Rules to follow for a smile-healthy Halloween
HERE it comes! The season of ghosts, ghouls, witches, and, of course… candy! If you’re savvy about it, there’s no reason for your Halloween fun to come at the expense…
Category: Consumer Columnists
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Values and philanthropy: Cornerstones to an enduring family business
“I choose to rise up out of that storm and see that in moments of desperation, fear, and helplessness, each of us can be a rainbow of hope, doing what…
Client seeks conversion of Chapter 13 to Chapter 7
YESTERDAY, a new client I saw said that she had been in a Chapter 13 paying $400/month for the last 12 months. But next year after her car was paid…
I owe the IRS – what can I do?
HERE 10 tips if you owe but cannot immediately pay the IRS: • Pay What you can: Pay promptly to stop additional penalties and interest from accruing. If you are…
Can employees challenge employment documents they signed?
WE previously discussed the question of whether an employee’s signature to an independent contractor (IC) agreement binds the employee to the terms of that agreement. We noted that the law…
Debt problems: Are you lost in a ‘money fog’?
MAYBE you’ve experienced this before: You’re driving down the road one cold, chilly day and before you know it, you find yourself surrounded by a thick white wall of dense…
Down and out clients seek Chapter 7 fresh start in life
WE will discuss two recent cases involving clients who truly need a fresh start in life with no debts owed to anyone. The first case involves an individual who has…
Should you submit an offer in compromise (OIC) to the IRS?
IF YOU cannot pay all your taxes owed to the IRS, you may make an offer to pay a smaller sum to fully pay all taxes, penalties, and interests. This…
Should supervisors, lead persons, and foremen be paid overtime?
Why a fixed monthly salary may shortchange some employees Q: I WORK as a supervisor/team lead at a manufacturing plant. I supervise a few employees but I can’t hire or…
Do you have these early signs of debt trouble?
HOW much debt is too much? Are you worried that you have accumulated more debt than you can afford to pay back? One of the smartest things you can do…
Dental-related fun facts
INDEED, dentistry is serious business. But that doesn’t mean we have to take ourselves too seriously all the time, right? Here are some dental-related fun facts: • A typical elephant’s molar…
Getting the word out with advertising
One thing I truly enjoy about my job is my relationship with my clients. I get to speak with CEOs, Presidents from large corporations and small business owners from various…
Is college tuition deferral dischargeable?
SECTION 523(a)(8)(A)(ii) of the current bankruptcy code states that “an obligation to repay funds received as an educational benefit, scholarship or stipend;” is not dischargeable in bankruptcy unless excepting such…
IRS alert – protect your self from email scams
TAX scams via email have become widespread over the last year. Thieves have become bolder. Their bogus IRS website has improved graphics and looks so real that even a veteran…
Should commissions be included in computing overtime pay?
When employees are entitled to higher pay ANDREW Prizler worked as an hourly retail sales consultant at AT&T Mobility Services. Being in sales, he was also paid commissions. In June…
Bankruptcy: When financial stress becomes unbearable
ARE you having problems paying your debts? Are creditors calling you day and night threatening you with a wage garnishment, repossession or foreclosure? Are you starting to feel hopeless and…
How will you increase your profit? Marketing is the answer
Have you ever found yourself asking this question? I asked myself the same 20 years ago, but found the answer. I’ve had many opportunities to work with Asian-owned small and…
Senior citizen client seeks Chapter 7 relief
CLIENT is a woman who is 72 years old. She worked as a mental health therapist for 40 years since she was actually a physician abroad. She was happy doing…
IRS alert – protect yourself from telephone scams
ABOUT a dozen of my clients have complained of receiving threatening phone calls from the “IRS” to pay up or be subject to criminal investigation. This is a problem for…
The dangers of being misclassified as an independent contractor
IN 2005, Carolyn Gregory was assigned by her employer, a home health care agency, to work in the home of 85-year-old Lorraine Cott, who had long suffered from Alzheimer‘s disease….
Can bankruptcy really put an end to all your financial worries?
IF YOU are facing the prospect of filing bankruptcy for the first time in your life, this could be a frightening process. You probably have a thousand questions going through…
Our tribute to some of the first women in dentistry
TODAY there are as many women as there are men in dental schools. But 150 years ago it was very different. We admire and honor those women who paved the way….
A family business crisis waiting to happen
When a business owner dies or becomes permanently disabled, the business itself may die or be permanently disabled on the same day – not because something wrong was done –…
Midnight Chapter 13 filing saves client’s house
CLIENT is 48 yrs old and operates a construction business. He also dabbles in fixer uppers to make money. His wife is an accountant and makes $5,000 a month. Business…
10 tips on child/dependent care
IF YOU paid someone to care for your child, spouse, or dependent, you may be able to claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit on your federal income tax return….
What to do if you were fired
TERMINATIONS can be difficult situations, particularly where employees see the firing as unfair. Knowing one’s rights upon the end of an employment relationship may help employees weather this challenging time. …
Where did your debt problems come from?
A PROSPECTIVE client was consulting with me the other day about credit card debts that have been piling up. He looked shocked and confused as we sorted through all the…
Who should pay for work-related cellphone bills?
Employees’ right to reimbursement COLIN Cochran sued his employer, Schwan’s Home Service, Inc., in a class action on behalf of about 1,500 customer service managers who were not reimbursed for…
Should you file married filing separately?
OF course not. Why should I pay taxes based on the highest tax rates? The lowest rates belong to joint filers and widows, followed by heads of household, and single…
Credit cards can keep you trapped in debt forever
DO you wish you had less credit card debt than you currently owe? Have you charged more than you can afford to pay? Are you frustrated with the fact that…