COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing with Cynthia C (comment #28) and Crystal F (comment #114) please check your email for further instructions!!!
We're nearing the end of tax season and many households (like ours) are preparing for this year's filing by getting rid of old tax papers.
According to the IRS, identity theft is on the rise each year and a reported one in 20 Americans are at risk for becoming a victim.
My husband, Garth (not is real name) and I both have had issues in the past and I can tell you that identity theft is a real P.I.T.A.
I was contacted by the good folks representing Staples regarding their new line of extremely small shredders, called The Minimate, that can sit right on your desktop and thought it would be a great fit for families (like us) with very little space and/or lots of privacy issues.
First, I thought it prudent to share some very important tips from the Internal Revenue Service to help protect your sensitive tax information:
Top Ten Tax Tips From the Internal Revenue Service
1. Start gathering your records: Round up any documents or forms 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 should have arrived by now and you’ll need these to file your tax return.
3. Use Free File: Let Free File do the hard work for you with brand-name tax software or online fillable forms. Everyone can find an option to prepare their tax return and e-file it for free. If you made $58,000 or less, you qualify for free tax software that is 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.
4. Try IRS e-file: After 21 years, IRS e-file has become the safe, easy and most common way to file a tax return. According to the IRS, 70 percent of taxpayers used IRS e-file. Starting in 2011, many tax preparers will be required to use e-file and will explain your filing options to you. This is your chance to give it a try. IRS e-file is approaching 1 billion returns processed safely and securely. If you owe taxes, you have payment options to file immediately and pay by the tax deadline. Best of all, combine e-file with direct deposit and you get your refund in as few as 10 days.
5. Consider other filing options: There are many different 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 an IRS office or volunteer site. Give yourself time to weigh all the different options and find the one that best suits your needs.
6. Consider Direct Deposit: If you elect to have your refund directly deposited into your bank account, you’ll receive it faster than waiting for a paper check.
7. Visit the IRS website again and again: The official IRS website is a great place to find everything you’ll need to file your tax return: forms, publications, tips, answers to frequently asked questions and updates on tax law changes.
8. Remember this number: 17: Check out IRS Publication 17. It’s a comprehensive collection of information for taxpayers highlighting everything you’ll need to know when filing your return.
9. Review! Review! Review! Don’t rush. Be sure to double-check all the Social Security Numbers and math calculations on your return as these are the most common errors made by taxpayers.
10. Don’t panic! If you run into a problem, remember the IRS is here to help. Try www.irs.gov or call toll-free at 800-829-1040.
We had the opportunity to road test the Minimate Cross-Cut Shredder from Staples -- key features are:
- 6-sheet, light-duty, cross-cut, shreds paper, credit cards
- Cross-cut shred size: 5/32" x 1-6/32"
- Runs for 2 minutes before needing 30 minutes off for down time
- 1.5-gallon bin
- Auto reverse jam resistance
- Auto start and stop
- Dimensions: 13.98"H x 7.8"W x 10.75"D
- 65 decibel noise level
- 1-year mfr. limited warranty
UPSIDE: The Minimate Cross-cut Shredder is very portable and sits comfortably on desktops, kitchen counter tops and dining room tables, which makes it perfect for home use or a small office. Also, my in-laws would appreciate the ease of use and convenience of being able to shred obsolete genealogy records.
DOWNSIDE: The size, if you're looking for a high speed, industrial-type shredder, this isn't the one for you. Also, the noise level could be an issue for those of us doing their paperwork, at night, when the kids are asleep, or for college students, with roommates who like to, you know, sleep in, right?
Riiiiight.
So, I thought maybe you would like the chance to see, hear and judge for yourself:
FINAL VERDICT: Honestly, the noise level is tolerable and, in my opinion, at $49.99 (retail) the MiniMate Shredder would make a very practical investment for a small business owner or family raising a future college student...or more...'nuf said!
Want one?
The good folks representing Staples have offered to send two (2) of our online friends a MiniMate Cross-Cut Shredder to keep handy at your house, too.
Because, we roll like that!
OPEN TO RESIDENTS OF U.S. AND CANADA ONLY!
GET IT HERE: To enter, please leave a comment along with a valid email address on this post by 10:00 a.m. (EST) on Friday, March 25th and you're automatically entered to win. Two (2) entries will be picked (via random.org) and announced via email and posted on My Prizey Giveaways Page!
'CAWSE WE LOVE TO SHARE SOME EXTRA CHANCES (but, not required) TO SHARE, TOO:
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Thank you for visiting my shopping blog. Be sure to visit and subscribe to my home blog, ThisFullHouse.com (when you have time, of course!) for more great stories from a New Jersey Mom, blogging about 6 people, living in a 7 room house...'nuf said!
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Disclosure: No payment or other consideration, besides a sample of the product for review purposes, and two (2) to giveaway was received for this blog post, courtesy of the Staples brand.
