And because of losses in the US, they paid no taxes for 2009.

"GE had plenty of earnings last year — just not in the United States. For tax purposes, the company’s U.S. operations lost 8 million, while its international businesses netted a .8 billion profit.

That left GE (GE, Fortune 500) with no U.S. profit left for Uncle Sam to tax. Corporations typically face a 35% federal income tax on their earnings. Thanks to its deductions and adjustments, GE reported an actual U.S. federal income tax rate of negative 10.5%. It got to add a "tax benefit" of .1 billion back into its reported earnings."

http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/16/news/companies/ge_7000_tax_returns/index.htm?cnn=yes&hpt=T2

Regarding the GE Bailout: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/28/AR2009062802955.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2009062803183

I have a website that I make a substantial amount of income from, and I know that for tax purposes it’s easier to prove business deductions if you have one account for personal expenses and one just for business expenses.

My question is, does that second checking account need to be in the business’ name (establishing a dba/trade name) or can both accounts be in my name?

I’m looking into investing money for various people who have asked me to manage their money. I’m interested in doing so in a mutual fund sort of way and would like to know if anyone has recommendations as to some good software programs that will track (and keep separate) the numerous contributions and deductions by people invested in the fund. I need to be able to always know what percentage of the funds value is attributable to each investor.

On a side note: Am I wrong in thinking that I don’t need any special license in order to invest other people’s money? I would have a contract with each investor that would cover all the typical disclosures IRT “the risks of investing” and “past returns are no guarantee of future results”, etc. I plan on making this my home business for tax purposes as well. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications…
Yes, I could get financial advisor and planner certifications but I really think there not worth much. I served with a guy who had a financial degree and he consistently commented as to how I knew more than he did and how I could pass the exam to be a broker if I wanted. I’m just not sure if I "have to".

I’m looking into investing money for various people who have asked me to manage their money. I’m interested in doing so in a mutual fund sort of way and would like to know if anyone has recommendations as to some good software programs that will track (and keep separate) the numerous contributions and deductions by people invested in the fund. I need to be able to always know what percentage of the funds value is attributable to each investor.

On a side note: Am I wrong in thinking that I don’t need any special license in order to invest other people’s money? I would have a contract with each investor that would cover all the typical disclosures IRT “the risks of investing” and “past returns are no guarantee of future results”, etc. I plan on making this my home business for tax purposes as well. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications…
Yes, I could get financial advisor and planner certifications but I really think there not worth much. I served with a guy who had a financial degree and he consistently commented as to how I knew more than he did and how I could pass the exam to be a broker if I wanted. I’m just not sure if I "have to".

This year I’m working as an independent contractor and I’ll be given a 1099 for tax purposes. I’m an umpire for an amateur baseball association. I am absolutely required to have internet access and a cell phone.

I did not have a personal cell phone before I started with this association. Can I deduct the full cost of a cell phone if it is used only for business purposes?

I already have a personal computer and internet access at my house. However, now that it is required for a job, can I deduct the cost of the internet service? What if I buy a new computer, is that deductible as long as I keep the old computer for my personal use?

Note: I do not intend to take the home office deduction because I do not have any one particular area of my house that is designated for business use only.

I’m looking into investing money for various people who have asked me to manage their money. I’m interested in doing so in a mutual fund sort of way and would like to know if anyone has recommendations as to some good software programs that will track (and keep separate) the numerous contributions and deductions by people invested in the fund. I need to be able to always know what percentage of the funds value is attributable to each investor.

On a side note: Am I wrong in thinking that I don’t need any special license in order to invest other people’s money? I would have a contract with each investor that would cover all the typical disclosures IRT “the risks of investing” and “past returns are no guarantee of future results”, etc. I plan on making this my home business for tax purposes as well. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications…
Yes, I could get financial advisor and planner certifications but I really think there not worth much. I served with a guy who had a financial degree and he consistently commented as to how I knew more than he did and how I could pass the exam to be a broker if I wanted. I’m just not sure if I "have to".

I’m looking into investing money for various people who have asked me to manage their money. I’m interested in doing so in a mutual fund sort of way and would like to know if anyone has recommendations as to some good software programs that will track (and keep separate) the numerous contributions and deductions by people invested in the fund. I need to be able to always know what percentage of the funds value is attributable to each investor.

On a side note: Am I wrong in thinking that I don’t need any special license in order to invest other people’s money? I would have a contract with each investor that would cover all the typical disclosures IRT “the risks of investing” and “past returns are no guarantee of future results”, etc. I plan on making this my home business for tax purposes as well. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications… Yes, I could get financial advisor and planner certifications but I really think there not worth much. I served with a guy who had a financial degree and he consistently commented as to how I knew more than he did and how I could pass the exam to be a broker if I wanted. I’m just not sure if I "have to".

I’m looking into investing money for various people who have asked me to manage their money. I’m interested in doing so in a mutual fund sort of way and would like to know if anyone has recommendations as to some good software programs that will track (and keep separate) the numerous contributions and deductions by people invested in the fund. I need to be able to always know what percentage of the funds value is attributable to each investor.

On a side note: Am I wrong in thinking that I don’t need any special license in order to invest other people’s money? I would have a contract with each investor that would cover all the typical disclosures IRT “the risks of investing” and “past returns are no guarantee of future results”, etc. I plan on making this my home business for tax purposes as well. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications…
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications… Yes, I could get financial advisor and planner certifications but I really think there not worth much. I served with a guy who had a financial degree and he consistently commented as to how I knew more than he did and how I could pass the exam to be a broker if I wanted. I’m just not sure if I "have to".

I’m looking into investing money for various people who have asked me to manage their money. I’m interested in doing so in a mutual fund sort of way and would like to know if anyone has recommendations as to some good software programs that will track (and keep separate) the numerous contributions and deductions by people invested in the fund. I need to be able to always know what percentage of the funds value is attributable to each investor.

On a side note: Am I wrong in thinking that I don’t need any special license in order to invest other people’s money? I would have a contract with each investor that would cover all the typical disclosures IRT “the risks of investing” and “past returns are no guarantee of future results”, etc. I plan on making this my home business for tax purposes as well. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications…
Yes, I could get financial advisor and planner certifications but I really think there not worth much. I served with a guy who had a financial degree and he consistently commented as to how I knew more than he did and how I could pass the exam to be a broker if I wanted. I’m just not sure if I "have to".

I’m looking into investing money for various people who have asked me to manage their money. I’m interested in doing so in a mutual fund sort of way and would like to know if anyone has recommendations as to some good software programs that will track (and keep separate) the numerous contributions and deductions by people invested in the fund. I need to be able to always know what percentage of the funds value is attributable to each investor.

On a side note: Am I wrong in thinking that I don’t need any special license in order to invest other people’s money? I would have a contract with each investor that would cover all the typical disclosures IRT “the risks of investing” and “past returns are no guarantee of future results”, etc. I plan on making this my home business for tax purposes as well. Am I missing something?

Thanks.
I realize that people "usually" have some sort of a business degree but I don’t think there’s an actual "requirement". Besides, some of the advisor/planner "credentials" I’ve seen are so easy to get that it’s a little comical when I see them listed as qualifications…
Yes, I could get financial advisor and planner certifications but I really think there not worth much. I served with a guy who had a financial degree and he consistently commented as to how I knew more than he did and how I could pass the exam to be a broker if I wanted. I’m just not sure if I "have to".