THE WELCOME MAT
Did you know that April is Pest Management Month? No fooling! And no, that doesn't mean you get to tell your mother-in-law what you really think of her! Pest problems plague Americans so often and cost us so much, there is a whole month devoted to them. This is actually the 28th consecutive year the President of the United States has set aside April to commend pest control professionals for helping to protect America's health, property and food. Also this month, April showers may bring May flowers… but this time of year is also best known for, you guessed it, the taxman! There are things homeowners can do to get a bigger return or shave some bucks off what you might owe. Listen to our nationally syndicated radio show for more, and read on...



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  1. On the Air - Congratulations to Our Weekly Winner
  2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Homeowner Tax Deductions
  3. Short Cuts - Spring Cleaning
  4. Fun Fact - Pesky Pests
  5. Dot Common Sense - Fluidmaster Tip of the Month
  6. On the Wire - Do You Have a Deductible Home Office?
ON THE AIR
 Congratulations to Steve Langley from Pace, Florida won a Craftsman Straight Shaft Trimmer with Incredi-Pull worth $149.99. This week we're giving away the new 4-gallon Craftsman Clean-N-Carry Portable Wet/Dry Vac worth $69.99. This powerful wet/dry vacuum is highly mobile and weighs only about 12 pounds. It has a large, soft-grip handle for carrying, as well as fixed rear wheels and dual-wheel front casters for easy movement. Its 9-amp motor provides for excellent pickup up of dirt, debris and water. All accessories can be kept in a convenient tote that can be wall mounted, freestanding or stored on the vac. Accessories include a car nozzle, utility nozzle, crevice tool and two 20-in-long extension wands. All you have to do to be eligible for this prize is dial 1-888-MONEY PIT to ask us a home improvement question on the air. You will get expert advice and your name will be automatically tossed into the Money Pit hardhat. We randomly choose one winner each week. So give us a ring, you just might win.

ASK TOM & LESLIE
Answers to your Home Improvement questions:

This week's question comes to us from Mike who listens to The Money Pit on one of our newest stations, WBLJ in Dalton, Georgia. Mike asks, "With tax season upon us, what kinds of deductions can I take as a homeowner? Do home improvements count?"

Great question Mike. There are three basic items you can take as tax deductions that involve your home: points, property taxes and prorated mortgage interest are tax deductible in the year you purchase a home. As far as home improvements, it's a little trickier. If you decide to put new wallpaper up in the bathroom, I'm afraid it's no dice. But if you make a significant improvement that increases the value of your home, you may be able to claim some of the costs involved. The IRS provides lots of great info in Publication 523, Selling Your Home. The list includes additions such as a bedroom, bathroom or deck, plumbing, HVAC system installations or upgrades and even interior improvements like built-in appliances. There are also deductions for a central vacuum system, wiring upgrades and even your satellite dish. A common and often-overlooked improvement is landscaping. Paving your driveway, erecting a fence or even putting in a retaining wall can all add value to your home. Whatever you do, don't forget to document your home improvements! Even if you have no plans to sell, hold onto every Home Depot and contractor receipt you have. A final note of disclaimer, check with your accountant or the official website of the IRS, at www.irs.gov if you have any questions.

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!

  1. The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.MoneyPit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
  2. Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
  3. Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
SHORT CUTS
 Srping Cleaning

If spring cleaning has you reeling - try these tricks to stop messes before they start: Use TWO mats to wipe your feet, a rough one made of Astroturf or other textured mat to get rid of dirt outside and a softer mat just inside the entry. Or better yet, leave shoes at the door. Store your kitchen sponges in a bleach and water solution, or zap in the microwave for a minute to kill germs. You can also sanitize them in the dishwasher. To seal out mold and mildew from bathroom grout, use a penetrating grout sealer with an anti-microbial product. Wipe down walls after each shower for extra protection.

FUN FACT
Pesky Pests

What causes $2.5 billion in damage to homes and businesses each year? It's not tornadoes, hurricanes, mudslides or floods. It's a tiny little pest that can literally eat you out of house and home: the termite. It's spring swarm season right now. To find out what you need to know about getting rid of these bugs with bite, check out the official website of the National Pest Management Association.

DOT COMMON SENSE
Great web sites featured on the radio show.

Although it's crucial to properly clean and disinfect your toilet, the type of cleaning supplies you use needs careful consideration. Using drop-in cleaning tablets containing bleach or chlorine for long periods of time will reduce the life and effectiveness of toilet tank parts and, over time, may even cause catastrophic failure. Instead, use a bleach bowl cleaner that does not come in contact with the tank water. For more toilet troubleshooting help, visit Professor Flush at www.fluidmaster.com.

ON THE WIRE
Do you have a Deductible Home Office?

Whether you are self-employed or an employee, if you use a portion of your home for business purposes, you may be able to take a home office deduction. If you use a separate structure not attached to your home for an exclusive and regular part of your business, you can deduct expenses related to it. Generally, the amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home used for business. Expenses that you can deduct for business use of the home may include the business portion of real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, insurance, depreciation, painting and repairs. You may not deduct expenses for lawn care or those related only to rooms not used for business. For more information, see IRS Publication 587, "Business Use of Your Home." To be on the safe side, you may also want to review new IRS Publication 4035, "Home-Based Business Tax Avoidance Schemes," which describes schemes that claim to offer tax relief but which actually result in illegal tax avoidance. IRS publications and forms are available at the official website of the IRS or by calling the IRS at 1-800-TAX-FORM.

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Copyright 2005 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.