Episodes

  • Why I Hate TurboTax Part 3
    Jul 23 2024

    Today’s episode is the 3rd part of my 3 part series where I’m sharing an article published by ProPublica that exposes some of the unethical practices by Intuit, the maker of TurboTax. The article details how Intuit has waged a 20-year fight against free tax filing through lobbying efforts, internal tactics, and deceptive marketing.

    Join me in this 3rd and final part of this series to learn more about how TurboTax has helped prevent the government from creating a free and easy tax filing system.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    Inside TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans From Filing Their Taxes for Free, by Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel Oct. 17, 2019

    Donate to ProPublica here

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    19 mins
  • Why I Hate TurboTax Part 2
    Jul 16 2024

    Today’s episode is the 2nd part of my 3 part series where I’m sharing an article published by ProPublica that exposes some of the unethical practices by Intuit, the maker of TurboTax. The article details how Intuit has waged a 20-year fight against free tax filing through lobbying efforts, internal tactics, and deceptive marketing.

    Join me in the second part of this series to learn more about how TurboTax has helped prevent the government from creating a free and easy tax filing system.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    Inside TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans From Filing Their Taxes for Free, by Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel Oct. 17, 2019

    Donate to ProPublica here

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    16 mins
  • Why I Hate TurboTax Part 1
    Jul 9 2024

    Today, I’m starting a 3 part series where I’m sharing an article published by ProPublica that exposes some of the unethical practices by Intuit, the maker of TurboTax. The article details how Intuit has waged a 20-year fight against free tax filing through lobbying efforts, internal tactics, and deceptive marketing.

    Join me in this 3 part series to learn more about how TurboTax has helped prevent the government from creating a free and easy tax filing system.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    Inside TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans From Filing Their Taxes for Free, by Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel Oct. 17, 2019

    Donate to ProPublica here









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    21 mins
  • My Tips for Focus, Plus A US Debt Revelation
    Jul 2 2024

    In today's episode, I’m talking about the importance of voting and my research into tax policy and deficits and how the rising national debt levels could impact you as a younger voter. I’m also providing tips on using templates and maintaining a schedule to maximize your focus and productivity, especially if you’re a writer.

    Listen to this important episode to learn how to use templates to save time in your personal life and work.

    Also mentioned in today’s episode:

    • The importance of voting in local elections 3:10

    • History of US debt and the presidents that have run it up 10:40

    • Using templates to manage correspondence and stay focused 12:55

    • The importance of maintaining a consistent schedule for productivity 18:50




    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    Fiscal Therapy, by William G. Gale

    Brand new updated Visual Guide to Tax Deductions

    New Visual Guides:

    Writers' Guide To Tax Deductions

    Doula/Widwife Guide To Tax Deductions

    Wellness Practitioner's Guide To Tax Deductions









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    29 mins
  • A Solution for Fairer Taxes
    Jun 25 2024

    This week, I’m chatting about a topic that’s important to me: how we can create more fairness and equity in our tax system. I’m sharing an op ed written by William Gale, an economist from the Brookings Tax Policy Center that talks more about creating more fairness in tax policy, stopping tax cheats and how we can get there.

    Join me in this episode as we head toward the election season to learn about why equity in our tax policy is so important.

    Also mentioned in today’s episode:

    • The importance of giving the IRS the tools it needs to enforce tax rules 2:45

    • Proposed tax policies to combat wealth inequality and reduce tax evasion 8:13




    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    William Gale's article: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/give-irs-the-tools-it-needs-to-enforce-tax-rules-and-catch-cheaters/

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    11 mins
  • Marketplace health insurance PSA: Update your Income
    Jun 18 2024

    In this week’s episode, I’m giving you some guidance on marketplace health insurance as a self-employed individual and sharing why it’s so important to evaluate your income and finances halfway through the year.

    Listen to this short and sweet episode to get important information on what you can do on healthcare.gov so you can avoid unexpected high tax bills come filing season.

    Also mentioned in today’s episode:

    • Adjusting taxes based on double income and spending projections mid-year 2:50

    • How Obamacare subsidies work for marketplace healthcare 3:25

    • Why it’s so important to update your income on healthcare.gov 6:32




    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    https://www.healthcare.gov/help/premium-tax-credit/

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    13 mins
  • 5 Invisible Things in My Business
    Jun 11 2024

    This week on the podcast, I’m sharing some of the invisible aspects of running my tax business and some of the hard stuff that I’ve had to overcome while running my business and podcast.

    Join me in this episode to learn more about my entrepreneurial journey and what I’ve learned along the way.

    Also mentioned in today’s episode:

    • My struggle with perfectionism 2:05

    • My superpower when it comes to taxes and what I struggle with 8:26

    • What I've chosen to prioritize in business 13:35





    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    Free 20 Minute Course on Filing your BOI Report for LLCs: www.sunlighttax.com/llc

    IRS Proof Your Business Deductions



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    17 mins
  • My Hidden Agenda
    Jun 4 2024

    The Sunlight Podcast has made it to 100 episodes and for this special episode I’m celebrating by sharing what I truly believe in and my biggest motivators in this life. I want to give you a little bit of an inside look at what inspires some of the podcasts episode topics and what I am hoping to put back into the world.

    Join me in this very special episode to hear what truly matters to me and why I’m so passionate about these topics.

    Also mentioned in today’s episode:

    • Civics, taxes and political engagement 7:30

    • Fairness and regulation in capitalism 15:00

    • My personal story with good government and why I feel so strongly about it 18:00

    • Inclusive government and representation 23:20





    If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!



    Links:

    Free 20 Minute Course on Filing your BOI Report for LLCs: www.sunlighttax.com/llc

    IRS Proof Your Business Deductions

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    33 mins