dawooget

I've been taking the maximum $5000 amount for Dependent care, which is fine since I go waaaaaay over this each year. With multiple kids, I can take a maximum of $6000/year, which means I file $1000 ($5k already used pre-tax).

However, the credit I receive for the additional $1000 is $200, or 20%. My effective tax rate is ~10%. Therefore, for the $5000 I pay pre-tax, my savings is $500. If I simply get the 20% credit at the end, I think it would be worth $1000.

So, my question is this: if my effective tax rate is < 20%, then isn't it more advantageous to NOT get the Dependent Care Account?

What might I be missing? This $5k doesn't put me into another tax bracket.

I am knowledgeable as to why we have a blue sky, or in the case of a sunset, a red or yellow sky -- it's about wavelengths and scattering.

However, in the process, it would make sense that as a sky goes from blue (shorter wavelengths) to orange/yellow (longer wavelengths, it would cross over green. ROYGBIV.

So why do we not see green skies?

I am planning a vacation to PR (4-5 days) and have seen some conflicting information.

1) Should I explore the other areas other than OSJ (i.e Rincon or Ponce)? Where?

2) Should I rely on taxis or should I get a rental car? I hear traffic is frustrating!

3) Other than the forts and other historical stuff, what might be fun for a 14-year old girl? What should I expect to spend for activities?

Muchas gracias!

My daughter lives with her mother. Her mother has custody. However, both are claimed as a dependent on the grandmother's taxes.

I want to claim my daughter on mine, do I have a right? As I understand it, when it comes down to a dispute on who gets to claim, there's a heirarchy of these things. Between a parent and grandparent, the parent gets preference. I also provide ~75% of my daughter's support as well.

Basically I am asking on the basis that my daughter's mother does not file taxes, can I then claim my daughter?

I had a small fire on my porch, which melted the hard plastic porch furniture on to the brick surface. Scraping it only goes so far. Any tips on how to get it off?

My company's going through cuts, and I am positive I am not seen in their future plans. They have a decent severance package, though.

I've taken a pro-active approach and searched for a new job, but it worked out too well! I start in a month (not telling my current employer yet). Instead of resigning, however, I would like to be laid off this month and get the severance package.

Does anyone have tips on what I can do to help speed up the layoff process without getting fired for cause?

I'm soon to be switching employers and I know to rollover my 401(k), but if I don't want to use my new company's plans, can I just pick an investment firm to handle it? Do employers still typically contribute to these outside plans?