Accounting News and Notes

Atlanta CPA Tells How to Unleash the Power of Jesus Christ in Your Life…Taking Christianity Into the World

It is often said that the last words of a man are his most important. Those are the ones that he wants you to hear the most.

When Jesus left this world just before His ascension into Heaven, he exhorted us to go into the world and tell others the Good News of Salvation and to be a witness to others. I believe there is no greater way to call on the power of an Almighty God than during your times of service to Him. I have personally watched both within my own family and in others who are changed, as God’s power flows through their pores and out into the roads and byways of life to be redeemed and reformed creatures of God. Not changed as the world sees them, but changed as God sees them and uses them to reign down His power in their lives.

Worship, Grow, And Serve.  These are not just the motto of our church, but also the very words by which Jesus led his life. In Pueblo Pintado we seek to edify and mimic his life as He was the example we are to emulate. Though the New Testament tells us that Jesus did go to church, it was out in the world that He emulated his Father in Heaven.

In the desert of New Mexico we have nailed our sins to the cross, had foot washings and celebrated the power and majesty of Jesus with the joy of service and with most importantly our hearts.

Jesus told us that it is indeed our brothers and sisters in Christ who will become our family. On every mission trip I have attended there is a moment in time when it becomes obvious to all, that God is indeed the perfector of our faith and the reason for our journey. There on the reservation we all sweat through the efforts of our work, labored for good, and served our Glorious Savior.

There is only one who is committed to you not serving on a mission trip and he will do anything that he can to destroy you and his name is Satan. Do not let the evil one get in your way of God blessing you in ways that are beyond your wildest imagination. No matter where you are on your Spiritual Walk, whether a New Believer or Old, Missions and seeking to serve Beyond our Walls is the mark of an impassioned Believer on fire for the Kingdom of God. Many of us, if not all of us have frequently asked “What Can I Do on a Mission Trip, What Do I Have to Offer, or What Can I Say to Encourage Others?”

When Jesus looks about for those to serve, He does not call the equipped but rather He chooses to equip the Called. In this way, God can gain all of the glory for it is only when we humble and lower ourselves that God can be truly exalted. Whether your family is a family of one or of many, whether married, single, widowed or single again, God has a destiny and a plan for you and your life. In Pueblo Pintado we are committed to helping you discover what God has called YOU to be as we seek to Serve the The Lost, the Last and the Least. 

Whether you see yourself as shy or bold, can sign, read, cook,  hold a hammer, talk to kids or not, Pueblo Pintado and Missions holds a unique opportunity and key to unlock the Power of God in Your Life. Though Missions Start at Home, in your workplace or in your school, God has a destiny or you and your life. Join us as we Seek to Glorify God Together.

As we close, I would like to invite all who have ever served on a Pueblo Pintado Mission Trip to stand as both a testimony to their service and so that you might capture a bit of their vision God has revealed to them and their life.

I invite you to join us as the many faces of Pueblo Pintado as we seek to Worship, Grow and Serve our Most High God. In the Matchless Name of Jesus Christ, I pray….

To gain a glimpse of our vision visit or if your church wants to get involved with our work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/

If you believe a picture is worth a thousand words then perhaps this is a Million Dollar Video. I invite you to see what God is doing with Navajo Family Missions as we Take Christianity Into the World. 

I entreat you to pray before you watch, that you watch with a open heart, and then that you listen to the Lion of Judah, Our God, speaking to your heart. Perhaps your family, your church, your Bible study group might join our Family Missions Work to the Navajo as we call down the power of Almighty God as we Worship, Grow and Serve Jesus Christ. See God at work at  http://bit.ly/QS0V9 If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. 

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097  Phone 770-814-9304   http://www.hiscpa.com/    http://www.john-dillard.com/ 

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it! 

To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

Healthcare Planning: Pratical Considerations for a “Graying” America

Modern medicine has made great advances, giving a child born in the U.S. in 2000 an average life expectancy nearly 30 years longer than one born in 1900.¹ But healthcare has no cure for old age. 

Today, more than 36 million Americans are 65 years of age or older, making up approximately 12% of the total population. And by the year 2030, that number could grow to 71 million, a staggering 20% of the population. ² Yet as this tidal wave of Baby Boomers prepares to enter retirement, both employers and the government are cutting back on low-cost healthcare benefits.

More and more, responsibility for America’s healthcare price tag is shifting to individuals and families. Medicare faces constant cost pressures, and some people are concerned that the program may eventually become insolvent. Premiums for employer-sponsored insurance have increased 87% cumulatively from 2000-2006, compared to a 20% increase in wages and an 18% increase in overall inflation.³ In addition, employers are moving to limit the benefits and coverage they will offer to current and future retirees. 

With maturing Americans living longer, more vital lives, how will they afford the growing cost of healthcare—especially for situations involving long-term care? While various forms of insurance typically cover routine doctor visits and emergency medical situations sufficiently, coverage for ongoing long-term healthcare needs is often limited and restricted. Paying for long-term care needs can quickly deplete even substantial savings. 

Many Americans are rightfully concerned, and there are indications that rising healthcare costs are hurting their household finances.  Even wealthy individuals view this issue as a major threat to their family’s long-term financial well-being. According to a Citigroup Smith Barney Affluent Investor Poll (May 2006), about seven in ten of those surveyed had concerns about being able to pay the cost of long-term care in their retirement years. 

Whatever form governmental healthcare financing may take in the future, we will all shoulder some part of the costs. Wise planning now can make a great difference in how financially prepared you will be to handle the medical needs of retirement. This series of articles provides a brief introduction to some of the major programs and issues you should consider when planning your healthcare finances—both now and for retirement.  

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance: The first line of defense

If you belong to an employer-sponsored healthcare program, regardless of your age or health, keep it! The premiums, deductibles, prescription drug and co-pay charges available through a group health plan can be a bargain in comparison to individual health insurance. If you are changing employers, sign up for the new employer’s plan as soon as you join the company (generally within the first 30 days). Many large plans will have no limitations on pre-existing conditions, but that may only apply if you sign up immediately upon becoming an employee. If you wait and do not have proof of existing coverage from another source, additional charges or limitations may apply. 

The government’s COBRA legislation (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) instituted a variety of safeguards for workers and their immediate family members to maintain healthcare coverage if a “qualifying event” occurs. These include death of covered employee; termination or reduction of hours (whether resignation, discharge, layoff, strike, or other cause); divorce, which normally terminates an ex-spouse’s eligibility; or a dependent child reaching an age or status for which coverage is excluded. In 1996, the government added further healthcare coverage and protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. While these are helpful, they generally place a greater burden of cost upon the individual. 

Health Savings Accounts: A new tax-favored strategy for healthcare savings

If you are currently employed, you might consider a Health Savings Account (HSA). The Federal government introduced these accounts in 2004 to help people save for both current and future medical expenses. To qualify, you need to have medical coverage under an HSA-approved high deductible health plan (HDHP). Check with your employer’s benefits department to see if they offer an HDHP alternative, which typically charges lower premiums than the regular group coverage and may, for some, balance out the higher deductible.  If not, you can also contact your state insurance department to find insurance companies qualified to sell these plans in your state of residence. 

There are significant advantages to HSAs. They are triple tax-favored: annual dollars you are allowed to contribute are deductible on your Federal tax return even if you don’t itemize; assets in the account can be invested and the earnings grow tax-free; and withdrawals from the account for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free. HSAs are fully portable, meaning you can keep your account even if you change jobs or medical coverage, become unemployed, move to another state, or change your marital status.  

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. To the extent that this material or any attachment concerns tax matters, it is not intended to be used and cannot be used by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law.  Any such taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.  © 2009 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.  Member SIPC.

John Dillard is an Christian Speaker/Author and Certified Public Accountant in Duluth, GA. To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ and for his latest book Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s: Job’s Journey and a Voice of One: Nehemiah’s Prayer visit http://www.john-dillard.com/ or call John Dillard CPA today at 770.814.9304 (All Rights Reserved) Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it

IRS Audits: How to use a CPA During the IRS Appeals Process 

Finding an Tax Advocate/a CPA who is well versed in tax issues is your best offense to ensuring that you pay only your lowest legal possible tax. Retaining a wise CPA who has a track record of success is essential to being sure to only pay what you owe. Also, being careful not to listen to the counsel of others such as bankers, mortgage lenders, friends, workers or associates who are not CPA’s is a critical component of successful IRS dealings. There are many misnomers, erroneous beliefs, and rumors about how the IRS works and processes information. Your ability to steer clear of those who would lead you astray from the truth and a CPA who could otherwise do much to help protect our rights, continue your business and to maintain your household, as well as your sanity. 

Frequently when addressing an IRS audit we find that we are dealing with many issues concurrently such as back taxes, amending corporate and personal returns, and prospective advice to ensure that any past failures are not repeated. Many taxpayers whom I have represented in the Metro Atlanta area have been good teachable and coachable clients who were able to listen to wise counsel, tax law and to apply their tenants successfully. Below is a sample letter a taxpayer might use when undergoing an audit to deal with back taxes, difficult issue and to appeal the tax case to the IRS Appeals Office: 

Internal Revenue Service

Small Business and Self-Employed

2888 Woodcock Blvd.

Atlanta, GA 30341 

Dear Sir/Madam 

Per your letter it appears that you had not yet my correspondence of the same date. 

My client and I do not agree with substantially all of the proposed changes you have listed and I am requesting a conference with an appeals officer so that we might provide all required information. 

I appreciate your attention to this matter and I am committed to ensuring that you get all the documentation that the IRS receives all of the information  needed to close their file.  

Very Sincerely Yours,

John C. Dillard, CPA

President

Taxpayer Advocate Office

Internal Revenue Service

To learn more about addressing IRS Tax Issues and Back Tax Returns visit http://www.hiscpa.com/working-with-the-irs.html

Contact HIS CPA PC (A Christian CPA Firm) today.

Award Winning Atlanta CPA

John Dillard is an Christian Speaker/Author and Certified Public Accountant. To See how he takes Christ along with him to work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/ and for his latest book Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s: Job’s Journey and a Voice of One: Nehemiah’s Prayer visit http://www.john-dillard.com/ or call John Dillard CPA today at 770.814.9304 (All Rights Reserved) Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!  

We advise clients on: IRS representation, Offer in Compromise, Tax Problems, Incorporation in Georgia, Corporate and Personal Income Tax Returns, Part-time CFO, Virtual Controller, Business Planning, Offer in Compromise, Back Taxes, Bookkeeping.

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