A few New Year Reminders

Standard mileage rates, as of January 1, 2011:

• 51 cents per business mile
• 19 cents per mile for medical purposes
• 14 cents per mile for charitable services

Update your payroll state unemployment rate;
Estimated tax, if not paid before the end of 2010, they are due January 18th
To avoid income tax penalties be sure you have paid 100% of 2009 taxes or 90% of what you owe this year;
Get a basket, shoe box, or storage box, to contain all the tax documents you will start receiving via mail or e-mail;
This is a great time to update your home inventory by adding any electronic or other valuable items received over the holidays. Be sure to discuss with your insurance agent for additional coverage, if necessary;
Take advantage of buying ‘out season’ items, such as carpet, linens and swimwear.

If you need help looking over your finances, give me a call at 314.265.1531 and I can recommend the perfect solution!

Have you had a Foreclosure/Short Sale / Chapter 7 or 13?

I have the most recent guidelines for eligibility to buy again! Contact me and I can give some insight on how to get on track to being a home owner again….sweet!!!

Tax Relief Act of 2010 Information

You need to wait to file your 2010 income tax if you are impacted by any of the tax deductions or credits renewed by the Tax Relief Act of 2010, enacted December 17th: The following schedules are changing:

• Form 1040, Schedule A, itemized deductions;


• Form 8917, Tuition and Fees deduction;


• Form 1040, line 23, Educator expenses;


• Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts;


• Form 5405, First time homebuyer credit & Repayment of credit;

There are a few other less ‘popular’ credits too. The IRS expects to have the forms updated and ready for processing about mid-February.

Another possible delay in filing your tax return this year; the Form 1099-DIV has been changed to report both ‘ordinary’ and ‘qualified’, and the Form 1099-INT now reports tax-exempt interest. Mutual Fund investments are the most likely to be incorrect since the information comes from several issuers, and then is broken out for the different types. Be sure to verify these Forms against your own records.

Mortgage Lender

How do you find an honest mortgage lender? Start with personal recommendations, and set up some appointments with certified lenders. Call me today and ask about Shawn Tihen at iBeria Bank. I can recommend him with full confidence.

The Grant Hickman Team
314.265.1531

Aaron's Auto Grand Opening Special!

It's 2011 - Join The Grant Hickman Team?!

Have you considered SELLING your Real Estate Business? (book of business)

The Grant Hickman Team is ready to do business with you. We are looking for REALTORS who no longer have the time or passion for the business and would like an exit plan. If you are thinking of:

• Quitting the Business


• Changing Careers


• Burnt out on Real Estate Retiring


• Lost the motivation


• Let someone else do the work for you
  

No matter if you do one transaction or 30 transactions a year, we would like to talk to you. You can still make money and let us do all of the work.

Call Grant Hickman at (314) 265-1531 to discuss how to continue to earn money, keep your license, yet focus on other endeavors.

Jan. 2011 Calendar of Events

January-February
Bald Eagle viewing and events
Various dates and locations
The eagles return. The Middle Mississippi River Valley is home to the second largest population of bald eagles. Various state agencies and parks, nature and other local organizations and communities celebrate our nation’s symbol with many types of viewing and educational opportunities. Participants can find those activities here.

Friday, January 7
Star Party
6:45 p.m.
St. Louis Science Center
View the brilliant night sky with the St. Louis Astronomical Society. The Society and the Science Center will provide telescopes and answer questions. For more information, call 314-289-4453 or visit the Science Center website.
FREE

Saturday, January 8
All about the farm
Primrose Farm
10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
5N726 Crane Rd.
St. Charles Park District
Learn about the historic Primrose Farm during farm story time from 10-11 a.m. Enjoy a snack and visit with the farm’s animal residents. At 2 p.m. guests can have a hands-on experience with farm animals and learn more about their care and feeding. Classes are available for both events. Primrose Farm provides interpretative experiences about life in the 19th century on a farm and how technology has changed farming life. For more info, call the farm at 630-513-4370.

Friday, January 21
Russian National Ballet presents Romeo and Juliet
8 p.m.
Bezemes Family Theater
Lindenwood University
This full length ballet is performed by the Russian National Ballet in a dramatic and visually stunning production featuring more than 50 dancers in the great Russian ballet tradition.
For more information and to purchase tickets call the box office at 636-949-4433 or vist the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts webpage.

Daily through April 3
Treasures of Napoleon
Missouri History Museum
Forest Park
Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Look inside the private life of Napoléon Bonaparte, the Corsican general who attempted to conquer Europe and North Africa. Here is a look behind the legend with a showcase of his personal possessions, historic artifacts and paintings. For info and tickets, go to the History Museum’s website or call 314-746-4599.

Saturday, January 29
Fete De Glace
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Historic Downtown
Fete de Glace or the Festival of Light is an outdoor ice-carving competition where skilled carvers from around the region turn blocks of ice into amazing creations. Coffee, hot chocolate and fire pits are available for warmth. Call 636-946-1898 for more info.
FREE

Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30
The Great Train Expo
St. Charles Convention Center
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
This is the place to be for model railroad enthusiasts. The show offers a variety of model railroad and toy layouts in many different scales and gauges. Hundreds of dealers will display their wares and model train experts are there to answer your questions. There are also free workshops for beginners and more experienced collectors. For information, call the Convention Center at 636-669-3000 or visit the Expo’s website.
Adults $7/ kids 12 and under FREE