The Smith Group

What does the Stimulus mean to me?

noreply@blogger.com (Smith Group) — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 23:18:00 +0000

You've probably heard by now that last Friday the Senate approved the AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009--also known as Stimulus Bill H.R. 1, or more commonly "the Stimulus".

But what does this mean to us, the consumers? Does this really make it better to buy a car now? Or are we being roped into dipping into our own pockets to bailout the auto-industry?

Actually, it comes as a much needed relief to most of us. If you're like most people, no matter how tight your budget gets, you still have to have transportation. How are we supposed to get to work without a vehicle? We live in a semi-rural area without the sophisticated public transportation systems found in bigger cities. Put simply, if you want to go somewhere--you need a vehicle, or else you need to be friends with someone who has one. Most of the automakers are offering huge rebates and incentives already, in effort to encourage people to buy...now with the Stimulus Bill in effect, the cost of new car ownership might never be lower.

The actual bill is very hard to find on the internet, so how do we even know what exactly we are getting out of it? Here is a synopsis of the bill, courtesy of NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) NADA

February 17, 2009
*** UPDATE: INCENTIVE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 17 ***

CONSUMER AUTO INCENTIVE INCLUDED IN FINAL STIMULUS BILL (H.R. 1)
“AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009”

Today, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. On February 13, the House approved the bill by a vote of 246-183 and the Senate passed the package by a vote of 60-38.

What Taxes are Deductible? 1
• State Motor Vehicle Sales
• Local Motor Vehicle Sales
• Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes

What Customers Qualify for the Deduction?
• Individual customers with modified adjusted gross income of less than $125,000 or joint-filers making less than $250,000 a year in 2009 would qualify for the deduction.
• Deductible as an “above the line” (for itemizers and non-itemizers) deduction on federal tax return.

Effective Date
• New vehicle purchases shall apply to purchases on or after the date of enactment (February 17, 2009) until December 31, 2009.

What New Vehicles Qualify for the Deduction?
• Any new vehicle under 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight.
• New vehicles of any model year – when the original use commences with the taxpayer.
• Any vehicle sold for under $49,500 qualifies for the full deduction. Consumers may deduct sales taxes on the first $49,500 of any vehicle sold above this price.

THIS IS A GENERALIZED SUMMARY. Tax savings will depend on one’s individual tax rate. For more specific information on eligible customers, taxes and applicability, dealers are encouraged to consult with an accountant or tax professional.

1 “For purposes of this section, the term ‘qualified motor vehicle taxes’ means any state or local sales or excise tax imposed on the purchase of a qualified motor vehicle.”

February 18, 2009

President Obama Signs Auto Tax Deductions into Law
Yesterday, President Barack Obama signed into law
the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The new law contains a provision designed to entice
auto consumers back into vehicle showrooms. This
provision applies to eligible purchases between
February 17, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Qualifying
consumers may now deduct:
• State motor vehicle sales taxes
• Local motor vehicle sales taxes
• Motor vehicle excise taxes
Consumer Qualifications:
• Individual taxpayers whose adjusted gross income
is less than $125,000 per year
• Joint-filers whose combined adjusted gross income
is less than $250,000 per year
• Itemizers and non-itemizers who may deduct taxes
"above-the-line" on their federal tax returns
Eligible Vehicles:
• All new model year vehicles currently on dealers'
lots that have no prior purchase history
• New passenger cars and light trucks retailing up
to $49,500 may collect full tax deductions. For
all vehicles above this price, consumers may
deduct sales taxes on the first $49,500
• The vehicle must weigh less than 8,500 pounds
total

New car buyers. Purchasers of new cars and trucks will be allowed to deduct sales or excise taxes. This is an above-the-line deduction, so you don't have to itemize to claim it.

The deduction is limited to sales tax on purchases of up to $49,500. The deduction phases out for single taxpayers with adjusted gross income of more than $125,000, and married taxpayers whose AGI exceeds $250,000.

The amount you save will depend on your state sales tax rate and the price of your car or truck. If your state imposes a 4% sales tax and your car costs $40,000, the deduction will reduce your adjusted gross income by $1,600, says tax publisher CCH.

The deduction is limited to car and truck purchases made between the date the bill becomes law and Dec. 31, says Tom Ochsenschlager, vice president of taxation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Congress "is trying to get people to buy cars right away," he says.

The bill also expands a tax break for people who take public transit to work. The bill allows employees to set aside up to $230 a month in pretax dollars to cover the cost of a bus, train or van pool, up from $120. Employees were already allowed to set aside up to $230 a month for parking. If the employer subsidizes public transportation, employees can receive up to $230 a month without paying taxes on the benefit.

Of course, the actual amount of your deduction depends on your tax bracket, so consult with a tax professional for more details.

If you are looking for a new car, truck, or SUV, call or come in to any of the Smith Group locations today!

"It's beginning to look a lot like...WINTER!"

noreply@blogger.com (Smith Group) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:43:00 +0000

“Your local weather forecast—snow today accompanied by cold temperatures, same tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day….”

Let’s face it, winter is upon us and it isn’t going to get much better for quite a while.

Winter isn’t always so bad, images of children building snowmen, skiers gliding over fresh powder, and romantic evenings snuggled up in front of the fireplace watching fluffy flakes float down from the sky, fill your head and make you smile.

But THIS IS IDAHO! And eventually you remember that all that snow also means shoveling driveways, sharing flu viruses, and most difficult of all—getting from Point A to Point B in one piece without taking out a light pole or a row of mailboxes.

Winter can be rough on your car--especially when you live in an area where winter can last over half of the year. You need to be able to outsmart the weather. There are several things you can do to keep your vehicle and your most precious cargo traveling safely this winter. Here is a list to get you started.

You can do most of these things yourself…but if you are unsure, contact your local service center to schedule an appointment TODAY!

1. Don't put off a 30,000-mile full service, if your car is due.

2. Flush the cooling system and replace the coolant.

3. Replace the windshield wiper blades. Put windshield washer fluid in the windshield washer reservoir (plain water will freeze).

4. Have the battery serviced (clean the battery terminal ends and add water) and load-tested to check its ability to hold a charge. If the battery is more than 4 1/2 years old, replace it.

5. Use a tire gauge to check the tire pressure. Air contracts with cold, and the tires may become low as the temperature drops.

6. Make sure there is air in the spare tire and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the trunk.

7. Make sure the tires are in good condition. If you are not sure what this means, ask a mechanic (in a shop that doesn't sell tires) for an opinion.

8. Check the lights, heater and defroster.

9. Keep the gas tank as full as possible to prevent moisture from freezing in the gas lines.
10. Get a brake check if you haven't had one in the last six months.

11. Put together an emergency winter kit for the trunk of your car: blanket, extra boots and gloves, ice scraper, small snow shovel, extra antifreeze, large bottles of water, flashlight and kitty litter (for traction when stuck in the snow). If you have children it is also a good idea to keep some snacks like peanuts, beef jerky, protein bars or other non-perishable items handy in case you are stuck in your car for a long period of time.

If you do come across slick and icy roads—DON’T PANIC! Stay calm and take your time. It’s better to be 5 minutes late than not to arrive at all.

When driving in icy conditions remember:

1. Make sure all passengers are wearing seat belts.

2. Use the defroster and windshield wipers for better visibility.

3. Brake, change speeds and turn slowly.

4. Give sufficient warning time to other drivers when turning, stopping or changing lanes.

5. Keep plenty of distance between you and other cars. You never know when you will hit an icy spot or what the car in front of you or next to you is going to do.

6. Pump the brakes slowly and gently if your car doesn't have antilock brakes. Constant pressure can cause them to lock and skid.

7. If you do skid, turn the wheels into the direction of the skid.

8. Keep in mind that melting ice is still slippery. Drive slowly so that your tires can push water through their grooves for better traction.

9. If you go off the road, hold your wheel steady and try to stay in control. Make sure everyone is okay…use your cell phone to call for help, flash your hazard lights and light flares if you have any…most importantly, STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE UNTIL HELP ARRIVES!

If you need help getting your car ready for winter call the Smith Group for an appointment TODAY! (208) 522-9800

If you have any questions about the tips listed here or have additional suggestions you would like to add, please contact me! You can contact me at http://www.smithdeals.com/contact_us.php or send an email to: jlewis@smithgroup.us.

Happy and Safe Driving!!

Happy Holidays from the Smith Group!

noreply@blogger.com (Smith Group) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:47:00 +0000

As 2008 comes to a close, the folks at the Smith Group would like to take a moment to say "Thank You" to all of our customers for another great year of business and their continued support.

Looking back, this year brought about much change--a new president was elected, we survived the financial bleeding at the gas pumps, and watched controversy unfold at the Olympic games.

But here at home, our mission stays the same, to continue to provide great service for our customers and constantly exceed their expectations. We consider our customers our friends and after 90 years we still do business the same way we always have. With honesty, integrity, and friendliness.

As we look forward to 2009, we will continue to provide the best service we can, be involved in our community, and cultivate our relationships with our customers, who we feel so fortunate to call our friends and neighbors in our little town of Idaho Falls.

Once again, all of us at the Smith Group just want to say "Thank You East Idaho!" for a great 2008. We wish all of you a safe, happy, and prosperous 2009!

Stafford Smith--Owner
Woody Smith--Owner
Rex Allred--General Manager
Milt Whitesides--V.P. of Operations
Jim Bringman--Director of Fixed Operations
All the staff at the Smith Group--Smith Chevrolet, Smith Honda, Smith Hyundai, Woody's, Team Automotive Blackfoot, and Team Automotive Pocatello.

Local RV Dealer Ready to do its part during financial crunch (Press Release)

noreply@blogger.com (Smith Group) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:07:00 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Idaho Falls, ID) As families across the country continue to tighten their belts during another month of economic setbacks, one local RV dealer is stepping up to the plate to help out. Smith RV, a division of the Smith Group of Idaho Falls, has selected a portion of its inventory and lowered the prices to below their own cost. RV’s are usually considered to be “luxury” purchases, and right now those are the areas people feel like they can’t splurge.

“We know people are having to cut back and we understand what they are going through” says Vice President of Operations, Milt Whitesides. “We’ve had to make cutbacks too, and its never easy. The economy is difficult right now, but we know things are going to get better”, says Whitesides.

The executives at Smith RV decided that with winter coming, it was more sensible to cut prices on their motor home inventory to allow people here in Eastern Idaho to purchase them at tremendous discounts, rather than shipping them to auctions in “snowbird” locations such as Phoenix or Las Vegas, where RVing is popular year-round. The discounts are intended to make RV ownership possible for people who might not otherwise be able to buy an RV, and also to keep Idaho dollars here in Eastern Idaho where they can help to boost our local economy.

“We are so fortunate to live in an area where we have so many low-cost activities at our doorstep such as skiing, snowmobiling, and hunting. Traveling in an RV is an affordable and fun way to enjoy your favorite activities.” says Brandy Dunn, General Manager of Smith RV.

The Smith Group is a family owned and operated group of dealerships in Eastern Idaho that has been in business since 1919. Smith RV is located at 1523 N. 25th E. in Idaho Falls. For more information, contact Ms. Dunn at (208) 535-2500.

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Minivan? SUV? Crossover? Deciphering the New Generation of Automobiles

noreply@blogger.com (Smith Group) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:40:00 +0000

It doesn’t seem like all that long ago that when it came to automobile purchases, your choices were simple—car or truck. Nowadays, the choices seem to be endless, and it can be a bit overwhelming. With all the new choices available to the average family—minivan, SUV, and the latest craze, the “crossover vehicle” how do you know which one is the right one for you?

Minivans

Minivans are not a new concept. Introduced in the 80’s, minivans gained tremendous popularity in the early to mid-90’s as a solution to a growing family’s diverse needs. Offering more seating capacity, more cargo space, easy drivability and accessibility, the minivan quickly became the standard for families on the go. Todays minivans offer things like swinging or sliding doors on both sides and rear seats that fold down into the floor. Now the symbol of “soccer-moms” and even “hockey-moms” everywhere, minivans are still one of the best choices for today’s families.

My Pick: The best-selling minivan continues to be the Honda Odyssey, and with good reason. Honda continues to hold its position at the front of the pack by offering features such as the best fuel economy of any minivan, “Front Side Airbags with Passenger-Side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)” and rearview cameras (perfect for those of us who were not born with the gift of backing up!). Plus, in keeping up with today’s technology, the Honda Odyssey has features like built-in MP3 jacks, built in DVD entertainment systems and Bluetooth Hands-Free link. Honda has always been known for its high resale value, and starting in the mid 20’s, the Odyssey doesn’t seem likely to be losing momentum anytime soon.

SUVs

If something a bit more “beefy” is what you’re after, then a Sport Utility Vehicle, or SUV, is probably right up your alley. Originally created as descendants of military off-road vehicles, SUVs are designed to combine the towing capacity of a full-size truck with the passenger and storage capacity of a minivan. Most are 4WD, with off-road capabilities. However, as the needs of today's car buyers have changed, so has the SUV. Many manufacturers now focus on fuel-efficiency and driving and riding comfort, rather than towing capacity.

With fuel prices of over $4.00 still fresh in our minds, though prices as of this date have returned to a comfortable $2.67, SUV manufacturers are still having to stay ever-mindful of fuel economy when making design changes to their vehicles to keep them competitive in today’s market.

My Pick: Chevy Suburban. Chevrolet has proven that there is reason why their Suburban is still considered the “big-boy on the block” when it comes to SUVs. It has a ton of storage space, the best ride compared to any other that we test drove, and you can still expect a respectable 19-20 MPG on the highway. Contrary to its large size, the suburban is surprisingly easy to handle. Plus with split seats in the second and third rows, it doesn't matter whether your kids come with carseats or laptops, there's plenty of room for everyone and their "stuff".

Crossovers

One of the newest additions to the “family fun wagon” category is the Crossover Utility Vehicle, sometimes just called Crossovers or CUVs. Crossovers may just be the perfect amalgam of all other the other choices. Crossover vehicles tend to have the seating capacity of a minivan, the storage space of an SUV and the handling and driving comfort of a sedan. Some even offer towing capabilities. Visibly the sleekest and most stylish of all family cars, crossovers are gaining popularity across the board.

My pick: The Hyundai Veracruz has the highest safety rating of any crossover in its class. But don’t let the safety features fool you, this baby handles like a dream, has plenty of ‘giddy-up and go’ and best of all…its fun to drive. It has seating for 7, and a super sleek body with all the interior luxury of a Lexus…without the hefty price-tag. Plus, being a girl on a budget, I like the fact that Hyundai continues to have the best warranty in the business and gets an unbelievable 23 miles per gallon (highway).

If you want more information on any of the cars mentioned here, you can contact me at (208) 569-4112. Or stop by and take a test drive at the Smith Group, 1255 N. Holmes Ave., Idaho Falls, ID. (208) 522-9800.

References:

Wisegeek.com, Wikipedia.org, Hyundai USA, Chevrolet, Honda Intereactive

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (Smith Group) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:22:00 +0000

The leaves are changing, the air feels a bit more crisp...you know what time it is? Time to schedule your mammogram.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Did you know that THIS YEAR over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer? And its not just our mothers or grandmothers anymore...more and more younger women (as young as 19!) are being diagnosed than ever. In fact one out of eight women in this country will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One out of eight!

The good news is that October is a chance to remind us that there is hope. Today more than 7 out of 10 women with breast cancer are surviving--30 years ago that number was around 4 or 5. Thanks to organizations like the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, over $100 million dollars will be donated this year to programs dedicated to research and new treatments in an effort to fast track a cure for patients who can't wait.

Want to know what you can do?

If you or your sister, mother, or best-friend is a woman over 40 schedule a mammogram right now if you haven't gotten one this year--or remind her to.

Don't forget to perform your monthly self-exam and tell your doctor if you notice anything different
Make a promise to yourself to start living healthier. If you smoke, quit. If you don't currently excercise, now is the time to start. Include lots of dark green vegetables in your diet and cut-out the junk
MEN Did you know that nearly 2000 of you will get breast cancer this year? Breast cancer does not discriminate. Tell your doctor if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

When you see those cutesy little pink ribbons or labels on items in the store--if its something you would buy anyway, buy the pink one. Proceeds from those items helped doctors develop the latest treatments--such as Tamoxifen which may help prevent breast cancer in certain women at high risk.

The Smith Group is a family owned and operated company who cares about YOUR family and your health. October is the time to celebrate those who have survived, and to remember how precious the women in our lives are.

Introducing Smith Deals Blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Smith Group) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:32:00 +0000

Welcome to the new Smith Group site! We've recently updated our websites, added more content, and new features like this blog you're reading right now! Now its easier than ever to shop for a new or used car online. You can view all of our locations, browse to see what's new, schedule an appointment for service, even order parts right off of this website! You'll find lots of other cool tools too...like maps to each of our Smith Group locations, information about our company, and our contact information. Our blog is updated weekly, and our inventory is updated daily, so check back often to see what's new at the Smith Group! Take a look for yourself: http://www.smith-deals.com/.

The Smith Group is located at 1255 N. Holmes in Idaho Falls, ID.