Twin Cities people, I'm thinking of replacing our ancient furnace. Any HVAC contractors you'd recommend?
Scott H. replied:
Howell heating. He does Lennox only but I got a great deal and a great furnace with great service. He is based in forest Lake but worth talking to. www.howellheating.com
Heidi W. replied:
Eagle Mechanical (Brian and Jon)
Carrie L. replied:
We just got our new furnace and AC from Standard Heating and AC like 2 weeks and they were awesome.
Tax time! Can anyone recommend good accountant for an IT Contractor? Hi! For the last year I've been an IT contractor and everyone tells me I can claim a whole bunch of...
fraudster replied:
One would generally consult professionals before it is too late... It really depends on how you are structured (Individual, Company, Trust etc) and what "IT contractor" you are, how much money you make and how much money you keep...
Say for example, if you work on different sites and travel between offices, you will have access to a car or transport deduction - car deductions can be done in one of four ways (log book, 5000km/yr/car, 12% car value up to 60k? or 1/3 of expenses [here](http://www.ato.gov.au/content/00313836.htm). Now you may work from home via VPN and whatnot that means part of your internet connection is deductible, you use a mobile phone, etc. You may be required to wear some sort of shitty t-shirt with a company logo on it, that's claimable + you'd get an allowance for washing it. There are very many of these things you can claim.
Also, should think about the future and how you can ready yourself up for next year (if you're assuming an increase in revenue earned)
p.s. I am not an accountant, I work in wealth management. These are just ideas.
Stokesy replied:
Apparently the [ATO are targeting IT professionals](http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/06/whose-tax-returns-is-the-ato-double-checking-this-year/) this year for a thorough double-check of tax returns, so make sure whatever you claim is above board.
romeoforyou replied:
[Xero](http://www.xero.com/) and their partners for [accounting](http://www.xero.com/advisors/accountants/qld/).
Perhaps not this year, but there are quite a few accountants and bookkeepers using Xero now. Learn the basics and there won't really be any such thing as tax time (as you knew it). Your accountant just logs in and generates reports, submits them... everything. It almost makes accounting and bookkeeping a pleasure.
I implore you (there's also a free trial). I've used it for multiple businesses (alongside accountants), and will also use the personal edition when they implement automatic bank feeds later this year.
The way of the future ^The ^way ^of ^the ^future ^^The ^^way ^^of ^^the ^^future ^^^The ^^^way ^^^of ^^^the ^^^future