Homestead mailing list

[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> How do you advise doing this?

Legally. That means living simply, so that the amount of income needed to 
sustain the lifestyle is not subject to taxes after all legal deductions. 
This is easiest if one is self-employed and can deduct as business expense 
a portion of a vehicle and all attendant fuel, maintenance, insurance 
costs. If the vehicle is owned it may be depreciated. If it is leased, then 
a high percentage of the lease cost is deductible. As a writer I deduct all 
book purchases, magazine subscriptions, and office expense, including 
computers and printers. After deducting mortgage insurance and personal 
exemptions one can reduce taxable income to a very low amount. Better is to 
not have a mortgage and therefore be able to live well on a lesser income.

I've not done my own tax return for quite a long time. I just checked the 
2004 tax tables and it looks like everyone pays some tax, about ten 
percent, even with low income. Sigh. It's times like this that I feel old.

> And what is your definition of who is a homesteader?

One who strives for sustenance by personal labor on land.