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Starbucks on Loop and 64

September 27th, 2012

Whoever thought of putting a Starbucks on the Loop and 64 in Tyler had a good idea. The entire city is growing pretty well and this part of town is now exception.

Just down the road on 64 you’ve got the airport. On the corner of the loop and 64 you have Walmart and more businesses seem to be blooming like crazy, which also increases the business of Starbucks. As Americans, we’re pretty addicted to coffee. When we start our day without it, everything seems to go wrong until we finally caffeine up, Starbucks is conveniently located there to help relieve the stresses of early mornings.

This particular Starbucks location has had great feedback from people, who say it’s the cleanest one in Tyler and are impressed with the service. One of the reviews on Google says, “This is the best Starbucks in Tyler! As a regular, they know by drink and always have a smile for me. Great service!”

Another review raves, “Best Starbucks in Tyler.This is my new Starbucks in Tyler. This location is much cleaner than most, and the baristas are all very friendly. My drink is pretty specific and they have never seemed to mind it. Many other places I go, they seem to get agitated with my order. If you’re in Tyler and want a great experience at a Starbucks, this is the place to come.”

Starbucks is a great place to hang out with friends. It also makes for an even better place to go to get some work done for your job or school, as you can enjoy a cup of coffee (as well as a Frappuccino or a fresh fruit smoothie if that’s your style) while making use of the wireless internet.

Like most Starbucks, this one also has a drive through in case you’re in a hurry. If you’re running late for work and you need that extra kick to get you started, the drive through at Starbucks on the Loop and 64 might just be your best bet.

Tax Brackets and Have you Filed Your 2011 Taxes Yet?

March 14th, 2012

What you see on your calendar if you have one of those nice ones with every holiday including Canadian holidays is tax day. You know it is the middle of March and April is almost here so I did a little spring cleaning out in my yard by picking up an old crusty slip n’ slide that needed to go in the trash. What did I find but a snake underneath. Speaking of snakes the IRS is seen by many as one of these slimy things and the closer you approach the tax deadline you may start to feel this way too but these guys are good people just doing their rightful job.

Don’t take out your angst on these government employed professionals. You may not agree with what is going on politically right now with all the union control on the IRS but many of these IRS agents are simply taking and reviewing your taxes as they ought too. This is standard procedure in any government no matter how conservative or liberal.

IRS Tax filing deadline

Tax deadline day is Tuesday April 17, 2012.

What I like to do is spread all my tax documents I have so far out on my desk around late January and start on my taxes early. There is something great about getting taxes over and done with as soon as possible. A great relief comes over me and I feel I can get back to work. I usually can’t get it done in a day because I don’t have all documents in yet from all the companies that have paid me during the year. I also have a whole family that is wondering why I am devoting 100 % of my attention to a bunch of boring papers.

You might be saying it’s only April 14th but that means you only have about 4 weeks left until deadline day! Don’t worry we have some last minute tax guides below that should help motivate you along.

What is My Tax Bracket for 2011?

If single:

  • 10% for incomes up to $8,500
  • 15% for incomes from $8,500 to $34,500
  • 25% for incomes from $34,500 to $83,600
  • 28% for incomes from $83,600 to $174,400
  • 33% for incomes from $174,400 to $379,150
  • 35% for incomes over $379,150

 

Over the last 10 years the tax brackets have increased little by little each year, and rates came down for the upper 4 tax brackets in 2003.

These are the brackets for what people pay on their reported wages. There are also capital gains taxes from investments, estate taxes, corporate tax, and fortunately for Texas no state or local income tax. We do have to pay 8.25 % sales tax and don’t forget property tax but by God’s grace lets pray we never introduce a Texas state income tax! I am going to start at the $8,500 level regarding earned income credit simply because these are some pretty big check you get back from the IRS. If you make between $8,500 $8,550 per year you won’t have to worry about any of these taxes and in fact will get the earned income credit of $2,899 whether you are single or married filing jointly. These earned income credits steadily increase as your income rises and tops out at $3,094 if you make between $21,750 – $21,800. Even if you only made $9050 – $9,100 you will get this top level amount in a big whopping check from the IRS for $3,094. It is much less if you have no children at, $464.

Putting This All in Perspective

Before 2001, income tax brackets were based on Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. The Clinton Administration barely got it by a Democratic Congress with Al Gore being the tie breaking vote in the Senate. This policy allowed for 5 tax brackets. If you made less than $34,317 you paid no taxes except every other year you paid 15%. All other brackets looked as follows:

28% for incomes from $34,317 to $83,075
31% for incomes from $83,075 to $178,572
36% for incomes from $178,572 to $388,200
39.6% for incomes over $388,200

There are Tax Foundation records that go as far back as 1913 although federal income taxes have been collected by the US government since the end of the Civil War in 1865. The whole bracket idea based on if you are just filing as an individual or married couple did not happen until 1948. Have you ever wondered what the first ever tax brackets looked like? We have them available below from 1913 which were for individuals regardless if they were married:

1% for incomes up to $453,292
2% for incomes from $453,292 to $1,133,230
3% for incomes from $1,133,230 to $1,699,846
4% for incomes from $1,699,846 to $2,266,461
5% for incomes from $2,266,461 to $5,666,152
6% for incomes from $5,666,152 to $11,332,304
7% for incomes over $11,332,304

Major Points in Tax History

In 100 years of U.S. tax history the first big change was when a rate of 67% was enacted in 1917. This rate increased to 73% in 1921 and then began to come back down again quite substantially. The highest tax bracket with an income of $1,282,169 paid just 25% income tax from 1925 to 1932. As the Great Depression hit, Hoover passed a big tax increase raising the highest tax bracket to 63% that eventually increased to 79% in 1936. The increases targeted the higher wealthy income levels. World War II cost a fortune and by 1945 when the war ended there was a 90% income tax on anyone who made over $1,121,898.

This high tax rate of 90% did not drop below 80% until Kennedy’s tax cut in 1964. During these high tax bracket years the lowest bracket paid 16% under the same policy. Contrast this 16% bracket for low income earners with the earned income credit we have today where millions of Americans pay absolutely no taxes at all.

During Reagan’s years The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 increased taxes and overall revenue and it removed the highest tax brackets and created a 50% bracket for income of more than $199.035. This bracket was quite a bit lower than prior years.

In conclusion, I believe our tax rates seem to be in a middle area when looking at all income levels. The top level income tax rates are closer to historical lows than historical highs when considering the entire tax bracket history on record. The highest rate right now is 35% but in 1964 it was as high as 91%! The perception put out in much of the media is that the rich have got it so good while the poorest among us are paying all kinds of taxes. It is true if you are rich you are doing good but they still pay most of the U.S. taxes. In reality, if you are married filing jointly with one child and making $24,000 a year in 1945 you would have paid $5,520 in federal income taxes but in 2011 you will pay $16 with earned income credit calculated in. In comparison to 1983 when Ronald Reagan was in office you would have paid $2,208 in federal income taxes but in 2011 you would only pay $16. As you can see the rich are paying most of the taxes and are even subsidizing low income earners so they don’t have to pay taxes at all. Are things fair right now in the tax code? You bet they are and if anything the rich should pay less and the millions not paying taxes at all should put in a little.

If you need a good accounting company in Tyler Texas that can do your business and personal tax returns, amend past returns, and more please visit, Bailes & Co. P.C. – Accountants & Consultants. We use them and love the great job they have done for us. They have not paid for this referral as we truly recommend them because we believe they offer exceptional accounting services. If you want to use my guy there ask for, Nick. Definitely let them know you heard about them from our blog, however 🙂

American Plumbing Company Satisfaction Guaranteed

December 23rd, 2011

About three months ago my brother stopped by my house to borrow a book. Fortunately I was not at home because he and his wife were able to smell gas before even entering the house. Lacking an acute sense of smell I brought a couple friends who immediately validated what my brother had told me. I called the gas company but the gentleman who responded was unable to pinpoint the source of the leak. After about a thirty minute examination of the house he decided the only course of action available was to disconnect the gas. I would need to get a plumber to test the pipes and locate and fix the leaks before the gas could be reconnected.

Obviously some time was required to save up the necessary funds. So following several months of cool mornings and cold showers I finally managed to scrape together enough money to have someone come look at the problem. Now before disclosing the resolution of my tale, I should offer a bit of criticism of our dear inspector here in Tyler, who recently mandated that all gas plumbing be tested at a pressure of ten pounds per square inch, (p.s.i.), a very high bar considering the gas companies only provide their product at four p.s.i. The increased pressure actually creates a real problem for owners of older homes like mine. The higher pressure can actually create more leaks than would otherwise exist. Of course it could mean more work for area plumbers and local inspectors, but I’m fairly sure the high standards are merely a means of increasing safety, and not a city make-work program… right?

All this being said; after briefly speaking with a number of area plumbers, I settled on a good company. The guys at American Plumbing Company did a great job for me. They climbed under my house, diagnosed the problems, removed some unnecessary plumbing under the house, and fixed some leaks that were very difficult to reach. They did all this while I was on a tight budget, helping me keep track of the money I spent on labor and materials. Most importantly, they were honest, keeping me informed of everything they had done, and advising me on what they needed to do. At the end of a long day the pipes were fixed and I enjoyed the first hot shower I’d had at home in weeks.

For more information on American Plumbing Co. call their office at (903)592-5508. Customer satisfaction is guaranteed.

Related websites related to gas leak repair: Heating Repair in Tyler TX

 

Royal Lube in Tyler TX

May 17th, 2011

Royal Lube in Tyler TX

Like everybody I go in to an oil lube place every so often and get an oil change for my truck.

I know there are some people that drive around with sludge in their engine for years but I need my car to last.

Last time I came in to Royal Lube I didn’t go with my usual Pennzoil but tried Royal Purple instead.

You can go many more miles when you use Royal Purple and although it is more expensive you don’t have to get an oil change as often.

Today I decided to go with Royal Purple again. It did well for me and I have no reason to change now. Some of my relatives go on and on about this stuff and use it in their sports cars so I figured I would become an avid fan as well. Why not, it works and saves me money.

Royal Lube does not just have a wide selection of oil but a friendly, courteous, and capable staff. I must have been going here for a decade or longer and I have never had a mishap. These guys always do a great job.

Next time you need an oil change go to the corner of Amherst and Broadway. They are close to this intersection and across the street from Mundt Music. They are also next door to the newer Shoguns restaurant.

Hair Weaving in Tyler TX

May 2nd, 2011

Tyler TX Hair Weaves

Indian Hair Report

When shopping for a good hair weave place in Tyler TX it isn’t about the location or the name of the Beauty salon. It isn’t even about the price.

Putting a hair weave in place in a black woman’s hair takes a lot of time, care and consideration. The important thing is that the beauty salon get it right even if it takes two days.

At first glance there are over 120 businesses in Tyler Texas that say they can do hair weaves. If you are in the market for a hair weave placement you are going to have a hard time determining which of these Tyler beauty salons really knows what they are doing.

We offer this article up for recommendations on who you believe does the best job in Tyler Texas in putting together a beautiful looking hair weave for the many black ladies in town in need of this service.