Using QuickBooks to Customize Letters and Forms

Customized forms (invoices, credit memos, sales receipts, sales orders, purchase orders, statements, and estimates) help you run your business more efficiently by providing you with the sales forms you need for your day-to-day activities. How much or how little you customize your forms depends on your business needs and how you set up the template.

The template is the foundation—the building block—of your sales forms. You can present the same information in different ways by how you design the template and by which template you choose for the form. So customizing your templates and selecting the right template for a form is an important part of working with your different forms.

Create the forms you need to run your business

There are many uses for customized forms in a business. For example, you can:
·Create different versions of a form for use in specific situations. For example, if you ship goods with a packing slip, you can create an invoice form that has the title "Packing Slip" instead of "Invoice."
·Add new columns and fields (or delete ones you don't need). For example, if you've created custom fields for your inventory, you can add those fields to different forms so you can use just the right form when you need it.
·Change the layout of the form by moving a field to a different location in order to give it greater visibility. Or if you want to have your company address centered on the form or use a larger font size, you can move other objects on the printed form to make room for the address.
·Have some fields or columns appear when you view or fill out the form onscreen but not be on the form when you print it.
·Add standardized text, such as warranty information, contractual details, or special sections, to the form.
·Change the font size or color used for your company name; and add or move your company logo to a different position on your printed forms.
·Choose from over 100 predesigned templates from the QuickBooks online Template Gallery. These templates are already set up for different businesses with special layouts (including watermarks and special sections). By far, the quickest and easiest way to start using a professional-looking form is to download a predesigned template.
·And much more.

QuickBooks comes with a variety of templates for you to use for your invoices, estimates, credit memos, sales orders, purchase orders, sales receipts, statements, packing slips, and pick lists. A template determines the appearance of your forms such as which information is included, whether a logo appears, what color scheme is used, and where all elements are placed.

Five Facts about the Home Office Deduction

With technology making it easier than ever for people to operate a business out of their house, many taxpayers may be able to take a home office deduction when filing their 2009 federal tax return next year. Here are five important things the IRS wants you to know about claiming the home office deduction. 1. Generally, in order to claim a business deduction for your home, you must use part of your home exclusively and regularly: As your principal place of business, or As a place to meet or deal with patients, clients or customers in the normal course of your business, or In the case of a separate structure which is not attached to your home, it must be used in connection with your trade or business For certain storage use, rental use or daycare-facility use, you are required to use the property regularly but not exclusively. 2. Generally, the amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home that you used for business. Your deduction for certain expenses will be limited if your gross income from your business is less than your total business expenses. 3. There are special rules for qualified daycare providers and for persons storing business inventory or product samples. 4. If you are self-employed, use Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home, to figure your home office deduction. Report the deduction on line 30 of Schedule C, Form 1040. 5. Different rules apply to claiming the home office deduction if you are an employee. For example, the regular and exclusive business use must be for the convenience of your employer. For more information see IRS Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home, available on IRS.gov.

Does the IRS Owe You Money?

Who couldn't use a little extra cash this summer! The IRS may have some money for you. If you have not filed a prior year tax return and are due a refund, you should consider filing the return to claim that refund. If you are missing a refund for a previously filed tax return, you should contact the IRS to check the status of your refund and confirm your current address. Unclaimed Refunds Some people may have had taxes withheld from their wages but were not required to file a tax return because they had too little income. Others may not have had any tax withheld but would be eligible for the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit. To collect this money a return must be filed with the IRS no later than three years from the due date of the return. If no return is filed to claim the refund within three years, the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury. There is no penalty assessed by the IRS for filing a late return qualifying for a refund. Current and prior year tax forms and instructions are available on the Forms and Publications web page of IRS.gov or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). Information about the Earned Income Tax Credit and how to claim it is also available on IRS.gov. Undeliverable Refunds Were you expecting a refund check but didn't get it? Refund checks are mailed to your last known address. Checks are returned to the IRS if you move without notifying the IRS or the U.S. Postal Service. You may be able to update your address with the IRS on the "Where's My Refund?" feature available on IRS.gov. You will be prompted to provide an updated address if there is an undeliverable check outstanding within the last 12 months. You can also ensure the IRS has your correct address by filing Form 8822, Change of Address, which is available on IRS.gov or can be ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676). If you do not have access to the Internet and think you may be missing a refund, you should first check your records or contact your tax preparer. If your refund information appears correct, call the IRS toll-free assistance line at 800-829-1040 to check the status of your refund and confirm your address. for more information go to www.irs.gov