Quarterly Newsletter
Fall 2024 by Myrra V. Guerrero
Hello and welcome to my quarterly newsletter! Each quarter, I’ll be sharing valuable tips, updates, and stories to help you and your business thrive. Whether you’re looking for notary services, virtual assistance, or just some friendly advice, I'm here to support you every step of the way. If you ever need to speak with me directly, please don’t hesitate to call. I’m always happy to chat and help with any questions or concerns you might have. Alternatively, you can visit my contact form to leave an inquiry, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for being a part of this community. Let’s make this quarter amazing together!
The Importance of Notary Services and Tips for Preparing for Your Appointment
Notary services are essential for ensuring the authenticity and legality of various documents. Whether you need to notarize a power of attorney, a real estate deed, or a business contract, a notary public serves as an impartial witness to the signing process. This helps prevent fraud and confirms that the signers are who they claim to be. By providing these crucial services, notaries uphold the integrity of legal and financial transactions. Everyone should have a notary in their phone that they can call whenever they need a legal form notarized because you truly never know when it will come up. This notary can grow with you and your family and with time can even feel like they are a part of your family! Do you know that I grew up with a mother who has been my mentor and teacher in this field. She has been in business for over 20 years and to this very day some of her same clients walk into our office and look at me with a big smile and remind me of how small I was when they first met me. I mean, it really is a beautiful feeling seeing some of the same familiar faces year in and year out. I have seen their children grow up, hear stories of family vacations, and have witnessed their lives progress throughout all of these years. People sometimes come into our office with heavy shoulders and leave laughing and with their chins up. Thats the kind of notary that you keep on speed dial and the kind of notary that I want to be for you!
Are you unsure about what to bring to your appointment? Here are some tips to help you prepare:By following these tips, you can help ensure a smooth and efficient notarization or lease signing process. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out!
- Bring Valid Identification: Make sure you have a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. The name on your ID should match the name on the document being notarized, and the ID must not be expired.
- Complete the Document: Ensure the document is fully completed, except for the signatures. I'll need to witness those when you come for your appointment. By law, I cannot notarize incomplete documents, so please fill in all necessary information beforehand.
- Know the Type of Notarization Needed: Understand what type of notarization you require (e.g., acknowledgment, jurat, or copy certification). If you're unsure, please contact the agency that provided the form for guidance.
- Have All Signers Present: Ensure that all parties who need to sign the document are present at the time of notarization and that they all have their own valid ID. Double-check if your document requires witnesses. If it does, please have them present at the time of signing, along with their IDs.
- Be Aware and Willing: Make sure you are fully aware of what you are signing and are doing so willingly. I cannot witness a signing for anyone being forced to do so or who is under the influence.
- Payment for Services: Be prepared to pay the notary fee at the time of signing. Each notarial signature has a $10 fee, so for every stamp/signature I provide, you will be charged $10. I prefer cash payments but also accept online payments via Zelle or CashApp.
Small Business Tips | Wrap Up The Year and Be Prepared for Income Tax Filing
Can you believe that 2024 is almost over? Time flies when you're running a small business! I know juggling your business and preparing for tax season can feel like a circus act, but don't worry; I’ve got some tips to help you sail smoothly into the new year!Please, I implore you not to stress or delay getting these items together for tax filing. I know it can make your heart skip a beat, and not in the best of ways, but you have someone here with me that is able to walk you through the process, I'm just a call or a click away. Together we can make tax season a breeze!
- Organize Your Financial Records: Make sure all your financial records are up-to-date and organized. This includes income statements, balance sheets, and receipts for deductible expenses. Think of it as giving your finances a nice, tidy haircut.
- Identify Deductions: Hunt down all possible deductions you can claim. Common deductions include office supplies, business travel, and professional services. You know, kind of like finding hidden treasure in your expense reports!
- Year-End Purchases: Consider making year-end purchases for equipment or supplies to take advantage of Section 179 deductions. This allows you to write off the full purchase price of qualifying items. In other words, treat yourself to that new office gadget you've been eyeing and reap the rewards.
- Retirement Contributions: If you have a retirement plan, such as a SEP IRA or a 401(k), consider making contributions before the end of the year. These contributions can reduce your taxable income and help you save for the future.
- Evaluate Inventory and Debts: Check for any obsolete inventory or uncollectible debts. Writing off these items can provide tax benefits and give you a clearer picture of your financial health. Out with the old, in with the new!
- File Necessary Forms: Make sure you're ready to file all required end-of-year tax forms, such as W-2s for employees and 1099s for contractors. Filing these forms on time helps you avoid penalties and ensures compliance with IRS regulations. Staying ahead of the game can keep you in the game, and this is an area that will come back like a fastball if you don't address it sooner than later.
Tax Updates
In light of the recent devastating hurricanes that have hit Florida and the Southeast, the IRS wants to reassure everyone affected that they are here to help with any tax-related issues you might be facing during this difficult time. The IRS website, IRS.gov, offers a wealth of information to help you navigate the aftermath of these disasters. Additionally, they have set up a special hotline just for disaster-related tax questions. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to call 866-562-5227. Oh, and if you’ve received disaster relief payments, I have some good news: these payments are generally not counted as part of your gross income. This means you can exclude the amounts you receive from a government agency for essential personal, family, living, or funeral expenses. It also covers costs for repairing or rebuilding your home, or replacing its contents! I have more good news, the IRS has postponed filing deadlines from the fall of 2024 into May of 2025 for certain states including Florida! So for those of you who might have delayed filing you now have a few more months to get your p's and q's in check and come sit down with me to file. This means that the new May 1, 2025, deadline will now apply to: Any individual or business with a 2024 return normally due in March or April 2025. Any individual, business, or tax-exempt organization with a valid extension to file their 2023 federal return. However, please note that payments on these returns are not eligible for the extra time since they were due last spring before the hurricane occurred. 2024 quarterly estimated income tax payments normally due on January 15, 2025, and 2025 estimated tax payments normally due on April 15, 2025. Quarterly payroll and excise tax returns normally due on October 31, 2024, January 31, 2025, and April 30, 2025. Additionally, the IRS is providing penalty relief to businesses that make payroll and excise tax deposits. The relief periods vary by state, so please visit the IRS's "Around the Nation" page for specific details.
Recipe of the Quarter : Rotel Dip
Now would I really be me if I didn't bring up food? Of course not! If anyone ever tries call you pretending to be me and they don't mention anything about food HANG UP because they are an "im-pasta". See I how used the food play in that sentence *insert giggling emoji*. I will conclude this newsletter with an easy rotel dip recipe that I found on My Baking Addiction's website. Doesn't it look scrumptious and cozy? Click the link below to see how you can transport your taste buds to food heaven and let me know if you gave it a try! Until we meet next quarter, assalamualakum!
Courtesy of My Baking Addiction
