Should employees who “volunteer” to work off-the-clock be paid?
Q: I WORK as a nurse at a hospital that has a strict policy of no unapproved overtime, and no going on breaks unless we are relieved by another nurse….
Category: Consumer Columnists
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Can mistakes get you audited by the IRS?
YES, definitely. Mistakes can get you audited by the IRS. Let’s discuss common mistakes that can get you into trouble. 1. Filing On Paper Paper-filed error rate is 21% compared…
Too many bills and not enough income? Find out how Chapter 13 debt adjustment can help
ARE you struggling every month to pay your debts, especially your credit card bills? Are you always worried about not having enough left over for your mortgage, rent, food and…
Bankruptcy court rules in favor of client for $250K after trial
I REPRESENTED a foreign company with a $250,000-claim for a 40-foot container of manufactured goods that it delivered to the debtor, a California company, on December 30, 2014. The debtor…
Resident, nonresident alien status tax wise – Part 4
(Part 4) IN part 1: we defined 1) who are resident aliens, nonresident aliens or both, 2) who are exempt individuals, and 3) closer connection exception. In part 2: we…
Are men entitled to the same leave for a new baby? (Equal Rights in Parental Leave Benefits)
Equal rights in parental leave benefits Q: I HAVE been working 4 years for a large company in Los Angeles. My wife just gave birth to our first child. When…
A tale of two seniors in financial distress
THE first senior is 73. He has been separated from his wife for 30 years but not divorced. So, for all intents and purposes, he is single because even if…
Are you taking too many itemized deductions?
THE Internal Revenue Service currently audits less than 1% of tax returns annually, so your probability of attracting IRS audit is incredibly low. Taking deductions that are higher than average deductions…
Can creditors still sue you for old debts?
Do you have old debts in the past that you haven’t paid and are wondering if the creditors can still come back now and collect from you after so many…
You have not filed your income tax returns for years?
YOU have not filed your income tax returns for the current year and previous years because: 1) you decided you are not required to file? 2) You are a victim…
How does the IRS select tax returns to be audited?
IRS scores tax returns for audit. The higher the score, the more likelihood that you’ll be chosen for audit. 1. Scoring system: The IRS uses a Discriminant Function System (DIF)…
Client files adversary against debtor for $370K
THE client is a foreign company that has been doing business with a California company since 2012. The client is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of a certain kind…
Does 5 minutes of unpaid work really matter?
DOUGLASs Troester worked as a shift supervisor of coffee giant, Starbucks Corporation. As shift supervisor, he performed store closing tasks where he transmitted daily sales, profit and loss, and store…
Important questions you need to ask when in debt
WHEN people are going through financial difficulty and are unable to pay their bills, their first reaction is often to ignore their debts and avoid contact with creditors. They think…
Exclusion of gain from sale of home
YOU may exclude from gross income gain from sale of principal residence under Internal Revenue Code Section 121. 1. You may be able to exclude gain of $250,000 or $500,000…
Is bankruptcy right for you?
“Are you facing foreclosure and want to save your home? Chapter 13 will stop the foreclosure on its tracks and allow you five years to pay off the default while…
Are employees with work visas protected from wage theft?
“AVisa workers come to work in the U.S. hoping to better their lives and their families’. They work hard, and are less likely to complain about substandard working conditions. There…
How does IRS score your tax returns for audit?
E-Filed Returns: • Electronic data are transmitted to a centralized Submission Processing Center. • Tax preparation software assigns a unique 14-digit Declaration Control Number to each return. • A unique…
If you have debt problems, where did they come from?
I WAS counseling someone the other day in my office. He looked shocked and confused as we sorted through all the credit card statements on my desk and added up…
Resident, nonresident alien status tax wise – Part 2
(Part 2) IN part 1: We defined 1) who are resident aliens, nonresident aliens or both, 2) who are exempt individuals, and 3) closer connection exception. In part 2: We…
Client seeks Chapter 13 relief for massive default on mortgage
THE client is 55 and single. He appears to have no problems to worry about. He is self-employed and makes about $5,000 monthly teaching people a special skill. He has no…
Protecting employees from retaliation when they report misconduct
Q: AS a newly hired employee, I have seen discriminatory practices against women and older persons in the company. I reported these to upper management and I was told something…
How does the IRS look into your hobby losses?
THE classic “hobby loss” situation involves a professional or businessperson who starts Zumba classes, dog-breeding business or a farm. If the IRS determines that the Zumba, dog-breeding, or farm project…
Bankruptcy: How you can turn failure to success
BANKRUPTCY sure sounds like a scary word. And most people see it as an admission of financial failure. By declaring bankruptcy, they figure they are hitting rock bottom. But is…
Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust
There is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest…
Should food delivery drivers be classified as independent contractors?
TECHNOLOGY has dramatically changed the way that people work and earn a living in the 21st century. Instead of the traditional employer-employee model, companies who need services obtain them from…
Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief for $60K credit cards but what is the status of residence?
THE client is 57 and is recently divorced with two children, one in high school the other in college. She makes $40,000 yearly in middle management for a large corporation….
Common bankruptcy fears and what to do about them
THE word “bankruptcy” is packed with all sorts of negative emotional triggers. It sounds bad — even dirty. It’s embarrassing. (What if people find out?!) People paint ugly pictures of…
Do hobby loses attract IRS audits?
YES, it does. Losses from hobbies attract IRS audits. It’s cool to run a business that you enjoy, such as photography, dance studio, martial arts, dog-breeding, farming, and other leisurely…
Senior Care Home business 101
A Senior Care Home is also known as board and care, residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE) and assisted living facility. It is a place where non-medical care is…