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FTC sues TurboTax owner Intuit for advertising tax software as ‘free’

(If you need help filing your taxes professionally visit ingramtaxes.com)

KEY POINTS

The FTC filed a complaint with both an administrative and federal lawsuit against the tax software company Intuit on Monday, both involving alleged deceptive marketing practices.
TurboTax has a free version. The FTC claims this is “bait and switch” because most users are charged when they file their tax returns.
The company says the arguments are “simply not credible.” TurboTax was part of the IRS Free File program until last year. The FTC sued Intuit on Monday and claims that it has deceived customers by marketing TurboTax as free and charging most people when they file their taxes. Around 56 million people filed their taxes with TurboTax in 2021, according to an Intuit shareholder presentation in January. Those individuals filed 54 million W-2 and 40 million 1099 tax forms, the company said.


The Federal Trade Commission sued Fast Intuit Inc. in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, asking for an immediate halt to its “false advertising” as taxpayers rush to meet the April 18 deadline to file their overdue tax returns.
The agency also issued a parallel administrative complaint on Monday. That proceeding will determine whether Intuit’s conduct violated the FTC Act, the lawsuit said. Intuit is deceiving customers by advertising that they can file their taxes for free online using TurboTax, when in reality, this service isn’t available to most users. The FTC has taken legal action and requested that the court stop this misleading advertising immediately. This is especially important as tax season peaks.

“TurboTax is bombarding consumers with ads for ‘free’ tax filing services, and then hitting them with charges when it’s time to file,” Samuel Levine, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a written statement.
Kerry McLean, executive vice president and general counsel of Intuit, said the agency’s arguments “aren’t credible.” Almost 100 million Americans have filed their taxes for free with TurboTax in the last eight years, McLean said. The firm’s most recent advertising campaign led more than 17 million taxpayers to file for free in 2021, up from 11 million in 2018 before the campaign launched, McLean added. “This lawsuit is unfortunate, but we are confident in the merits of our case,” said McLean in a written statement. “Our free advertising campaigns have raised awareness of free tax prep services and led more Americans to file their taxes for free.”

Filing for ‘free’

TurboTax users can file their taxes for free if they have a “simple” tax return, as defined by Intuit, according to the FTC complaint. The definition of a “simple return” changes from year to year; for tax-year 2021, Intuit refers to a simple return as one that can be filed on a Form 1040 with limited attached schedules. If users don’t have a simple return, they must upgrade to a paid version of the tax service, which is what the FTC alleges. “In truth, TurboTax is only free for some users, based on the tax forms they need,” according to the FTC lawsuit. “For many others, Intuit tells them, after they have invested time and effort gathering and inputting into TurboTax their sensitive personal and financial information to prepare their tax returns, that they cannot continue for free.” About two-thirds of American taxpayers are ineligible to file their taxes using TurboTax’s free service, according to the FTC. TurboTax was a member of IRS’ Free File program in 2002 until last year. This is part of the IRS’ mission to provide low-income Americans with access to tax filings without undue effort or cost.

TurboTax made that service available to taxpayers with $39,000 or less in adjusted gross income according to the FTC’s complaint. The threshold was higher for active-duty members of the military. Intuit insists that TurboTax adheres to IRS requirements and points out that the legal complaint is inaccurate in this regard. “The fact that Intuit complied with the rules and regulations of one government agency, but is now being targeted by another, demonstrates a significant disconnect,” McLean said. “The FTC’s ruling may make it harder for companies to enter into public-private partnerships with the government and benefit consumers.” A spokesperson for the FTC declined to comment for this story in time for publication. An IRS spokesperson was unable to provide comment by press time.

These Are the Best Coffee Makers to Buy on Amazon

We’ve rounded up four of the best coffee makers available now on Amazon that will meet your preferences, no matter how specific they are.

Mr. Coffee Digital Coffee Maker

This Mr. Coffee coffee machine is a simple machine that does the job. You can choose to brew a coffee now or later by pressing the button on it, and it will be ready in minutes! Using a coffeemaker with a water filtration system will make delicious coffee while also providing good hygiene and order. This particular model is of average size and it’s simple to maintain.

Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker

If you’re no longer happy with your old coffee maker, the Keurig K-Duo is the perfect solution for you. It’s got two sides, one for brewing ground coffee and another for making delicious pod coffees! You can make a cup of coffee, or you can fill up a travel mug. It has a large, 60-ounce water reservoir. Plus, the removable reservoir makes refilling it really easy.

Ninja 10-Cup Specialty Coffee Maker

These days, specialty drinks are not just coffee shop specialties. The Ninja 10-cup Specialty Coffee Maker can make much more than your typical morning cup of joe. They can whip up lattes, macchiatos, cappuccinos and iced coffee drinks too! The coffee maker is simple to use and comes with a set of clear labels so you’ll be able to find the settings you want. It also includes a milk frother so you can make your coffee with either hot or cold milk!

Cuisinart DGB-550BKP1

If you prefer to prepare your own coffee beans before brewing, this Cuisinart coffee maker is perfect for you! It features a built- in grinder. The grinding feature can also be turned off for times when you do have pre-ground beans to use. This coffee maker has a setting that allows you to pause a cycle, or automatically shut off after a certain amount of hours. With this machine, you can also use charcoal water which helps in getting the most out of your coffee beans and increases the strength.


Coffee Maker Buying Guide

From the coffee maker’s brewing method to its other features, here are a few of the main details to watch for when shopping.
Brewing Method and Capacity: First things first, you need to decide if you want to brew coffee from coffee grounds or from pods. While pod varieties are quick and convenient, they may not leave your palate satisfied as much as choosing a variety of different coffees. If you’re the type of person who likes to drink many cups at once, or if you need a pot for a big family, try to find one that brews more than one cup at a time.
Settings: Planning when your coffee will brew in advance can help save time. You may want to look for an auto-brew feature or a timer built into the machine. Some coffee makers take it another step further, letting you choose settings for coffee drinks, or allowing you to choose the strength of your brew. While these types of machines will be more expensive, they are a worthy investment for coffee lovers.

Will Smith Smacks Chris Rock on Oscars telecast

Attending stars and even netizens were shocked when the video of actor Will Smith allegedly slapping comedian and host Chris Rock, while at the height of the 94th Academy Awards or Oscars, spread on social media, Sunday. evening, March 27.


Rock can be seen happily joking and true to form as a stand-up comic, he began sending barbs out into the crowd. After making a quip about Denzel Washington, Rock turned his attention to Jada Pinkett Smith, saying he was looking forward to seeing her in G.I. Jane II. (Pinkett Smith was sporting a buzzcut, just like Demi Moore’s character in the 1997 film G.I. Jane). Smith can be seen keeping up and still laughing at the comedian’s stretches, the camera cut to Pinkett Smith, who rolled her eyes as she sat next to Smith.

Then after a while, he suddenly walked up and climbed the stage, and to everyone’s surprise, his right hand suddenly popped out and landed on Rock’s face. Rock was obviously shaken but ‘the show must go on’. “Will Smith just smacked he sh-t out of me,” said a stunned Rock. Smith responded: “Keep my wife’s name out your f-cking mouth,” and repeated the phrase.
Despite this, Smith was still named Best Actor for the film ‘King Richard’. He defeated fellow nominees Javier Bardem (Being the Ricardos), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Andrew Garfield (Tick, Tick… Boom!) And Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth).
In his acceptance speech, he apologized to the Academy and its fellow nominees for what happened.
“I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” Smith said emotionally.
“This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award, it’s not about winning an award for me… Art imitates life, I look like the crazy father. Love will make you do crazy things. ”
The Best Actor continued, “I know to be able to do what we do you gotta be able to take abuse, you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business you gotta have people disrespecting you and you gotta pretend that that’s OK… Denzel (Washington) said to me a few minutes ago, ‘At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you.’ ”
“I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family for entrusting me with your story. That’s what I want to do. I want to be an ambassador of that kind of care and love and concern. ”

Smith continues to associate himself with the character played in the film for which he won Best Actor.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. At this time in my life, in this moment I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. Making this film, I got to protect Aunjanue Ellis who is one of the strongest, most delicate people I’ve ever met. ”
“I got to protect Saniyya and Demi, the two actresses that play Venus and Serena… I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people.”
“I want to be a vessel of love. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena, I just hope they didn’t see that on TV. ”
Meanwhile, there is no word yet on whether Will and Chris have made

Power Dental Flossers on Amazon | The Waterpik Aquarius

Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, cost a lot more up-front than string floss. And it can be quite awkward to use – saliva may start coming out of your mouth! Plus, there is no obvious evidence that they’re better than traditional dental floss. Some people like the feeling of the water jets in their mouth, others find it much easier to use than dental floss. Comparatively, we would recommend the Waterpik Ion. It’s a compact, traditional water flosser with a cordless charging base. It is so effective that it left mouths feeling clean and took up less counter space than most of its competitors.


Testers unanimously chose Waterpik’s Ion as the best water flosser, both in terms of cleaning and saving counter space. It tied with our previous longstanding pick, the Waterpik Aquarius, for being most likely to deliver that ‘just left the dentist’ feeling. But the Ion’s unique wireless charging base is a significant upgrade because it successfully mitigates one of the biggest hurdles we’ve had with traditional water flossers: needing an outlet near your countertop.


The Ion has 10 different pressure settings and comes with a variety of tips so it should be easy to find one that’s right for you. Plus, it also comes with a three-year warranty, just in case something happens.

The Waterpik Aquarius cleans mouths just as well as the Ion, and it has the same 10 pressure settings and three-year warranty. Although this model takes up more space and needs to be plugged in while in use, it still provides a relatively easy experience when compared to other flossers. It’s also nicer to find that it comes with an included “massage” setting, which emits pulses of water.


If you find yourself wanting to reuse your water flosser in other places besides just the sink such as taking it into the shower with you, consider getting a Waterpik Cordless Express. It makes it easy to enjoy your favorite oral care tools while moving around. It’s a portable, cordless water flosser that is just as powerful as our other picks. This battery operated Flosser is great because it combines the sprayer with a single use reservoir, so there’s no need for an extra sink or to lug around a water jug. The compact design also makes it perfect for travelling.

Click here to buy the Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser while it’s on sale! http://The Best Water Flossers

Keeping tradition in a modern way | Shi Fu Gregg Zilb

By Lloyd K. Coleman:

Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu

The 3 section staff has been a weapon of mystery and misunderstaning with centuries of battle tested techniques that was used in various situations throughout history. The sanjiegun, or three-section staff (三節棍 , sān jié gùn, shawm jeet gwam), is a Chinese flail weapon that consists of three wooden or metal staffs connected by metal rings or rope. The weapon is also known as a sansetsukon (三節棍) in Japanese.

A more complicated version of the Two Section Staff, the staves can be spun to gather momentum resulting in a powerful strike, or their articulation can be used to strike over or around a shield or other defensive blocks. Historically made of white oak or Chinese red maple, modern staves are constructed from rattan, bamboo, various hardwoods or aluminum. For optimum fit, each of the three sticks should be about the length of the combatant’s arm and have a combined diameter that easily fits in the hand.

A sanjiegun is typically constructed from three wooden staves with a diameter of convert|1.25|in|mm. These are connected by chains of rings, usually of five inches (127 mm) ; modern versions use ball-and-socket joints. The total length of the weapon is about the same as the Chinese staff, the gùn and greater than that of the single staff known in Japanese as a bō; Its larger size allows for a increased reach compared to the Japanese weapon.

Full article in the Deadly Art of Survival 3rd Edition .

Click link above ⬆️.

6 Tips for First-Time Tax Filers

Filing your taxes for the first time can be intimidating. There’s a good chance you’ve heard people complain about having to file their taxes in the past, so it’s normal to be feeling a little apprehensive.


It’s easy! Don’t stress. Filing your taxes for the first time may seem complicated at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With simple tax filing basics, you can start benefiting from the thousands of dollars in tax credits and deductions available to you.


To help you out, we’ve come up with six useful tips to help you crush your first tax season.

  1. Start collecting tax information early
    One of the biggest frustrations of filing your taxes is locating the necessary documents and receipts you received throughout the year. When you suddenly can’t remember where you put the receipt for those medical expenses you had last summer, preparing your taxes quickly becomes a stressful task.
    Taking a little extra time to plan ahead can make your life a lot easier!
    If you haven’t created one yet, make your own simple filing system so that you can keep track of all the important paperwork. If it’s in one place, it will be much easier to find down the road when you need it. Don’t put any other documents in this file or box. You’ll save yourself a lot of sorting later on.
    Starting early, save important receipts for expenses related to tax deductions and credits. If you’re self-employed, be sure to keep all your receipts (both large and small) close during the year.
    Misreporting your business expenses can have a serious impact on your taxes, so it’s important to carefully report every single one of them. Things you may think of as insignificant, such as printer ink and parking meters can have a big impact when you file your tax return! Keep a notebook or consider tracking your business mileage electronically.
    As your tax forms start arriving in January, drop them in your tax file or box immediately. Try not to let them land on the countertop or any other area where they might be misplaced.
  2. Organize your tax documents
    Organizing your tax documents can be done by separating W-2 forms from other income and deductible expenses.
    If you’re self-employed or running your own business, make a list of the income and expenses in your company. It’s also worth noting any possible credits such as the Child Tax Credit.
    To help you stay organized, we have a handy tax preparation checklist you can use to ensure you have all the tax documents you need before you start filing. Once your information is organized, the rest is easy.
  3. Figure out if you are a dependent of someone else
    One of the most important things to consider when filing your taxes is whether you are considered a dependent by someone else.
    Ask yourself: Do your parents or another person pay at least half of your expenses? If so, the IRS generally considers you to be their dependent. This means that they can claim a tax credit or other tax benefit for you. In that case, simply indicate that you can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return when you e-file with us.
    It’s important to let the IRS know that you are not being claimed by anyone else on their taxes. If they don’t, your return may be rejected or you may owe them additional taxes. Discuss this with parents or relatives before the tax season begins if possible.

A Message From The Author! Deadly Art of Survival Magazine

It was in the early 1960s when America received its first introduction to Kung fu on the big screen. By this time, many became aware of the late Bruce Lee through movies and from a hit TV show called The Green Hornet. However, many were not fully aware that traditional classical systems of Kung fu existed. Unbeknownst to most in America, there were a handful of martial artists that were secretly practicing the ancient arts of Kung fu before the whole Kung fu craze hit the theaters. These were not copycats, video students or fake wannabes. They were the real deal who were well trained, humble, and disciplined.

These individuals took their perspective arts extremely serious and stayed away from the commercial fanfare. These warriors were secretly fighting in underground bare-knuckle events in Chinatown, with little or no recognition.

Full Article in the Tiger Edition #4

Deadlyartofsurvival.com

How to Avoid Tax Fraud

Tax-related identity theft is a big problem, and it affects a lot of families. So, if you can’t file your taxes yet, check out our other solutions to help you combat fraud. The IRS has a transcript service that anyone can use to obtain information about their filing histories. It won’t protect them from identity theft, but it will help them if they have been the victim of fraud to know now rather than scraping together what they can now.

An identity protection pin (IP PIN) offers an extra layer of protection against fraud. “People who have had issues with tax fraud in the past are going to be issued an IP PIN,” Burnette says. In the past, the federal government only issued PINs to those who were victims of tax identity theft and those who lived in specific states. But now, anyone can opt into the program. It’s important to keep in mind that as soon as you request a PIN, you’ll need to use one going forward to file taxes.

Protect your identification by filing your taxes before someone else can. You can avoid being a victim of tax identity theft this way. If you are looking for the best tax filing services, we can help. Please get in touch today by texting/calling us at +1 866-824-1440 or email us at info@ingramtaxes.com. Our professional team is available to take care of your needs and make sure you get what is rightfully yours.

Hiring a professional can help save time and money, while also ensuring that your taxes are filed correctly. Here at Ingramtaxes.com, we’re dedicated to helping all our clients receive the best possible results when it comes to tax preparation and filing. Contact us today for more information about how we can help you!