Good
Tuesday morning! Here's your weekly
Dose
of Dover
The
most reliable source for un-common
sense advice,
insights and
cover-your-hiney strategies you simply can't find
anywhere else.
Take
your best shot...try to put
me out of a job!
How?
Forward
this week's newsletter
to
everyone in
your Address Book
and
with any luck, make 'em a little
smarter.
[C'mon...be
a big shot!]
Spread
the word and share the wealth of
Tuesday,
April 8, 2003:
Just
a little reminder...Daylight Savings Time started last
Sunday morning:
Didja remember to set your clocks ahead one hour yet?
Don't forget to change the clocks on your laptops, your timers
around the house that might control stuff like lights or
sprinklers and anything else that relies on the correct time.
And in case you're anxious to
plan for changing your clocks back next Fall: Check
out this link that'll give you rundown for the next few years,
as well as a thumbnail overview of Ben Franklin's legacy to
timekeeping in the 21st century...
Speaking of
filing your taxes, here's 15
steps to error free filing: And remember, an
error-free return is an audit- less return
[hopefully!]. Say
your prayers and click away...
Do you have
copies of your tax returns and supporting records/receipts
dating back to the Nixon Administration?
What are you waiting for, a presidential invitation to buy a
shredder? Toss your records and free up that spare
bedroom... read
more about it.
No
refund yet? Maybe it's because you haven't filed your
tax returns in awhile? Maybe
you're being haunted by old student loans or an ex-spouse's
IRS-related problems: You're not
alone...there are millions of folks in the same boat...so
what's your story? It doesn't really matter, but who you
hire to cover your butt does.
Read
about your IRS representation alternatives here...
The most
prolific nuisance in the history of modern mankind was born 30
years ago this week. No, screaming kids have been around
a lot longer...I'm talking about the birth of the cell phone:
Read
all about the little piece of technology that destroys the
peace. And remember to put on your calendar
my favorite month of the year, July. Why? Because
July's Cell Phone Courtesy Month! So the next time
someone's phone rings in a movie theater, remember to say,
"Pardon me, good sir!" before wrestling him to
the ground and making him eat the phone in front of his young
children.
Lice can give
you brain damage! Well, maybe not the
lice themselves, but the medication used to beat it can, according
to a new report just out. [Now go send
those little ones off to school so they can catch something
safer, like ringworm.....]
Beware Of
Banks Bearing Gifts...
And Why You Need To Spread The
Word On
Those Engaging In Deceptive
Marketing Practices
Plus:
Wanna Try To Beat A Ticket?
Don't Ask To See The
Radar/Laser Gun Read-Out
April 10, 2003
Dear Ben: My
son opened a checking account at a major
bank last year. At the time he opened the
account he was offered his choice of free gifts, selecting a
small pair of binoculars that were later sent by mail. Last
January he received an IRS Form 1099 from the bank, stating
it was for interest earned of $56.00. Recognizing his
checking account didn't earn interest, we contacted the bank
to find out where this phantom expense was coming from-only
to be told the $56.00 was the value of the binoculars he'd
received! Since this was my son's first checking account
(he's 18), I had accompanied him to the bank that day, and
we were never told he'd have to "pay" for the
binoculars-in the form of "interest earned" on his
account. This was (supposedly) a free gift for opening the
account. I believe this is a deceptive business practice,
and the person on the other end of the phone (with the bank)
agreed-but said there was nothing she could do. She
suggested giving the binoculars away and deducting the value
as a gift. My son does the 1040-EZ form since he works part
time and is a student. What do you think? Should I send
1099's to everyone I sent Christmas gifts to last December?
- Linda G., via e-mail
Dear Linda (and just in time
for April 15th): What a rude
initiation into the real tax world for your son! (And what a
bunch of low-lifes at the bank!) I agree with you, Linda:
What they did was deceptive and totally unacceptable, but
according to one of my CPA experts, it's correct according
to the tax code. In order for the bank to deduct any "gifts"valued
over $25, they've got to give the recipient a 1099 for the
amount of the gift received.
If I were your son, I'd tell them to take their
binoculars and stick them where the sun doesn't shine and
return the gift. Simultaneous with this, I'd demand a letter
stating they would rescind the 1099 they'd sent to the IRS
and back the transaction out, showing zero interest earned
and wiping out any potential tax liability your son may
have...for the $56 "gift," anyway. Then I'd e-mail
everyone in your Address Book, post comments on every
complaining website you can find, and spread
the word to anyone that will listen, warning everyone about
the sleazy business practices of this bank.
(And I'll bet you'll be able to find a sympathetic ear in
the legal profession while you're at it, either at the
Attorney General or Federal Trade Commission level...or
perhaps it'll catch the attention of an attorney that files
class action lawsuits to help defend us little guys (and
girls).
Dear Ben: I
got a speeding ticket today in Southlake. I asked the
officer if I could see the radar gun and he said he
"didn't lock it in." I thought if I asked to see
the radar "read out," the citing officer had to
show it to me. Is this true?
- Mark in Trophy Club
Dear Mark:
I hate that when it happens. I pitched your question
to one of my experts, a law enforcement veteran that's
listened to (over) twenty years worth of excuses from
speeding drivers. Here's requested anonymity in exchange for
insight...so here's his take on your situation: "A
speeding ticket's no different than any other type of
ticket. The officer says the driver did it...and gives them
a citation. The driver says they didn't do it...and requests
a court hearing. Seeing a radar speed indicator is no proof
one way or the other. An officer could drive the speed he
wants the radar or laser gun to indicate, and then presses
the "lock" button-or simply clocks someone else
and keeps it locked. It always goes back to the integrity of
the officer and who's the judge and/or jury going to
believe? This is why cops are supposed to be held to a
higher standard."
Dose of Dover For The Week:
I've got a semi-comprehensive section about the effectiveness
of radar and laser detectors for a TV segment I did a couple
of years ago posted on my website, so buckle up: www.bendover.com/radar.asp
Didja
ever think you'd be "happy" paying $1.80 a gallon
for gasoline? That's
the mindset prevailing across the nation, as prices begin to
drop, along with the war-related angst. Read
all about it...
Are
you broke and have nothing left to give anyone for their
special day or a special event coming up? Then it's time
to be resourceful and share the wealth! Give 'em
a subscription to the Dose of Dover. C'mon...it's
still the most reliable source of insight and ideas
available...and besides, it's free! Sign 'em up
for their weekly Dose
of Dover newsletter
right
here on our award-winning website!
Just
wanted to remind you that Mother's Day is 33 days
away (May 11, 2003 to be exact)...and Easter Sunday's just 12
days away: How about doing
something about these two big flower dates
sooner-instead-of-later? Send some amazing flowers that
are not only incredibly-affordable, but will last
three-times longer and will guarantee you a spot in
someone's Will. Of course I'm talking about beautiful
flowers, FedExed direct by my pals at
www.tropicalcolors.com
Which
search engine do you use when you're on the Internet?
Yahoo's about to give Google a run for their money: At
least that's what they're touting as the unveil their new
super-engine designed to unseat Google.com as the #1 choice
for most Internet surfers...read
more about it right here!
They're
the Top Five Things you do every day to waste your precious
cash: And all you need is a little kick in the butt to snap
you back into reality...something I'm happy to provide, coming
up on the Sunday, April 13th, 2003 edition of The
Benjamin Dover Show from 7-9a [PT] Sunday morning on KFI-AM/640,
Los Angeles!
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