The O’Reilly Factor: Sexual harassment allegations at Fox News
“ Courts have recognized two types of sexual harassment. One is called quid pro quo harassment, which exists when to a sexual conduct is made a condition of employment benefits,…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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Why we need President Trump to overhaul our tax code
Estate Tax: AMERICANS pay taxes throughout their lives, then pay again after death. This is wrong. The death tax itself should be terminated. Yes, there are two things we can’t…
Divorce issue and tax tips part 2
1. What is New? Same sex marriages are considered the same as couples of opposite sex marriages for Federal tax purposes. On the other hand, other relationships that are not…
Protecting employee and consumer rights
WHEN is the Use of Deadly Force by Police Unreasonable? The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects persons from unreasonable search and seizures, including the use of excessive or…
How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible?
“God has come to help his people.” YOU may be surprised to find out that quite a number of dead people were resurrected. The Bible mentions some resurrections that occurred…
Fighting for civil rights in the face of police misconduct
TERRY Lafitte was a 49 year-old black man riding his bicycle in the dark of night in South Central Los Angeles. Two sheriff’s deputies, in their squad car, saw that…
Foreign earned income exclusion
ARE you a U.S. citizen or resident working in a foreign country? Did you declare your foreign income? Did you even file a tax return? Or are you hiding from…
Tax problems? Don’t let the IRS ruin your life!
IS the government after you for huge unpaid taxes that you cannot afford to pay? Do you get sick to your stomach not knowing what the government will do next…
What’s new: Death of a taxpayer
ESTATE and gift tax basics • Form 706 must be filed: 1) To elect portability regardless of the size of estate, to transfer deceased spouse unused exemption (DSUE) to surviving…
Common misconceptions about bankruptcy part 2
(Part 2 of 2) HERE are some more misconceptions about bankruptcy that we did not discuss last week: 1. Will I lose my house? Normally, debtors get to keep their…
Should employees be paid for doing tasks while not clocked in?
Q: I WORK as a “team member” in the service industry in Los Angeles. Before we clock-in for our shift, we are required to attend a “huddle,” or a meeting…
Debt problems: What to do when you don’t know what to do
ARE your debts keeping you up at night? Are you always worried about money? Are you barely surviving and can’t even keep up with minimum payments on your credit cards?…
Common misconceptions about bankruptcy
“ An honest debtor is one who truthfully discloses his financial affairs, income and expenses, assets and liabilities in his bankruptcy petition.” HAVING literally represented several thousand clients in successful…
Protecting ‘managers’ from wage theft
Should they be paid additional wages? JAIMIE Quinby, Linda Gomes, and Eric Fontes worked as “General Managers” (GMs) for ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (ULTA) in its California locations….
12 do’s in IRS audits
HERE are 10 tips to pull you through an audit: 1. Bring the right attitude with you. It could spell the difference between winning and losing. 2. Be on time….
Are you stuck in credit card debt?
WARNING: Excessive credit card debt can lead to financial disaster and can affect your financial well-being. The reason they call it “credit card debt trap” is because once you’re in,…
New California laws
Customer Service Dashboard: The goal is provide tools and resources in resolving tax matters. The “Customer Service Dashboard” was launched in March 1, 2017 with estimated time frames for your…
Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales tax, freak accident seek BK relief
“Chapter 7 will just wipe out all of his potential liability for the damage caused.” Freak accident liability I THINK I want to discuss the client with the freak accident…
Should I tell my boss about my medical condition?
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…
Should you submit messy records to an IRS auditor?
THERE are two approaches to prepare for an audit: organized and shoebox. Organized means arranging your records. Shoebox means simply being you—your naturally disorganized you. Let’s discuss each method so…
If you continue to borrow just to pay debts, here’s what will happen
IF you are in debt and don’t have enough to pay your debts each month after taking care of living expenses, you may be tempted to borrow money from credit…
Should you pay wages in cash?
It is not a good business practice to pay cash for wages. Issues when paying employees cash 1. You are exposed to income tax audits of both agencies federal and…
Should commission employees be paid separately for rest breaks?
RICARDO Vaquero and Robert Schaefer worked as Sales Associates for Stoneledge Furniture, a retail furniture company. Stoneledge paid sales associates on a commission basis, based on the company’s Commission Compensation…
Life cycle of an audit
(Part 3 of 3) 11. Your case is referred to an Automated Collection System (ACS). The ACS is a nameless, faceless computerized collection system that utilizes telephones. IRS personnel at…
Are you in denial about your credit card debt?
MOST people don’t talk about their credit card debt because they find it embarrassing. They can talk to their friends and family about everything else but when it comes to…
Bonuses, commissions and shift differentials entitle employees to more overtime pay
Q: I WORK in the service industry and I often receive performance bonuses on top of my hourly rate. I also work a lot of hours (50 to 60 hours!)…
Life cycle of an audit
(Part 2 of 3) 6. YOU first receive a contact letter advising you that your return has been selected for examination. It spells out the preliminary areas for audit. You…
Warning to parents who cosign their child’s student loans
YOU want to help your children go to college and if you’re like most parents, you would do anything to help them get a good education. At some point, you…
Death of a taxpayer part 2
WE discussed previously the requirement for consistent basis reporting between the person receiving the property and the decedent’s estate. Applicability of filing requirements for US Citizens for transfer certificate. 1….
Eligible debtors should seek BK relief
SOMETIMES debtors cannot decide whether they should seek debt relief through Chapter 7 wipe out of all dischargeable debts or a consolidation and reorganization through a Chapter 13. They usually…