Category: Consumer Columnists

INCOME taxes. For the lower income earner, it is a welcome relief as the government bestows tax credits and benefits. But for the medium to higher income earner, it’s usually…

When we notice someone with discolored teeth,  we usually assume it’s due to smoking, a  high consumption of staining foods and drinks, or some other common reason.  There’s another cause…

MORE and more taxpayers have been receiving it from the IRS….. the audit letter asking to substantiate tax deductible expenses claimed in a prior tax year. In fact, some taxpayers…

GOING to college is a good thing as it can open greater opportunities for employment and has the potential to transform someone to higher level of success. There are various…

THE Bush-Era Tax Cuts was set to expire on December 31, 2011 and one of those that would have been greatly impacted is the Child Tax Credit (CTC), one of…

DESIGNED to supplement the wages or earned income through self-employment of working families, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits taxpayers who are either low or moderate income earners by…

Dear Dr. Val, My gums are irregular and they make some of my teeth smaller than the rest . What can I do ? Thanks Gummy Bear Dear Gummy Bear,…

Enamel is the hard, protective outer layer of your teeth. If it erodes, it can be very uncomfortable, with symptoms ranging from tooth sensitivity and discoloration, to painful cracks in…

HOW much of their home office expenses can be deducted is one of the most misjudged tax questions faced by home workers. The reality of home office expense deductibility is…

TOO many times, taxpayers receive a surprise letter from the IRS, and even the Franchise Tax Board, on taxes owed from a cancelled debt acquired through debt settlement or debt…

“I’VE never felt so vulnerable about this disease until now”, I told my neurologist in an unusually poignant voice. Diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (simply called lupus) in September 2007,…

WHILE we approach the last quarter of the year, this serves as a reminder that it’s neither too early nor too late to plan and strategize your income taxes for…

Felling a little listless today? why not perk yourself up, by pouring 15 teaspoons of sugar in your mouth? You probably laughed at the above suggestion, but if you’re a…

CONSIDERING our close rela­tionship ties, it is most likely that at least once in your life you’d be asked to co-sign for a loan for a family or a friend-…

YOU’RE probably one of those employees wanting to tap your 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement accounts to get you through dire financial need. With unemployment rate hovering at more than…

WHEN someone dies without a Living Trust, the decedent’s es­tate is subject to a probate. Pro­bate simply means “to prove the will”. The process is designed to prove that the…

WHILE a number of studies already link poor oral health to compromised overall health, recently published research also suggests a possible correlation between gum disease and the risk of respiratory…

TOO many times, I encounter relatives or friends going through the dilemma of not being able to handle an elderly relative’s financial, legal, and medical affairs after such relative becomes…

FOR quite a few taxpayers who have deferred on filing their 2010 income tax returns, the deadline is just by the corner. The most prudent action would be to file…

THE fact that a lot of existing Living Trusts are not properly funded is a scare to behold. Once your Living Trust was drafted and finalized, you think your assets…

While we endeavor to help our patients avoid tooth problems, the reality is that by the time many people get to the dentist, they are already experiencing symptoms of dental…

LAST week, Ana (not her real name), approached me regarding her situation. She has “loaned or invested” $182,000 to someone who is now missing with the lure of extremely high…

GOING to college is a good thing as it can open greater opportunities for employment and has the potential to transform someone to higher level of success. There are various…

TOO many times, taxpayers receive a surprise letter from the IRS, and even the Franchise Tax Board, on taxes owed from a cancelled debt acquired through debt settlement or debt…

A LOT of patients share your concern about bad breath. As a social embarrassment, it’s surely near the top of the list. Since mouthwashes won’t eliminate the problem, let us…

LEE-CHUA, (1997) defined a successful family business as “one that has existed for at least 10 years, is still existing, and has made a name for itself in its field….

WE ALL have opinions and sometimes we hold very divergent views, as you would imagine when you bring together a group of people who are active within different industry spheres…

Cosmetic dentists understand that communication with the patient over what they expect, what they want their teeth to look like, is critical to their success. In order for you to…

The legendary David is back. He is back in the Philippines, battling the giants in the petroleum industry. Slowly but surely, he is creating a niche in an industry dominated…

FAMILY businesses have both strengths and weaknesses. The overwhelming strength of the family business is the different atmosphere and feel that a family concern has. There can be a sense…