Comments on: Your Learning Curve https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html a freelance writing resource. Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:39:07 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4417 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:39:07 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4417 One more thing, JMS. The IRS gives you a worksheet to help you figure your earnings, but you have to figure it on what you earned in the previous year (2009) and pay some odd percentage of that in 2010. I think it's somewhere around 15 percent of 93 percent of your gross income. Odd, isn't it?

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4416 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:37:02 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4416 JMS, yes, there are penalties for underpaying. I believe it's a penalty on any shortage over 10 percent, but check with the IRS.

Amie, I don't factor in any payment I've not received. I got that advice from an accounting type once – if it's not on the received side, it's not a payment. And yes, I hear you. If they pay the day after you pay your quarterly taxes, that messes things up!

]]> By: Amie https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4415 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:14:58 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4415 It's taught me that what I lack in math skills I make up for in Excel spreadsheet skills!

And I hear ya with the taxes–if you have clients who pay on time, it's so much easier to base your quarterly payments on your actual earnings.

]]> By: JMS https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4414 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:59:25 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4414 This is my first year paying estimated taxes, so if I sound ignorant, please forgive me… but there are PENALTIES for paying too little? Are you saying that you can't just pay the difference between what you actually owe and what you've already paid in April?

How are you–especially if you're fairly new to this–supposed to know how much to pay? I've just made some wild guesses so far, figuring I'd pay the difference later or get a refund, depending on which side I erred. But I'm going to be outraged if there's a penalty! Geez!

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4413 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:03:55 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4413 Paula, once I let Turbo Tax estimate my quarterly taxes. The result – over $400 in penalties because it was wrong. And no recourse from Turbo Tax's maker. Thanks for nothing, guys. Now, I try the estimated thing, but if I know I've made less, I'm going to do an actual calculation. It saves us both time and paperwork. And it saves me unnecessary penalties.

Devon, I agree. I learn so much by being curious enough to take on new topics and ideas.

Mridu, that's a great lesson to learn!

Kim, they're so transparent after a while, aren't they? I've learned to spot people who are serious about the project versus those who want it, but figure they'll shop around for the best price. That's not my client.

]]> By: Kimberly Ben https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4412 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:57:46 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4412 Thanks for the link love, Lori.<3

I've learned to trust my instincts and that sometimes saying "no" to a project is the best thing. I've also gotten quite good at telling the difference between a serious prospect and one whose just trying to pick my brain for free info.

]]> By: Paula https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4411 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:25:38 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4411 I've learned that if you're professional, go through the right channels, and have an assignment from a reputable publication, you can get an interview with almost anyone.

Well, as long as their "people" answer their phones. (Ongoing issue right now in getting a 5-minute interview set up with an actor who doesn't have a publicist, and his manager said she'd arrange things then stopped answering her phone, cell phone, and e-mail. My editors – who can play hardball with her – are ready to intervene this week.)

As for the IRS, Lori – I have explained to them many times that I am not psychic, I am not a CPA, I can't project my earnings for an entire year, nor can I guarantee I will earn enough each quarter to pay the set quarterly amount they might deem I have to pay if I were to allow them to estimate it for me. I told them my payments would vary depending on my actual earnings. They cash my checks, yet each quarter they send the indecipherable instructions for estimating taxes. So I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in my defiance. I've never not paid my taxes, I've never cheated on my taxes, and when I've underpaid, I've paid the (thankfully small) penalty.

]]> By: Mridu Khullar https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4409 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:26:27 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4409 I'd have to say, I've learned a lot about what people respond to and the ways in which they choose to respond. I feel I also understand people a lot better because of the ability I've gained to dig a little bit deeper.

]]> By: Devon Ellington https://wordsonpageblog.com/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html#comment-4408 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 13:24:59 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2010/01/your-learning-curve.html/#comment-4408 It's taught me that I can learn anything and write about anything and DO anything if I want it badly enough.

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