Archive for category Know-How

Self Employment Tax Reduction Continues for 2012 Earnings

The 2010 Tax Relief Act, which reduced the self-employment tax by 2 percent for notaries who own a sole proprietorship or signing agent business (and other self-employed individuals) continues on 2012 income.

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How to Recognize an Affidavit

Affidavits are one of the most common acts performed by notaries. Yet, oftentimes it is difficult to distinguish between different variations of affidavit forms. Read the rest of this entry »

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A Handy Checklist for Notarizing

As a new notary, you may get flustered when a customer approaches you about notarizing a document. It takes practice to remember what to ask, what to check, what to record and what to charge. To keep yourself on track to a smooth notarization, follow these guidelines. Read the rest of this entry »

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When It Comes to Redacting Should You?

To redact or not to redact, that is the question.

Redacting is quite simply the process of hiding information in a document. A redacted document, such as a notarial register, has had personal information deleted or blacked out for privacy or security reasons.   Read the rest of this entry »

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Understanding Self-Employment Tax

As an independent contractor or sole proprietor of a notary or signing agent business, it’s important to understand self-employment (SE) tax. Read the rest of this entry »

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Stolen Seal a Prize for Any Thief

An unlocked vehicle sitting in a driveway or parking lot is a tempting prize for a thief. Read the rest of this entry »

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Spotting a Forgery

It’s been eight years since the federal government cracked down on Web sites that offered templates for fake drivers’ licenses.

Yet the problem with forged drivers’ licenses continues and is especially problematic for notaries. Read the rest of this entry »

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Notaries Are Not Collection Agents

It’s not a notary’s responsibility to act as a collection agent of unpaid or overdue bills for a company or business entity. So placing your notarial seal on a final notice doesn’t give the document any legal authority. Read the rest of this entry »

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Screening Document Signers: A Notarial Dilemma

Notaries provide assurance to the receiver of a notarized document that the signer personally appeared, was properly identified, took an oath or gave an affirmation and signed in the presence of the notary.

The notary’s testimony to these facts, in the form of the notary’s signature and stamp, authenticates the document and helps prevent fraud. Read the rest of this entry »

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Notary, Witness or Both?

“Can I act as both the notary and the witness?” is a question that many notaries ask PAN’s Customer Service Representatives.

Notarizing one’s own signature is prohibited, yet on some forms you can act as both the notary and the witness. How so? Read the rest of this entry »

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