How the Gift Tax Works

Each year millions of Americans give a gift to other individuals that they know. Gifts can be considered anything from a new vehicle to a trip to a piece of land. A gift tax is a tax that is imposed when an individual gives away a certain amount of gifts that are considered valuable.

According the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a individual who gives a gift or a combination of gifts to one person that is valued at over eleven thousand dollars must pay a gift tax. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require that the individual who received the gift pays the gift tax. The only individual who is responsible for reporting and paying the gift tax is the person who gave the gift away. A gift is when something is given away at no cost. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines a gift as something that is given away with out receiving anything of similar value in return. Gifts that are recognized by the government include property and money.

There are a number of exceptions to the gift tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Gifts that are given to a spouse are not considered taxable. Another gift tax exclusion includes gifts that are used for education or medical expenses. This gift tax is often applied when a close family friend or family relative pays a portion of the college tuition expenses or medical expenses of someone that they know. Gifts that are given to a charity are also not considered taxable. Individuals can donate their land, their vehicle, or money to an established charity and it will not be considered taxable.

Individuals who gave a taxable gift that exceeded eleven thousand dollars are required to file a Form 709: United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return. The Form 709 can be obtained by contacting the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or by printing the form off of the internet. It is also possible to obtain an online form from visiting the website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) at www.irs.gov. This form comes in a PDF format that allows individuals to enter in their information using the computer and they can print off the completed forms to be mailed in to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

In addition to the eleven thousand dollars a year gift tax restriction individuals are also subject to a lifetime gift tax limit. That lifetime limit is one million dollars. Individuals who exceed one millions dollars in gifts in any number of years are required to start paying taxes on any more gifts that are given in the future. This means that even if an individual gives a gift that is less than eleven thousand dollars the next year they are still required to pay a gift tax because they exceed their lifetime gift tax allowance.

Giving another individual or charity a gift of money or property is a great way to reduce the likelihood of having to pay an estate tax later on in life. In addition to offering a number of tax benefits a gift also allows individuals to give back to their children, family friends, or community.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for EasyTaxSupport.com. For more tax tips and to learn how to lower your taxes, visit Easy Tax Support today.

Ode to Famous Pronto Pizza

Last week we didnt feel like cooking. Some days, just like everyone else in America, I feel like going out for a slice of pizza. We have been on a quest for a good slice since we moved to Florida. We heard that there was another Famous Pronto Pizza opening soon in the Heathbrook Shopping Center (off route 200, Ocala, FL for the Florida locals), so we decided to check it out.

To our delight, it was having its grand opening that very day! When we arrived we were greeted by the staff, who were more than accommodating. They excited our senses as they described all the wonderful offerings they could make us. The smells were intoxicating. There was an eggplant pizza in the oven about to come out. So I decided to go for that. My companion, an Italian native went for a spinach and tomato slice that looked beautiful and fresh. He was also convinced by George, the manager, to get a bowl of classic spaghetti with meatballs.

So what makes a good authentic Italian pizza and why is it so hard to find? There are many components to making a pizza great. Some places have part of the equation but lack the others. All the components have to be there to make a pizza unforgettable. The first component has got to be that it is cooked in a wood burning pizza oven. Check one for Pronto Pizza. Second is it must posses a full bodied tomato sauce with herbs and garlic as a backdrop. Check two for Pronto Pizza. Third, toppings should not be overdone. There should be a perfect blend of ingredients with each bite. Check three for Pronto Pizza. Then fourth, there is the cheese component. It must be soft and gooey, but taste like cheese, not just gooey plastic. Check four for Pronto Pizza the cheese on their pizza has a nice tang and a salty bite at the end. Pizza tastes like pizza here. These are the things we love about Pronto Pizza and will have us returning time and again.

The spaghetti and meatballs had a wonderful sauce full of onion and oregano flavor. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the meatballs were so big they had to be cut in half for serving. All of this was topped with fresh parsley and melting cheese. It was so big, we had to bring some home and it lasted 2 more meals! For $6.95, that is hard to beat!

But there is more. Famous Pronto Pizza also offers fresh crunchy salads, made to order with over 20 items to choose from, like salami and sun dried tomatoes. They have baked pastas, chicken, seafood and even some low-card options! Most meals are under $12 and come with salad and the most delicious, garlicky rolls you can imagine. They also have desserts like the Chocolate Corruption Cake and Italian classics like Cannoli. For a quick meal kind of place, Pronto Pizza has a great ambience as well. So go check out the newest member of the Famous Pronto Pizza family. You will not regret it!

Jenn DiPiazza is a freelance writer living in Florida. She has a degree in Anthropology and Native American studies. Her recent writing topics include Romantic Getaways, Northeast Travel, Florida Travel, Mediterranean Travel, Mediterranean Foods, Social Justice Issues and Anthropology. You can check out some of her latest work on her blog Jenn's Travel Closeup at: http://www.travelcloseup.com

Detecting Colon Cancer in its Early Stages Can Save Your Life

Symptoms of colon cancer do not appear in all the patients when the disease is in an early stage but only after it has advanced in gravity. This is why doctors recommend that after a certain age people should ask for screenings regularly.

Colorectal cancer can give a lot of symptoms but they all match other diseases too like: inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. All these diseases can be treated but they first must be diagnosed in order to apply a right treatment.

Patients come at the hospital because they are constipated, or have diarrhea for more than a week. Sometimes people observe that their stool is much thinner than before and that it comes with blood. They might be feeling abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating. Most of the patients loose a lot of weight in a short period of time and they feel that they have not defecated sufficiently.

Cancer determines cells to divide in an uncontrollable way. Generally the cells of the body divide only when needed, like when they grow old and other cells need to be produced in order to replace them or when they are in a small amount and the body needs more of them. Because the cells are produced in an increased number, a mass of unknown tissue will form, known as a tumor (this tumor can be benign or malign). Doctors believe that this type of cancer is developing from polyps situated in the large intestine. These polyps are considered to be benign but left untreated for years they can transform in malign tumors.

There are several types of polyps: adenomas, which can become cancerous but are easily removed during a colonoscopy; inflammatory polyps which appear after an ulcerative colitis and can also become cancerous and hyperplasic polyps which rarely transform into cancer.

If the cancer passes to a next stage it can affect the local lymph nodes and then get into the blood stream and affect other organs giving metastases.

The colorectal cancer can affect old people as well as young people but most of the cases are recorded at those aged over 50. There are several factors that increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer: those who have a family history of colon cancer or other type of cancer is at risk; those who drink alcohol and follow an improper diet can develop this disease. Also, people who suffer of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, and familial adenomatous polyposis are exposed at a greater risk than others. There is a type of nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome which also occurs in the same family members but now people who are at risk can be identified through genetic screening.

Those who have adopted western diets, are obese, are smoking and also follow a diet that is rich in proteins and fats and low in fiber are at risk to develop colorectal cancer.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about colon cancer symptoms please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/colon-cancer-symptoms.htm

Facial Hair in Women - What Can You Do About It?

Facial hair growth in women is something that many of us find concerning. Assuming that you are not genetically inclined to facial air (Mediterranean, Jewish and Eastern European ancestry) or have a family history of facial hair growth in women), it could be a number of things.

One of the most common is hormonal imbalance. Women have both estrogens and androgens (male hormones). As we age, the levels of both hormones naturally decline. However, the ratio between the differences declines and it can look as if we suddenly have more of the male hormones, and therefore stray hairs. In addition, there are some medications that can stimulate the growth of stray, darker, coarser hair such as phenytoin, cyclosporine, anabolic steroids, combination medications with testosterone such as estratest, and minoxidil (used for high blood pressure as well as baldness in men).

Sometimes though, excessive facial/body hair can be a result of physical and medical issues. For example, polycystic ovarian syndrome and obesity (adipose tissue can produce androgens). Occasionally it can be related to adrenal tumors. In these cases one will see more than just the occasional stray hair on the face. If this is happening to you, see your health care provider.

So what can do you about it? Women have been looking for ways to permanently remove hair for years. There does not seem to be an easy fool-proof permanent way to deal with facial hair.

Treatments include:

• Makeup Radio frequency
• Hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
• Shaving
• Waxing
• Laser
• Electrolysis
• Medications - Vaniqua - a prescription cream

According to many dermatologists, electrolysis seems to be the only method for permanent removal. Vaniqua, which is relatively new in the past few years does not seem to work for all women. The long term effectiveness is unknown at this time.

As with most things, there does not seem to be a one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of the stray facial hair. You will most likely need to try various treatments and see what works for you. However, keep in mind if the hair seems excessive or you have concerns, please speak with your health care provider for further evaluation.

2005 Barbara C. Phillips, MN, NP

Are you living with Vibrant Intent? Do you want to experience the Joy, Magic, and Wisdom of Successful Aging? Celebrate with us as we explore these issues and more. Receive your complimentary copy of Celebrating You: 50 Tips for Vibrant Living at http://www.OlderWiserWomen.com