Remedies for when doing the right thing gets you in trouble at work
For about 12 years, Blanca Ramirez worked at the Jack in the Box in San Fernando, CA as a team leader. She reported to the employer’s anonymous hotline that another…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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Senior with bank account levy seeks Chp 7 relief for $60K credit cards
Businessman considers BK for $400K lawsuit Client is 68 and married. He just received a notice of bank levy on his accounts for a judgment against his wife. He asks…
Rules eased for bonus depreciation, code sec. 179 expensing and regular depreciation
Part 1 of 2 The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act TCJA (“New Law”) effectively lowered the cost of acquiring capital assets by making substantial changes to the income tax rules…
Are your debt problems forcing you into bankruptcy?
ARE you in debt and in a constant state of worrying about your financial situation? Perhaps like most people, you live paycheck to paycheck and are barely surviving but you’ve…
Five changes affecting partnerships, S corporations and pass-through income (Part 2 of 2)
Look-through rule on sale of partnership interest: Under the Act, gain or loss on the sale of a partnership interest is effectively connected with a U.S. business to the extent…
How to reduce or eliminate massive credit card debt
IF you’ve accumulated more credit card debt than you can handle, you may get this sick feeling in your stomach not knowing what to do about it. As a bankruptcy…
Trade war causes business slowdown & owners need debt relief from $450K
“The FBI investigates the scam and tells the client they can get their money back if the money is still in the account.” THE first clients are business partners who…
Ensuring that truth prevails in an employment retaliation claim
DR. Sheila Hudson worked as a Senior Associate Athletics Director and Title IX Coordinator for California State University, Los Angeles. She filed a lawsuit against her employer, alleging retaliation after…
Five changes affecting partnerships, S corporations and pass-through income
(Part 1 of 2) THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) makes major changes to the taxation of partnerships, S corporations, and pass-through income. Most of these changes are…
Are you in debt but too embarrassed to ask for help?
ARE you seriously in debt and don’t know what to do? Individuals who have accumulated excessive debt are often left to ponder whether bankruptcy is their only realistic way to…
In the gig economy, being classified an employee is still more advantageous
THE creation of technology-driven industries has given rise to new business models that may not follow the traditional employer-employee relationship. Companies, for example, may practice “outsourcing” or “crowdsourcing” where they…
Clients with failed businesses need relief from credit card debt and loans
THE first client is 34. She is recently married and now has a one-year-old son. She used to be employed making a gross of $50,000 yearly. At the same time,…
Filing Bankruptcy: Sooner or Later?
I WAS in line at the grocery store the other day and noticed the man in front of me smiling and looking at me as if he wanted to say…
Client seeks Chapter 13 relief for mortgage default and credit cards
THE client is 48, married and has a good job paying him $100,000 gross a year. A family emergency has caused him some financial hardship because money meant to pay…
Employees must be paid for all hours worked
Off-the-clock and “Unapproved” Work Hours are Still Compensable Q: I work as a nurse at a hospital that has a strict policy of no unapproved overtime. We don’t ask for…
Three changes to the general business credit
THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Act”) makes changes to the general business credit by adding a new Paid Family And Medical Leave Credit and changing the Rehabilitation Credit and…
Young clients seek Chapter 13 relief for different reasons
THE first client is 48, married, and has a good job that pays $80,000 a year. His wife makes another $40,000 a year. Together, they make $120,000 gross a year. …
Firing an employee for using their family leave rights may be retaliation
ERIC Hazard worked for 17 years for Raley’s as a pharmacy manager. Eric’s son, Andrew, is 32 years old and disabled with hydrocephalus, a buildup of water on the brain,…
Three tax changes to estate, gift, AMT, and pass-through income
Estate and gift tax exemption: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) increased exemptions (nice) for estates and gifts to $11.2 million ($22.4 million for married couples). Before tax…
A disparity in monthly payments to discharge credit cards
“So now I say to you, if you have accumulated debt, take it easy, we can get rid of those burdensome debts that weigh you down every day of your…
Four tax deductions that will not be changing
WHILE nearly all articles relate to change, let’s depart from that norm and discuss a few deductions that won’t change. 1. Student Loan Interest Deduction: The Tax Cuts and Jobs…
What is reasonable accommodation of a disability at work?
ROSARIO Contreras-Velazquez worked for Family Health in its medical records department when she suffered a work-related repetitive strain injury to her right upper extremity. After surgery, she developed complex regional…
Seniors need Chapter 7 relief for $50K various unsecured debt
CLIENT is 72. He still works his normal job and makes about $3K a month. He also receives social security of $1K. So, his total income right now is $4K….
Can employers withhold wages of employees?
DONOVAN Sebastian worked in sales for Sprint/United Management Co. Sprint provided him and other employees with vehicles for them to travel between stores. Sebastian, on behalf of himself and other…
Abandoned wife needs Chapter 7 for $50K credit cards
THE first client is 48 and got married in the last four years. Her husband was a foreigner who professed his love for her in so many ways. Unfortunately, his…
New limits to casualty and theft losses
GENE3RALLY, you may deduct casualty and theft losses relating to your home, household items, and vehicles on your federal income tax return. What used to be deductible under old law…
Too much debt, not enough income?
ARE you debts growing faster than your income every month? Trying to pay what you can but feel like you’re running on a treadmill and not getting anywhere? Do you…
Does your employer need to know your medical condition to accommodate you?
Q: I was diagnosed with herniated disc and severe anxiety. I want to request leave but want to keep my privacy at work. Do I need to tell my employer…
Young client with $700K debt needs Chapter 7 relief
THIS week is Holy Week again. The whole Christian world observes the passion of Jesus Christ. In many countries, the faithful reenact the passion and suffering of Jesus. They wear…
Alternative minimum tax changes (AMT)
THERE are two types of income tax – regular tax that you are familiar with, and an Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) that you may not have encountered. If you had…