Archive for 2016

October 29th, 2016

Understanding Idaho State Tax Law

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Payment of taxes is a legal requirement that nobody can avoid. While there are some loopholes, or legal provisions, that can help to reduce a taxpayer’s tax bill, taxes must be paid in full and on time. In the United States, taxpayers usually pay federal taxes as well as state taxes. Knowledge of Idaho State tax law is important as it will help contribute towards tax compliance of Idaho residents. Read on to learn more about the tax rules applicable in Idaho State.  For complicated tax issues, you should contact an experienced Idaho tax attorney.

Filing Rules

Idaho residents are required to pay tax on income earned in the state, from another state or overseas. Nonresidents, on the other hand, are only required to pay tax on income earned from Idaho sources. Part-residents are taxed on all income earned from Idaho sources while residing out of state as well as all income earned while residing in Idaho. This means that anyone who has earned an income while residing in Idaho, or has earned an income from Idaho sources has some level of tax liability.

Types of Taxes in Idaho

i) Income Tax

The income tax rate in Idaho ranges from 1.6% to 7.4% and it’s graduated to ensure low income earners pay a lower tax rate than high income earners. However, there are some people who are exempted from paying income tax. For instance, a single person who is under 65 years old can only pay tax if their total income for the year was over $10,300. Single taxpayers who are over 65 years old, on the other hand, only pay tax on income exceeding $11,850 per year. The limit for married couples filing separately is only $4,000 per year.

ii) Sales Tax

This type of tax applies to the sale, lease or rental of tangible goods and some services. Sales tax is due every 20th day of the month, if paying monthly. If paying quarterly, sales tax is due on the 20th day of the month following the end of the quarter. In Idaho, sales tax returns are filed on Form 850-U.

Probate Laws

Apart from tax laws, local residents also need to know about Idaho Probate law. Probate is the process through which the estate of a deceased person is settled under court supervision. The process is meant to prevent fraud. If the deceased had a will, the document must be presented in court and put to the test to check its validity. If no will exists, the court will appoint the spouse or a close relative to act as the executor of the estate. If you have been appointed the executor of an estate, it is important you hire an Idaho probate law attorney to guide you through the probate process.

June 29th, 2016

How A Business Lawyer Can Help Small Businesses

4716279_sMost small business owners are strapped for money, which makes hiring a business lawyer somewhat of an afterthought. In fact, most owners only hire an attorney when they face a legal problem. On face value, this action makes sense, but the truth is a business attorney can help a small business in more ways than you can imagine. The following are a few situations where a lawyer will be helpful, which may prevent a problem.

Help With Asking the Right Questions

One problem that a small business owner can face is a lawsuit from an employee or even an applicant. Lawsuits involving discriminatory remarks or actions are common, but they are preventable. This is why you should at least consult with your lawyer so that you are aware of all discriminatory laws. For example, it is illegal to ask an employee or an applicant if he or she is planning on getting pregnant soon. A good example of how you can use a lawyer is to simply write up a list of questions you want to ask an applicant. The lawyer can review them to ensure no violations are committed.

Avoid Signing a Bad Contract

There are several online sources that can help you write up a contract between you and a vendor. The sources usually detail the steps clearly enough, though you can always have your lawyer do this for you. It is always a good idea to have a consultation with a lawyer regarding the contract so that he or she can go over it and ensure that it is okay to sign. This is a good way to avoid loopholes that might cost you later.

These are just two things that a good lawyer can help you with, though there are other more pressing issues when the services of a lawyer are inevitable, such as a lawsuit or if local or state entities are investigating your business for violations. It is always wise to keep a qualified business lawyer close by your side; this will make sure you have someone to fight for you if you ever need it.

April 25th, 2016

The Many Advantages Of A Cedar Fence

cedar-fence-boise-medCedar has long been a popular choice as a fencing material. Cedar wood is extremely durable, and holds up well to outdoor weather conditions. As such, a cedar fence will generally outlast fences made from softer, less durable wood, such as pine. In addition to its inherent durability, the natural oils present within the wood will help to deter insect damage and rotting.

A cedar fence is quite beautiful, adding to the overall visual appeal of a home’s landscape. Natural cedar has an attractive, rustic look, making it an excellent choice for backyard fences. Cedar does not need to be chemically treated, making it a good choice for families who prefer to use natural products. Sealants are also not required in order for cedar to remain durable outdoors. In fact, applying a sealant to cedar is generally not recommended, due to the natural oils in the wood.

A properly installed cedar fence will look great for a long time. Not only will the wood resist the ravages of the weather, but it will also maintain its straight and aligned appearance. Although many types of wood are prone to warping or shrinking over time, cedar tends to retain its shape and size beautifully.

If a cedar fence is not stained, it will gradually weather and fade to a gray color. Although many people truly love the look of weathered cedar, in some cases this natural fading is not desired. In order to avoid this natural fading, the wood can be stained.

It is true that a cedar fence costs more than most other wood fences, but still one of the most affordable fence materials. However, considering how durable and long-lasting cedar can be, it is still a good buy. A cedar fence is a good choice for the homeowner who wants to save money, and doesn’t mind a little maintenance in order to keep it in good condition. Sometimes homeowners consider using pressure treated wood for outdoor fences, in order to save on costs. The chemicals applied to pressure treated wood do increase the wood’s durability. However, pressure treated wood must be stained and sealed, thus adding to the maintenance required to keep it looking good. Cedar, on the other hand, is a remarkably low maintenance wood.

February 23rd, 2016

Fence Styles For Security And Beauty

vinyl-fence-boise-med2A fence keeps people or pets where they belong and also keeps strangers and wild or curious animals off of a property. Fencing might follow the entire property line, hem in a backyard, or just secure the area around a pool or vegetable garden. Fences are decorative and/or practical, often a bit of both. Here are some fence styles to consider as you prepare to have your own fence installed.

Chain Link

This is the least stylish and most commonly-seen type of fencing in the US. Chain link fences are secure and clearly state the boundary of a commercial or residential property. Chain link is mostly used for practical applications, not to achieve something attractive.

Wood Options

Wood is a relatively cheap fencing material but requires some maintenance and is more prone to damage and weathering than vinyl or metal. Depending on the grade of wood, it could crack or warp after successive heavy rainfalls or many days in the hot sun. Wood, however, is versatile and beautiful. The Dog Eared style is very popular: straight boards lined up without a cap and no gaps. A capped style with a parallel bottom feature is the Picture Frame style and a semi-private Shadow Box offers a small gap.

Metal

Aluminum and steel are very strong, almost maintenance-free. Tubes of metal form straight, uniform lines, scallops, or pyramids with pointed or ball tops. Posts are set at various distances from one another so they don’t provide complete privacy, but they are sturdy and simple. Metal won’t wear out during extreme weather and metal is favored for security purposes. An epoxy coating gives customers a wide range of color choices.

Wrought Iron

Numerous elegant, ornamental fence styles are created from wrought iron including Gothic. It has the antique look of something you might see on a late 19th or early 20th Century home in eastern America or on a modern English street. Because there’s little privacy offered by the gaps, wrought iron and other metal fences often stand at the end of a long drive with a gate of the same material featuring ornate iron work. Wrought iron will last decades without maintenance and comes in various powder-coated shades.

January 21st, 2016

An Introduction To Kirkman Labs Autism Supplements

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In the human body, vitamins play a vital role in various biological processes including carbohydrate metabolism, cell division and differentiation, as well as bone growth. As such, vitamin-rich foods such as green vegetables, fruits, eggs and nuts are vital dietary components. Unfortunately, many people do not get the recommended amounts of vitamin every day. Luckily, one can avoid vitamin-deficiency by taking Kirkman vitamin supplements such as:

B-6/Magnesium Vitamin

This Kirkman supplement provides the B-6 vitamins the body requires for proper functioning of the nervous and immune systems, optimal cell growth, and protein metabolism. In addition, it contains magnesium, which is a key nutrient involved in protein synthesis and proper nerve function. Finally, the supplement comes in the form of chewable wafers.

B-Complex with CoEnzymes Pro-Support Powder

If you are shopping for a supplement that contains B-Complex vitamins, this is a great choice. It contains ingredients like citric acid, riboflavin, fructose, di-calcium, folic acid and thiamine mononitrate. The good news is it does not contain preservatives such as casein, wheat, soy, gelatin or yeast.

Mycellized Vitamin A Liquid

Unlike the other vitamins reviewed in this post, Mycellized Vitamin A is in the form of a highly absorbable liquid. Its health benefits include supporting proper immune system function, body tissue and cartilage growth/maintenance, as well as optimal visual health. Ingredients in this supplement include sunflower oil, glycerin, purified water, vitamin A palmitate and beta-carotene.

Cod Liver Oil with Vitamins A & D

This supplement contains the essential fatty acids associated with cod liver oil (DHA and EPA) as well as vitamins A and D. As such, it is one of the great Kirkman labs autism supplements. Remember omega-3 fatty acids enhance neurological health. This supplement does not contain gluten, preservatives, wheat, or artificial flavors and colors.

Why Ultra Tested?

It is worth noting that these supplements undergo a purity testing protocol developed by Kirkman called Ultra Tested. This is to ensure supplements do not contain harmful contaminants such as common allergens, heavy metals and mold.

Conclusion

Since getting enough vitamins through diet is usually difficult, you should take vitamin supplements. Good examples of such supplements include Kirkman Cod Liver Oil with Vitamins A & D, Mycellized Vitamin A Liquid, and B-Complex with CoEnzymes pro-Support Powder.

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