Hi!
Hmmm...
Less than 60 days left to do taxes.... Guess I better start rounding
up my paperwork... I am one of those procrastinators who calls
the accountant at the last minute when all the prime appointments
are taken, which usually means I'm running my taxes to the post
office at the last minute... Speaking of taxes, I haven't made
up my mind yet as to whether I'm going to do our taxes online,
or with a tax program on our computer or with an accountant or
other tax professional. Do you by chance have any recommendations
or warnings about any of the tax programs available or online
services? I'd
love to hear your opinion! If I get enough responses I may
be able to put together a list of pros and cons for folks to
check out. :)
I
hope you enjoy this newsletter and I thank you for being my subscriber!
Have
a terrific day! Diane
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| IS
THAT LABOR RELEASE FORM VALID? **** EXCLUSIVE
ARTICLE **** |
Q. Diane,
I
took over the construction funding position for a general contractor.
Procedures haven't been updated in a long time and I'm trying
to find out what forms are still legally accepted and advisable.
I know about the four releases but my boss who has been in the
business for years requires an additional release for labor,
from subs under contract on a job, prior to payment. I have subs
tell me that currently the only legally recognized forms are
the four releases. They also say no one asks for labor releases
any more.
What
can you tell me about labor releases?
Linda
A. Hi
Linda! Thank you for writing! :) In response to your question
I've put together an article that can be read here. Don't
accept another labor release form until you've read this article...
http://www.thecontractorsgroup.com/articles/labor-release-h.html
|
| DON'T
GET CAUGHT WITH YOUR PANTS DOWN!! **** EXCLUSIVE
ARTICLE **** |
I
once wrote an article about the "Cell Phone Self-Dial
Syndrome", several years ago... It was a light-hearted
article about unlocked cell-phone keypads and the calls your
cell phone makes without your knowledge. Recently there was an
article published in the Victorville CA Daily Press about 911
abuse and how "self-dialing" cell phones are contributing
to that abuse... Read
more...
http://www.thecontractorsgroup.com/articles/cell-phone-self-dial-h.html
|
| FAQ's:
DBA'S & FICTICTIOUS BUSINESS NAMES |
Send
me your questions and I'll do my best to find the answers
for you!
mailto:diane@thecontractorsgroup.com
Q. Can
a business legally named Smartco, LLC start operating ventures
that contain its legal name without forming any legal DBAs: ie.
Smartco Grocery, Smartco fun-time program, and Smartco Computer
Service, with capitalization of names as shown? Thanks very much
for your insight! Anonymous...
A. For
this question I went to my "ever willing to answer questions" friend,
Ron Wilson, President of Desert Community Bank. Thank you Ron!
:)
"No,
a fictitious name must be obtained if names are not identical
to the company name. The LLC does not allow latitude as presented
in the question. This is true for a profit or non-profit corporation.
For instance, the Apple Valley Youth Football Association,
Inc., operates under the name Apple Valley Junior All American
Football. They had to obtain a fictitious name for the later."
I
hope this helps!
Ron Wilson, Desert
Community Bank
http://www.dcbk.org/
|
| PUBLIC
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SAN SIMEON CALIF QUAKE VICTIMS |
California
Employers Affected by San Simeon Earthquake Eligible for Extension
on Filing Employment Tax Returns
San
Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara county employers directly affected
by the December 22, 2003 earthquake, who need additional time
to file their wage reports, payroll tax returns, or to pay taxes,
have until February 20, 2004 to request an extension. For information,
contact the Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1-888-745-3886 or visit
your local Employment Tax Office.
http://www.TheContractorsGroup.com/nwsltr/Rdrct/san-simeon-earthquake.html
|
| WE
KNOW OUR ADVERTISERS ARE GOOD BECAUSE WE USE THEIR SERVICES! |
Our
advertisers advertise with us not only to find new customers
but also because they support you our readers. Without our advertisers
our website would most definitely not be where it is today. Please
take a few moments to visit their websites and see what they
can do for you. Don't forget to tell them that you heard
about them from TheContractorsGroup.com! :)
|
Southern
California Insurance Brkrg.
For
insurance and bonds, call SCIB or visit their website and request
quotes and insurance certificates online!
(800) 900-9372
http://www.thecontractorsgroup.com/scib/
|
Levy
von • Beck & Associates P.S.
Levy • von Beck & Associates P.S.
provides Credit & Collection services to clients throughout
the United States. (206) 626-5444
http://www.levy-law.com
|
| REPEAT
- NEW CALIFORNIA 20-DAY PRELIMINARY NOTICE FORM |
The
California 20-Day Preliminary Notice form has changed effective
Jan 1, 2004. Due to legislation recently enacted, there has been
some text added to the form. If you use a form without the new
text then there's a VERY good chance that your lien rights will
NOT be protected. Read
more...
http://www.thecontractorsgroup.com/forms/prelim/new.htm
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| PLEASE
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK... |
Well,
that's it for this issue. As always, I love receiving email and
I always reply. :) Please
send me your thoughts about our site and newsletter and if
there's anything you'd like me to write about please do let me
know. It's real easy, just reply to this email with your thoughts.
Thank you very much, I truly do appreciate it! Have
an outstanding day and week! Diane
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