TOP DRAWER INK NEWSLETTER

 

Here's the latest issue of Top Drawer Ink, the newsletter written by author HL Carpenter that's chock full of humor and common sense information.

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August 21, 2010
Volume 8, Number 16
ISSN 1554-6330

In this issue:

1. Carpenter Country Essay

2. Top Drawer Article

3. Top Drawer Tips

4. Top Drawer Satire

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CARPENTER COUNTRY

What's Happening in Our Neck of the Human Experience

Last weekend, the Sunshine State hosted the first sales-tax-free holiday in three years. But unlike previous events which continued for a week or longer, this one lasted only three days.

Still, things have been so dull in Carpenter Country lately, I just knew shopping for goodies on a tax exempt day would be as exciting as a treasure hunt.

But what was tax free?

A search through the daily newspaper produced a four page tip sheet of very small print. Good thing I started early. It took two days to read most of the yea and nay lists.

Many school supplies under $10 were tax free. That was good, even though I didn't need any. Clothing costing less than $50 was on the yea list too. Included with the usual coats and dresses were shoes, shorts, hairnets, girdles, corsets and garter belts.

Garter belts! I thought they went out with the dodo bird.

Further reading mentioned manufacturer's coupons would not reduce the price to below the qualifying $50 amount, but store coupons and discounts would. Anything sold as a unit could not be priced separately. And please note - if any of the exempt items were purchased at a theme park or the airport, they automatically fell into the nay list.

There was more, but my vision blurred and I could only think - this is crazy! Life has enough small-print-decision-making days. Tax free should mean hassle free.

So, State Officials, here are a couple of thoughts for the next event. Print the rules in large type. And make everything tax exempt.

Now that would be a really great treasure hunt.

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TOP DRAWER ARTICLE

Tax Forms That Talk

by
HL Carpenter

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The IRS wants to talk to the visually impaired - and it won't cost a cent.

Click here to read the rest of this article

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TOP DRAWER TIPS
Topics and Tidbits

Tip: Speech recognition software is not only for the sight impaired. Anyone can use the software to turn a computer into a digital recorder that will type, fill out forms and follow your verbal orders. You may find a built-in speech recognition tool already loaded on your computer, or you can purchase a stand-alone program.

Glossary Term: Alternative Media Center. A unit within the IRS that converts tax forms, publications and IRS web sites into formats accessible to people with disabilities. According to a 2007 Treasury Inspector General report, the Alternative Media Center was established in 2000 as a unit of the Media and Publications function in the Wage and Investment Division Customer Assistance, Relationships, and Education office.

Financial Horoscope: You don't need special software - or even a crystal ball - to tell you tax increases are coming in the near future. The time to start planning is now.

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TOP DRAWER SATIRE

The Air of Uncertainty

by
HL Carpenter

Scientists believe the Air of Uncertainty is causing the current US economic malaise.

Click here to read the rest of this satire