With the tax season kicking off, if you are unemployed or were unemployed in 2009, you want to make sure not to miss out on many deductions and exemptions available this year. To help you navigate this year’s returns, we have put together this checklist of things to keep in mind. We recommend that you carefully study this list of the deductions and credits to which you may be entitled because of your unemployed status, before filing tax returns this year.
Here are some of the things to keep in mind:
2009 Stimulus Package for Unemployed
This year you can enjoy reduced taxes on unemployment income. Normally, individuals receiving unemployment benefits must report them as income and pay income tax on them. The 2009 bill signed by President Obama makes the first $2,400 of unemployment income nontaxable.
Any job loss is a very stressful life event, not just for the unemployed individual, but also for their spouse and for the entire family. If a family member loses their job, it affects the entire family and every family member has to deal with the loss and the emotions that come with it. Job loss brings along worries about getting through the tough times, uncertainty in the future, and sometimes frustration and even fear.
Even though they may not show it, men who lost their job, could actually be more affected emotionally than women. As old-fashioned as it may sound, many men still consider themselves to be primary providers, and a job loss for a man could lead to a serious depression, anxiety and a major blow to their self-esteem.
Pay freezes, layoffs and cost cutting strategies do not improve employee’s morale. A recent survey shows that over 22 percent of workers want to change jobs as soon as it will be possible. Companies might end up paying up to three times a worker’s annual salary to cover the cost of recruiting and training, as well as, due to the productivity loss.
Losing critical employees have always been an issue for employers. When the job market improves, more workers will seize the opportunity to jump ship. Employees with important skills will leave first. Though it probably won’t happen before the jobless rate falls to its normal value, which is not expected during this and even next year, it is now a good time to take proactive steps to retain the most valuable employees. Read this »
The biggest mistake in interviewing is not being fully prepared. It is doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are and how much experience you have, but if you won’t be prepared for a job interview, most likely you won’t get a job. Here are five steps that would help you to prepare:
Step 1: Do Research Before the Job Interview.
Use every possible method to learn all you can about the company and position. The Internet makes researching companies pretty easy. Just simply type the company’s name using a major search engine, such as Google. If it is a big company, go right to the company’s website, as well as, competitors’ sites. Use investor web sites to learn what’s happening now in the news with this company and its competitors. Use bizjournals.com to find business news by industry and location. Take special note of the information that can be gained from the corporate annual report. Any candidate who has read the President’s Letter to the Shareholders will be way ahead of the competition. Read this »
With the tax season kicking off, if you are unemployed or were unemployed in 2009, you want to make sure not to miss out on many deductions and exemptions available this year. To help you navigate this year’s returns, we have put together this checklist of things to keep in mind. We recommend that you carefully study this list of the deductions and credits to which you may be entitled because of your unemployed status, before filing tax returns this year.
Any job loss is a very stressful life event, not just for the unemployed individual, but also for their spouse and for the entire family. If a family member loses their job, it affects the entire family and every family member has to deal with the loss and the emotions that come with it. Job loss brings along worries about getting through the tough times, uncertainty in the future, and sometimes frustration and even fear.
Pay freezes, layoffs and cost cutting strategies do not improve employee’s morale. A recent survey shows that over 22 percent of workers want to change jobs as soon as it will be possible. Companies might end up paying up to three times a worker’s annual salary to cover the cost of recruiting and training, as well as, due to the productivity loss.
The biggest mistake in interviewing is not being fully prepared. It is doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are and how much experience you have, but if you won’t be prepared for a job interview, most likely you won’t get a job. Here are five steps that would help you to prepare:
