Number Crunchin' News
June 2001

May Meeting Minutes 
   taken by Sandy Stites, Secretary

Pam Allman introduced our speaker - Karen Syverud, Senior Tax Auditor with the Board of Equalization. Karen presented an overview of the Board and the taxes it administers. A brief history of sales and use tax followed, which included the fact that sales tax started in 1933 with a rate of 2-1/2 %.

Many very useful handouts included an overview of rights and responsibilities under the Sales and Use Tax Law, a guide to Board Of Equalization services, and individual sheets covering such topics as the taxability of labor, internet sales, consignment sales and purchases from out-of-state vendors, as well as booklets containing tax tips for auto repair shops, and a guide for closing out a Seller's Permit. 

All of these information sheets (and more) are available on the Board of Equalization website: www.boe.ca.gov. Karen urged us to visit the site, and stated that it is even possible to register for a seller's permit using the website.

Among the tips that Karen shared with us were: 

(1) Call the District office (in Ventura) if you have specific questions, rather than calling Sacramento. It is much easier and the service will be more efficient. 

(2) If permit holder changes their address they need to call the Board of Equalization, since returns are not forwarded. Don't use a return from a prior quarter, since the returns are bar-coded.

(3) The largest area of deficiencies is use tax. This tax is imposed on the purchaser - businesses that buy out of state assets are liable for use tax on these purchases.

After her presentation, Karen was most generous with her time and stayed to answer specific questions from the group.

CONGRATULATIONS, CARON

I would like to take a moment here to wish Caron Garliepp the very best recovery ever and to say Congratulations from all of us for her positive results……………..I'm sure her ever positive attitude had everything to do with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Follow Up To The New Intuit Program Offering Web Access To & From Clients

I did a little more research on Intuit's new "WorkSpace Pro" program I mentioned in a recent email, which enables "Financial Professionals", as they put it, data internet access with their client's (and co-workers).

In a nutshell, you sign on to their program, and using a web site, your client's may download their data (QuickBooks as an example) to your web site. You may then review and/or adjust the data, and your client may then download back from your web site, and restore the file to QuickBooks. As I mentioned earlier, if you will be making adjustments to their data, they should not continue with data entry or it will be lost when they use the restore function. I haven't had the opportunity to see if the "Accountants Copy" may be used via the web site, and considering it is, then your client may continue with their work. You will assign "Private Client Sites" for each client, so they may only access their data. They offer a "secured internet connection and fire-wall protected online server" for security.

There are 2 plans for this service, one is $19.95 Month and offers up to 5 users (Clients I believe); 50MB on line storage; $3.00 month per client. The second is $95.00 per month and offers the same as plan one, plus up to 50 Private Client Sites. The "Activation Fee" per the brochure is $95.00, but was offered over the phone for $30.00 (Contact number for this below). And finally, if you don't have a web site, they offer one for $19.95 month, plus up to 3 months free.

I plan to try this out. I've entertained the thought of a web site for some time, and this could be way to begin. And as a QuickBooks consultant, it will greatly benefit myself and my clients. I will come up with a reasonable fee for those who wish to have this internet access, thereby recouping my costs.

Anyone interested in contacting Intuit regarding this new program, you may reach "Kim" direct at: (800) 669-7923, Ext. 4099 (I imagine she would offer you the same $30 "Set Up" fee. If not - ask for it!), or: www.intuitadvisor.com.

I'll keep you posted and let you know how this has worked for me.

Submitted by Monica Dittrich
Monica Dittrich Consulting

EASY OFFICE STRETCHES
Source: Blue Shield of Ca.
Positive Personal Health, Spring 2001
Submitted by Editor

Take a few minutes to relax tight muscles, relieve eye strain and boost energy! Some suggestions from Blue Shield are as follows:

NECK: Sitting or standing, glide head down into tuck position. Hold 5 counts………..release. Repeat 3 times. Turn head, look over shoulder. Hold 5 counts. Repeat 2 times each side.

HANDS AND WRISTS: Spread fingers wide, hold 5 counts…….release. Repeat 3 times. Open and close hands with arms extended in 3 positions - in front, overhead, to the side. Repeat 3 times.

UPPER BACK & SHOULDERS: While sitting, move arms overhead in climbing motion. Repeat 10 times each side. Circle shoulders forward, then backward. Repeat 10 times each direction. 

LOWER BACK: Sitting in a chair, gently rotate body to one side. Hold 10 counts. Repeat each side. Bend/arch your arm over your head and to one side. Hold 10 counts. Repeat on the other side. Next, stand with hands supporting your lower back. Gently arch your back. Repeat as needed.

COMPUTER ERGONOMICS
Source: Blue Shield of Ca.
Positive Personal Health, Spring 2001
Submitted by Editor

Bytes of Advice for Comfort and Health from Blue Shield are as follows:

ADJUSTING YOUR HARDWARE:

SCREEN LOCATION: Position top of monitor at eye level, centered directly in front.

CHAIR DESIGN: Adjust chair to fit body. Keep back supported; knees at hip level or slightly lower, both feet flat on floor or footrest.

KEYBOARD PLACEMENT: Place keyboard so arms hang naturally at sides, elbows close to body.

REFERENCE MATERIAL PLACEMENT: Set document holder close to screen and at same distance to avoid frequent head and eye movement.

MAINTAINING YOUR SOFTWARE:

EYE COMFORT: Observe the "20-20 Rule" - Every 20 minutes focus on an object at least 20 feet away. Move eyes up, down, sideways and diagonally. Eliminate sources of reflective glare.

POSTURE: Hold head and spine upright but not rigid; back supported by backrest. Hips, elbows and knees at comfortable "open" angles.

HANDS AND WRISTS: Keep wrists in line with hands and forearms. Maintain a light touch on the keyboard. Remember that wrist rests are only for resting. Use arm movement rather than wrist or hand movement when typing or mousing.

POSITION: Find two or three low-risk positions that offer support and comfort. Stretch, switch tasks or shift positions to release tension. 

COME AND LEARN

In keeping with Board policy and the stated purpose of the organization to provide an exchange of information and further the education of our members, the Newsletter Committee will maintain a calendar listing of educational opportunities available to members and the public. THIS LISTING WILL CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT YOU SEND IN, which is due to the Editor by the 5th of each month. 

Caron G. notes that the SBCC Schedule of Fall Classes is out and open registration begins August 21. 

Editor of this month's Newsletter is Jo Rogers. Many thanks to Caron Garliepp for proofreading this issue (You go, Girl)!!!! Next month's Editor will be Sandy Stites.