Tel: 555 555 5555

Business Name
Or g ani z at i on
www.als-cpa.com
117 N Main St., Paulding 1 - - 686
685 Fox Rd., Van Wert 1 - 8- 658
Our professionals are trained to focus on the details of
business. Let us help you feel more confident about your
most important business decisions. We provide tax,
accounting and advisory services to enable success.
419-399-3686
419-238-0658
www.als-cpa.net
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
Paulding County Progress February 8, 2012
BANKING
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We make it easy to manage your money all in one
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checking, saving and borrowing needs, safely, securely
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305 S. Main Street,
Antwerp, Ohio 45813
(419) 258-5351
119 N. Main Street,
Payne, Ohio 45880
(419) 263-2705
Member FDIC
We`re not just bankers, we`re neighbors
The ONLY Number You Need To
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ADKINS BOOKKEEPING
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Georgianna Adkins EA
147 E. Main St., Van Wert, OH
Mon.-Fri.: 8am-6pm, Sat.: 9am-2pm
All others by Apppointment
419-238-4253
-Individual
-Business
-Farms
-Federal,
State &
Local Taxes
Electronic
Filing
Included
*Life *Health * Fixed Annuities * Long Term Care
JOHN MANZ, Agent
Waters Insurance LLC
1009 N. Williams St., Paulding OH 45879
419-399-2712
jmanz@windstream.net
Debunking financial
planning myths
(NAPS) These simple tips can help you break
through common misperceptions and achieve
your personal financial goals.
Myth No. 1: Keeping track of everyday spend-
ing is tricky and time consuming.
For many people, the thought of planning for
how to spend money every day is overwhelming,
but it doesnt have to be. Save yourself the
headache by making your plan simple start with
one category of expenses, such as groceries.
Myth No. 2: Once you make a plan, you are all
set.
Once you have a plan, you
should always track it against
your goals. Knowing where you
stand will allow you to identify
any areas of opportunity and
help you learn how you can im-
prove your spending, borrowing
and saving habits to reach your
financial goals.
Myth No. 3: Using a credit
card isnt the same as borrow-
ing money.
You should view using a
credit card and carrying a bal-
ance on that card the same way
you view money you would bor-
row from a bank. And as with
any loan for a car, home or edu-
cation, you should be mindful of
what exactly youre borrowing
money for and always have a
plan for how to pay it back be-
fore you make the purchase.
Myth No. 4: Everyone views fi-
nancial goals the same way.
Research shows that women
tend to focus on the long-term
goal, plan and time frame,
whereas men tend to be focused
on the monthly payment amount.
4 - Paulding County Progress Financial & Tax Guide Wednesday, February 8, 2012
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Worried About Your Investments?
Losing sleep over the stock market? Retiring soon?
Call today to schedule a complementary investment review.



Chris R. Johnson
Investment Advisor Representative
(419) 399-5568 or (419) 399-2311
115 North Main Street, Paulding, OH 45879
Securities and investment advisory services
offered through FSC Securities Corporation,
member FINRA/SIPC and a registered
investment advisor.
GILL TAX SERVICE
$65
Rates Include:
Federal,
State, City, School
Free
e-filing
419-258-2294
22c2
17196 SR 613
Paulding, OH 45879
O(419)399-2420
F(419)399-9253
24c3
COUNTRY HAVEN
TAXES
CHANGE ON THE HORIZON
By Appointment
or Drop-offs
Talk to your partner and put achieving goals such
as succeeding in finishing a payment plan at the top
of the list of things to discuss.
Myth No. 5: Financial planning should be limited
to regular expenses.
While it is always important to have a good finan-
cial plan, major life events like weddings, having a
baby and raising children elevate the importance of
personal finances. Be proactive and take a few min-
utes to think about any expected or unexpected
events and fit them into your plan.
117 N Main St., Paulding
685 Fox Rd., Van Wert
Dianne T. Jones
Vice President
Paulding Sales Manager
419.399.2028
Dianne.Jones@thebank-sbt.com
Karen A. Varner
Assistant Vice President
Mortgage Loan Ofcer
419.785.3676
Karen.Varner@thebank-sbt.com
Oakwood Banking Center
218 N. First Street
Oakwood, OH 45873
419.594.3333
Financial Success Starts Here
Paulding Banking Center
220 N. Main Street
Paulding, OH 45879
419.399.5270
www.thebank-sbt.com 877.867.4218 Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender
Call us today!
$imple mean$ to $aving money
If the ongoing recession has
taught people anything, its the
need for saving money. Many peo-
ple were caught off guard by the re-
cession, and studies have shown
just how little men and women had
saved before the bottom fell out on
the economy.
In a 2011 poll from the National
Foundation for Credit Counseling,
64 percent of respondents admitted
they would not be able to rely on
their savings account if a $1,000
unplanned expense suddenly
popped up. And the problem of not
saving enough is not exclusive to
Americans. A 2011 survey from the
Canadian Payroll Association indi-
cated that 57 percent of the nearly
2,100 respondents admitted they
would be in financial trouble if their
pay was delayed by just one week,
while 40 percent expect to delay
their retirement due to lack of sav-
ings.
Such figures should be enough to
motivate men and women to start
saving, not only for retirement but
for an unforeseen event like a layoff
that could put finances in serious
jeopardy. There are ways men and
women can save money that dont
require too much sacrifice.
Pay extra each month on
loans. If paying extra money
each month sounds like an odd
way to save money, keep in
mind that paying ahead on
loans can substantially reduce
the amount of interest that ac-
crues over the course of the
loan. Some loan agreements
include prepayment penalties
that actually penalize cus-
tomers for paying ahead. But if
the loan agreement has no such
penalties, sending a little extra
each month reduces the loans
principle faster, meaning bor-
rowers will pay less in interest
and pay off their loans faster.
Shop sales. Shopping sales
is a simple way to save, yet
many people still dont take
advantage of sales. Whether
grocery shopping, shopping
for home furnishings or adding
on to your wardrobe, shopping
sales is a great way to save
substantial amounts of money.
When visiting the grocery
store, sign up for the stores
club membership, which in
many cases automatically
earns you sale prices as long as
you remember to swipe the
club card before paying. When
shopping for clothes, peruse the
clearance racks, especially at the
end of the season, when stores sim-
ply want to get rid of items and, as
a result, mark them down heavily.
The items will still be wearable next
season, and you will have saved a
lot of money without doing much
work.
Re-examine existing insurance
policies. An insurance company is
not liable to call you and offer lower
rates. However, a consumer often
finds his or her company is willing
to lower rates for those who initiate
the conversation. For example, mo-
torists who have gone a significant
amount of time since their last
speeding ticket or traffic accident
can often renegotiate their auto in-
surance policies and earn a lower
rate. Some companies will automat-
ically lower these rates, while others
need some prodding. Oftentimes,
the threat of cancellation is enough
to motivate a company to reduce in-
surance costs. But policy holders
wont know unless they try. If the
company claims theres no wiggle
room, start shopping around for a
new company, and dont hesitate to
jump on a more affordable policy,
even if it can be a hassle to change
companies and policies.
Another thing to consider when
examining insurance policies if the
level coverage is still necessary. For
instance, men and women who
opened an auto policy when their
car was brand new might not want
full coverage now that the car has
gotten older. Reducing coverage can
save significant amounts of money.
Contact your credit card
provider. Credit card holders in
good standing almost always have
the means to saving money at their
disposal. Thats because the credit
card company will likely be willing
to lower your interest rate if you are
a customer in good standing. Low-
ering the interest rate can save card
holders significant amounts of
money, but its still ideal for card
holders to pay off their balances
each month and avoid interest ac-
cruing in the first place.
When speaking with a represen-
tative of your credit card company,
discuss any additional benefits the
company might provide. For exam-
ple, some cards have an incentive
program that provides cash back on
qualifying purchases, which might
include groceries or airline tickets.
If your card offers such incentives,
take full advantage of them, just be
sure to pay off the balance in full
each month.
Saving money is something
many people insist they will start
doing tomorrow. But its the little
changes you make today that can
add up to significant savings down
the road.
2 - Paulding County Progress Financial & Tax Guide Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Its likely that your retirement income may come from
many sources, such as Social Security, pension distributions,
a 401(k) or IRA withdrawals. Thats why, if taxes are a
concern for you, its important to choose the right investments
for your portfolio. At Edward Jones, we have many options
that can give you more control over your taxes, so you can
enjoy what youve worked so hard to achieve.
Edward Jones, its employees and fnancial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should
consult with a qualifed tax specialist for professional advice on your specifc situation.
SO MUCH PLANNING
GOES INTO RETIREMENT.
HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT TAXES AS WELL?
Call today to see how our unique, face-to-face approach
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www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
Philip J Recker, AAMS
Financial Advisor
.
121 N Main St
Paulding, OH 45879
419-399-3767
Renegotiating existing insurance policies is one way men and women can
save substantial amounts of money each month.
Changes impacting your tax return this year
(NAPS) Three out of four taxpayers re-
ceived a refund from Uncle Sam last year,
averaging $2,805. This years amount should
be about the same, thanks to a few major tax
law changes expiring or added during 2011.
Although your bottom line may change lit-
tle, there are changes you should be aware of
for this years tax return.
Unless lawmakers extend them, this will
be the last year to claim several well-known
tax breaks, according to TaxACT
spokesperson Jessi Dolmage. Take advan-
tage of them while you still can. With 2012
being an election year, its anyones guess as
to what changes could be in store for next
years return.
Before you do your taxes, read this sum-
mary of the more notable changes that may
affect your federal return this year.
The filing deadline is Tuesday, April 17,
2012, because April 15 is a Sunday and
Washington, D.C., is recognizing Emancipa-
tion Day on April 16. Dont use the later
deadline as an excuse to procrastinate,
though. When you rush, youre more likely
to make mistakes that could cost you money
and time. Furthermore, filing, paying or pro-
viding information late will result in IRS
penalties that have increased this year.
Your 2011 tax return could be your last
chance to claim one of the credits for energy-
efficient home improvements as well as de-
ductions for tuition and fees, educator
expenses, mortgage insurance premiums,
and the option to include your state and local
sales taxes paid as an itemized deduction (in
lieu of state and local income taxes paid).
The Making Work Pay Tax Credit and
Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit (unless it
was a new fuel-cell vehicle) that you could
claim last year have expired. The Making
Work Pay Tax Credit was essentially re-
placed by the payroll tax holiday for 2011,
which employees and the self-employed al-
ready received in 2011 paychecks through a
reduction in FICA-OASDI Social Security
taxes. Unlike the Making Work Pay Tax
Credit, employees who benefited from the
payroll tax holiday dont need to claim it on
this years tax return.
The amount of the Health Coverage Tax
Credit decreased to 72.5 percent for qualified
health insurance coverage received between
March and December 2011.
If you converted a traditional IRA to a
designated Roth IRA in 2010 or rolled over
a qualified retirement plan to a Roth IRA, but
did not report the taxable amount on your
2010 tax return (due April 2011), you must
report half the amount on this years return
and the other half on your 2012 return. De-
tails are available in IRS Publication 575 at
www.irs.gov
Amounts for standard mileage, standard
deductions, personal exemptions and the Al-
ternative Minimum Tax have increased. Note
that there are different standard mileage rates
for miles driven before July 1 and after June
30. Details about all increases and other tax
law changes can be found in IRS Publication
17.
Online and downloadable tax preparation
programs make navigating tax law changes
easy. When choosing your software, Dol-
mage reminds you to carefully weigh your
options, especially if youre using a free so-
lution. Make sure it covers your tax situa-
tion. Many free federal products only cover
simple returns, like Form 1040EZ returns.
Most taxpayers need forms and schedules
that are only included in overpriced solu-
tions.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 Paulding County Progress Financial & Tax Guide - 3
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The filing deadline isnt the only notable
change that may affect your federal tax return
this year.