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The Ultimate Guide To Life After College Graduation

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:26:54 -0400

The Ultimate Guide To Life After College Graduation:

With graduation fast approaching, many students are about to enter the real world. It’s an exciting time, but life can throw some real curveballs, especially for those just starting out. How you handle these financial roadblocks can make a world of difference.

Graduated! …No job.

Don’t panic, and don’t feel alone – there are many recent (and not-so-recent) graduates in exactly the same boat.

What to do: You’ll have to downgrade your lifestyle until you find a gig. This might mean moving back in with the folks if you can (not ideal, but certainly not the worst case scenario) or opting for a cheaper apartment. This is especially true if the cost of living in your area is high.

What not to do: You may be inclined to jump on the first “Now Hiring” sign you see and load up your schedule to make ends meet. However, keep in mind that searching for a career in your chosen field takes a lot of time and energy. A 40+ hour workweek bartending might leave you too exhausted to seek a better job. You could, however, get a part-time job for extra cash and make sure you leave yourself time to look for a new job.

Moving! …Rent down payment?

What you might not know if you’ve never leased an apartment is that the down payment to secure a place can be crushing to your bank account. Often times, you’ll need to front the first and last month’s rent amount PLUS a security deposit.

What to do: If you can’t come up with the dough on your own,the best solution is to seek help from family or close friends. If you’ve managed to find a job, then you might also check if they reimburse moving expenses, or can provide an advance on your paycheck. As a last resort, you could try services like RentShare to pay your landlord with a credit card. Be aware, such services usually charge fees somewhere in the ballpark of 2-3%, and your credit limit might not be high enough to cover the full amount.

What not to do: Whatever you do, do not turn to payday lenders or cash advance operations. Their fees and interest rates are exorbitant and you’ll struggle to repay them.

Employed! …401k plan?

Everyone knows they should save for retirement, but if you’re like many a recent grad, you have no clue what a 401k plan is or how to invest.

What to do: Take advantage of your company’s 401k plan! Simple as that. A portion of your paycheck will be automatically set aside for retirement savings. Luckily, you don’t have to be a Warren Buffett to invest your funds wisely. Mutual funds allow you to diversify investments with a minimum of effort on your part. If you have a variety of options, make sure to choose a fund that has a low expense ratio.

Check out this Q&A for more on 401k plans.

Even if your company does not offer a 401k plan, you can still contribute to an IRA and earn a similar tax advantage.

What not to do: Blow your entire paycheck. The longer you wait to start saving, the more difficult it will be to retire comfortably. Keep in mind that a 401k plan is a privilege, not a right – especially if your employer matches some of your contributions. Many Americans don’t have access to a 401k plan, and you may not in the future, so you shouldn’t waste your opportunity.

Finally, independence! …Insurance?

Many students leave insurance matters to their parents throughout college. Come graduation, however, you might suddenly find yourself on the hook for regular premiums.

What to do:

Auto insurance

If you’re a driver and haven’t been paying for your own car insurance until now, you’ll need to get started. You might be more comfortable staying with your parent’s provider, but they won’t always offer you the best rates, so make sure to compare before you commit. Finally, if you don’t actually own a car but do borrow a car on occasion, you don’t need full-blown coverage, but you should consider a non-owner policy to help cover your liability in the case of an accident.

Health insurance

If you’re under age 26, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, you are still able to remain on your parent’s insurance regardless of marriage status, employment, residence, etc. However, any dental or vision insurance you previously received under a parent’s employer-based plan could be taken away once you graduate.

Renters insurance

If you live in an apartment, you might not have to worry about damage to the building, but your personal possessions are another matter. Personal losses due to fire, flood, theft, etc. are not likely to be covered by your landlord’s insurance, so consider renter’s insurance to protect your stuff.

What not to do: Do not avoid shopping for insurance. Auto insurance is required if you own a car and, although you may not be required to purchase other types of insurance, they are often a good idea to protect against catastrophic losses.

Goodbye classes! …Hello student loan payments.

Unless you were lucky enough to get a free ride through college, student loans are a reality that you’ll face for at least the next few years.

What to do: First take a look at any and all loans that you’ve taken out to help pay for school. Then create a distinct plan of action:

Prioritize

As a general rule, you’ll want to pay back your highest interest loans (like any private loans) as soon as possible, so focus any extra repayment ability on those.

Know your federal repayment options

Federal loans come with a few key ways to help relieve the burden of student loan payments in certain situations:deferment and forbearance.

Consider consolidation

If you have any private loans, consolidation can help to lump them all into one (potentially lower) monthly payment. NerdWallet’s student loan calculator can help you understand the benefits or drawbacks that consolidation could mean for you.

First paycheck! …Need a new bank account.

Now that you’re out in the real world, you might find that the bank account you used through high school or college is no longer a good fit.

What to do: When you are first starting out, it’s best to seek out a free checking account, with no monthly fees or minimum balances. These are common at local institutions like credit unions and community banks, but you can also find online checking accounts if earning interest on your checking balance is important to you.

What not to do: Don’t sign up for any account without first understanding the fees you might face, and how to avoid them. Also, don’t disregard a small bank or credit union just because they lack a nationwide reach like Bank of America or Chase. Many local institutions partner with ATM or branch networks, like CU Service Centers or CO-OP, to give consumers easy access across the country.

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Eventbrite CEO Kevin Hartz shares how startups can make their own luck by watching for colossal shifts

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:11:40 -0400

Eventbrite CEO Kevin Hartz shares how startups can make their own luck by watching for colossal shifts:

Speaking on stage at The Next Web Conference 2013 in Amsterdam, Eventbrite co-founder and CEO Kevin Hartz gave a talk on finding luck through a combination of preparation and opportunity.

Hartz, also an angel investor in major tech companies like PayPal, Airbnb and Pinterest, focused on both PayPal and YouTube as examples of startups that sought out colossal shifts, adjusted to their customer’s needs and weren’t afraid to pivot.

Did you know that YouTube was once a video dating site? I’ll let Hartz tell you the story:

Catch up with the rest of our coverage from TNW Conference 2013

Passion Passport spans generations of travelers as first Bucket List winner goes to Germany

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:32:37 -0400

bitshare:

Christina Wright of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA will soon be on her way to Germany to meet up with another world explorer, 103-year old Ella Kastner of Berlin. Christina is the first winner of the Bucket List Initiative sponsored by the Passion Passport Web site.

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Google Glass technical specs have been released

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:59:18 -0400

bitshare:

Thanks to the keen eye of 9to5Google, they noticed a new tech help FAQ by Google for the new Google Glass that has yet to be released to the greater public. The FAQ breaks down the technical specs in detail of what Google Glass encapsulates.
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MANHUNT OVER: Boston Marathon bomber that was on the loose is now in custody (Photos)

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:56:53 -0400

bitshare:

After many hours and a long intense manhunt today for the second Boston Marathon bomber, the manhunt is over and the bomber has been found and apprehended by the police, and is injured but alive. The terrorist bomber’s name is Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, and he is known as the white hat bomber.
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Boston Marathon bombers: 1 shot dead, 1 still on the loose (photos/videos)

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:14:00 -0400

bitshare:

It looks like yesterday’s FBI appeal to the public for help on finding the Boston Marathon bombers had worked. Enough so either they were tipped off last night, or the bombers figured the jig was up and had to make a move. Now one is dead, and another is still on the loose as a massive manhunt ensues this morning in Boston.
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These are the official suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing (Photos)

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:02:08 -0400

bitshare:

The Boston Globe was able to find images of the Boston Marathon bombers, and send them to the authorities. Now the FBI has released additional images of the suspected bombers to the public, so we can help find them and bring them to justice - so let’s make it happen!
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Winklevoss twins claim to own 1 percent of all Bitcoin

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:26:21 -0400

Winklevoss twins claim to own 1 percent of all Bitcoin

Apple nears ‘iRadio’ streaming deal with Warner and Universal in a dozen markets, royalties on par with Pandora rates

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:26:21 -0400

Apple nears ‘iRadio’ streaming deal with Warner and Universal in a dozen markets, royalties on par with Pandora rates:

We’ve heard no end of rumors of a streaming Radio player from Apple. We even found pay radio buttons in the iPad’s music player app code earlier this year:

The Apple radio service, once rumored for late 2012 to Q1/2013, has now been pushed back to mid-late 2013 because of difficulty signing the labels. Today the Verge says that Warner is all but signed up at rates comparable to what Pandora pays the labels – which is to say a lot. Earlier reports put Apple’s asking price much lower.

Apple is expected to sign its first interner radio licensing agreement with a major record label perhaps as soon as next week, multiple sources with knowledge of the talks have told The Verge…Apple initially offered to pay 6 cents per 100 songs streamed, or about half of what Pandora pays. Now, Apple will pay rates nearly “neck and neck” with Pandora, one of the sources said.

Update: CNET reports that Universal is also close to signing and that Apple is hoping to go into a dozen territories by summer

The press has dubbed the service iRadio, in negotiations with the labels Apple is referring to it as its “new streaming service,” says a source…Apple is building some unique features, such as the ability to jump back to the beginning of a song…Apple is hoping to quickly unveil the service in up to a dozen territories, according to sources, including the U.K, France, Germany, Australia, and Japan.

We’re hoping that Apple has an announcement to make at WWDC, if not earlier.

Ribbon Regains Access To Twitter's Product Cards After Removing In-Stream Payments To The Microbloogging Service

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:26:20 -0400

Ribbon Regains Access To Twitter's Product Cards After Removing In-Stream Payments To The Microbloogging Service:

Social payment service company Ribbon announced today that it has been granted permission once again by Twitter to use its Product Cards. Yesterday, hours after the company launched in-stream payments within Twitter, the social networking company put an end to it for unknown reasons. Now it’s back, but not in its original form.

According to the company’s blog post, co-founder Hany Rashwan writes that he had a “productive conversation” with Twitter over the surprising deactivation. But now that it has been re-enabled, it will certainly affect what the company released yesterday. He states that while its vision for Twitter has been compromised, YouTube annotations and in-stream payments on Facebook remain as they were.

The relevant parts of Rashwan’s post relating to Twitter is below:

After a productive conversation with Twitter, we’ve been given access again to Product Cards, and are actively implementing support for Ribbon content. While this isn’t the same in-stream payments we released yesterday, that is still our big vision and one that we’ll actively work on finding a way to enable.

It’s important to note that this in way affects what we’ve already released in our product. We’re still doing in-stream credit card payments on Facebook today, and that’s still very much active.

In addition to that, we have support for putting our links on YouTube. Through our button, we also enable you to embed the whole process on your own website, blog, WordPress, or Tumblr.

On a personal note, the amount of support we’ve received from everybody has been overwhelming. What we have shown yesterday is that our vision and product are extremely well-received. That’s what motivates us every day.

Based on the above statement from Rashwan, it appears that Twitter had a particular issue with the payments feature of Ribbon. What specifically the complaint or violation to its terms of service remain unknown. However, it’s rather interesting considering that Chirpify, another social commerce platform similar to Ribbon has been able to utilize in-stream payments for a while now, but perhaps it was slightly different in execution.

We’ve reached out to both Ribbon and Twitter for comment and will update this if we hear back.

While we haven’t heard from Twitter, Rashwan tells us: “We have been given access to Twitter’s Product Cards. Our vision to bring in-stream payments to every platform, including Twitter, is still the target we’re aiming for, especially given the overwhelming positive support from users. We’re in extensive contact with Twitter and will work on making a solution that makes sense to both Ribbon & Twitter.”

Photo credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Scott Steinberg: Social Media Marketing: 7 Tools for Businesses and Brands

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:26:19 -0400

Scott Steinberg: Social Media Marketing: 7 Tools for Businesses and Brands:

Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Flickr, LinkedIn — the list of leading social networks businesses and brands must suddenly pay attention to goes on and on. Needless to say, it can be a daunting task to keep track of the social media marketing world when it comes to your business. Before you get overwhelmed, know that there are a number of handy online tools, software programs and apps out there that can not only help you save time, but also simplify your social presence. While many great options exist to choose from, to save time, we’ve narrowed the list down to seven of our favorite tools that any corporate enterprise should be using.

1. TweetDeck is a social media dashboard application that helps you manage Twitter and Facebook accounts all in one place. If you are big on interaction (shares, retweets, etc.) this is a great way to scroll across and see what’s going on, find out where your business was mentioned in conversation, and respond to several accounts at once. TweetDeck is ideal for people who manage multiple social media accounts, however no in-depth analytics are currently provided with this service.

2. HootSuite is a social media management system that also allows the user to manage multiple networks at once.It currently supports Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Foursquare, WordPress, Mixi and even MySpace. HootSuite has a great scheduling system that allows you to pre-program an infinite amount of posts for future sharing, a huge time saver. Users can also look at the scheduler page to see what posts they’ve scheduled for the future, and HootSuite also keeps track of all-important analytics.

3. AddThis is a social bookmarking service that can be integrated into a website with the use of a widget. Once this widget is added, website visitors can then bookmark an item using Facebook, Google Bookmarks, Pinterest and Twitter. Capable of boosting shares and user pass-along, it’s a handy way to promote specific pieces of content, sites or initiatives.

4. Instagram is a free photo sharing platform that allows users to take featured photos and apply visual filters that can transform the look and feel of the image. Easy sharing support makes it simple to post these photos on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, which provides professional with a unique way to personalize social media content. Popular with the technorati, it’s a surprisingly practical and handy way to add a little sparkle to any snapshot.

5. PinReach is a Pinterest tool that helps you view activity, measure impact and gauge success on your Pinterest pages. This analytics tool is the leading Pinterest solution for small businesses, according to MoneyandRisk.com. Its two main purposes are to assess Pinterest marketing engagement and to identify new marketing and sales leads. Consider it a handy go-to for those who are frequent users of the popular image-based social network.

6. Storify is a social media service that combines multiple parts of a story into one cohesive whole. Or, in plain English, if you have a topic that is trending or being discussed across different social media accounts, you can curate pieces from each account and compile them all in one spot, creating a more easily read and followed narrative timeline. Users can reorder the pieces, add text and massage previous posts to create one larger piece. This can be used as a marketing tool for current customers or to woo new clients.

7. YouTube’s Audience Rentention Report. SocialMediaExaminer.com lists this as the single most important social media marketing tool to come around in a long time. Noting that many videos are carefully tailored to maximize search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, time watched by viewers, and prompt specific reactions, this solution helps you see which audience your clips are reaching, monitor audience habits, and strategize accordingly. Video production and distribution cost companies countless millions every year: Using such targeting tools, you can more effectively aim your marketing muscle where it counts.

Twitter Cuts Ribbon App Shortly After Launch; CEO Goes On Offensive To Competitors’ Delight

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:26:19 -0400

Twitter Cuts Ribbon App Shortly After Launch; CEO Goes On Offensive To Competitors’ Delight:

What would you do if you launched an app capable of processing payments without ever leaving Twitter and it was immediately shut down by Twitter?

Well, if you were the CEO of Ribbon, you’d tell the world about it and make Twitter (collectively speaking) look like a jerk.

And if you were the CEO of Chirpify, a Twitter payment processing competitor, you’d likely grin from ear to ear over this decision.

Hany Rashwan, Co-founder & CEO of Ribbon blogged about the experience, saying (in part) that a little over an hour after it launched and “with no heads up, our integration of Twitter Cards was taken down, and now Ribbon links go back to Ribbon.co without the in-stream buying experience.”

Before we released this, we made sure to validate our Twitter Card implementation (screenshot below), and all lights were green. We’ve had discussions with Twitter in the past, and are eager to find a way to work together. This is clearly something that’s good for not only Twitter, but also for Twitter users all over the world.

And shared this screenshot as proof that all lights were, in fact, green:

Why did Twitter revoke access? Folks are speculating, as Twitter isn’t saying, but maybe it just doesn’t want another payment processing app on its platform. It already has a payment processing partnership with American Express and then there’s Chirpify to consider – both are viable consumer options.

But, who knows? Maybe there’s room in the nest for another choice.

In Rashwan’s update today, we learn that Ribbon has “access again to Product Cards, and are actively implementing support for Ribbon content, [but] this isn’t the same in-stream payments we released yesterday” but it IS progress. More progress than we would expect, honestly, considering.

But you tell us: Was calling Twitter out about its actions a smart move? How would YOU have handled the situation?

(Cutting ribbon image from Shutterstock)

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Study Reveals Link Between Facebook Use, Anxiety

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:26:17 -0400

Study Reveals Link Between Facebook Use, Anxiety:

Scroll through your Facebook feed and you’re likely to endure artful photos of people’s lunches, statuses bragging about European vacations, and plenty of vague emotional broadcasting (“So upset right now.”)

It turns out the people posting this anodyne material may be more likely to have anxiety or alcohol problems than the people who tend to stay away from the site altogether.

A new study conducted by Russell Clayton, now a doctoral student at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, found that college freshmen who were anxious or drank to excess were more “emotionally engaged” with Facebook than average students.

A university press release details the study, which was originally published in the Journal of Computers in Human Behavior.

Clayton asked 225 students about their “perceived levels of loneliness, anxiousness, alcohol use, and marijuana use” as well as their level of Facebook engagement.

The anxiety piece of the study seems intuitive. “People who perceive themselves to be anxious are more likely to want to meet and connect with people online, as opposed to a more social, public setting,” Clayton said.

As for alcohol, Clayton explained that “when people who are emotionally connected to Facebook view pictures and statuses of their Facebook friends using alcohol, they are more motivated to engage in similar online behaviors in order to fit in socially.”

Since alcohol is considered socially acceptable, Clayton theorizes, people who drink a lot may feel a pull toward social networking. Marijuana, on the other hand, is not considered as normative, and people who use it reported less Facebook connectedness.

Studies on the mental state of Facebook users are nothing new. In 2010, researchers found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that people who use the site heavily are more likely to be narcissistic than others.

And whether Facebook is a healthy venue for anxious people is hardly obvious. A 2012 study found that using simply using the site makes many people anxious.

Now The Mike Arrington Rape Claim Has Hit The Mainstream Media

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 22:41:24 -0400

Now The Mike Arrington Rape Claim Has Hit The Mainstream Media:

One of the world’s biggest newspapers, the Daily Mail, has run a big article on the abuse claim that a woman named Jenn Allen made against TechCrunch founder Mike Arrington last week:

There’s no new news in the Mail article. It consists mostly of pictures of Allen, who is described as “the latest in a string of beautiful and successful women with whom Arrington has been romantically linked.”

What’s notable about the article is that the Mail is a mainstream publication. So this will likely raise awareness of the claim against Arrington, further damaging his reputation. It will also likely increase the pressure on Allen to either elaborate on what happened or withdraw her claims.

To be clear:

Jenn Allen has accused Mike Arrington of committing at least two felonies. First, physically abusing her. Second, “raping” her friend.

Those are extremely serious claims.

Although they were instantly taken as fact by some in the tech community, they were also made in a highly unconventional way:

In a Facebook comment left at 2:06am and then in a follow-up blog comment on Gawker.

To say that these are not the typical forums for physical assault claims is an understatement.

In the days since Allen made these claims, Gawker and other publications have researched them and others and learned the following:

15 years ago, Arrington was the subject of a sexual harassment complaint and investigation at a company called RealNames. Importantly, the investigation was resolved without Arrington being reprimanded in any way. In other words, as far as the company was concerned, nothing inappropriate happened.
A couple of years ago, there was a story going around that Arrington threw a friend named Megan Asha against a wall. Importantly, Asha has since denied this story and said that she and Arrington remain friends.
Two girlfriends of Arrington have told TechCrunch that there was no abuse in their relationships.

In other words, with the exception of Jenn Allen’s late-night Facebook post and follow-up blog post—both of which allege that Arrington committed felony assault—there have yet to be any other instances revealed in which Arrington is alleged to have physically abused anyone.

Allen has gone silent since making the claims. Arrington, meanwhile, has yet to comment publicly.

Now that this story has hit the mainstream media, it is unlikely to just go away. So it’s time to get to the truth (or at least more details).

Jenn Allen has accused Mike Arrington of two serious crimes, both of which are damaging to his reputation. If Arrington committed these crimes he should be held accountable. If he didn’t, meanwhile, he should be exonerated (not just legally, but publicly).

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"Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever."

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:06:17 -0400

““Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the world hath more fools in it than ever.””

- Charles Lamb (via dailykwotes)

What The IRS Doesn't Want You To Know

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:11:20 -0400

What The IRS Doesn't Want You To Know:

While the Internal Revenue Service may be forthcoming with its rules and regulations, there is certain information the IRS simply won’t tell you. I worked as an IRS agent in a former role; knowing the ins and outs of the IRS can help you win if you face an audit.

What triggers an audit?

While you can’t fully protect your tax return from every examination, you should be mindful of some key tax issues when preparing your return.

Of course, some things are simply obvious audit triggers such as reporting more expenses than income. However, there are other areas to which taxpayers may not be privy.

Carl Johnson is a self-employed certified public accountant who has operated an accounting and tax practice in New Orleans for more than 15 years. He has seen his share of audits and has closed approximately 90 percent of them with the IRS favorably agreeing with his positions.

“Understanding what triggers an audit is key,” he says. “Factors such as losses from year to year, unusual and large questionable deductions, and third-party referrals are some of the biggest factors considered when the IRS determines whether a tax return should be audited.”

If you earn income through self-employment or rental income, a red flag may be embedded in your return. Unlike wage earners, sole proprietors or landlords can report income and expenses at their discretion, especially in cases where individuals receive cash or unreported payments from clients or customers.

The IRS also reviews these returns to make certain that deductions are in line with the income reported on the tax return.

“Taxpayers who have excessive deductions, (or) unreasonable and questionable expenses are likely to trigger an audit,” says Johnson.

Before preparing your tax return, question whether your expenses are reasonable and customary for your line of work. For example, does your company really need to pay excessive amounts in meals and entertainment costs for a dog-trainer business? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, your tax return has to first pass the “smell test” to ensure your return is not the lucky lottery winner of an audit.

Johnson also says underreporting income is an instant audit trigger. The IRS ensures taxpayers’ compliance through its Automated Underreporter Program. The program matches income reported on the federal income tax return to information obtained from third parties, such as employers and financial institutions. If there is a mismatch, you will receive a notice from the IRS informing you of an additional tax assessment.

Although the IRS is forthcoming about its automated underreporting program, know that penalties assessed can be waived. If you have been assessed penalties and can show reasonable cause, those penalties could be removed, thus lowering your overall tax liability.

Know your rights
If you have been selected for an IRS examination, do not panic. You will have an opportunity to state your side of the case.

“It is essential for taxpayers to understand there are many ways to substantiate items on the tax return besides the basic canceled checks or receipts,” Johnson says. “Taxpayers should also note (that) examiners allow reconstruction of financial documents. And in many cases, examiners will also accept, to a certain extent, oral testimony.”

Johnson also adds that it is important to seek tax representation. In many cases, the IRS wants to deal directly with the taxpayer, because taxpayer representatives often stall the process. However, representatives can help you navigate through the process and may be more likely to obtain favorable results.

Let’s make a deal
If you are undergoing a civil audit, know that the examiner’s main objective is to close the report in a timely manner and have the taxpayer agree with the IRS positions, usually referred to as an agreed report. Management views examination groups favorably if examiners obtain agreed reports within a reasonable time period. For this reason, your examiner may be willing to negotiate certain disputed items in your favor for the purpose of obtaining an agreed report.

It is important for you to establish a good rapport with the agent and to be able to substantiate most disputed or questionable items. If you do so, the examiner may be willing to take oral testimony to prove other questionable areas.

Simply put, do not take “no” for an answer. As a former IRS agent, I know there is always a little wiggle room to reduce your tax liability. If you do not like your examination’s outcome, request to have your case reviewed by the Appeals Division.

“Appeals are a viable option for a taxpayer to resolve difficulties within the IRS,” Johnson says. “Sometimes, it has been my experience (that) the examination group may overlook some tax areas because of its haste to close the examination, but the taxpayer may be able to get a favorable decision through appeals.”

No matter what, you have to be knowledgeable concerning your rights prior to any audit. Be persistent, and it will work out for you!

By Kemberley Washington, Bankrate.com

We would like to thank Kemberley Washington, CPA, assistant dean of student programs at Dillard University in New Orleans, for her contribution.

SEE ALSO:

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Unofficial tally indicates the Windows Store has passed the 50,000 app milestone

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:12:00 -0400

Unofficial tally indicates the Windows Store has passed the 50,000 app milestone:

Today MetroStore Scanner (MSS) indicates that the Windows Store has passed the 50,000 application mark. MSS, an unofficial tracker, has been generally accurate in the past. That said, treat the 50,000 number with caution, and keep in mind that not all apps will be available in your area.

The growth of applications present in the Windows Store is a key metric by which we can measure developer interest in Windows 8, and the general health of the operating system itself.

Naturally, the number of apps in a marketplace do not indicate its total worth; the quality of the applications in question is a key factor by which any platform must be judged. The quality of applications in the Windows Store is quite uneven. Here are a number of the most recently submitted apps for Windows 8:

Unimpressive, to say the least.

Thus, the 50,000 figure is a nice and neat number for Microsoft to have crossed, but the company’s filtration system isn’t catching much dreck, it appears. App development on the whole does appear to be picking up, after falling in the earlier parts of 2013.

Here’s a chart, via MSS, of average new Windows 8 app per day over the past few months:

The total decline likely isn’t sitting well in Redmond, but the resurgence in March is something worth nothing. Let’s hope that not all those new applications are of the same quality as those highlighted above.

Windows built its legacy on being the platform on which anything could run, and everything did. Windows 8 has work to do to grow into that mantle.

Top Image Credit: Dell Inc.

Bill Gates Is Offering $100K To Whoever Can Make A 'Next Generation' Condom

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:11:59 -0400

Bill Gates Is Offering $100K To Whoever Can Make A 'Next Generation' Condom:

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is offering $100,000 to anyone who can make a condom people actually like to use - a “next-generation” condom.

The feel of latex prophylactics has been central to why men choose not to use them, putting their partner at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

A lack of use has caused the spread of HIV/AIDS and has hindered family planning around the globe.

The contest is part of the Foundation’s Round 11 Grand Challenges Explorations initiative and will offer financial support above the initial funding if a new condom is chosen.

The description of the challenge reads:

“The primary drawback from the male perspective is that condoms decrease pleasure as compared to no condom, creating a trade-off that many men find unacceptable, particularly given that the decisions about use must be made just prior to intercourse.”

The initiative seeks to create a condom that enhances pleasure and comfort.

“Material science and our understanding of neurobiology has undergone revolutionary transformation in the last decade yet that knowledge has not been applied to improve the product attributes of one of the most ubiquitous and potentially underutilized products on earth.”

It is estimated that about 15 billion condoms are produced every year.

There are 750 million users worldwide.

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Is Google getting ready to make an Open Patent Pledge?

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:11:59 -0400

Is Google getting ready to make an Open Patent Pledge?:

Google registered domain names yesterday for an “Open Patent Pledge”.

When Google acquired Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion, it was clear that a big reason for its purchase was Motorola’s patent portfolio.

Now it looks like the company might be getting ready to make some sort of “Open Patent Pledge”, although what that actually is remains to be seen.

Yesterday the company registered OpenPatentPledge.com (and .net/.org) as well as OpnPledge.com. (It couldn’t register OpenPledge.com, which is owned by a company in South Korea.)

Perhaps this is related to Paul Graham’s idea of a Patent Pledge of “No first use of software patents against companies with less than 25 people.” Or maybe it’s like IBM’s open source patent pledge. Another idea is it’s related to its FRAND proposal for licensing Motorola patents.

We’re likely to find out soon.

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U.S. Senate Approves Proposed Internet Sales Tax

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 14:11:57 -0400

U.S. Senate Approves Proposed Internet Sales Tax:

An internet sales tax is inching its way to closer to being the law of the land: the U.S. Senate supported a non-binding vote of approval, 75-to-24, for a law that would allow states to collect taxes from Internet retailers. If enacted as is, it would allow states to levy taxes on some online retail purchases from businesses with over $1 million in gross receipts.

Internet retails can thank their mostly tax-free existence to a 1992 Supreme Court Case, Quill Corp. v. North Dakota, which declared that companies without a “substantial nexus” in a state didn’t have to pay sales tax. “Quill became a seminal case for online retailers: It meant, in essence, that they didn’t have to pay state and local sales taxes,” writes the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein,” That’s allowed them to undercut traditional brick-and-mortar stores on price. It’s also meant that state and local governments, which rely heavily on sales taxes, have lost enormous amounts of revenue as more and more commerce has moved online.”

There are some exceptions: Amazon currently charges California residents sales tax, and will soon charge residents of Massachusetts and Connecticut, after new offices and acquisitions gave it a significant presence in those states.

A score of Internet lobbies, such as Netchoice, representing Facebook, Yahoo, and (TechCrunch’s parent company) Aol, argue that the senate’s bill “does nothing to address what the Supreme Court says was an unreasonable burden on interstate commerce,” explains Steve Delbianco of Netchoice.

An equally self-interested set of lobbies, such as the National Retail Federation, representing the big box likes of OfficeMax, Macy’s, And Saks, argue that an Internet sales tax ban gives online retailers are unfair advantage and deprives states of billions in revenue.

The current law will give readers a flavor for the sausage factory that is the U.S. Congress. The tax was offered as a non-binding amendment to the Democratic budget, by Senators Mike Enzi and Dick Durbin.

“The strategy of the bill’s supporters is to offer this general amendment and then claim that all the senators that vote for it support the bill,” explains Brian Bieron, eBay’s senior director for federal government relations and global public policy, to Cnet. “That is not just a stretch, it is not accurate. But the game plan is to rack up a sizable vote and then make the claim the bill itself should jump over the Finance Committee and go right to the floor.”

So, nothing is law yet, but it’s getting closer.