Celebrity Politics, Military And Mental Illness, How To Prepare Taxes

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Last week comedian Seth Rogen testified in front of a Senate Appropriations panel in favor of more funding for Alzheimer’s research. Veronica Rueckert and Rob Ferrett talk to an expert about whether or not celebrities actually help the causes they support. Then they discuss a new report on mental health and the military, and learn how to prepare taxes in our weekly Teach Me What You Know segment.

Featured in this Show

  • With Tax Time Approaching, Tips For Getting Primed For April 15

    Tax time is just around the corner on April 15. And while pulling an all-nighter might have worked now and again in college, preparing to file one’s taxes requires a bit more fore-thought, experts say.

    Tom Milliken, a principal at SVA, a certified public accounting firm in Madison, offered some practical advice for those procrastinating.

    “The time to get going is right now,” he said.

    For tax-filing newbies, there are a few simple things to know to get the job done right and on time. Step one, according to Milliken, is to collect all revelevant documents, including W2, 1099 forms and 1098T forms for tuition for higher-education. Other forms to assemble include documentation of student loan payments and charitible contributions.

    He said a general rule of thumb is to make sure a person have anything on public record at the ready.

    “The government has that information already,” said Millkien.

    Once a person has compiled the forms, they’re ready to ask: Should I pay someone to do my taxes? Or can I file them myself?

    For most people, Milliken said, filing by themselves is a good option.

    “Today, there are a lot of good software packages out there,” he said, like TurboTax, which runs between $67 to $75. If one is looking for other options, the IRS has a link to about 14 different tax preparation packages on its website.

    People in partnership, business owners and trust beneficiaries might want professional help, said Millken. Parents with children in college might also seek help as their filing can involve navigating different credit options.

    But anyone without itemized deducations is very capable of doing their taxes themselves, Milliken said.

    But what if a person makes a mistake and the IRS comes knocking? Having worked in the tax preparation business for years, Milliken offers reassuring advice.

    “People fear the IRS a lot more than they should,” he said.

  • Do Celebrities Really Help Causes?

    Last week comedian Seth Rogen testified in front of a Senate Appropriations panel in favor of giving more money to Alzheimer’s research. But did he really help the cause? An expert on celebrity politics explores the issue of whether or not famous people actually help promote the causes they support.

  • Before Military Enlistment, Many Suffer From Mental Illness

    A new study says that nearly 1 in 5 soliders had a common mental illness before enlisting in the army. A clinical psychologist discusses the latest news regarding mental health and the military.

  • Teach Me What You Know: How To Prepare Your Taxes

    In this week’s Teach Me What You Know segment, a financial expert explains what to do when you’re filing your taxes.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Host
  • Veronica Rueckert Interviewer
  • Rob Ferrett Interviewer
  • Tom Milliken Guest
  • Darrell West Guest
  • Craig Bryan Guest
  • Amanda Magnus Producer
  • Chris Malina Producer

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