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February 2009

January 2009

Taxpayers pan New York 'fat tax' & video

Back in my middle- and high-school classroom days, we were subjected to various videos on subjects that teachers either didn't want to or didn't feel qualified to address. Usually it was in classes taught by coaches, who used the time while we students were dozing to work on their game plans. And in many cases, the taped topics were of a health or hygiene nature. Why am I mentioning my educational experiences of yore? Because I flashed back to them as soon as I saw the video, "Soda vs. Milk," put out by the New York State Health Commissioner. In... Read more →


Happy New Tax Year! The beginning of a new year is momentous in many ways, not the least of which is how it affects your taxes. For most of us, Jan. 1 means that the previous year's taxes are set. What we earned last year is what we'll owe tax on. And once the calendar page flipped to January, ways to cut that tax bill were dramatically reduced. But the actual date of Jan. 1, 2009, also plays a big role in the 2008 taxes of many filers. The IRS use of the first day of the year as a... Read more →