Entry bubble Answering Income Tax "What Ifs"

By: Jake | February 09, 2009 | Category: Money

Tax prep photoAs Jess's post last week demonstrated, people are busy preparing for the 2009 tax filing season. Unfortunately with the economic downturn, a lot of people have fallen into "what if?" situations as they tackle their Internal Revenue Service forms. A "what if?" would include situations where you dipped into your IRA or lost your job.

Last week a colleague forwarded me an email from the IRS explaining people can answer many of these "what ifs" by searching the IRS homepage. I went ahead and did the searching for you and created the list of links below to help answer your "what ifs?" If by chance you have more "what ifs," contact the IRS or leave me a comment and I'll see if I can answer it for you.

Job Related

What if I lose my job?
What if my income declines?
What if I withdraw money from my IRA?
What if my 401(k) drops in value?

Debt Related

What if I lose my home through foreclosure?
What if I sell my home for a loss?
What if my debt is forgiven?

Tax Related

What if I can’t pay my taxes?
What if I can’t pay my installment agreement?
What if I can’t resolve my tax problem with the IRS?
What if I need legal representation to help with my tax problem but can’t afford it? 

| Post a Comment | View Comments [7] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: economic_downturn   income_tax   jake   job_loss   taxes   unemployment  

 

Entry bubble Preparing for a Layoff

By: Nancy | October 30, 2008 | Category: Money

It happened again just now.

Another friend told me he's been laid off. That's the second this week. And there are so many others who are hearing rumors that their jobs could be next or who have had their work hours cut so severely that they think it's just a matter of time before they're pink slipped too.

laid off employee's box of possessionsIf your company has lost a lot of business or has been bought out recently or you're just sensing from talk around the office that your job is vulnerable, asking yourself a few questions now can help you be prepared if the worst happens later.


What does my current financial picture look like?
The rule of thumb is to have the equivalent of six months' salary in your savings account. Most people I know can't afford to do that. Take a look at what you have and think about how you can cut your monthly expenses. Can you...

  • Refinance your mortgage?
  • Cut any services or subscriptions like cable TV or DVD rentals?
  • Renegotiate or get out of contracts with the gym or the daycare center?
  • Get a deferment on your student loans?

How out of date is my resume?
Commercial job search sites like Monster.com offer up-to-date tips for crafting the right resume for the line of work you're going after. And I found a slew of resume templates that you can download if you use Microsoft Word.

Who do I know?
I got this job through networking. I gave a friend a copy of my resume and she gave it to the then-editor of the Consumer Information Catalog who passed it on to my future bosses. You never know how you're going to find your next job. So let friends and family know, join social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn and job hunting sites and get the word out. Also consider setting up a special job hunting email account rather than using your personal or family email and think about changing the voice mail on the phone number you'll be using on your resume; as cute as your two-year-old might sound singing on the home answering machine, a potential employer may not be so amused.

How does unemployment insurance work?
It's one of those things you don't think about 'til you need it. But if you can get familiar with it now, it'll be one less thing you'll have to figure out later.

If you are laid off, Job-hunt.org has excellent tips on what to do right away, from negotiating a severance package to continuing your health insurance coverage.

This is a rough time for so many people. What advice do you have for someone who's facing a layoff or job hunting?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [10] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: job   layoff   money   nancy   unemployment  

 

Entry bubble Unemployment Compensation

By: Colleen | August 27, 2008 | Category: Money

Usually here at Gov Gab we're pretty good about making our posts all sunshine and rainbows and what-unemploymentnot. However, it's not a big secret that there is a lot of not so pleasant stuff going on. Food and gas prices are on the rise, and so is unemployment.

The U.S. Department of Labor's July report says that 43 states and the District of Columbia reported an increase in unemployment during the month of July. Nationwide, the unemployment rate is 5.7%—up a full percentage point from this time last year.

If you are laid off due to "no fault of your own," then you are eligible for unemployment compensation. Check your state's Department of Labor to find out the best and easiest way for you to file. Many of them let you file online or by phone. Be prepared with information such as you social security number, your mother's maiden name, and the Federal ID # of your employer (found on your W-2).

If you've been out of work because of a major disaster (must be declared by the President) like a flood, tornado, fire, or hurricane you are also eligible for Disaster Unemployment Insurance. People are eligible to claim for Disaster Unemployment Insurance a week after the event and up to 26 weeks following the disaster.

Laid off and thinking of starting your own business? There's help for that as well.

Unemployment compensation is designed to help keep you going while you find new work. During this time it is important to carefully watch your expenses, and save money. Any advice to help make ends meet while looking for work?

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: colleen   compensation   department   labor   laid   money   of   off   u.s.   unemployment