Here we go again! After Taylor Swift returned to social media this week with a cryptic new clip, fans were quick to flood Twitter with their (probably mostly on-point) theories about what it meant. A second clip fueled more speculation. Now, a third post has popped up, and while it doesn’t solve the mystery of what Swift is up to, it does clear up one thing.
The first mini-vid showed what appeared to be the flicking end of a reptilian creature’s tail. Many assumed that the creature in question was a snake, but some thought the spiky scales were more dragon-like than snakelike. The second post showed the beast’s coiled body (more snake than dragon). And now, we have the head. But prepare yourself, because this is no cute and cuddly animal friend.
The clip begins with a shot of the creature curled up in the darkness. But a moment later, a head with glowing red eyes snaps out. And just as many fans suspected, it’s a snake. But not the kind you might keep as a pet. This thing has some serious fangs.
The message is clear: Don’t mess with *this* snake!
As fans (and Instagram trolls) know, Swift has an unpleasant history with the snake emoji. But it looks like she’s ready to shake off her haters and claim the fearless serpent as her own fierce new symbol.
Swifties are certainly thrilled to have their snake theory confirmed and are all about Swift turning the tables on her trolls.
You made that snake marks🐍which were sarcastic and full of hatred feelings turning into your new weapon✨💕ただでは転びまへんな😍love you! U go girl✌🏻❤️ pic.twitter.com/rr7BdKuifl
— Diamond (@eiga_girl) August 23, 2017
Everyone called Taylor Swift 'Snake' after that Kanye episode, now she owned it and gonna release an album. The level of savagery though 😂
— MystiRoz (@MystiRoz) August 23, 2017
🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍🐍#TS6iscoming @taylorswift13 🔥🎶😉
— Austin Swift Daily (@AustinSwiftFan) August 23, 2017
One massive fierce snake! You go Taylor
— Becky looney (@sutter4clay) August 23, 2017
Snake🐍🐍#FanKapışması#DreamTv#TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/EVHIbhy5Ye
— . (@MySirDrew5) August 23, 2017
But some would like to leave actual snakes out of it.
I have a phobia of snakes and almost just threw my phone across the room. Just release a single already 😱
— Rachel Hybarger (@RachelH107) August 23, 2017
I did not ask to be jump scared by @taylorswift13 today… pls just give us answers🐍🐍 https://t.co/gfICSUnhsJ
— Diane B (@dianedancergirl) August 23, 2017
— Jen (@jenleure) August 23, 2017
@taylorswift13 needs to stop with all these snake videos before she gives me a heart attack. pic.twitter.com/whdje6KiJa
— MΛTTHΞW (@DeMattria) August 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/AJGiandhani/status/900370619899957250
Others are willing to switch over to the slithery side if it means Swift’s return to the public eye.
I used to hate snakes, but I'm ALL IN if my queen @taylorswift13 is making them cool.
— Rymansh (@rymansh711) August 23, 2017
Loving the snake but I hate snakes keep up the hard work because u motivate me to do better in life love u @taylorswift13
— Taylor Swift (@lisolethump) August 23, 2017
Taylor swift is coming for blood – and I'm here for it 🐍 #TS6 pic.twitter.com/xKw6P5E3AF
— Nerissa Chetty 🥀 (@nerissa_chetty1) August 23, 2017
Taylor Swift right now. This album is going to be SO GOOD!
🐍🐍🐍@taylorswift13 #TS6ISCOMIMG pic.twitter.com/snNEQH9klI— Trupti Gupta (@gupta_trupti) August 23, 2017
Fans are still hoping that this points to a possible new album, but we’ll just have to wait to see what the “Bad Blood” singer has in store for us next. Will the snake bite? Will it shed its skin? Will it transform into some kind of beautiful (less scary) creature?
What do you think about Taylor Swift’s cryptic snake clips? Let us know @BritandCo!
(Photo via Jason Merritt/Getty)
Welcome to Selfmade Finance School, our new money series with Block Advisors to help small business owners with their tax, bookkeeping, and payroll needs year-round. This week, we explore the tax implications of bringing family members into your business.
The question for today is this: Does hiring your family members make sense for your business? Let me be clear. This is not a piece about whether hiring your family members makes sense for your relationships with those family members. As someone who is part of a family business, I could fill up a lot more than 600 words on my opinions about that. For today's purposes, we focus on whether it makes sense from an overall "good business and tax implication" perspective. As it turns out, there is a decent amount of tax nuance when it comes to employing your family. Let's break it down based on relationship to the employee:
You X Ventures for Unsplash
Spouses Who Are In Business Together
Personally, if I had to be in business with my husband, it would not go well. However, many couples build viable, strong businesses together and I say, good for them! Depending on how you have your business entity structured, it will make a big difference on the tax treatment of you and your spouse working as partners. Because a business jointly owned and operated by a married couple is generally treated as a partnership for Federal tax purposes, the spouses must comply with filing and record keeping requirements imposed on partnerships and their partners. The election to file two Schedule C (Form 1040) forms, (one for each spouse) permits certain married co-owners to avoid filing partnership returns, provided that each spouse separately reports a share of all the businesses' items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit. Under the election, both spouses will be subject to self-employment tax and on net earnings from self-employment and receive credit for Social Security earnings.
One Spouse Employs Another
If you have a dynamic where your spouse is an employee of your business, then your spouse's wages are subject to income tax withholding, Social Security and Medicare taxes. If you are self-employed (not a corporation or a partnership), your spouse's pay does not have to be included in your federal unemployment tax account (FUTA) contributions and payments. However, if your business is a corporation or a partnership you must include that spouse's pay in your unemployment tax contribution calculation.
Kobu Agency for Unsplash
You Employ Your Child
First, let's be clear. I work in my family business, but I am an adult, so I am treated just like a normal employee. However, if you, for example, run a family restaurant and want to hire your children under 18 to work for you, there are some tax benefits. But first, you should check with your state for rules on how many hours minors can work (in non-agricultural jobs) and reference the Fair Labor Standards Act for information on limitations on the kinds of work children can perform.
"This is an often overlooked or under-utilized strategy. Paying your children for true services they provide in your business can be a powerful tax-saving tool," says Cathi Reed, Block Advisors Regional Director. "If you are a sole-proprietorship or single member LLC, and the child is less than 18 years of age, the business is not required to withhold FICA or payroll taxes. The child can use his or her standard deduction against income you pay."
You Hire Your Parent
Oh dear. If you are brave enough to do this, know that you will need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on your parent's wages and make the appropriate withholdings, but you don't have to pay unemployment taxes. Now all you have to do is convince your parent that you are the boss. Have fun with that!
Is Hiring Family Members Worth It For The Tax Benefits?
"There are some positive tax advantages to hiring family members. It's important to treat a family member like any other employee. Hiring your children can result in substantial savings for businesses. Make sure your child has real, age-appropriate work to do and a reasonable pay rate, comparable to other employees. Consult with a Block Advisors small business certified tax pro to ensure that you are complying with all requirements," advises Reed. "Block Advisors, a team within H&R Block, is dedicated to meeting the tax, bookkeeping and payroll needs of small business owners year-round. To start working with the tax experts at Block Advisors, visit blockadvisors.com."
In my opinion, you should not hire a family member solely because of the tax benefits. You should always hire based on whether that person is right for the job and keep in mind how this hire could materially impact your relationship with that person and others in your family. Finally, as I mentioned, make sure you have a tax professional on your team when making these determinations. As you can see, things can get a little tricky!
*All details were sourced from IRS.gov and blockadvisors.com
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect those held by Kestra Investment Services, LLC or Kestra Advisory Services, LLC. This is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual. It is suggested that you consult your financial professional, attorney, or tax advisor with regards to your individual situation. Comments concerning the past performance are not intended to be forward looking and should not be viewed as an indication of future results. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. O'Keeffe Financial Partners and any other entity listed herein is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS Investor Disclosures: https://bit.ly/KF-Disclosures