Debtor too late to strip $70K 2nd mortgage; Student loans and taxes catch up with senior
Too late to strip 2nd mortgage I SAW debtor about 4 years ago, and now she returns to consult on a new financial crisis. The first time I met her…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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California tax rates and exemptions for 2014 tax returns
Exemption Credits: a. $108 – Single, Married filing separately, Head of Household. b. $216 – Married filing jointly. c. $333 – Dependent. d. $108 – Age 65 or older. e….
Doctor’s whistleblowing leads to illegal retaliation, $10 million settlement
IN April 2009, Robert Pedowitz, M.D., was hired by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to become chairperson of its Department of Orthopedic Surgery. In the first year of…
Considering bankruptcy? 5 questions to ask yourself
ARE you being harassed by your creditors day and night due to unpaid bills? If you are, you know that this is a pretty unpleasant experience. You may feel scared,…
Digital marketing trends you can’t miss
Congratulations! You have successfully braved past the first quarter of 2015! By now, some of you might be looking for some ideas to supercharge your business. In this article, I…
2015: The year of the smile
IT isn’t always about looking like a movie star or supermodel. It’s about feeling confident and comfortable with your healthy smile! Smiling’s amazing benefits You may not typically think about it this…
Senior about to retire seeks discharge of $85K credit card debt; Client files chapter 7 to stop eviction and discharge $70K second trust deed
Obama fights back to lift injunction on amnesty Senior will discharge $85K credit cards CLIENT has been working as a registered nurse for 30 years, and is now 65 years…
California tax update for individuals for 2014 tax returns
1. YOU are required to file a California tax return if your gross income exceeds: a. Single – $16,047. b. Head of household – $27,147. c. Married filing jointly –…
Meal break or extra pay for those working more than 12 hours
When meal waivers don’t apply SOME employees work 12-hour shifts, such as nurses, therapists, technicians, or even caregivers and domestic employees. Because of the realities of their job, especially for…
Struggling with debt: What are you prepared to do?
IN this week’s article, I would like to address a bad habit that we all tend to have at times. In dealing with debt, it can mean the difference between…
A Vision Centered Leadership Style
“I believe that it is my duty as a CEO to lead and inspire the workforce, to provide vision and direction, to guide and motivate my people so that Megaworld…
Client throws in towel on $68K of credit card debt seeks bankruptcy relief; Federal court blocks implementation of Obama amnesty
Client seeks discharge of $68k credit card debt CLIENT migrated to the United States when he was 16 years, which was 49 years ago. At 17, he enlisted with the…
Federal tax update for 2014 tax returns
1. YOU are required to file an income tax return if your 2014 gross income reaches: Elderly and blind taxpayers add $1,200 to $1,550. 2. Personal exemptions $3,950 Phaseouts for…
Double-check your ‘fixed salary’ status – you may be owed back wages
(Part 2) LAST week, we discussed the case of a class of “Review Appraisers,” employed by Bank of America (BoA), who recently obtained approval of a settlement for $5.8 million….
Are you always worried about your finances?
FOR a lot of people, financial concerns can be their number one cause of stress. But worrying without acting doesn’t really solve anything. If you feel that your finances are…
Tips for patients with fixed retainers
MANY people, after completing orthodontic treatment, are fitted with a fixed retainer-—a thin wire that’s bonded to the back of teeth, designed to help keep teeth straight and aligned. Fixed…
The tale of 3 seniors who need bankruptcy relief
White House will hire 1,000 more employees to implement Obama’s immigration action The 3 seniors who need bankruptcy relief THIS must have been my pre valentine seniors’ week for bankruptcy relief….
Affordable Care Act (ACA – ObamaCare)
Premium Tax Credit for individuals and families IF YOU purchased health coverage from a state or the federal Marketplace and are eligible for the premium tax credit, file Form 8962,…
Double-check your ‘fixed salary’ status – you may be owed back wages!
A CLASS of “Review Appraisers,” employed by Bank of America (BoA) through its subsidiary, Landsafe, recently obtained approval of a settlement for $5.8 million. The employees sued BoA for alleged…
Are your debt problems straining your marriage?
EVERYDAY, I meet with couples who are deeply in debt. In a lot of cases, I can feel the stress level that they are experiencing while the couple is in…
Open wide the lines of communication
While medications are designed to make us feel better, in some cases their side effects can instigate a second, completely different, problem. That’s why dentists encourage patients to “open up,”…
Senior client seeks chapter 7 to discharge $200k of income taxes; Parents hurry to legalize status to cover younger daughter who actually qualifies for Obama amnesty
Client seeks to discharge $200k of taxes CLIENT is an investment & financial broker who advises people how to invest their retirement accounts. He is now 60 years old. During…
Individual shared responsibility provision for individuals and families
Affordable Care Act (ACA – ObamaCare) THE Individual Shared Responsibility provision of ObamaCare requires taxpayers to either: • Have qualifying health care coverage, • Qualify for an exemption, or •…
Can your Facebook photos be used against you in a lawsuit?
MARIA Nucci slipped and fell at a Target store in Palm Beach, Florida. She sued Target for personal injury, claiming, among other things, that she has become physically handicapped experiencing…
Can you settle credit card debts to avoid bankruptcy?
MOST people are unaware that credit card companies will negotiate with you if they believe that it is in their best interests to do so. Many times you can negotiate…
Considerations for dental patients with special needs
FOR both children and adults with special needs, dental care can be challenging. In some cases, limited coordination can make brushing and flossing tricky. In other cases there may be…
The Rise of Dr. Andrew L. Tan: The Struggling Years
“About a week after arriving in the Philippines, I happened to wake up one day at 7 o’clock in the morning. My father got angry and he scolded me. As…
Single client seeks chapter 7 discharge of $80K credit card debt; parents qualify under Obama amnesty
Single client seeks BK relief CLIENT is 48 years old, single and works as a licensed vocational nurse. She used to gross $75K a year with two jobs but recently…
Payroll tax guide for 2015
* * * Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by…
Illegal firing of employee with ADHD and depression leads to $1.6 million verdict
MYRA Becraft was a full-time staff psychiatrist for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at its facility in San Diego. According to the Daily Journal, Ms. Becraft sued her…