December 7, 2009     Dear Client:     Once again the year is coming to a close and tax season is approaching. Please take the time to read this letter and complete the information on page 2.   Enclosed is our 2009 newsletter for your reading enjoyment! Check out our new website, burkhardtdawsoncpas.com. We will have individual client organizers on our website after 1-1-10 for you to use to organize your tax information. You will be able to complete these electronically and email them to us or print a paper copy to use. We are requesting all of our clients to provide a valid email to our office. This will only be used to inform our clients of tax information during the year. Please email your correct email address to our office manager at betty.bdcpa@ncn.net   For some of you, we have also enclosed a list of the 1099’s that we processed last year.   Please list the dollar amount paid in 2009 to each recipient and return to our office for completing the 1099 forms. We would appreciate receiving this info as soon as possible and no later than January 20, 2010.   You may also find a blank form to complete for your W-2 wages paid and payroll tax deposits made, if we do not already have your payroll records for 2009. Please complete and return to our office.   The maximum federal direct write-off of depreciation (Section 179) for the year 2009 is $250,000. We need to know if your equipment additions are new or used. The State of Iowa only allows $133,000 of Section 179 depreciation for 2009.   We continue to have the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for employees hired that live in qualifying counties including Cherokee County. Paperwork must be completed and mailed in the first 28 days of employment.   Farmers will not receive a cow calf refund check in February 2010. The program did not have funds available.   If you purchased your first home in 2009 or had not owned a home for three years and purchased a home in 2009, talk to us about the tax credit available.   The new Making Work Pay Credit for 2009 started in April and helped to increase the net amount of working individuals pay checks. This may be an issue for married individuals when both spouses are working. Many individuals may want to consider revising their W-4’s at their place of employment. Please call if you need a tax appointment. You may drop off your tax information and one of our professional staff will call you with questions. Our evening appointments are very limited so we prefer appointments during the day.  Please take time to check out our new website, burkhardtdawsoncpas.com   Information needed to complete your 2009 individual tax return:   Please complete and return this information to our office with your tax information or at your tax appointment   Your email address _______________________________   How many individuals in your household are covered by health insurance? ________ How many individuals in your household are not covered by health insurance? _____ (This is a new question on the Iowa tax return)   Did anyone in your household attend college during the year? ______ If so, you must provide Form 1098-T and a printout from the college showing the student account. The qualifying costs include room and board, books and tuition. If you did not purchase your books from the college include those costs, too.   List the cost of any energy efficient improvements made to your principal residence in 2009? $______________ These include new doors, windows, insulation, geothermal heat pumps and wind energy.   All Homeowners – What were the total property taxes paid on your personal residence? $_____________   Did you purchase a new home or buy a replacement home during the year? ______ Please provide a copy of the closing statement for any homes purchased or sold.   Please include the following with your tax information for e-filing purposes and direct deposit of refunds. The IRS is no longer crosschecking names and account numbers.         Bank Name _____________________________________        Routing Number_________________________________ (should be nine digits)        Account Number ________________________________        Checking ____________ OR Savings ______________ (mark which type of account)   Did you receive a $250 stimulus payment from the Social Security Administration? __________ This would have been mailed to you or directly deposited into your account between May 2009 and August 2009. This is required to file your tax return correctly.     HAPPY HOLIDAYS from everyone at Burkhardt & Dawson, CPA’s   Donna, Laura, Betty, Donise, Janel, Chris, Amber, and Angie