One Time Thorough

[Linda]

Need opinions please Got a call from a lady that lives in a 2 bedroom 2 bath apt. home, one story I am guessing around 700 sq.ft. She wants a one time thorough clean. Inside kitchen cabinets and 7 windows inside and out. 7 small rooms altogether. She lives almost an hour from me. No pets, no children. I was thinking around $225.00 No inside oven or fridge to clean. The windows have cloth blinds she wants swept. Windows can be done from the inside. Mostly carpet.

Thanks,
Linda

[Kathleen]

I would say at least $150-170 local -within 25 miles. Then I would tack on my mileage - I charge a client of mine 40 mins away an extra $20 for gas. So take the miles, then divide by your vechicles average miles per a gallon then mulitply that by the cost of gas in your area then round up. If your really worried about wear and tear add a few $$.

Good lUck

[tcmb04]

I'm very glad someone has explained how to figure gas allowances with these ridiculous prices now.

[Kevin]

from: www.pfonline.com/columns/0605tax.html

RS Boosts Auto Mileage Allowance

Irving L. Blackman
Author, Attorney, CPA
Blackman Kallick Bartelstein
300 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606
--------------------------------------------------------------->


If you use your car for business, listen up. You'll want to read this article. Especially, if you hate keeping records of the actual expenses you pay for the business use of your car. You'll like what you are about to read. Instead of keeping records, there's another way to deduct the business use of your car. An easy way. And often, it's a big tax saver too. The "optional mileage allowance method" is the name of this game.

Use this method and keeping records of each auto expense is history. Instead, only two simple tasks capture your full deduction: (1) Keep track of the business miles you drive and then (2) apply the IRS's mileage allowance rate. Every year the IRS announces the rate for the next year. The rate may go up, down or stay the same. Good news... The rate for 2005 is 40.5 cents per mile; up from 37.5 cents in 2004.

Here's an example. Sara Sellum drives her auto far and often for business every year. Sara has had it with keeping records of gas receipts, repairs and maintenance. For 2005 Sara keeps track of only business miles. Suppose she drives a total of 30,000 business miles in 2005. How does Sara figure her auto expense deduction? Simple. Just multiply the 30,000 miles by 40.5 cents. Sara's 2005 deduction is $12,150. Great tax mileage!

Wait. There's more. Sara also can deduct 100% of her business tolls and business parking.

But caution: The mileage allowance is not always your best tax bet. Take advantage of it only if you have neither the time nor the inclination to keep those expense receipts, or if past practice shows that your total actual expenses (including depreciation) are less than the allowance amount. If your actual expenses are more than the allowance, you must decide if the reduced record keeping (mileage only) is worth the smaller deduction. Hint: The more miles you drive, the more likely the mileage allowance will save you tax dollars, as well as time.

A few more things you should know: (1) The 40.5 cents per mile includes depreciation. So instead of computing depreciation separately, 17 cents per mile for 2005 is assumed to be depreciation; 16 cents for 2004 and 2003; 15 cents for 2002 and 2001; and 14 cents for 2000. When you sell or trade your car, just reduce your tax basis by the appropriate cents for each mile you used the optional method. (2) The optional mileage allowance method can be claimed by firms with up to four vehicles that are being used at the same time.

As usual, the IRS falls short when giving a tax break. Try this! The rate for a car used to get medical care or in connection with a move that qualifies for the moving expense deduction inches up to a lowly 15 cents per mile (from 14 cents). But sadly, for charitable activities, the amount remains stuck at 14 cents.

[Kathleen]

From the way I understood it, is that I can do 2 things:
1) Keep records of all my car expenses, oil changes, repairs and lease or monthly payments.
2) Keep track and record all miles driven, to and from miles.

I do both for now until my accountant and I decide which is offering a larger tax break. The way she explained it is that I can only use one or the other.

I am not sure at this point because I am becoming very disappointed in my accountant..never in the office when I need her and a few other things.

[Linda]

I priced her at the $225.00 plus the sales tax and she was happy with the price so I do it tomorrow :-)

Thanks everyone,
Linda

[Kathleen]

;D Three Cheers for Linda -

[Linda]

Well the job went great, the home was absolutely beautiful. Fell in love with it. Me and my sister both lol. The lady was a very nice lady and she gave me and my sister both a $20.00 dollar tip ;D Said she would be calling again as soon as possible and definitely before her mom comes to visit again lol. My sister helped her pack everything back into the garage while I was finishing up the windows. Very nice lady. Also, the work was rather easy. Just needed a little touch up actually.

Linda