Bankruptcy: Only you can decide what is best for you
ARE ou urrently verwhelmed with debt problems that you can no longer handle on your own? Thinking about filing for bankruptcy but are afraid to make a decision? Do you feel stuck and…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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Consumer alert tips: The IRS is calling or at your door
DO not get scammed. Scammers may impersonate in person, through phone call, or e-mail, and pretend themselves as IRS agent or representative. Remember that the IRS: • Will first mail a…
Senior wants Chapter 13 to stop foreclosure by 2nd mortgagee for $50K and annul judgment lien of $60K
Company receives $200K lawsuit by landlord and files for Chapter 7 CLIENT is 72 and appears to be a widow. She previously operated a business, which closed down in 2006….
Senior wants Chapter 13 to stop foreclosure by 2nd mortgagee for $50K and annul judgment lien of $60K
Company receives $200K lawsuit by landlord and files for Chapter 7 CLIENT is 72 and appears to be a widow. She previously operated a business, which closed down in 2006….
Are you paid lower wages because of your sex?
Q: I AM a single mom and I have worked for this company for several years. Recently, while talking with another newly hired male co-worker whose responsibilities are similar to…
How long should you keep tax records?
HOW long do you have to keep tax records? How long can the IRS audit your tax returns? Let’s discuss tips on statute of limitations so you can clean your…
Bankruptcy: You can’t change the past, only the future
IF you are struggling with debt problems, you may feel depressed and alone. It may seem like the end of the world. Your self-esteem may have suffered. You may feel…
Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales tax, freak accident seek bankruptcy relief
FREAK accident liability I want to discuss the client with the freak accident first. The first client is 45. This is really a very unusual case. In fact, I have…
When insurance coverage is not enough
MS. Annie Cabrera* was a retired nurse, living out her life on her life savings from years of frugality, in a Pasadena house that she paid off before her retirement….
10 strategies at IRS appeals
LET’S discuss 10 strategies as you meet face-to-face with the Appeals Officer: 1. Learn how the appeals process works. Learn how to gather, research, file, and prepare adequately. Get a…
To working parents: Are you still broke every month in spite of having 2 incomes?
“ No matter how hard these people work, there is never enough money to go around. In some cases, they barrow even more in order to pay other creditors and thus perpetuating this…
Victoria’s Secret agrees to pay employees for “call-in” reporting time
MAYRA Casas and Julio Fernandez worked as sales clerks for Victoria’s Secret in California. Victoria’s Secret required them to follow two shift schedules: 1) the traditional shift which required them…
How to prepare for IRS appeals
AFTER losing an IRS audit, you can either pay or fight. If you choose peace and quiet—pay. If you choose to fight—go to appeals. Here are 10 tips on how…
Simplify your life by getting out of debt
DO you want to simplify your life, reduce stress and regain control over your financial future? If you are one of the millions of people in this country who are…
Senior with $60K in credit card debt wants relief
Chapter 7 trustee stipulates to dismiss adversary against client before trial CLIENT is 70. She is a widow, her beloved husband having passed away 5 years ago at 65. She owns…
Sale of real property outside of the US
PART 1 U.S. itizens re enerally taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where the income is earned or received. Facts • US Citizen sold residential property outside of U.S. • Property is…
Should you sign that severance agreement from your employer?
A SEPARATION package or a severance agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee who is about to leave the employer’s employment. In a typical severance agreement, the employer agrees…
Benefits and drawbacks of IRS appeals
AFTER an audit of your tax returns by the IRS, pay if you are happy with the results or don’t want to extend the agony of dealing with the IRS….
Can’t decide if filing bankruptcy is the right move for you?
DECIDING if bankruptcy is right for you is not always easy. But sometimes, the hole you’ve dug up is too deep that there is no other way out. Bill collectors…
Tips to remember when you owe the IRS
TIPS to remember when you have outstanding tax liability to the IRS: • Receipt of tax bill. If you receive a bill for taxes due, pay the taxes owed including…
Client with bank account levy seeks Chapter 7 relief
Client receives notice of default on house, tries Chapter 13 relief CLIENT is 60 & wife is 58. He issued his check to pay rent of $1200 but the check was…
How one employee can make a difference through collective action
Q. My former employer did not pay me for overtime hours and missed breaks. Many fellow employees experienced the same thing but they are afraid because they think if they…
10 basics of IRS appeals process
IF you are not satisfied with the results of your IRS audit, go to Appeals. You have a choice of either ending your misery by paying up or by continuing…
What’s the best solution to your debt problems?
IF you are searching for debt reduction solutions, no doubt you’ve been inundated with advertisements for various debt management programs, companies and solutions. The choices seem confusing to the average…
10 tips to handle an IRS notice
IF you receive an IRS notice, keep the following suggestions in mind: • Be alarmed, but do not panic. Call your tax professional for guidance. Do not delay your response….
Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales tax, freak accident seek bankruptcy relief
FREAK accident liability I want to discuss the client with the freak accident first. The first client is 45. This is really a very unusual case. In fact, I have…
A private “nurse” or home health aid is entitled to overtime pay
Q: I am a registered nurse in the Philippines but I have not yet obtained a license in California. However, I am working as a ‘private nurse’ to a bed-ridden…
IRS expands audits to prior year and subsequent years
YOU’LL be happy to note that the IRS also gets audited. It’s audited by the Treasury Department to determine whether tax compliance officers conduct required filing checks in accordance with…
Bankruptcy debt relief: Should you file now or later?
INDIVIDUALS who have accumulated excessive debt are often left to ponder whether they should file bankruptcy in order to get out of debt. Sometimes, these people feel that somehow, they’ve…
2017 Guide for rental property owners and managers
THE bills described in this Rental Property Owner and Mangers Guide are rental housing related bills that were signed into law in 2016 and become effective January 1, 2017 unless…