Customer Reviews

Minding Her Own Business: The Self-Employed Woman's Guide to Taxes and Recordkeeping

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After working with small businesses and taxes for over 20 years, I've come to the conclusion that the fastest way throw money away is to start a business - without knowing how to do your books.

About half of my tax practice involves working with new clients who have gotten into trouble with IRS because: 1) Once they started a business, they didn't know how to figure out their tax returns. 2) They got into trouble with payroll taxes - by not filing them, or not paying them, or thinking they didn't have employees 3) Their business did well, but when it came time to pay the taxes on their successful business, there was no money.

Well, I don't want to see more people in trouble. So, ever since I discovered Jan's book, I have been telling my readers and clients to buy it.

They LOVE the book (and not just the women, either). Jan puts information in terms YOU will understand.

And with all of her years of experience, she knows just what kind of problems real people run up against. So there are lots of practical tools and tips to help you succeed, not just to keep your taxes in line.

And let me tell you, the price of Jan's book is much less than a three-hour consultation with me! (or any tax pro)

Hi. I'm the author of Minding Her Own Business, writing to let you know that you can get current tax information in the form of my free year-end tax newsletter. Just Google me (Jan Zobel) and go to my website. I'll also be glad to let you know when there's an updated edition of Minding Her Own Business available, Thanks for your interest and Many Happy Returns!!

March 2, 2011

A friend recommended this book to me because I just started my own computer consulting business last year and I also was paid as an independent contractor. At first I wasn't going to get it because the title made it seem like it was directed to women. But I looked through my friend's copy and realized I wanted my own. The examples used in the book are all women's names but otherwise there's nothing that's just for women. It's really clearly written and has a lot of information about deductions and estimated tax payments -- the two areas I was the most unsure of. Also, the tax forms that need to be filed are shown and, although I'm using Turbo Tax to do my return, I was able to compare those forms to what came out of Turbo Tax so that I know (or at least am pretty sure!)that I've done everything right. I think this book will really save me hundreds of dollars in accounting and tax prep fees.

I just wanted to rave about Jan Zobel's book! I bought several books geared towards taxes...they all dragged on and on, I didn't find the information I needed and/or I ended up more confused than before! None were as helpful as MHOB so if you have your own business, you need to get this book! I especially appreciated the domestic partner references and examples. No other books take DPs into account so I had a hard time figuring out how it'd work for me. Jan cuts down alot of common fears among small business owners and provides a number of tips to avoid audits and keep better records. I learned more from this single book than I have with the other 3 books COMBINED. I wish I bought this book before I started...it would've saved much stress!

I found this book in the library and have taken it out twice renewing it several times each time. I realize I want my OWN copy. I am in the first year of my new business and everything is new, exciting but sometimes a bit intimidating. This book is a great resource. I recommend it to everyone, not just women. It really is not gender based.

My wife bought this book because she is just starting a small business and Minding Her Own Business had been strongly recommended by the small business development center counselor that she saw. I've been in business for 7 years but decided to take a look through the book too. I was surprised at some of the new information I learned. Althogh this book's title indicates it's for women, the author explains in the introduction that it's really for anyone, particularly those with what she calls "numberphobia". I really agree with her -- there was nothing in it that was unique to women but my wife appreciated that all the examples given were of women in business and there were no assumptions made about the reader having prior knowledge of finances, taxes, etc. I'd really recommend this book for anyone.

Fabulous book! I've read several books on this subject, and after reading this one-I'm getting rid of all the others. This book answered every one of my questions. Very easy to find the info you need, and very easy to understand. Highly recommended!!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I heard the author (Jan Zobel) on the radio and liked the way she was explaining tax concepts. She had a sense of humor and it was easy to understand what she was saying. Since I had just started a business, I decided to buy her book. It is so great! It's answered questions I didn't even know I had! I learned about the expenses I can deduct and how to keep receipts. I also learned about making quarterly payments (which was a total mystery to me before I read this book). Jan said on the radio that there's a lot of misinformation around about small business taxes and that one rumur is that you don't have to make quarterly payments the first year you're in business. Sure enough, I had heard that rumor but I learned from Minding Her Own Business that's not true. This book is really easy to read. It's not like those ones that you start to read and your eyes glaze over because it's written in all that legal language. This one is in plain English and it covers stuff you want to know about. For example, I wanted to know if I could deduct the room I work out of at home, my SUV, and my child care expenses. I'm also thinking about hiring my husband to work in my business (when it gets bigger) and all those things are covered in this book. There's also pages of information about books and websites for small business owners and alot of those have more really great information. This book is not just for women (Jan explains in the introduction that she titled it the way she did because a lot of her female tax clients are very confused about money and taxes and she wanted to write something that they would feel comfortable reading.). One of the quotes on the cover says "This book is like having a tax professional by your side at all times". I agree. Plus, everyone I've shown it to has wanted to get a copy (or borrow mine, which I'm not letting go of!)

Jan Zobel's book should be read by every woman who is thinking of going into business for herself--as a business owner, distributor, and/or independent contractor. It is a valuable reference that women can use to understand the principles of keeping accurate financial records for their business.

I found this book to be quite understandable. Jan manages to make herself clear to someone who hates the paperwork involved with running a small business. I have been reading the book over again for the year 2000's taxtime and find that I understand even more what kind of paperwork and records I should be worrying about and how I should be keeping them.