Living with Wild Animals? Read SERVAL SON by Kristine M. Smith

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to share your life with a wild animal? Author Kristine M. Smith has released a new book, SERVAL SON, based on her experiences raising a wild cat. She is an animal advocate with decades of combined experience as a wildlife rehabilitator, captive animal caretaker, and humane educator.

She is also a well-regarded author and copywriter, writing for businesses around the world. You can learn more about her writing services by visiting KristineMSmith.biz.

Welcome Kristine! This is such an interesting topic. Can you tell us about your new book and what inspired you to write it?

SERVAL SON: Spots and Stripes Forever is a cautionary true story about what it’s like to own—and be owned by—a wild animal for its entire lifetime; in my case that was 17 years.

I wrote the book for anyone considering getting a knee-high or taller wild animal as a pet or for those who would like to vicariously raise one without all of the accompanying rules, regulations, and responsibilities. It’s so temping to get a little ball of fur when they’re babies—and then they grow up, which is a whole new ball game.

I couldn't imagine my life without animals. We have three dogs and three cats right now. I assume caring for a wild animal is much different. What do you see as the pros and cons?

People want wild animals as pets for a number of reasons. Some have an abiding love for wildlife and want to experience them up close and personal. Others want a wild pet as an ego boost or status symbol—a way to stand out in the mass of humanity. Others feel the tug of wanting to rescue a wild animal that seems to be living in less ideal conditions than they believe they can provide—these are the “rescuers” in our midst.

Pros: If you do it right and absolutely nothing goes wrong (which rarely happens), watching a captive wild animal grow into its own without changing or corrupting its basic nature and personality is heartwarming beyond description. Having them respond to you with affection and trust is fabulous. Being able to visit schools, fairs, TV shows and other public venues to help foster awareness and understanding of their plight in the wild and as pets is always a big perk if you can remain calm enough in those situations not to set them off and cause them to become anxious.


Cons: Too many people, I’m sad to say, get them as status symbols or centerpieces for how they want other people to think about them. I had one interested party ask me at the time “What’s it like to walk Deaken (that was my serval’s name) in the neighborhood on a leash?” He thought that would be quite the rush. The fact is you don’t parade a wild animal in your neighborhood or anywhere else except under rigidly controlled circumstances. Guaranteed—some of your neighbors will NOT like knowing there’s a wild animal nearby and they can make your life a living hell. Fearful people do fearful things.

Would you do it again?

I wouldn’t have missed it for the world; I would never do it again. It was the most heartwarming, the most traumatic 17 years of my life. Raising a happy, healthy wild cat—keeping it safe from people and people safe from it—requires complete attention, nerves of steel, and an insane amount of good luck. Animal sanctuaries are overflowing with the forlorn castoffs of people who tried to do what I did and failed. It's heartbreaking to see former wild pets watching wistfully for owners they never will see again.

You can order SERVAL SON through Amazon.com.

These days, Kris is owned by two geriatric cats, and two fun-filled goats, Laverne and Shirley. You can follow their antics at AlmostFamousByDesfault.blogspot.com.

Self Employed Tax Tips from the IRS

There are many benefits that come from being your own boss. If you work for yourself, as an independent contractor, or you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, you are generally considered to be self-employed.

Here are six key points the IRS would like you to know about self-employment and self- employment taxes:

Self-employment can include work in addition to your regular full-time business activities, such as part-time work you do at home or in addition to your regular job.

If you are self-employed you generally have to pay self-employment tax as well as income tax. Self-employment tax is a Social Security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. It is similar to the Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the pay of most wage earners. You figure self-employment tax using a Form 1040 Schedule SE. Also, you can deduct half of your self-employment tax in figuring your adjusted gross income.


You file an IRS Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business, or C-EZ, Net Profit from Business, with your Form 1040.

If you are self-employed you may have to make estimated tax payments. This applies even if you also have a full-time or part-time job and your employer withholds taxes from your wages. Estimated tax is the method used to pay tax on income that is not subject to withholding. If you fail to make quarterly payments you may be penalized for underpayment at the end of the tax year.

You can deduct the costs of running your business. These costs are known as business expenses. These are costs you do not have to capitalize or include in the cost of goods sold but can deduct in the current year.

To be deductible, a business expense must be both ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your field of business. A necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your business. An expense does not have to be indispensable to be considered necessary.

For more information see the Self-employment Tax Center, IRS Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business, IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses and Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax, available at www.irs.gov or by calling the IRS forms and publications order line at 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Links:

Publication 334, Tax Guide for Small Business
Publication 535, Business Expenses
Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business and instructions
Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit from Business
Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax and instructions
Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals

Tax Time Tips from The IRS

Tax Time Tips from the IRS

IRS TAX TIP 2012-01, January 03, 2012

The income tax filing season has begun and important tax documents should be arriving in your mailbox. Even though your return is not due until April, you can make tax time easier on yourself with an early start. Here are the Internal Revenue Service’s top 10 tips to ensure a smooth tax-filing process.

1. Gather your records Round up any documents you’ll need when filing your taxes: receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support income or deductions you’re claiming on your return.

2. Be on the lookout W-2s and 1099s will be coming soon; you’ll need these to file your tax return.

3. Have a question? Use the Interactive Tax Assistant available on the IRS website to find answers to your tax questions about credits, deductions, general filing questions and more.

4. Use Free File Let Free File do the hard work for you with brand-name tax software or online fillable forms. It's available exclusively at www.irs.gov. Everyone can find an option to prepare their tax return and e-file it for free. If you made $57,000 or less, you qualify to use free tax software offered through a private-public partnership with manufacturers.　If you made more or are comfortable preparing your own tax return, there's Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper forms. Visit www.irs.gov/freefile to review your options.

5. Try IRS e-file IRS e-file is the　safe, easy and most common way to file a tax return.　Last year, 79 percent of taxpayers - 106 million people - used IRS e-file. Many tax preparers are now required to use e-file. If you owe taxes, you have payment options to file immediately and pay by the tax deadline. Best of all, the IRS issues refunds to 98 percent of electronic filers by direct deposit within 14 days, if there are no problems, and some may be issued in as few as 10 days.

6. Consider other filing options There are many options for filing your tax return. You can prepare it yourself or go to a tax preparer. You may be eligible for free face-to-face help at a volunteer site. Give yourself time to weigh all the options and find the one that best suits your needs.

7. Consider direct deposit If you elect to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account, you’ll receive it faster than a paper check in the mail.

8. Visit the official IRS website often The IRS website at www.irs.gov is a great place to find everything you need to file your tax return: forms, publications, tips, answers to frequently asked questions and updates on tax law changes.

9. Remember this number: 17 Check out IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, on the IRS website. It’s a comprehensive resource for taxpayers, highlighting everything you’ll need to know when filing your return.

10. Review! Review! Review! Don’t rush. We all make mistakes when we rush. Mistakes slow down the processing of your return. Be sure to double check all the Social Security numbers and math calculations on your return as these are the most common errors. Don’t panic! If you run into a problem, remember the IRS is here to help. Start with www.irs.gov.