Archives for May 2014

Youth Bicycle Helmets and Child Restraint Systems and Booster Seats Become Tax Exempt on July 1, 2014

Child Restraint Systems and Booster Seats for use in a Motor Vehicle

Effective July 1, 2014, child restraint systems and booster seats for use in motor vehicles are exempt from sales tax. Components or accessories that are sold separately from the child restraint system or from the booster seat remain subject to sales tax.

Example: A customer purchases a travel system stroller that includes a stroller, an infant car seat and an infant car seat base. At the same time, the customer purchases a car seat mirror, so that the driver will be able to see the child while driving. The infant car seat and car seat base are designed and approved to be used in a motor vehicle as a child restraint system. The sale of the travel system is therefore tax exempt; however, the sale of the optional mirror is subject to sales tax.

Youth Bicycle Helmets

Effective July 1, 2014, bicycle helmets marketed for use by youth are exempt from sales tax. To qualify for the exemption, a helmet must state on a label or packaging, or in its general instructions for use, that it is intended for use as a bicycle helmet for youth. The exemption does not apply to bicycle helmets marketed for adults.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

This document is intended to alert you to the requirements contained in Florida laws and administrative rules. It does not by its own effect create rights or require compliance.

For forms and other information, visit our Internet site at www.myflorida.com/doror call Taxpayer Services, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, at 800-352-3671.

For a detailed written response to your questions, write the Florida Department of Revenue, Taxpayer Services, MS 3-2000, 5050 W Tennessee Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0112l

E-Services – To file and pay sales and use tax electronically (e-file and e-pay), visit our Internet site.

How to Create a Pet-Friendly Home

Whether you’ve just bought a house or welcomed a new pet into your current abode, some updates may be necessary in order for you and your pet to live in harmony. Here are some tips on how to start off your relationship on the right “paw.”

Upholster your home with pet friendly fabrics: Choose smooth fabrics that are highly durable, like synthetics, so they are easy to clean. (Note: The cleaner your home, the cleaner your pet. The cleaner your pet, the cleaner your home.) go for tightly woven fabrics such as twills, denims, sateens and poplins, which are resistant to scratches and tears. “Microfiber, micro-suede, and ultra-suede fabrics are a dog-owner’s best friend. They’re stain-, soil-, water- and odor-resistant, but still look like fabulous designer goods.

Choose dark colors and patterns: It’s either the dog or the white couch — you can’t keep both well-groomed. Washable throws for couches give a bit more flexibility, as do slipcovers. Stick with darker shades, textures and patterns to distract the eye from permanent doggie messes. Pets like to mark their territory and they seem to love to do it where you’d least like them to. Patterns are also known to hide those hairs from your shedding dog and cats more easily than solids.

Keep pet-hair-removal accoutrements nearby: If you’ve got a pet that sheds, keep a drawer of rollers and sprays that help eliminate pet hair on any surface. You can also throw an antistatic dryer sheet into the dryer with hair covered fabrics to remove the excess hair.

Create pet friendly flooring: Hard surfaces are much easier to clean and are way more durable than carpeting, where pet hair and odors like to hang out. However, a rug chosen with your pet in mind is a must. Pick a carpet that is both attractive and comfy for your pet. For overall flooring, though, focus on wood, tile and laminate. But beware: Wood is the most vulnerable to damage.

Familiarize yourself with pet friendly cleaning products: Floor cleaning products are especially challenging for pets. It’s best to keep them away until your floors are completely dry. The pads on your dogs’ feet can be very sensitive to chemicals and if they get itchy then your dog will lick the chemical residue off — which can result in one very sick dog.

Keep your home from smelling like a zoo: Most high-quality pet stain and odor neutralizers remove odors from indoor accidents, but for those lingering odors in carpets and furniture, rent a carpet cleaner from a local hardware store.

Source: AOL Real Estate

Get Your Home Resale Ready!

Prepping your home for market is a catch-22. You want to make sure it’s in nice enough condition to catch the buyer’s eye, but you don’t want to spend any more money than need be, especially on projects that won’t improve your home’s appeal. And while it’s always a good idea to have your realtor do a walk-through of your home so you can get a better idea of where you should prioritize your home improvement dollars, there are four areas that every buyer notices. Thankfully, we’ve got solutions that will satisfy any budget.

Kitchen

If there’s one room in your house that can make or break the sale, it’s your kitchen. However, it’s a tough room to get perfect since every homeowner has their own vision of what their dream kitchen looks like. The key is to make it appealing enough that potential buyers can picture themselves cooking in it without having to make a ton of upgrades immediately upon moving in.

If you don’t have the budget to make major improvements, a fresh coat of paint and new cabinet hardware can make a huge impact. Have older cabinets but don’t have the budget to replace them? Refacing them is a cost-effective way to get the new-cabinet look without the new-cabinet budget. Last but not least, if you have the budget, a wholesale remodel could be the right call if your kitchen is far below the standard expected from homes being sold in your price range.

Bathroom

While kitchens can wow, bathrooms are just as important. The rest of your home might be stunning, but dated and dull bathrooms could send potential buyers straight for the door. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to spruce up your loo.

If your bathroom is in good shape but could use a few modest updates, installing a new mirror and updating the light fixtures is an easy and affordable way to modernize the room. Need to update the space but don’t have the budget for major changes? Installing a new sink and faucet, plus a high-efficiency toilet are upgrades that make an impact without putting a serious dent in your wallet. Of course, it could be that your bathroom needs some major love. In that case, we recommend updating yourtub and/or shower, installing new tile flooring, and replacing your cabinets and countertops.

Flooring

Flooring is the kind of thing that you only notice when it’s really, really amazing, or really, really ugly. And when it comes to selling a home, it’s a feature that every buyer scrutinizes. Here’s what you can do to make your flooring a feature that sells.

Want a quick and inexpensive way to add new life to your floors? Hire a pro and have them professionally cleaned. Hardwood floors lost their luster? Refinishing them will have them looking like new for a fraction of the cost of replacing them. That being said, if you really want to make an impact, installing new hardwood flooring is an investment that’s sure to impress.

Heating and Cooling

These days the hottest feature a home can have is being energy efficient, especially when trying to sell an older home. Think about it: if you were buying a home, would the idea of spending extra money to make it more efficient make you think twice about buying it? For many, that answer is yes.

If your HVAC system is up-to-date, or you simply don’t have the budget to make major improvements, there’s one affordable upgrade you can make that could take big bucks off your utility bill. For at little as twenty-five dollars you can install a programmable thermostat that will give you the flexibility to create a more efficient heating and cooling schedule. For those of you with slightly bigger budgets, installing ceiling fans in bedrooms and common areas is a great way to give your HVAC system a boost. Last but not least, if your HVAC system is older than 15 years and requires frequent maintenance, it’s probably time to upgrade your system. While the initial costs might be higher, installing a new, high-efficiency system is an upgrade that could be the difference between selling your home and watching it linger on the market.

CHECK THIS OUT – CHOCOLATE IS HEALTHY!

Now, THIS is good news! A popular health magazine reports:

1. Chocolate reduces chances of heart disease and stroke. A recent study found that people consuming the highest levels of chocolate had a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease and a 29% reduction in stroke compared to those with lower chocolate intakes.

2. Chocolate may help you in math. Flavonols in chocolate are thought to improve blood flow to the brain. One study reported participants could do calculations faster and more accurately after drinking hot cocoa.

3. Chocolate makes you feel good. Chocolate contains phenethylamine, which triggers the release of endorphins, a reaction similar to the one people experience when they fall in love.

4. Chocolate relaxes you. Studies have shown chocolate contains the compound anandamide, which activates the brain receptors for relaxation.

5. Chocolate may help you live longer. One study found that participants who ate candy one to three times a month had the lowest mortality rates of the group.

Cha-Ching! Simple Tips to Keep Your Savings Plan on Track!

As anyone who likes to shop can tell you, a quick trip to the mall can turn into a full-blown shopping spree—complete with impulse buys—before you even hit your favorite store. If you’re constantly coming home with items you never intended to buy, you may be doing more harm than good when it comes to keeping your savings plan on track.

Here are five ways to keep your spending under control:

1. Create a budget. In order to be financially stable, your spending must not outpace your earnings. To ensure you’re on the right path, track your spending for a few months to see where you’re spending the most. Then make any necessary adjustments to your spending to bring it in line with your income. Be sure to check your budget every once in a while to make sure you’re still on track.

2. Wants vs. needs. While it’s a great feeling to be able to treat yourself, it’s most important to live within your means. Before you pull out that cash or credit card, determine whether what you’re about to purchase is a ‘want’ or a ‘need.’

3. Keep seasonal spending in check. From holidays to birthdays and everything in between, seasonal spending can put a huge dent in a savings account if you aren’t careful. Take the time to set budgets and priorities before these events roll around.

4. Say ‘no’ to social spending. While it can be fun to meet up with friends and splurge every once in a while, these social spending habits can wreak havoc on your bank account. If you meet up with friends on a consistent basis, consider creating a fixed budget to cover these outings.

5. Teach your kids to be responsible spenders. It’s never too early to talk to your children about money and spending within their means. Be open and honest with your kids and talk to them about your family budget. It’s also important to teach them where the money comes from when you visit the ATM or write a check, along with the importance of paying bills on time.

Source: M&I Financial

Keep Water Away From Your Home’s Foundation!

Water is good for trees, shrubs and many other plant forms. It’s not, however, always good for your house, especially when your property stays wet and does not drain properly.

“Water is the number one cause of damage to the homes we live in,” says Jamison Brown with AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service in southeastern Virginia.

“Excessive water around and under the footprint of the home can produce a host of unwanted consequences — fungal growth and structural damage.”

To protect your home, the soil around the home should slope away from the foundation on all sides.

Typically, the recommended slope is one inch per foot for at least six feet away from the home. This rule of thumb is not always possible for hard surfaces like drives and walks. However, with these impervious surfaces, water can keep moving away from the home even if the slope is less.With the passage of time, the presence of shrubs and household outdoor pets can result in a change in the slope around the home, says Brown. Homeowners should annually review the ground around the home to ensure the gardening activities, installation of mulch or raised beds — and the comfortable spot your dog lays to rest in — have not resulted in a low spot or a slope, which is pitched toward the home.

If the lot slopes toward a home, a swale, or a shallow ditch, should be installed to prevent surface water from flowing against the foundation. A swale should carry surface water around the home and away on the surface of the soil or to a catch basin that will carry the water via an underground drainage pipe.

A French drain can also help get water into the ground where it can quickly disperse. The drain can be as simple as a huge hole dug and filled with rock, or it can be as sophisticated as a system of interior foundation drains that feed into a sump pump and exterior flow system.

Gutters and downspouts are also important means for getting water away from your home’s foundation, especially when the structure does not have substantial overhang. For gutters to function properly, they must be firmly attached to the eave of the roof; all seams must be sealed and the gutters must slope toward the downspout with a slope of one inch in 17 feet, says Brown.A good rule of thumb — one downspout should not drain more than 35 feet of gutter. The gutters must be clean to prevent clogging. The gutter downspouts need to be extended away from the home a minimum of four feet with six feet being preferred. When downspouts are connected to underground drains, it is very important to keep all debris out of the gutters, downspouts and underground drains.

Air-conditioning units can also create unwanted water-logged areas. Consider extending your unit’s drain pipe to direct extra water away from the foundation and to a gardening area where moisture-loving plants like cardinal flower, Joe-pye weed, milkweed, giant coneflower, cannas or bee balm can drink it up.

Kathy Van Mullekom is gardening columnist for the Daily Press, Newport News, Va.