More tax revisions

This morning's review of our taxes had me revising both Form 2555-EZ and Schedule C. ( It is worth doing these careful checks before submission. )

There is an interesting but I think legitimate difference in how I am construing sole proprietor profit and loss from the points of view of the IRS and HMRC that arises ( from exchange rates and the view from different currencies. )

When our personal taxes were simpler ( I would still catch mistakes from professional preparers. )

Why my past immigration and legal work has gone fine is probably that, cognizant of my limitations, where possible I avoid anything that ( feels unnecessary or risky. )

Small tax complaint

I drafted a letter to my Representative about what a waste of time these tax contortions are. Although I appear to need to file twelve forms and schedules this year, my income would have to double before I actually owed any Federal taxes. Between that and financial institutions mostly not wanting to touch American expats with a bargepole, Federal reporting requirements make life overseas needlessly difficult for us.

Academic journal access

I have grumbled about British local libraries: every local library system I have had in the US had a much fuller selection of books than every local library system I have used here even though I am now combining a couple: the Dundee one and the Perth & Kinross one. Back in Ohio I loved when the Columbus Metropolitan Library still had Franklin University's library seem like a branch from which we could reserve books. Though, the difference in access to books is partly a matter of funding: when the local system did not suffice I do not recall paying for inter-library loans in the US but have always had to here.

When I still had an Ohio State University account that was great for online access to academic journals; it even afforded me LexisNexis which helped me to research legal issues. Since then I have been grateful for kind friends who provided me an account on some machine at their institution because that would be another whose institutional subscriptions might get me to a paper I want to read. Unfortunately once I leave the University of Dundee they will close down my account immediately. Still, in contrast to my recent complaining I now report some good news: I finally noticed that the University of Cambridge offer alumni access to a good selection of journals. As I am an alumnus, this is highly appreciated and something useful to which I ongoingly have legitimate access.