Taxpayer asks:
I love your blog!
I’m a practicing attorney and also a mom, like you. I’ve been thinking about starting my own blog. After reading through your posts, I have two questions:
1) Do you sleep?
2) Do you write your own posts?
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Taxgirl says:
*blushing* Thanks so much!
So, for your first question. Yes, yes, I sleep. I don’t know that I sleep as much as I ought to (I do have 3 kids and a law practice to manage) but that’s why God made coffee.
As to your second question, I write all of my own stuff except for the occasional guest post – guest posts are always clearly noted as such. I also do all of my own research, I read all of my own emails, choose my own “ask the taxgirl” questions, do all of the design on the site (except for my awesome logo which was designed by the fabulous Jay Bevenour) etc. That’s it.
I know a few of my colleagues believe that it’s all about the numbers and they have their minions crank out some posts without attribution. That may be their style but it’s not mine. And I’m not making judgments. At least not in public.
So, there is no taxgirl empire (though excuse me while I take a moment to imagine what that would be like… I’d totally get a Trump combover so that I could be on The Soup). Just me.
I highly recommend that, if you’re just starting out with your blog, you do your own thing. It’s the best way to find your voice and relate to your audience. That said, I wish you the best of luck with your new blog. If it’s at all tax-related, give me a shout when it’s up and I’ll link to you.
Like any good lawyer, I need to add a disclaimer: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give comprehensive tax advice over the internet, no matter how well researched or written. Before relying on any information given on this site, contact a tax professional to discuss your particular situation.
Have a question? Ask the taxgirl! – Now on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/taxgirl
Taxpayer asks:
While putting together a new group of guest posters for my site, a tax question hit me! Is the time I spend guest posting on other blogs for promotional purposes tax deductible? i.e. I don’t get paid for the post – my only compensation is the link back. But I could be getting paid for the post… so is the amount I charge for that service a marketing business expense?
If it is – I’m sure you have many readers that would be interested!
Thanks so much!
Taxgirl says:
Gosh, I sure wish it was – since I spend so much time writing for other publications and blogs – but it’s not. The IRS likes to match items of deduction with items of income. If they allowed a deduction for the cost of your time, then they’d require you to value the same for purposes of attributing income (the “value” of the article). But they don’t. Since there’s no income component, there’s no deduction.
Even though it feels odd, this is consistent with the IRS’ position on the treatment of services when there’s no compensation throughout the Tax Code. You can’t deduct your time for volunteering, even though it’s valuable, or time spent on services for which you didn’t get paid because you were “stiffed” by a client (hey tax geeks, most of my readers are cash based so no need to write in to tell me how this isn’t *quite* true for accrual based taxpayers).
I do have one piece of good news, though. Any out of pocket expenses related to the piece (i.e. money spent on paid art, research and the like) can be deducted as promotional expenses. So all is not lost!
Thanks for writing in – and good luck with the blog! Guest posting is a great way to promote your blog or services. I’m always happy to accept ideas for guest posts at taxgirl – just drop me a note!
Like any good lawyer, I need to add a disclaimer: Unfortunately, it is impossible to give comprehensive tax advice over the internet, no matter how well researched or written. Before relying on any information given on this site, contact a tax professional to discuss your particular situation.
Have a question? Ask the taxgirl! – Now on Facebook!
Are you looking for something? I’m tweaking the site a bit – more changes coming over the holidays – to make your taxgirl experience even better!
Here’s the quick rundown on the navigation tabs (for now)… There are seven of them in addition to the home tab (that one will always bring you back to taxgirl.com).
about – information about who I am and what taxgirl is about
ask the taxgirl – if you’ve got questions, here’s how to ask!
comment – my official comment policy
find me – a list of ways to contact me (for now, use this info for all interview, book review and guest post requests)
links – my blogroll and the “how and why” I link
my logo – find out who created my logo and more about my mark
spam sucks – I will never, ever spam you. And those folks that do, suck. Find out more.
If you have a suggestion about how I can make taxgirl better, definitely let me know (leave a comment or contact me – remember that “find me” tab?). I have a few new things up my sleeve (insert maniacal laughter here) so keep checking in!
I was very flattered to see that I had been included in a list of “Top Personal Finance Blogs by Women” from the lovely folks at Wise Bread. And I had been meaning to blog it – but my fabulously talented colleague scooped me (although on her site, it sounds like we’re doing a calendar spread – seriously, Kay, the people don’t want to see that, trust me – there’s a reason that Playboy hasn’t done their “hottest tax bloggers” edition).
But it was nice to be mentioned (thanks!) and then mentioned again (thanks, Kay!). I’m thrilled to be included in a list of such accomplished women!
