| #: |
From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 7911. |
Jan
Seattle, WA
Age: 22
Aug 10, 2010
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#7904 Property Management idea
It seems there would be a loop hole in the business idea because the EIN can be traced back to a business and then back to you? Is this not public information anyone can get a hold of?
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No, what you enter on the application for an EIN is not available to the public nor even to PIs.
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| 7908. |
Thor
Concord, NH
Age: 45
Aug 9, 2010
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LLC for home biz
Sir, Would a NM LLC be appropriate for a functioning small business even though physically based elsewhere and there would be little likelihood of going to NM? My concerns: contact address on biz cards, website, letterhead, etc? Thank you for your time.
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The LLC might be fine, especially if you never do business in NM. However, you cannot use the address listed on your LLC for any reason whatsoever. If you wish to have a ghost address, contact Rosie about obtaining such an address in Alaska or Spain.
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| 7907. |
Danny
Livermore, CA
Age: 32
Aug 8, 2010
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7889, 7905
Yup. K-2 is a mountain famous for being the second tallest in the wold.
K-1 is the form that you would use with 1065 (Partnership/LLC/LLP), or 1120-S (S-Corp), or 1041 (Trusts). Don't try to complete these forms with out a pro!
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| 7906. |
Mike
Worcester, MA
Age: 50
Aug 8, 2010
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Josh 7892 - border crossing
1) Yes, if you are a US citizen, the US has to admit you (even if you are a "wanted criminal"). Of course, you have to *prove* you're a US citizen, and without a passport or passport card, that could take some time.
2) I have a guess as to why Canadian Immigration gave you a hard time. Based on your writing, I'm guessing that English is not your native language and that you were not born in the USA. You almost never use articles (a, an, the), which leads me to believe you are probably Russian or Slavic. Rightly or wrongly, that by itself probably adds some suspicion at the border.
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| 7905. |
Tony
Frankfurt, Germany
Age: 41
Aug 7, 2010
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Comment on # 7889
There is no form K-2 for LLC, however Schedule 1065 Form K-1 applies to LLP's
LLC's can use the following forms from the IRS website:
hope this helps
Submitted Link #1: http://bit.ly/slq8x...
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| 7904. |
Jay
Boston, MA
Age: 29
Aug 7, 2010
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Re: Utilities nominee problem (Solved!)
I just wanted to say thanks to the advice various folks gave when I had to move quickly and couldn't find a nominee for utilities in time!
I decided to go with the Property Management idea, as Boston has a huge number of small realtors and property-related businesses. I started by creating an EIN for one of my NM LLCs (which had to be tied to my SSN, but only at the IRS), and used that to be the owner of a fictional property management company and get it an EIN. I checked the state business website to make sure no such company already existed.
New "company" and EIN in hand, I went to the three utilities (elec/gas/cable) and stuck to my story of being a representative from a property management company. Only one company actually asked for the EIN, and a different one asked for my name, which I continued to say was not relevant. It should be in the business name.
Now I have all utilities in a business name, with a CMRA address, a prepaid phone number, and unique gmail address signed up through a proxy. All bills get viewed online and paid through an online bill-pay that does not have my full name attached.
The business name will never be used for anything other than receiving bills, so I assume I can forget about it as far as the IRS is concerned, right?
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| 7903. |
Jane
San Francisco, California
Age: 40
Aug 6, 2010
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On line Tracking
I thought the attached link would be interesting for everyone concerned with privacy. This Wall Street Journal article clearly outlines the sophisticated tracking analysis that leads to the identification of the web surfer with little or no information given. Do you know of software that could hide the user in anyway? I am not sure anything exists that can prevent this and it doesn't seem to matter if you don't have your name attached to the account/computer. Only a public computer would cover your tracks --- maybe.
Submitted Link #1: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB200014240527487032...
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| 7900. |
Johnny
Park City, UTAH
Age: 20
Aug 5, 2010
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Apartment
Have you ever had a problem renting an apartment using a nominee and you living in the apartment? Although it is not against the law that I am aware of I think it a breach of contract, no?
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I have never used a nominee for renting an apartment, not do I think it is a good idea.
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| 7897. |
John
Los Angeles, CA
Age: 30
Aug 5, 2010
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Anonymous Browsing - TOR Project
I found a couple posts that related to this, but thought that an update might be useful. The Tor Poject has a newish bundle out as well as a great instructional video on how to install the program to a usb drive to anonymously browse from where ever you are. The Tor network works with a series of relays to anonymously send your internet traffic and allow you to browse. The relays do not know who you are and what site you are trying to get to, they only know the next relay in the cycle. The first relay knows who you are, but not where you are going, and the last relay knows where you are going, but not who you are. They have released a simple self extracting bundle that only requires a download and a couple mouse clicks before you can use it from your usb drive to surf. It is great for grandma and others who want browse anonymously without a huge tech setup.
What it CAN do
- provide an extra layer of privacy to your internet usage
- get around filters at work/home/school that prevent pages from being viewed
- protect your anonymity when using the web in a cafe, library, or abroad
What it CANNOT do
- provide a secure connection to WHATEVER website you desire (that is site dependent and is easy to tell by checking it the site starts with the secure s or the unsecure h t t p : )
- provide lighting fast surfing speed (you will experience a delay to your normal speed because your traffic is relayed)
- provide an anonymous and QUICK way to use torrent sites to download (see above)
There is also a great Q&A on the site that goes more in depth about its features and capabilities.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.torproject.org/torbrowser/...
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| 7896. |
Josh
Hackensack, NJ
Age: 31
Aug 5, 2010
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re: border crossing
JJL wrote: ... Since I had a similar experience (outlined in my blog), I have not returned to Canada. And if or when I do, it will be WITHOUT a cell phone, laptop, or other electronic device. As I say in HOW TO BE INVISIBLE, you lose all rights during a border crossing.
Yes, Jack, and that was your experience that got me prepared for most things that happened.
Laptop thing was nothing and somewhat amusing as I was ready for that.
It's the money counting, going through documents, issuing pass to enter and return from Canada that was not expected.
And on the way back, such thorough examination, including lying and intimidation techniques, also was surprising.
Why would they have to go through that? Could they really refuse me entrance to the country?
...
I am not saying this applies to your case, but I've been told that if someone mouths off at an officer on the way into Canada, he may be flagged so that when he returns, the American agents can give him a bad time. And vice versa.
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| 7893. |
Robert
Eastside, WA
Age: 18
Aug 5, 2010
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How close is too close for a ghost address?
There is a development of homes within a few blocks from my residence. If they put in a secured mailbox, should I try to get them to add another unit (I'd be willing to pay the difference for the extra unit.)? Would this be too close to my actual residence.
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It would be too close for me.
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| 7892. |
Josh
Hackensask, NJ
Age: 31
Aug 5, 2010
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Border crossing
Had to go to Canada not long ago. Drove there. Got stopped both going there and back.
Being prepared (somewhat), knew that have to ask every question, no matter how invasive and cooperate in any possible way.
Fuller story can be found at the link below.
Besides money, Canadians got interested in laptop, asked if there is any external drive to be used as laptop had nothing on it. No, this laptop is for internet only.
Now, I understand others have a right not to allow you into their country. What about US? Unless you're criminal wanted, can they not let you in, provided you're citizen, of course??
The other question I got is can they (US boarder guard?) do whatever they please?
I was told to leave the car at the booth and to go inside. So the officer, without asking me or even telling me, drove my car and inspected it. Of course, I was not there to watch.
The other one lied to me repeatedly saying I have crossed at that particular crossing before and in years that I know I did not. Why did he lie??
Yeah, after that inspection, my car suddenly broke down in the middle of the night. What a coincidence!
Submitted Link #1: http://privacqr.blogspot.com/2010/08/border-crossi...
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Since I had a similar experience (outlined in my blog), I have not returned to Canada. And if or when I do, it will be WITHOUT a cell phone, laptop, or other electronic device. As I say in HOW TO BE INVISIBLE, you lose all rights during a border crossing.
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| 7891. |
Drake
LA, CA
Age: 35
Aug 5, 2010
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iPhone and Law Enforcement
And while some phone users routinely delete information from their devices, that step is seldom as final as it seems.
"When you hit the delete button, it's never really deleted," Fazio said.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2553828,CST-NWS...
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| 7889. |
Frank
Arlington, VA
Age: 47
Aug 4, 2010
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Monday, August 2, 2010 blog entry: Optional business structure that does not require payroll tax deductions
What is form K-2 mentioned in the blog entry linked below?
Can't find anything on the IRS website.
Submitted Link #1: http://blog.invisible-privacy.com/2010/08/optional...
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I googled the K-2 form and found references to it but not the form. Ask any acountant.
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| 7888. |
Lewis
Athens, Georgia
Age: 40
Aug 4, 2010
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It’s A Great Time To Be A New College Graduate: High Unemployment, Crappy Service Jobs And Crippling Student Loan Debt
Excerpts:
"Today, America's best and brightest are graduating from college full of hopes and dreams, but cold, hard economic reality is rapidly crushing many of them. Record numbers of college graduates cannot find jobs. Hordes of others have been forced to take very low paying service jobs. At the same time, student loan debt loads have become more crushing than ever. The truth is that it is a really, really bad time to be a fresh college graduate. After spending tens of thousands of dollars and investing four (or more) years of their lives in an education, millions of recent college graduates find themselves waiting tables, tending bar, delivering pizzas and working next to (or subordinate to) people who never even went to college. At one time, a college degree was an automatic ticket to the middle class, but now for many Americans all a college degree means is crushing loan payments, sleepless nights and mind-numbing frustration.
Unfortunately, student loan debt is some of the cruelest debt out there.
Federal bankruptcy law makes it nearly impossible to discharge student loan debts, and many recent grads end up with loan payments that absolutely devastate them financially at a time when they are struggling to get on their feet and make something of themselves."
Randy writes, "May I suggest leaving the country unless it will screw your parents as well. Really, that is about the only course of action left where you can get away with defaulting on all those loans."
Randy's advice reminds me of Simon Black's posts about leaving the USA. I also know of some folks that have obtained medical skills and then left the USA. Medical skills and language skills...
Submitted Link #1: http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/its-a-...
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| 7887. |
Fred
Los angeles, CA
Age: 35
Aug 4, 2010
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RE: Franks ? #7883
Hi Frank,
I like this VPN service "cloak Box VPN router" because its hardware and doesn't require any complex setup for the novice user and its fairly inexpensive.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.personalvpn.com/index.php?app=ccp0&ns=p...
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| 7884. |
Stan
Atlanta , Georgia USA
Age: 44
Aug 3, 2010
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7 reasons to not send your kid to college
Quoting from the article:"Imagine a retirement where you could have an extra $1million to $3 million in the bank with basically no effort. Now imagine telling your kids that you aren't going to send them to college. And, you go on, you want them to immediately start a business or get to work as soon as they finish high school.
"These are difficult things to imagine because we've been so scammed by the "career industry" that tells us we need college degrees in order to succeed in life, regardless of how much money we spend for those degrees or what we actually do with our lives during the four to eight years it takes us to get those degrees.
"But in my view, the entire college degree industry is a scam, a self-perpetuating Ponzi scheme that needs to stop right now." [Underlining added by JJL.]
Submitted Link #1: http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/investing/seven-...
...
Wow--the author appears to have read my SKIP COLLEGE book! We are certainly on the same page when he recommends using a small part of the college fund for world travel and/or starting a series of small businesses.
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| 7883. |
Frank
Phoenix, AZ
Age: 32
Aug 3, 2010
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VPN
Mr. Luna,
I am curious about VPN's. In your book you don't recommend them, but I see a lot of information about them on the Q&A portion of your site. Have you changed your mind about VPN's since you wrote the book.
Also I am very curious if you or your reader's can recommend any good free VPN's. (Economy is tight these days)!
Thank you sincerely sir.
...
In my own case, I see no need to use a VPN. However, I have nothing against them other than it's not all that simple for the average user.
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| 7882. |
Seth
collbran, co
Age: 50
Aug 3, 2010
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Ever heard of swatting?
"It takes caller ID spoofing to a whole new level."
This is somewhat inaccurate. The fact is that the E911 system does NOT use "caller ID." It uses a completely separate and secure system that compares the incoming ESN (caller's phone number) to a secure ANI database that is NOT part of the telephone network (for precisely that reason). Moreover, the ONLY thing that's transmitted to the E911 system from the telephone system is the ESN, not address or name information. The lookup is performed by the E911 system and it makes no reference to the "caller ID" data.
That being said, the "caller ID spoofing" referred too is actually a method of "cloning" the ESN data that identifies an individual phone line or phone, so it does require knowledge of the affected phone number, along with some hacking skills.
This does not mean that the tactic does not occur, it can, and it demonstrates a weakness in the security of the ESN system run by the telephone companies.
So, you are quite right in saying that people should keep their phone numbers as private as possible. It's also a good reason to obtain your phone number in the name of an LLC, so that there are no personal names attached to the account.
Another warning: Democrats are preparing to pass a law that will require anyone obtaining a prepaid cell phone to present identification in order for the phone to be activated, as an "anti-terrorist" regulation, so if you have a need for privacy and need a prepaid anonymous phone, get one soon.
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| 7881. |
Jay
Portland, Oregon
Age: 39
Aug 3, 2010
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In Response to Post #7880 -
George - there's a rather simple, obvious solution that would likely preclude this from happening to a person. Don't have a land line (which ties that phone number to a physical location).
And if you follow JJL's advice in his book concerning your cell phone, I find it hard to believe anyone could spoof the police into breaking down your door using "swatting".
In response to Post #7880:
"Ever heard of swatting?
It takes caller ID spoofing to a whole new level. It's a new trend and it's the perfect reason to keep you home number and address only among those whom you trust with your life."
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