 for Social Security income
• Alimony received, paid
• Income and expense from a business
• Income and expense from rental property
• Miscellaneous income: jury duty, gambling/lottery winnings, scholarships, Medical Savings Account (MSA), unreported tip income, prizes and awards

Expenses

• Forms 1098 for mortgage interest, points and private mortgage insurance
• Form 1098-E for student loan interest
• Form 1098-T for tuition paid
• Federal and State estimated tax payments
• Medical and dental expenses (including medical mileage, long term care health insurance)
• Real estate and personal property taxes
• State and local taxes
• CASH and NON-CASH charitable donations (including mileage driven)
• Casualty and theft loss (only for federally declared disasters)
• Gambling losses to the extent of winnings
• Child care costs including care provider identification
• IRA contributions
• Qualifying energy expense for home improvements
• Receipts for classroom supplies (educators in grades K-12 only)
• Receipts for moving expenses (members of the military only)

Other

• Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
• 1095-B, 1095-C Health Insurance Verification Form

ezTaxReturn.com is the fastest and easiest way to do your taxes and get the biggest possible refund, guaranteed.

Knowing Aflac and the Insurance Plans Covered - Auto, Disability Insurance and Health Care

There is virtually no way to avoid being bombarded by commercials and advertising aimed at selling you the latest and greatest car, truck or SUV. Whether you choose what you drive for “status” or if it is merely a transportation necessity, the automobile is a part of daily life in North America.

And for every automobile ad you see or hear, there is likely to be an auto insurance ad nearby. After all, if you have a car, there is a very good chance that you have car insurance. But do you have enough? And do you have the right insurance? Far too often we discover the deficiencies in our insurance coverage after it is too late.

For a family living on a fixed budget, with little or no savings, a major automobile accident can be a significant setback. Even if your auto insurance covers damages to property and your liabilities, there are often collateral expenses that are not covered and can be a significant financial burden. 

Fortunately, Aflac, an insurance carrier, has an insurance product which helps policyholders in time of need when their primary auto insurance is not enough. Aflac car insurance, however, is not your typical auto insurance policy, which can create confusion for those trying to understand exactly what insurance options they have with Aflac.




To help you better understand, Aflac is a known as a supplemental insurance company, meaning, Aflac covers what typical insurance coverage exempts. These exemptions might include lost wages. Therefore, the Aflac auto insurance policy supplements disability insurance policies. 

As such, an Aflac auto policy may only be purchased as an addition to insurance from a typical carrier. Such a safeguard may be a wise investment for those unforeseen extra liabilities that you may encounter after an accident.

Understanding Aflac Car Insurance

Vehicular accidents are unpredictable and sometimes fatal. The bills that come thereafter can be financially crippling, affecting your family’s economic stability. You may require time off work to recover, during which you still need to pay your bills. 

In the long run, if not well prepared, the stress of juggling between paying hospital bills and meeting your family’s everyday needs can make your present and future financial stability. In extreme circumstances, bankruptcy may be the end result.

To help reduce that stress and burden, Aflac provides a lifeline by providing disability insurance policies, including an auto insurance supplement - that is why there is no Aflac auto insurance, per se. The Aflac car insurance policy is like an insurance for your insurance. 

It kicks in when the policyholder is incapacitated after an accident and unable to return to work in a timely manner. The Aflac policy provides additional financial resources to keep the bills paid and the bank account balanced when income stops as a result of an accident.

Aflac has become a globally popular supplemental insurance provider and there are several reasons customers are finding Aflac auto insurance worth the investment.

To start with, several Aflac car insurance plans include rider insurance

A rider insurance option comes in handy as it addresses any extra medical costs resulting from the accident and gives the victims a recurring income. The accident victim still receives an income while recuperating. The rider insurance is very expensive not offered by most insurance companies that alone should help you see why Aflac’s plan is so popular.

Since the rider insurance is not affordable to all, Aflac has a supplemental insurance provision which extends to what other auto insurers will not cover. That is, the Aflac car insurance takes care of dental care, daily income expenses, intensive care, short-term lost wages, ambulance services, emergency room costs and extended hospital stays. With all these being included in the insurance plan, why would a policyholder opt out of Aflac?

Aflac Claims - Car Insurance

With a better understanding of the Aflac car insurance policy, one can’t help but wonder how effective Aflac is in terms of paying out a victim’s claim. Some insurance providers manage their policyholder claims through third party companies, which can be a great inconvenience to the policyholder. 

Aflac does things a little differently. Once an Aflac car insurance claim is made, Aflac makes payment directly to the customer with no third parties involved. This reduces delays in payment and frustration on the part of the insured party. Additionally, Aflac has a great deal of care for its customers, demonstrating this through offering immediate benefits to a victim’s spouse in case of serious bodily harm.

Aflac’s ability to pay claims quickly and efficiently not only saves the victim and family members a great deal financially but also provides them peace of mind while the afflicted receive necessary medical attention.

Disability Insurance

Notwithstanding the unique Aflac car insurance, this insurer differentiates itself from other insurers particularly in its mode of operation. Instead of your typical insurance coverage, Aflac treats companies, non-profit organizations and individual clients to the disability insurance coverage. Their product ensures that the policyholder does not endure financial struggles after being injured while on the job or if they fall ill which leads to an inability to work.




Aflac’s medical and disability plans protect companies as well. Aflac offers plans that can be purchased in terms of group coverage. The group policy covers all employees in circumstances of illness or injury. The coverage comes into effect if they are incapacitated while on the job. All an employer has to do is to file a claim and will be ensured that their employee will be handed a financial lifeline.

The Aflac disability insurance plan is everything you will need, not only for your vehicle. Whether you are an individual or a group, this coverage will be your solution in times of accidents.

Healthcare

One might assume that since Aflac’s services are aimed at helping people meet their medical needs, there must also be an Aflac health insurance plan. Sadly, there is none. Aflac has, however, designed the disability insurance to work together with a policyholder’s health insurance coverage. Thus, there is no Aflac healthcare coverage.

A policyholder may only be eligible for Aflac’s insurance with an existing health insurance plan. In fact, many insurance providers will present their own policyholders with Aflac’s policy option as a way to supplement the purchased health insurance plan. The wide range of medical costs covered by Aflac is definitely worth supplementing the standard health plan.

About Aflac

There is no argument that the Aflac duck is the best corporate mascot ever. But the duck alone is not the star of the show. Founded in 1955, Aflac has gained worldwide popularity as a result of consistently meeting their customer’s needs and keeping their promises. Aflac has millions of satisfied customers with policies that include vision, dental, accident, cancer, life, short-term disability, hospital indemnity and hospital intensive care covers.

Aflac’s claim-handling procedures set them apart from their competitors. Policyholders can file their claims on their website or over the phone. Claims are typically paid within a few days and, in some instances, on the same day, reducing stress and financial burdens for their customers. 

Aflac’s world-class customer service has made it a trusted name in the insurance industry. This is, after all, what defines a good insurance company and customer relationship. Although Aflac is not the only option for supplemental insurance, it has built itself a name through exemplary service.

Through the decades Aflac has extended its services across the United States, Canada, Japan, and other nations, proving that supplemental insurance can ease people’s financial struggles in times of accidents and illnesses.

Aflac’s excellent customer service and unique delivery of insurance plans makes it a top option for your supplemental insurance needs. Do yourself a favor by insuring yourself against unexpected accidents and financial stress with Aflac automobile insurance or disability insurance.

How Families Can Save Money on Winter Recreation Gear

There are so many ways for families to bond during the winter season. They can connect in front of their fireplaces while sipping delicious hot cocoa. They can connect to each other by going on getaways that involve winter recreational activities, too. Fortunately, buying gear for winter recreation doesn’t have to be costly for the members of your household.

Look for Used Winter Gear Products

Don’t assume that your winter recreation equipment has to be brand new. There are so many online and offline retailers that have expansive selections of preowned winter activity equipment pieces. 

If you want to buy skis without having to break the bank, you should browse used selections as soon as possible. Remember, used winter recreation gear often matches brand new options in sheer quality and reliability.

Make “Off-Season” Winter Gear Purchases

It’s no surprise that people tend to rush to make winter gear purchases during the fall right before the frigid season starts. If you want to reap the rewards of discounts and bargains, however, it can be practical to complete any of your purchases at different times of the year. 




Some companies, such as Bob’s Cycle & Snowmobile Supply, know that you should avoid trying to make any purchases right before the start of the winter. If you time your family’s purchases intelligently, you may be able to decrease your expenses.

Ask Family Members and Friends for Hand-Me-Downs

Purchasing a helmet that’s suitable for snowmobiling fun can often be a pretty costly effort. If you don’t want to have to fork over a significant sum of money for a helmet purchase, you can ask people around you if they can help. You may have a cousin who purchased a top-tier helmet a couple of years ago only to never use it even once.

Search for Gear Coupons on the Internet

Savvy families know how to shop like experts on the Internet. If you want to slash your winter recreation gear expenses substantially, then you can turn to the Internet. If you’re diligent, you may be able to come across coupon codes that you can use to acquire winter gear products of all kinds. 

Check social media pages and official websites for winter recreation gear brands, too. They may discuss sales opportunities that are coming up.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a snowboarding fan or a ski buff. You probably don’t want to have to set aside a lot of money for gear purchases. If you’re part of a family of winter recreation lovers, there are so many things that can help minimize your costs.

Make 2019 Your Best Year Yet For Investing

For many years, I've found that sensible investors display a prevalent characteristic: discipline. No matter how the current market moves or what all-new investing trend hits the headlines, those who remain centered on their objectives and tune out the noise are
set up for long-term success. 

Saving

The initial groundwork to investing is saving, and you do not usually become a saver without a strong dose of discipline. Savers decide to sock away part of their income, which means spending less and postponing gratification, despite how difficult that might be. 

Self Control

Of course, self-disciplined investing extends beyond diligent saving. The financial markets, basically, are uncertain. I have yet to meet the investor who can time them perfectly. It takes self-control to withstand the desire to go all-in when markets are frothy or to retreat when things look grim. Staying put with your investments is one strategy for handling volatility. 

Rebalance

Another is  rebalancing, it needs even more discipline since it means maneuvering your money away from stable performers and towards poorer performers. Additionally, persistence, a form of discipline is the friend of long-term investors. Much higher returns are the possible reward for weathering the market's turbulence and unpredictability.

We have been savoring one of the longest bull markets in history, but it will not continue eternally, as we have been seeing lately. So get yourself ready now for how you will respond when volatility returns. Do not panic. Don't go after returns or look for solutions outside the asset classes you trust. And be sure to rebalance routinely, even when there's turmoil. Even if you're a master of self-discipline, get a boost from technology, or collaborate with a professional adviser, know that discipline is necessary to get the most out of your investment portfolio. 

So make 2019 your best year yet with your investing. Stick with what works. Avoid the fads and stick with tried and true investing techniques. Good Luck.

What You Should Look for in Unsecured Business Loans

The unsecured business loan is a boon for the small business that cannot provide adequate collaterals or guarantee. While approaching banks or NBFCs for an unsecured business loan, the applicant has to look for overall value proposition he or she receives rather than the only interest rate.

Rate of Interest

The rate of interest is decided based on the internal policy of the bank or NBFCs. Apart from the policy, the financial profile of the individual also plays crucial role in deciding the rate of interest. If your CIBIL score is higher, you will be offered a lower rate of interest.

Moreover, you should ensure that loan is granted to you on reducing balance basis. It ensures that you will pay the interest only on the remaining principal amount. If you are charged a flat interest rate, you will end up paying the excessive amount of interest, even if the notional interest rate is lower.

Loan Processing Time

There are instances that banks take unusual time to process the unsecured loan application. For any business, time is money. The excessive paperwork and lengthy process eventually result in loss of business opportunity. The minute lower interest rate may prove costly if you cannot achieve the desired goal.

Processing Fees

While every bank and financial institute charges processing fees for a loan to cover administrative expenses, it should be reasonable. Some banks charges fixed amount as processing fees irrespective of the loan amount, while the others charges as a percentage of the loan amount. 




Many banks waive off the processing charges for a small loan amount. If you have an existing relationship with your bank, you can negotiate with the bank to waive off or reduce the processing fees.

Loan Amount

The unsecured business loan carries a higher risk of default. Higher the amount, higher the risk. After a certain threshold, the interest rate increase to cover higher probability of default. 

You can also opt for partial collaterals to get a better interest rate on your overall loan amount. Based on your business vintage and historical payment records, you can negotiate a higher amount loan with your bank.

Tenor Granted

The tenor is generally decided based on the purpose of the loan. For example, the tenor for a working capital loan is usually one year, while the same for machinery may extend up to five years. Higher the tenor, higher is the risk of capital repayment. You can review your overall financial cash flow to evaluate ideal tenure for your unsecured business loan.

Prepayment Charges

In case you want to prepay your loan earlier than original tenure, many banks apply prepayment penalties. It is advisable to check with your bank regarding prepayment charges in case you intend to repay earlier.

Flexibility

In real terms, it is not only interest rate that decides the cost of fund for applicants. Many reputed NBFCs like Bajaj Finserv provides flexible tenor and repayment options on business loan application. You can also opt for Flexi facility instead of standard EMI repayment. 

You can also get pre-approved offers that gives you instant loan approval. Under the Flexi facility, the interest is charged on the amount that you have used. Whenever you have an excess fund, you can repay your loan to reduce the interest cost. 

Moreover, you are obliged to pay the interest amount only on a monthly basis. You can repay the principal amount anytime within the overall tenor granted to you.

Pests: Investing In Getting Rid Of Pests

Throughout most of our adult life, we've worked very hard for everything we have. At times, we didn't really put much thought into our decisions. Now, we are getting to a point in our lives when every decision we make has to be carefully planned and thought through extensively.

Investment

In today's highly competitive real estate market, locating, acquiring and maintaining an investment property is essential to being successful in the industry. With technology today, advertising our properties is as easy as taking pictures and pushing buttons on our mobile phones. If you take a quick look online, many will find an endless number of property listings for rent or for sale. 

Many take a look at pictures of the property, then read the location and amenities a property offers. The first thing that comes to mind when looking for an investment property is location and the age of the property. We then take a look at any nearby popular destinations and attractions that can be of suitable distance to the property. Now, we have carefully decided to invest in a property. 

We take a look around the unit and find that there is some renovating and cleaning up to do. You're thinking, "The property is located in an up and coming neighborhood, but the unit in the building is showing its age. Specifically, pests are a nuisance in a seasoned building. So what do I do?" Pest control is imperative in any type of investment property. Who do you turn to? Services such as https://www.moxieservices.com/can help with pest control.

Pest Control

Pests come in all shapes, sizes, and types. When investing in an aged property, we won't always know who previously resided there and how well they took care of the property. To name a few, pests like ants, mice, roaches, and spiders are most commonly found anywhere inside homes. 

If left untreated or uncontrolled, pest infestation can quickly invade the entire property. For instance, ants can wreak havoc. They deliver painful annoying bites that can leave red itchy bumps all over the skin. Investing in a professional pest control service has many benefits. 




It can prevent the devaluing of an asset, as it will keep your property free and clean of ants, mice, roaches and other pests. When potential tenants come to view the property, we will want to make sure the property is pristine. 

By contracting a pest control service monthly, it will ensure that potential tenants will see and know that we take care of our property. It is an investment that will keep giving back.

How Often

Certain pests cannot be avoided. The reason can be the local weather, the local area, or perhaps because of a neighbor. Regardless of the reason and where the pests are coming from, it is best to subscribe to a monthly pest control service. 

Some pesticides may seem effective at first, but the chemicals will slowly fade and the pests will come back again. By subscribing and hiring a monthly professional pest control service, it will keep the pests away while keeping your property clean and safe. These professionals can also give recommendations in preventive measures against pests. 

An experienced pest control service will be able to reach every nook and cranny of the property making sure no area was left untreated. It is also best to let them know if there are pets living in the property. We would want to avoid any harmful chemicals reaching them, making the property unsafe for pets.

Value

So we've decided to invest in a monthly pest control service. Now it is time to reap the rewards from our investment. Month to month, our tenants comment that they are very pleased with having a monthly pest control company come and visit to get rid of pests. 

They tell us, "I have recommended my friends and family to move here as well. We can see that you maintain your property well and keep our living spaces pristinely clean." We smile back and a call comes in, "Hello. I am calling today to inquire about renting a unit from you. I was referred by Nancy and John. They said that they highly recommend living there."