Mediaboss Marketing

First came Canon, then Fuji, and now Panasonic has released (or in this case, updated) a piece of free software that lets you use your professional camera as a webcam, even if you dont own a capture card like the Elgato Camlink.

The software is called Lumix Tether for Streaming, and its a Beta update to the regular Lumix Tether software thats used by Panasonic shooters for (you guessed it) tethering to a computer while shooting stills. Once installed, the Windows-only Beta adds a display option that will let you turn off all of the distracting overlays like the focus box and other settings, so that you can output a clean video feed over USB.

You can see how it works in the video below by Richard Wong:

Unlike the software released by Canon and Fuji, this is being marketed as a feature for live streaming, not conference calls, so you will still need some sort of broadcasting software like OBS to pull the feed and send it along to other applications if you want to use it for video conferencing. The camera wont automatically be detected as a webcam in apps like Zoom.

As of right now, supported cameras include: the GH5, G9, GH5S, S1, S1R, and S1H. Future support for other camera models and MacOS compatibility is not mentioned in the Panasonic announcement.

To learn more or (if youre a Windows user) download and try the feature for yourself, head over to the Panasonic website or dive into the details of what Lumix Teather for Streaming can and cant do in this Lumix Experience article.

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Panasonic Releases Free Software that Lets You Use Your Camera as a Webcam - PetaPixel

Filing taxes can be a gruelling and time-consuming task and if you dont get your figures right, it can cause you plenty of headache in the long run. Thankfully, technology, on its never-ending quest to make our lives easier, has concocted some pretty handy solutions for your tax-filing troubles, making completing your tax returns easier and quicker.

Some of these tax software products can do some core filing for a basic fee, while others charge more as they take care of additional tax areas, like real estate or investments. Regardless, here are some of the best tools to make managing your tax returns as painless as possible.

Flexible collection of options

User-friendly and stylish interface

Very flexible

Plenty of features

Advanced options can get expensive

H&R Block provides various packages, according to your specific tax-filing requirements. You can choose whether you want to do your taxes online or get help from a professional to take some of the load off your back. You can further define the exact amount of work you want to have done by the professional or by yourself.

If you feel confident doing your taxes completely by yourself, then the Online collection of packages is the right for you. It allows you to get the work done securely from your desktop or mobile device. If you have a W-2, have kids and education costs, then you qualify for the Free Online option, at a federal cost of $0 plus $0 per state. Youll get snap-a-pic W-2 importing options, access to help centre and tech support via chat.

The Deluxe Online package is designed for maximising credits and deductions, plus HSA contributions and will cost you $49.99, plus $44.99 per state filed. It includes free features plus six years access to tax returns, DeductionPro to optimise donations, as well as tech support via chat or phone.

Premium Online costs $69.99 plus $44.99 per state filed and is intended for freelancers, contractors, and investors. It includes the deluxe features plus importing expenses from popular expense-tracking apps, as well as cost basis calculation.

Self-employed and small businesses should go for the aptly named Self-Employed Online plan, at the price of $104.99 plus $44.99 per state filed, as it will get them premium features plus importing Uber driver tax information. All of the Online plans allow you to start for free.

Online Assist is for those who need assistance from a professional in their tax management. Basically, all of the packages take the plans from the Online collection and equip them with unlimited expert help. The first is Basic Online Assist costing $49.99 plus $39.99 per state filed. It combines the Free Online package with unlimited expert help.

It is followed by Deluxe Online Assist at $99.99 plus $49.99 per state filed, Premium Online Assist at $139.99 plus $49.99 per state filed, and Self-Employed Online Assist at $169.99 plus $49.99 per state filed.

The offer doesnt end there, not by a long shot. With H&R Block, you can also get your hands on tax returns delivery service and virtual filing. Specifically, the Drop-Off service offers various options for tax delivery, all starting at $69 plus an additional fee per state.

Tax Pro Go, on the other hand, allows you to have a professional do your taxes without even visiting an office - just upload your tax documents and the companys expert team will get all the work done for you. Different packages are available, such as Simple for W-2 income or social security income only, at $49 plus $45 per state filed, Student/Retired at $129 plus $45 per state filed, Family/Investor at $199 plus $45 per state filed, and Business Owner at $249 plus $45 per state filed.

With the In Office option, you can also choose to make an appointment with a tax pro and work together on your tax returns, starting at $69 plus an additional fee per state.

H&R Block also allows you to download its software under several pricing options - Basic Tax Software at $29.95, Deluxe + State Tax Software at $54.95, Premium Tax Software at $74.95, and Premium & Business Tax Software at $89.95, all with potential additional fees.

Veteran in the tax management business

Experienced provider with lots of features

Federal tax can be calculated for free

Can store your documents for later use

State tax returns may be slightly pricey

TurboTax is a well-known player in the tax returns field, with a successful career that dates back to the mid-1980s when it was established by the software company Chipsoft (now Intuit Consumer Tax Group).

It offers its services under quite a few pricing options, starting with the free tier for simpler tax returns, both federal and state. This offer covers W-2 income, Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), and child tax credits.

The most popular is the Deluxe package at $59 federal plus $49 per state filed that covers all W-2 and 1099-MISC income, mortgage and property tax deductions, charitable donations, student loan interest and education expenses, health savings account contributions, and retirement savings contributions.

It is followed by the Premier tier at $89 plus $49 state and is ideal for investments and rental property. The features include auto-importing of your investment info and tax data, scanning your return to check if everythings in order, and on-demand help from a TurboTax specialist.

The Self-Employed, at $119 plus $49 per state covers personal and business income and expenses and adds guidance for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners, industry-specific deductions, audit assessments, and the QuickBooks Self-Employed bookkeeping package.

The vendor also throws in the ItsDeductible option to help you calculate donations deductibles. On top of that, you can store your documents online if you need them for later, like in case of an audit.

Manage your taxes for free

Free software

Easy to use

Good mobile apps

There can be hidden costs

Like its name says, FreeTaxUSA is a free tax software that takes care of all your federal tax returns, including a full 1040, or even more complex options like an Earned Income Credit or K-1. However, adding a state tax return will cost you $14.95.

For those not really savvy with bookkeeping, theres also a Deluxe package where you can find features like Priority Support and Audit Assist, and the capability to manage amended returns. It will only cost you an additional but very reasonable $6.99.

FreeTaxUSA will take care of a wide array of areas, including self-employed income, government payments, retirement, debt cancellation, home sale, payment processing, social security, stocks and interests, as well as tuition program distributions.

Plenty of pricing options

Simple and intuitive interface

Decent app

High state tax filing prices

TaxAct is a simple and affordable tax solution that takes away the unnecessary hassle from the process of filing your taxes. If you have a W-2 income, dependents, college expenses, or retirement income to declare, you qualify for the free tier, even for the state taxes.

As for the paid packages, the cheapest is Deluxe+ at $54.95 plus $54.95 per state filed, covering homeowners plus people with credits, adjustments, and deductions. It takes everything from the free tier and expands it with additional options, like itemised deductions, mortgage interest, real estate taxes, student loan interest, HSA, adoption credits, as well as tax specialist phone support.

Premier+ costs $79.95 plus $54.95 per state filed and will get you everything from Deluxe+ plus stocks, gains, and losses, sales of home or other investments, royalty and Schedule K-1 income, investment income expenses, rental property income, foreign bank and financial accounts, and prioritised support with screen sharing.

Finally, at $109.95 plus $54.95 per state filed, Self Employed+ throws in freelance income, business and farm income, personalised business deductions, depreciation calculation, and year-round planning resources.

There are also bundle deals, combining individual and business options at $200, as well as downloadable editions of Basic ($26.95), Deluxe ($96.90), Premier ($101.90), and Self-Employed ($124.90) packages.

Reliable expert at low-cost tax returns

Very reasonably priced

Extensive support for all tiers

Lots of pricing options

Can be overwhelming for beginners

TaxSlayer is available under more affordable prices while offering a decent range of packages suitable for various requirements. They start with the Simply Free tier which allows you to file simple taxes, no charge, ideal for people who are single, married and filing a joint return, or a student.

The most affordable paid option is the Classic package which covers all tax situations and costs $17 plus $29 per state filed. It is followed by Premium at $37 plus $29 per state which allows you to quickly prepare and e-file, as well as getting the IRS audit assistance and priority support.

If youre in need of 1099 and Schedule C support, tax tips and resources, or a deduction finder, and youre willing to pay $47 plus $29 per state filed, then Self-Employed is for you.

Should you get stuck on which package to choose from, you can take advantage of the providers online guide to help you out.

Expert assistance for all your tax requirements

Real-person assistance

Hassle-free

Maximum refund guarantee

Can be expensive in some areas

Jackson Hewitt Online offers its services under an extensive range of solutions, depending on your tax situation complexity. For instance, the free option is excellent for simple tax returns, such as those for single and married people filing jointly up to $100,000 of taxable income. The software covers the standard deduction and W-2 income or unemployment, earned income tax credits, as long as there are no children involved.

If you do have children and other dependents, as well as in need of coverage for student loans, educator expenses, schedule EITC and child tax credit, dependent care expenses, or retirement income, then the Deluxe option is the one for you, at $29.99 plus $36.99 per state.

Finally, the Premier package at $49.99 plus $36.99 per state is designed for the self-employed taxpayers, those with incomes over $100,000, folks with rental property, and includes itemised deductions, as well as other deductions, credits, and income.

The platform is simple enough to master and the company guarantees maximum refund and claims it will cover the difference if any other service does the job better.

Simple tax filing, free of charge

Entirely free

Simple and intuitive interface

Integrated support

Requires Credit Karma account

Credit Karma was founded in 2007 as a multinational personal finance company whose services include providing free credit scores, and which has recently started offering a free tax filing service called Credit Karma Tax.

Before you can start using it, this service requires you to register for a Credit Karma account. Once you get it done, youll notice that it sports an intuitive and minimalistic interface that is easy enough to get around in, even for a beginner.

That said, if your tax situation is more complex, you might want to look elsewhere as the free service doesnt support some forms and is rather simplistic. It does, however, feature solid customer support and help along your tax filing journey.

Read the original here:
Best tax software of 2020 - ITProPortal

CNET

As if there wasn't already enough going on, it's almost tax time again. In an effort to provide relief to Americans grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic fallout, in Marchthe IRS extended the standard April 15 tax deadline to July 15, 2020. That revised due date is one month from today.

Of course, if you already filed and paid your taxes for 2019, you don't need to take any additional action. But if you haven't yet filed, it's high time to start prepping. According to the IRS, estimated taxes must be paid by July 15 to avoid penalties and interest -- but you have until Oct. 15 to actually file your tax return. More on that below.

Read more: Coronavirus and Tax Day: Deadline extended, but you can file now for a refund

For tax year 2019, the IRS has tweakedindividual income tax brackets, adjusting them for inflation. And there are new regulations involving the standard deduction, 401(k) plans and health savings accounts that may impact how you prepare your taxes. The major changes include:

Last year, the IRS was closed due to a government shutdown. This year, many government agencies have closed their doors or are working at severely reduced capacity. Many taxpayers will need to rely on online resources to help them navigate the filing process. The IRS publisheda 12-page PDF covering the major changes that took effect last year, and there are answers to many questions onthe IRS website.

Now playing: Watch this: How to file a tax extension during the COVID-19 pandemic

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There are also plenty of companies that would love to help you prepare your taxes, for a fee of course. (Depending on your annual income, you may be eligible for free preparation support resources, though they're harder to find than they should be.) CNET's Personal Finance crew has prepared a wealth of tax resources to help you, including a series of articles covering the 2020 tax season from every angle:

Below, we present answers to common questions about when to pay, how to pay, who to pay, where to send your payment and, if you happen to be so fortunate, when to expect your refund.

For most people in the US, taxes for calendar year 2019 are officially due on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. That noted, the IRS usually allows taxpayers to file for an extension. This year, according to the instructions on Form 4868 ("Application for Automatic Extension of Time To File US Individual Income Tax Return"), taxpayers can apply for an extra six months to file, making Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020 the due date.

The failure-to-file penalty is $300 in 2020. (TheTaxpayer First Act of 2019will increase this penaltyto $330 in 2021). To avoid paying it, you should plan to e-file or postmark your individual tax return by midnight on July 15 -- at the latest. Among the many advantages of filing early, preventing someone else from filing fraudulently on your behalf is reason enough to get your taxes done as soon as possible.

CNET has rounded up the best tax software for 2020 featuring vendors such as TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxSlayer. These companies can make the tax filing process -- from reporting your taxable income or self-employed income, setting up direct deposit and going through your itemized deductions -- much easier.

Read more: The best tax software for 2020

That noted, the IRS provides a list of free online tax prep softwareoffered by many of those same providers. The only catch: it's free only if you qualify to use a1040ez form. That means your tax situation needs to be relatively simple. You can use it if you make less than $100,000 annually, you don't itemize deductions and you don't own a business.

A number of online tax software providers will help you file for free.

Of course, if you want to itemize deductions or have a more complex financial situation -- you run a business, have investments or generate rental income -- you'll have to pay for a higher tier of service, which can run a couple hundred of dollars. Still, for most people, even the most deluxe online package is far less expensive than hiring an authorized tax pro. And if you prefer to keep it old-school, the IRS's online tax forms handle some but not all of the calculations for you and still allow you to e-file or print and mail.

Read:TurboTax is making you hunt for its free tax filing service, says ProPublica

This year, most states have extended their tax return deadlines to July 15, 2020. And a couple of states have pushed them out even further; Hawaii's state tax deadline is July 20 and Iowa's is July 31. Missouri's state tax deadline was May 15.

Many states have their own online tax platforms, which are usually free to use. TurboTax, H&R Block and other online tax tools can also help you file your state return and can import most of the information from a federal return they've already prepared, though they usually charge a fee. Check out CNET's comparison of tax software and services to see which is best for you.

How quickly you can expect to see your refund depends on how you file, when you file and which payment method you choose. Filing online and filing earlier usually results in faster processing. In a normal year, the typical turnaround ranges from one to three weeks but given the extreme abnormality of 2020, all bets are off.

Selecting direct deposit as the payment method so the IRS will deposit your refund directly into your bank account usually makes for the fastest turnaround. An e-Collect direct deposit, where your tax preparer's fee is deducted from your refund, may add a few more days to your wait. A paper check may take several weeks to arrive.

If you file online, there's nothing to print out or mail but we recommend you save an electronic copy. Otherwise, you'll need to mail your return to the IRS. The specific mailing address depends on which tax form you use and which state you live in. The IRS has published the complete list here.

It's vital that you send your return to the right IRS office. Getting it wrong can have dire consequences and may result in a penalty or fine.

If you're mailing your tax payment, you can elect to have the funds withdrawn directly from your bank account or include a personal check or money order. If you choose the latter, make it payable to "US Treasury" and include your name, address, phone number, social security number or ITIN (Individual Tax ID Number). Under no circumstances should you mail cash to the IRS.

The IRS website featuresa handy web-based tool that lets you check the status of your refund, and there's also a mobile app, IRS2Go. You can usually access your refund status about 24 hours after e-filing or four weeks after mailing in a return. To check your status, you'll need to provide your social security number or ITIN, filing status and the exact amount of your refund. If your status is "received," the IRS has your return and is processing it. "Approved" means that your refund is on its way.

There arenumerous ways to contact the IRS. The agency seems to have suspended its live chat for the time being, but you can still submit questions through its online form. If you prefer to talk to a person, the IRS maintains a number of dedicated phone lines that are open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time). Individuals can call 800-829-1040 and businesses can call 800-829-4933.

And there's always theInteractive Tax Assistant-- an online tool that provides answers to a number of tax law questions. It can determine if a type of income is taxable, if you're eligible to claim certain credits and whether you can deduct expenses on your tax return. It also provides answers for general questions, such as determining your filing status, whether you can claim dependents, if you even have to file a tax return, etc.

There are plenty of online applications and services, and you can check out CNET's comparison of them.

The IRS usually offers free tax prep help through a number of programs. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistanceprogram, for example, typically helps people who make less than $54,000, have disabilities or have limited facility with English. And the Tax Counseling for the Elderlyprogram specializes in tax issues that impact people who are 60 or older. Due to COVID-19, however, many VITA sites -- and all TCE sites -- have been closed. For now, the IRS's International Taxpayer Service Call Centerremains available at 267-941-1000, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

How to deduct your home office without an audit: Self employed? You need to read this.

How to handle cryptocurrency on your taxes: Your epic Bitcoin gains are not exempt from tax, sorry.

The rest is here:
Taxes 2020: When they're due, how to file online and more - CNET

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Technavio has been monitoring the e-pedigree software market and it is poised to grow by USD 2.25 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of almost 15% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Request for Technavios latest reports on directly and indirectly impacted markets. Market estimates include pre- and post-COVID-19 impact on the e-pedigree Software Market Download free sample report

The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Altair Engineering Inc., Axway Inc., International Business Machines Corp., JDA Software Group Inc., Merit Solutions Inc., Oracle Corp., rfxcel Corp., SAP SE, Siemens AG, and TraceLink Inc. are some of the major market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

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The use of serialization to tackle counterfeiting has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market.

Technavios custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct & indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations. https://www.technavio.com/report/report/e-pedigree-software-market-industry-analysis

e-pedigree Software Market 2020-2024: Segmentation

e-pedigree Software Market is segmented as below:

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR41063

e-pedigree Software Market 2020-2024: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our e-pedigree software market report covers the following areas:

This study identifies the growing adoption of high-tech developments to smarten the pharma supply chain as one of the prime reasons driving the e-pedigree software market growth during the next few years.

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e-pedigree Software Market 2020-2024: Key Highlights

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Deployment

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor Analysis

Appendix

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Analysis- E-pedigree Software Market 2020-2024 | Use of Serialization to Tackle Counterfeiting to Boost Growth |...

FANUC UK is offering its ROBOGUIDE and CNC GUIDE simulation software programs asfree trials until the end of September 2020, as part of an initiative to get production back up and running.

Both of the programs are designed to enhance productivity by providing users with the ability to run offline simulations from standard PC equipment.

The company believes with the manufacturing industry looking to ramp up production, efficiency-boosting software such as FANUCs ROBOGUIDE and CNC GUIDE will play a critical role as we emerge from the lockdown.

ROBOGUIDE simulates the motion of FANUC robots, as well as the overall production process, and can be used for offline programming and creating a 3D simulation environment to design and optimise applications efficiently. This can then be transferred to robot controllers in the production via Ethernet connection, thus minimising machine downtime.

It features an integrated CAD database that gives users access to all FANUC robots, machines, and simple tools, which means even complex applications with multiple robots can be simulated and tested.

CNC GUIDE emulates the FANUC CNC exactly, allowing users to write, simulate and test part programs on their computer. Machine tool builders can use it to support their customers remotely, simulating machine programs and providing advice in case of programming errors.

CNC GUIDE is also useful for educational institutions that offer training for CNC programming. Since it shows the keyboard of a real FANUC CNC, the operation of FANUC controllers can also be trained in the form of distance learning on a PC without the need for a real machine tool.

Andy Armstrong, Sales and Marketing Manager at FANUC UK, said: The past few months have been challenging for the manufacturing industry, with many factories operating at very limited capacity. The road ahead will be difficult, but one thing is for certain: businesses that combine efficiency and flexibly of production, with the expertise of their employees, will be best positioned to bounce back.

Our ROBOGUIDE and CNC GUIDE software allows users to get the most out of their equipment, boosting efficiency to the highest level possible. We want to support customers in their recovery, which is why anyone who registers through our online portal by 30thJune will have access to the free trial, and a 25% discount on the full product when the trial ends.

Andy concludes: As we embark on life after lockdown, it is likely that manufacturers will become more aware of the potential benefits of automation. Offering free trials of ROBOGUIDE and CNC GUIDE will facilitate a greater understanding of how automation can increase productivity, and ultimately benefit the industry as a whole.

Originally posted here:
FANUC UK offers free trial of simulation software programs - British Plastics and Rubber