It’s tax season, and it can be a very stressful time.  H&R Block has provided some tax time tips to help you take the guesswork out of tax time.

1. Education benefits extended — The American Opportunity Credit was extended, allowing taxpayers to claim $2,500 for the first four years of college education for each student. The tuition and fees deduction also was extended and could provide a reduction in taxable income of up to $4,000.
2. Sandwich generation gets tax relief — Taxpayers supporting their parents and their own children may be able to claim the $3,650 qualifying relative exemption.  Generally, the taxpayer must provide more than 50 percent of the financial support for eligible expenses such as food, lodging, clothing, education, medical and dental care, recreation and transportation.
3. Unemployed are required to file — All unemployment benefits will be taxed this year, unlike last year when the first $2,400 was tax-free.
4. 2008 homebuyer credit repayment starts, but not for 2009 and 2010 — The 2008 First-time Homebuyer Credit was similar to an interest-free loan and taxpayers must begin repaying it with their 2010 tax returns. In general, taxpayers must repay $500 a year for 15 years. If the taxpayer no longer lives in the house, then the credit must be repaid in full with the next tax return.  Taxpayers who claimed the credit in 2009 and 2010 will not have to repay it unless the house is sold or no longer their principal residence within three years of purchase.
5. Energy credit reduced — For 2011, the lifetime maximum for the energy property credit is reduced from $1,500 to $500. Taxpayers who never claimed the credit can claim the entire $500. But, those who claimed $500 or more for the 2009-2010 and/or the 2006-2007 energy credits are not eligible in 2011. Eligible improvements include external windows and doors, insulation, roofing, HVAC and non-solar water heaters meeting specific energy guidelines.
6. Adoption Credit fully refundable in 2010 and 2011 — The Adoption Credit can be claimed for qualified expenses up to $13,170 for 2010 and $13,360 for 2011. Plus, new for 2010 and 2011, the IRS will refund any amount of the credit that exceeds the adoptive parents’ tax liability.
7. 2011 federal filing deadline is April 18 — Due to the observation of Emancipation Day in the District of Columbia on April 15, the filing deadline for federal tax returns is April 18 this year. But, some state filing deadlines will remain April 15.

To help you with tax time, H&R Block is offering 6 of my readers an online coupon code for Online preparation H&R Block at Home Premium.

To enter tell me who does your taxes? You? Professional?

Extra entries:

Grab my button-7 entries

Subscribe to my feed-6 entries

Blog about this- 5 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-4 entries

Follow me on twitter-4 entries

like this post on Facebook (button underneath post)-3 entries

tweet this-2 entries (can be done daily)

Contest ends/3/28/11

Disclosure: No compensation or product was received. Giveaway is being provided by PR Company

CSN Stores have everything you could need furniture, toys, kitchen products, and so much more.

Some great products you can get for $45.00 and under

5 Qt programmable crock pot $34.89

6 piece cotton towel set $32.99

Marvel Education Company Dolls $17.25

I have a gift code for $45 dollars to giveaway

This gift code expires 3/31 so when I contact the winner you will have to use it immediately.

To enter visit www.csnstores.com and tell me what you would get?

Extra entries:

Grab my button-7 entries

Subscribe to my feed-6 entries

Blog about this- 5 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-4 entries

Follow me on twitter-4 entries

like this post on Facebook (button underneath post)-3 entries

tweet this-2 entries (can be done daily)

Contest Closes 3/23/11

Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post, giveaway is being provided by CSN stores.

Designed by a master jeweler, the Wrist Jockey allows you to express your personal style while keeping your music and photos close at hand everywhere you go. A Wrist Jockey is the best way to wear your iPod nano 6G as a wristwatch. Using the patent pending cradle, the Wrist Jockey is a wristwatch base that attaches comfortably, securely, and seamlessly to your iPod nano. You can even expand your Wrist Jockey wardrobe using other watch bands, to show your style everywhere you go!

Unlike other straps on the market for the iPod nano, the Wrist Jockey features a patent pending cradle which securely fastens your iPod nano to the Wrist Jockey without covering its face or hiding it. With the Wrist Jockey, your iPod nano is fully visible, making a bold fashion statement and allowing unfettered access to all of its buttons, ports, and functions (including charging or syncing without removing it). The Wrist Jockey’s unique design allows you to attach or remove your iPod nano in seconds, giving you the freedom to move your iPod nano from one Wrist Jockey to another as your mood suits you, without even stopping your music!

The Wrist Jockey attaches to iPod nano in seconds and allows you to easily change your watch band for whatever outfit or occasion you chose. The steel is perfect for an elegant occasion, the rubber is ideal for a casual day or for the gym and the new fashion colors and leathers will match and outfit or style you have. You are sure to find one (or two or three!) that are just right for you.

The Wrist Jockey comes in 40 different styles  including  Wrist Jockey Professional, Casual, Sport, Explorer, Executive, Rave, Italia, South Beach, 5th Avenue, Fashionista, all in a variety of colors.

The Wrist Jockey works with a Ipod Nano 6g.

To enter visit www.wristjockey.com and tell me what style and color you would like.

Extra entries:

Grab my button-7 entries

Subscribe to my feed-6 entries

Blog about this- 5 entries

Leave a comment on any non-giveaway post-4 entries

Follow me on twitter-4 entries

like this post on Facebook (button underneath post)-3 entries

tweet this-2 entries (can be done daily)

Contest ends March 23, 2011

Disclosure: No compensation or product was received,  Giveaway is being provided by PR company.

I’ve been trying to wait to pick winners until i get my laptop back, now I have it back!

All my winners are chosen through random.org

Go green with Avatar-Donna B

Centrum multivitamins-Ellen

Pocoyo bath toy-Lisa Coleman

Hoodwinked dvd-Rachel Demille

Alice In Wonderland-Lisa L

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2-CherylS22, Just Coupons

Choose you-Karen M.

Build A Bear gift card-Jodi Jordan

Red Envelope gift card-Jenn

Wubbzy be Mine dvd-Mandy Kauffman

Gnomeo and Juliet-Shanna Bailes

Americas Bedtime Story-Soha Molina

Ship it with Fedex-agentNERDY

3 nights of no cooking-Kelley Wood