10 tax breans and benefits you need to take advantage of right now

10 tax breans and benefits you need to take advantage of right now10 tax breans and benefits you need to take advantage of right nowIm going to harbor a guess and say your tax education looked very similar to mine. It started in the fifth grade when you learned about the Boston Tea Party. Then picked back up when you started working that part-time job in high school and your parents made you watch them do your taxes. Fast forward to when youre a real adult and count on TurboTax to show you the way.That brief education covered the basics and gets the job done, but Im guessing that (also like me) you wish you knew how to do your taxes in the most advantageous way possible. I dug deep and found ten tax breaks and benefits that you may not be taking advantage of. Lets work on getting you an impressive tax return this year - so you can spend mora time at that yoga studio you love with the heated floors and really fluffy towels.1. Health insurance premiumsHealth insurance premiums can get pretty pricey. Thats why when tax season rolls around you should be checking to see which medical care expenses for you, your spouse, or your dependents can be deducted. Payments to doctors, dentists, surgeons, chiropractors, psychiatrists, and more can qualify - but you may deduct only the amount of your total medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.2. Teacher deductionsWe all know teachers go above and beyond, so much so that they often buy classroom supplies out of pocket. If youre an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $250 ($500 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators) of unreimbursed expenses such as books, supplies, and computer equipment. We cant forget our gym teachers They qualify too, and can deduct health and athletic supplies.3. Charitable gifts and expensesIf you donated cash or property, donated to tax-exempt organizations, and meet record-keeping requirements, your charitable donations are tax deductible. Itemiz e your tax deductions to make a claim, and make sure to keep consistent records throughout the year. You can also make claims under certain guidelines for non-cash donations as well.4. Education and Lifetime LearningAnother deduction you may have utilized in your college days welches an education leistungspunkt or deduction. But guess what? The fun doesnt stop after college The Lifetime Learning credit can help pay for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree courses - including courses to acquire or improve job skills. It is worth up to $2,000 per tax return.5. Self-employed social securityIf youre self-employed, youll have to pay 15.3 percent of your income for social security and Medicare taxes. This means youre paying the portions ordinarily paid by both employee and employer however, you can claim a deduction for a portion of this when you file your tax return.6. Child and dependent care creditIf you have to pay for childcare for dependents under the age of 13 while yo u work or search for employment, then youll have access to a child care credit (up to 35 percent of qualifying expenses, depending on adjusted gross income). The credit may also apply to the cost of caring for a spouse or dependent of any age if they are incapable (physically or mentally) of self-care. To see if you qualify for this, you can take this quiz.7. Savers creditThis credit is for eligible contributions toward retirement plans (401(k), qualified investment retirement accounts, etc.). Youre eligible for this credit if youre 18 years or older, are not a full-time student, and are not claimed as a dependent on another persons return. The credits can go as high as $2,000 if filing jointly.8. Jury duty incomeAny jury duty pay you receive has to be reported as income however, if you are required to give your jury duty pay to your employer because your employer pays your salary while you serve on a jury, then you can deduct the amount given to your employer as an adjustment to in come. Seems fair to me9. Home officeIf you use a part of your home exclusively for conducting business, and it is the principal place of your business, you may qualify for a home office tax deduction.10. Moving expenses for members of the armed forcesIf youre a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, you may be eligible to deduct moving expenses if your move was due to a military order and permanent change of station. You may be able to deduct unreimbursed moving expenses.This article was originally published on The Everygirl.

How To Make The Holiday Seasonal Job Hiring Spree Work For You

How To Make The Holiday Seasonal Job Hiring Spree Work For YouHow To Make The Holiday Seasonal Job Hiring Spree Work For YouHow to Make the Holiday Hiring Spree Work for YouLooking for work this holiday season? Heres how to take advantage of temporary positions.The holiday shopping season affords the opportunity for temporary seasonal workers to display their skills for a shot at more permanent positions. Superstore giants like Target, Walmart, Macys, and Dillards reach out and list jobs on hiring websites as early as September to fill the demand each year. Each company looks for special people who can take on the holiday rush. Company executives also reveal they retain the best employees after the shopping season. So, how can you make this holiday hiring spree work in your favor?Get acquainted with angeschlossen job boardsMost holiday jobs are listed online. Those sites allow applicants to submit their information easy and fast using pre-built forms. Enter your experience, education , skills, etc., as you normally would on a resume. List all entries newest to oldest, and stay away from jargon, passive voice, and regurgitated versions of the companys job description.If you are not familiar with online job boards or the Internet, most colleges and universities have career departments that will help you learn the basics and get an account started. Local governments, nonprofits, and the states labor department also may offer similar assistance.Flaunt your key selling pointsStudents are one of the main groups companies hire from. Students are often more flexible with their time and do not have as many commitments during the holiday rush. This flexibility is ideal as companies want applicants who can come in early or stay late, and do not have other commitments that prevent them from answering work related summons.Hard workers have a skill set that is difficult to find dedication and honesty. Companies value hard workers and will hire someone who proves their dedica tion and willingness to work. Listing former supervisors as references and asking them to attest to your work ethics will help you pass the first test.RelatedPros and Cons of Taking a Seasonal JobGo the extra mileSupervisors and hiring managers do not have much time to evaluate temporary seasonal hires. Make an effort to stand out and draw their attention, as this is the best way to get noticed and secure a more permanent position. Do not be afraid to ask for more work and hours if you have the bandwidth. Help other workers and demonstrate your leadership skills. Seasonal employees should not hesitate to ask for advice on how to navigate the company and land a permanent job.Build your network and rub elbowsTake advantage of every opportunity to introduce yourself and shake hands. This shows gumption and leadership qualities. Many entry-level workers tend to hide in the background, but doing so will not lead to a permanent job after the holidays. Look for training sessions open to al l employees, and socialize in the break room.TakeawaysThe holidays are a great time to make a little extra money or shop for a more permanent job. Job boards are full with temporary listings. All it takes is a little practice and a resume the computer will do the rest. Once in the job, start making friends and building your credibility. Seasonal jobs do not last long, and you will have less time to make a good impression. Seize the moment.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Want to see how your resume stacks up? Request a free resume review todayRecommended ReadingThe Holiday Hiring Freeze Fact or Fiction?5 Ways to Make Extra Money During the HolidaysThe Professionals Guide to Job Seeking During the Holidays

Customize this Outstanding Fitness Model Resume Sample

Customize this Outstanding Fitness Model Resume SampleCustomize this Outstanding Fitness Model Resume SampleJobs in the fashion and fitness industry may be in hot demand, so you need to do whatever you can to get your name noticed by hiring managers. Your resume is your first introduction to a kompetenzprofil employer, and you need to work hard to create a winning document that is compelling and effective. If youre not sure wzu siche to start, you can take a look at example resumes from your field. This way, you can see what the overall look should be, how formatting works, and what kind of details to include.The fitness model resume sample is a great example to analyze for some inspiration. This can help you put togetzu sich details for your own skills and qualifications. Additionally, the resume builder tool is another place to look if you need mora ideas on how to start and craft the basics of your document.Create Resume Emma Jones100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555 ) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryPhysically fit and wholesome looking Fitness Model with a girl next door style. Modeled swimwear, yoga gear and other fitness apparel for some of the top brands in the world, listened to feedback given by photographers to improve shoots and did some hair and makeup style. Willing to travel for work.Core QualificationsPhysically FitAthletic BuildGirl Next Door LookVideo and Print ModelingPositive AttitudeWilling to TravelExperienceFitness Model, November 2013 January 2015United Models of California auf zu neuen taten Angeles, CAWorked on video and print campaigns for major brands that included Adidas, Puma and NikeTook part in group shots and individuals photography shootsGained experience applying makeup and skincare products and doing different hairstylesLearned how to take photographs that showed motion and activity while standing stillGarnered feedback from clients to develop a new look that appealed to a wider range of peop leFitness Model, July 2012 October 2013Elite Modeling, Inc. Los Angeles, CAAttended trade shows, conferences and similar events to showcase fashions, shoes and accessories from leading designersDeveloped a strong portfolio of action shots, including running and playing sportsModeled fashions on the runway designed for playing basketball, volleyball and other sportsBecame the most requested model within the company for six straight monthsGained experience working with both male and female modelsEducation2012 High School Diploma, General StudiesNew Cityland Public High School New Cityland, CACustomize ResumeWhy Is This a Good Fitness Model Resume Sample?Fitness models need to pair their good looks with an equally attractive resume so hiring managers take notice and so they land a lucrative contract or job. Looking at the fitness model resume sample, you can see how to start off successfully with a well-written summary statement. In this example, the candidate tries to make a memora ble impression with a few short sentences. She uses effective descriptions, such as physically fit and wholesome looking, and gives details about her modeling expertise. The next part of the fitness model resume sample is the core qualifications section. The writer stresses six essential skills that may stand out to hiring managers. The sample follows guidelines of top resumes by arranging details in a bulleted list for easy readability. Hiring managers can see keywords and phrases that might stand out to them, such as willing to travel, positive attitude, and athletic build.The work experience section comes up next in the fitness model resume sample. The candidate gives plenty of compelling evidence of her experience and suitability for a job as a fitness model. She details two other professional experiences as a fitness model. After giving the basic facts about her past jobs, she uses a few vivid action verbs to describe her duties and achievements during her time with previous em ployers. She offers examples of impressive clients, such as Adidas, Puma, and Nike, and indicates she was the most requested model.Finally, the writer ends her resume with some details about her education. Fitness models usually dont need a specific academic history to be successful in their work, but most hiring companies want to see the candidates background at least. This fitness model discusses her high school experience and gives information about when she earned her diploma and the location of her high school.Why You Need a Strong Fitness Model ResumeFor those who aspire to be fitness models, its a tough industry to break into. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs most likely wont grow in this field by 2024. Most jobs in modeling require candidates to submit their resume and portfolio before a hiring manager even considers an interview. If your resume is stellar and unforgettable, you could increase your chances of getting a coveted job. Unfortunately, many fitnes s models experience lots of rejection throughout their career because of the large number of qualified candidates seeking the small percentage of jobs in this industry. It takes a lot of hard work and determination to be successful in this particular sector. With a strong resume like the fitness model resume sample, you can help yourself get closer to an amazing opportunity.Costly Fitness Model Resume Mistakes To AvoidSending out a resume that is less than perfect is one of the worst ways to start your job search in the modeling industry. Its also important to make sure your resume is relevant to the job youre trying to land fashion companies dont want to see your work experience from a restaurant on your fitness model resume. Only include your experience from modeling to make your resume more effective. Additionally, you want to focus more on accomplishments in your work history so you stand out instead of regurgitating a boring list of responsibilities. In the fitness model resume sample, the candidate shows off her proud achievements and demonstrates must-have skills for the job. She has the basic physical attributes designers and photographers want, such as the girl next door look. She is also willing to travel, which is a must for some jobs. Lastly, the candidate is able to take effective photographs using a variety of poses.ConclusionIf you want to make a comfortable living as a fitness model, you have to present yourself as the best candidate, and a quality resume can help you do this. Write your resume while using the fitness model resume sample as your go-to guide, and you can get closer to your dream of working in the fashion industry.