ModelFlyerChick

I'm self-employed with one dependent...my disabled sister. I've already filed my 2016 taxes and qualified for an EIC of roughly $2k.

For line 13b should I enter -0- or my 2016 EIC? The instructions are not clear on this.

I live with my dad and younger sister. My younger sister is mentally retarded...41 but think/acts like a 13 year old. Some years ago after the passing of my mom, dad insisted that I take over the family finances just in case something happened to him. In addition...I cook the meals, do the laundry, run all errands, and I'm self-employed.

My dad is 78 years old and was recently released from a nursing home where he was undergoing physical rehab after a bad fall. Right now he is immobile...unable to walk. When he needs anything at all he starts screaming for me and then for my sister if he doesn't hear an answer from me immediately. Once I respond, he yells at me for making him scream. He only yells at me for not responding immediately, never my sister. He screams for help 10 - 15 times a day. ..and each time I drop what I'm doing and run to help him...if I'm awake.

He tells me all the time... "I should NEVER have to scream or yell for help. Leaving me screaming for 2-3 hours is ABUSE no matter what you say!!!" I keep telling him that I can't hear him screaming if I'm sleeping. He has managed to make me feel sooo guilty about him having to yell for help that I don't bother going to bed anymore. As it is, I haven't slept in 3 days. ..and I'm beyond exhausted. If I say anything to dad, he'll just tell me to quit whining.

I'm in Texas. Right now this state is in the process of switching from a 2 sticker system to a single sticker system. This change started on March 1, 2015...the day when Texas quit issuing inspection stickers. Once this change is complete you can only renew your registration if your car has a passing inspection on record

From Mar 1, 2015 thru Feb 29, 2016 you can renew registration if your car has a valid passing inspection.

My registration was renewed in April 2015 and had a valid passing inspection at the time. My inspection sticker expires today (7/2015). According to http://twostepsonesticker.com/ I don't have to get my car inspected until 2016 but no more than 90days prior to April 2016 when the registration sticker expires.

Thing is, in my town the police are notorious for writing tickets at even the tiniest infraction....like going 1mph over the speed limit (happened to my mom and she was almost fired from her job over it...school bus driver). ...so I'm worried that I'll get ticketed anyway despite what the new rules say. I have a very clean driving record and would like to keep it clean...no tickets.

She's 42 and mentally retarded. Mentally she's 13 unless she gets upset/angry for any reason...then she's mentally 5 years old.

Today she demanded that I go to the store to buy her 5 pints of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. She insisted on having at least 5 different flavors. I told her absolutely NOT b/c it's way too expensive ($5/pint in my area) and there's only $50 in the grocery budget until I get paid later this week. She screamed at me "I DON'T CARE!! I WANT BEN & JERRY'S NOW.....NO SUBSTITUTES!!!" I kept a firm stand...NO. She didn't let up. I finally told her okay...if you REALLY want it I'll get it for you BUT you have to pay for it out of your $30 monthly allowance. Whew...that's when the trouble REALLY started. She started screaming and hollering on an endless rant. By the time she quieted down an hour later I was crying like a baby b/c of all the horrible things she said. I still refused. Then she demanded that I use the $1600 I have in savings for her ice cream b/c she's more important than fixing my car's AC. Her exact words "I don't give a sh*t if you get sick and die from the heat you worthless b*tch...I WANT MY ICE CREAM!!!" My sister is REALLY good at making me feel like a worthless piece of trash.

I was on my way home from the store last night when the pickup truck ahead of me turned off onto a "U" driveway of the residence across the street from my neighborhood. I thought he was just going to turn around to head back the way he came. Nope. After I passed by he proceeded on in the same direction he was already going, except now he was behind me. This isn t something that normal people do...which creeped me out. I mean who pulls into a driveway like that and continues on in the same direction? Even creepier when he followed me into my neighborhood. I passed my street (Rule 1: Never go straight home if you think you re being followed) and kept going. He turned off onto another street so I thought he was just going home. I went a little further then turned around and came back towards my street. I was 1/2 way to my street when that same truck passed me going the other direction. Once he was almost out of sight I mashed the gas and quickly turned down my street without signaling (illegal in Texas). ..then shut down the car and my iPod so the light wouldn t attract him. I quickly headed to the house and when I got to the front door I could see him creeping down the next street over. I don t know if the pickup driver lives in my neighborhood or not. ...or if I was just being paranoid. Opinions?

I'm paid a flat $200/wk or $10,400/yr. The company I'm contracting for is a growing business so it is possible that my pay could increase some later this year...not guaranteed. ..and I have no employees or anyone I outsource work to. I'm a single filer with one dependent (my younger sister...mentally retarded from birth).

I filled out the estimated tax worksheet...1040-ES. ..so here I am looking at this sheet and the final outcome is "Stop. You are not required to pay estimated taxes." Sounds good. BUT...I'm self employed! I've heard from so many people that ALL self-employed people are required to pay quarterly taxes or face VERY heavy penalties, fees, and possibly jail. After doing this worksheet it would seem those people are wrong. I don't want to screw things up and end up owing thousands and thousands of dollars in penalties & fees next year. ...and definitely don't want to end up in jail.

I even went as far as plugging this year's earnings on my filed 1040 form just to see what would happen. The results: $1800 refund. Note: I did not overwrite the filed form. All figuring was done on a separate sheet of paper.

Is it possible that some self-employed people don't earn enough to require quarterly payments? ...or should I stop my whining and pay it anyway? I don't really want to pay the quarterly taxes so I can put that money towards paying off high interest debt.

I had been sick from some sort of unknown illness (not contagious) for several weeks...fever anywhere from 100.1 - 103.9 but I went to work anyway for fear of being fired for calling out. Anyway, my boss knew I was ill b/c I had explained it to her b/c she kept harping on me for being too slow. ...so last week she fired me b/c she decided I was sleeping when in fact I was trying to determine which settings to use on the scanner for the odd colored paper. I explained this to the boss but she didn't believe me. She shoved a box at me and said "Pack your stuff and leave". Three days after getting fired the mysterious illness was gone.

The entire time I was working for this company I was also doing part-time CAD design work from home for a very small architectural stone company. The owner of this stone company is wanting to start doing land development..neighborhoods, etc and has some property lined up as well as an investor who is willing to back him all the way financially. ...and he has invited me to follow him along for the ride handling all the CAD drawings and possibly graphic design in the future. I've also been told by the owner that there are millions of dollars at stake on this new venture. To me this is an opportunity of a lifetime and a dream b/c I love to draw.

The problem: My finances...the only income I have now is the CAD projects I complete for the stone company. Unfortunately this income isn't consistent. I live with my 76yr old dad and younger sister. Dad is all in favor of me following this opportunity rather than looking for another job. He tells me I will never be happy if I get another job instead of doing what I love. ...and I know he's right. Because of his age dad did put me in charge of the family finances (bills). I already know the family can make it without my regular paycheck but it will be extremely tight. Problem is since I'm now jobless and have no consistent income I feel like I'm nothing but a moocher.

Should I go get another job so I'm not mooching off the family or should I follow the dream opportunity?

I'm in Texas working full-time for a very small company (3 full-time, 2 part-time). All positions start out at minimum wage with an annual 25 cent raise, no paid days off, & insurance (expensive) after 90 days. Not good but at least its a job.

I have a full-time coworker (Mr X) who put in his notice today after accepting a job offer. In a rush panic my boss counter offered with $10/hr + paid days off (vacation, holidays, sick days, and personal days) as an incentive for him stay with the company. No other employee within the company will be offered the same. The only reason I found out about it is b/c he told the lady (Mrs R) who sits behind me and she told me about it. Mrs R is a part-timer who has been with the company for 3 yrs and thinks this counter offer is totally unfair.

Is it legal for my boss to only give a single employee a huge raise + paid days while not extending the same to other employees?

I don't need any answers telling me "paid days are not legally required". I already know that. All I'm wanting to know is if it is illegal to only allow it for one person as an incentive to stay but not offer the same to other employees.

I have a Panasonic Lumix FZ-5 purchased back 2005. Yes, it is a dinosaur but I can't afford a new one. I was out with my sister earlier today and had lots of problems with the camera that I never had before.

I had to keep turning the camera off and back on again each time I wanted to snap a photo. Had to do the same thing when changing camera modes. I couldn't review any photos I took except for the most recent one....wouldn't advance to the next pic. The menu button wouldn't function at all.

The camera had a full charge and a blank 2GB SD card (max size for this camera) which was properly formatted.

When I got home I transferred the photos to my computer and reformatted the SD card, same problems. Then I put the batter on charge, still the same problem.

Anyone have any idea what is going on with my camera?

Last night (Wednesday) I made Hawaiian style sloppy joe with ground turkey. My dad isn't feeling well so I have to cook something bland for tonight. Will the sloppy joe be safe to reheat Friday night?

I am morbidly obese but trying to get healthy without surgery. ..and I want to start walking. I have been wearing crocs everywhere, even work (super casual dress code...shorts/flip flops ok) but the material has started irritating my skin. Since I had very little money and my old sneakers were just too tight I bought a pair of el cheapo aqua socks from WalMart. Walking in them feels like I'm barefoot. :) I love it. ...but they are loose in the forefoot and nearly slip off my feet when I walk. Another thing I also noticed is the near lack of back pain when I walk from the back of the parking lot in the aqua socks. If I wore crocs or other regular sneakers my back would be hurting so bad I would be in tears so I was always trying to park close. Even then my back would still be really hurt. Because of the difference I feel walking in the aqua socks I am very interested in purchasing a pair of minimalist shoes. ...but I have a problem that will probably keep me out of them....my feet. They are wide. Wide enough to where I can only wear men's wide width sneakers. No women's shoes at all. ...and because of my weight I also suffer from edema (swollen legs/feet). ..and take prescription meds for it. I'm hoping my weight loss + diet change will end the problem.

So far I have tried on the New Balance Minimus. I loved the way it felt but it was slightly too narrow, but it wasn't the wide width version since the store didn't have any. It looked wide so I thought it was wide. oh well. I also tried out the Vibrams at another store...the speed (figured this style would work for my puffy foot) but couldn't get it on (probably because I never tried these on before and had no idea how to do it easily). Next I tried the classics but they were very tight across the top of my foot and the pockets were tight on some of my toes.

Would the KSO model be stretchier? Any other shoe recommendations? ...and am I just too fat for these types of shoes?

I am morbidly obese but trying to get healthy without surgery. ..and I want to start walking. I have been wearing crocs everywhere, even work (super casual dress code...shorts/flip flops ok) but the material has started irritating my skin. Since I had very little money and my old sneakers were just too tight I bought a pair of el cheapo aqua socks from WalMart. Walking in them feels like I'm barefoot. :) I love it. ...but they are loose in the forefoot and nearly slip off my feet when I walk. Another thing I also noticed is the near lack of back pain when I walk from the back of the parking lot in the aqua socks. If I wore crocs or other regular sneakers my back would be hurting so bad I would be in tears so I was always trying to park close. Even then my back would still be really hurt. Because of the difference I feel walking in the aqua socks I am very interested in purchasing a pair of minimalist shoes. ...but I have a problem that will probably keep me out of them....my feet. They are wide. Wide enough to where I can only wear men's wide width sneakers. No women's shoes at all. ...and because of my weight I also suffer from edema (swollen legs/feet). ..and take prescription meds for it. I'm hoping my weight loss + diet change will end the problem.

So far I have tried on the New Balance Minimus. I loved the way it felt but it was slightly too narrow, but it wasn't the wide width version since the store didn't have any. It looked wide so I thought it was wide. oh well. I also tried out the Vibrams at another store...the speed (figured this style would work for my puffy foot) but couldn't get it on (probably because I never tried these on before and had no idea how to do it easily). Next I tried the classics but they were very tight across the top of my foot and the pockets were tight on some of my toes.

Would the KSO model be stretchier? Any other shoe recommendations? ...and am I just too fat for these types of shoes?

When I was originally hired I was given the owner's old chair. The cushion was nearly worn out but was ok with a pillow on top. A few months later my boss told me to take the pillow home and leave it there. The cushioning of this chair is now completely broken down. When I sit in this chair I can feel the metal frame underneath. ...and I have to get up alot because my legs keep going to sleep. I told my boss about it but she said there was nothing that can be done unless the chair actually breaks. Until that happens she said there will be no replacement chairs. She also said I could not bring a new cushion for the chair nor could I purchase a new chair out of my own pocket to use at the office.

This is a very small company owned by my boss' husband. He makes the final decision on all purchases for the company.

Is there anything I can do that won't raise my boss' eyebrows?

Last Friday was payday. I was out b/c I was with my dad in the ER hoping his chest pains weren't from a heart attack. Dad is OK...no heart attack. ...but my concern now is my paycheck.

There is no HR or payroll. The checks are printed from quickbooks by the owner. He gives the checks to his wife (boss) to pass out. ...so my check is already printed.

Can my boss make me wait until next payday for my check...2 weeks away?

Model airplanes...been building & flying them since I was a kid. This past weekend I experienced the ugly truth of being a female in a male dominated hobby. I had only been at the field for 5min when one of the men came up to me telling me "you need to pack up your sh*t & leave. Go back to the f*cking kitchen where you belong." The other men applauded him for it. I was too upset to remain so I left. The only women there were the wives & they weren't flying. On the way out one of the wives kicked me and another one told me I'm not permitted to return unless I'm there with a man as support....no flying.

This field is on county owned property in a public park. The posted rules state anyone can fly as long as they Ave an AMA Id. AMA is Academy of Model Aeronautics. I pointed that out but was threatemed with consequences if I didn't leave. Normally I fly at a park 5 min from my house but the cops stopped me.

I don't want to quit the hobby but I don't see any choice since I have nowhere to fly.

Is quitting my only option?

This Saturday is my bday. I work 70+ hrs a week at 2 jobs...one ft and one pt as a freelancer. I was hoping to FINALLY do what I wanted for once. When my younger sister (36yrs old & mentally handicapped) found out she pitched a huge fit screaming, crying, ending with her kicking me in the leg rather hard. She was demanding that I spend the day taking her to do her entertainment shopping wherever she wants to go. In light of her tantrum should I cancel my trip and do what sister wants instead?

I was out of the office all day for a single day last week (Wed). As soon as my boss walks in which normally isn't until noon, she goes around to everyone's desk to check our progress. Right now I'm in document scan mode. When she noticed that I was just now finishing up the box I started Tues afternoon she yelled at me in front of everyone "What is your problem? Why are you 2 boxes behind Sam (not his real name)?" At first I was kind of freaked out because her yelling was so sudden. ...but when I got my head around I politely reminded her that I was out all day Wed. To that she said "No excuse." ...and she stomped off to her office. After it was all over my coworkers just glared at me and gave me the silent treatment for the rest of the day.

Keep in mind this is a very small company w/ only 4 employees (including myself). It is owned by my boss' husband so there is no HR dept to report stuff like this.

Was it wrong for me to remind my boss that I was out that day? Why were my coworkers giving me the silent treatment?

Yesterday my boss told everyone, except me, what their next project is going to be. When I asked my boss she just snapped at me "we'll discuss it later". I know I'm not one of her favorites. ..and it doesn't help that I'm on probation (cut my hours) for supposedly sleeping at my desk. I say supposedly because when she called me out I was changing the playlist of my Ipod Nano (we are allowed to play our own music on headphones) which was clipped to my shirt collar, not sleeping (explained this to her in private but she didn't accept it).

I live with my dad and younger only sister. My dad is retired on social security and pension from his former employer. My sister is 37 and mentally retarded. She doesn't work and is unable to support herself.

I work full-time at a min wage job. I pay my own bills and buy food and meds for everyone in the house and dad pays the household bills...basically mortgage and utilities. Depending on finances we sometimes swap out....he pays for some groceries while I pay some of the household bills.

My dad has more total monthly income than me, mostly from social security which I think is nontaxable. His monthly pension is less than my income.

Can I claim my sister on my taxes?

This hasn't happened to me yet but I think my boss might be considering it eventhough she keeps telling me I'm doing excellent work. ..considering it b/c her puppy doesn't like me. Plus the complaints from the bosses about having too little money. She brings the puppy over sometimes for a few minutes. The puppy is free to roam the office, visits everyone but ignores me. In fact if I get up to go pet him he runs away. My boss & her husband own the company. They also happen to live next door to the office.