Disability protections are extended to pregnant employees

CAN the employer legally fire a pregnant employee, who, after using up all her leave under California’s Pregnancy Disability Leave Law (the pregnancy law), is still unable to return to work? The laws prohibit pregnancy discrimination of pregnant employees.  Pregnancy discrimination is defined as discrimination on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions….

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New loan modification program coming in July 2013

DUE to obvious delays and failed attempted to help struggling homeowners, the two leading agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who owns or guarantee more than half of all US home loans have come up with a simplify loan modifications, many borrowers who become 90 days or more past due on mortgages will be offered…

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Is bankruptcy the right choice for you?

Are you currently overwhelmed 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 paralyzed in your situation, unable to take any action? Maybe just thinking about your situation gives you this sick feeling in your…

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Average itemized deductions

FOR those of you who itemize, the table below should be of special interest. For those of you who play the odds (you know what I mean), this table should be of very special interest. Having claimed too many exemptions at work to increase your take-home pay, you suddenly find yourself owing Uncle Sam a…

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Bankruptcy is not always your fault

FACING serious debt problems can be depressing to a lot of people. It may seem like the end of the world. You may feel angry, depressed, guilty- or a combination of all three.  You may even be blaming yourself for making the decisions that led you to your present situation. I’m here to tell you,…

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Additional remedies for injured employees (Going beyond the Workers Compensation claim)

“ After filing a work comp claim, the employee experiences an adverse employment action, such as demotion, decrease in pay, decrease of work hours, loss of benefits, assignment to unfavorable tasks, suspension, or even termination. Such actions contradict California law, which prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition.” Q: WHILE using one of the common…

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Medical expenses revisited

MOST of us take medical expenses for granted because we have to spend more than 7 ½ % for 2012 (10% for 2013 if you are under 65) of our gross income before we can deduct medical expenses. However, changes in health care plans make this a good time to brush up on 10 medical…

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Is your Short Sale agent doing a good job for you?

SHORT selling your home is such an important and stressful step in your life and it’s the springboard into your future so you wont have anymore sleepless nights.  It is critical you interview and choose the right agent working for you not themselves. Never choose agent out of obligation just because you might be related…

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Are you living on the financial edge every month?

I KNOW that the current economy has caused a lot of financial problems for a lot of people. Most families are struggling financially every month and are living paycheck to paycheck. Chances are you know someone who is perhaps facing foreclosure because they can’t even afford to pay their mortgage.  Maybe they’ve lost their job….

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When is an employment termination illegal?

Q: I WORKED in a company for more than 10 years. A new supervisor was recently transferred to my department. This person and I do not get along. Last week, our human resources director informed me that the company was letting me go and gave me my last paycheck. I don’t have any disciplinary record…

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Do you, or does someone you love, have diabetes?

NEARLY everyone knows someone who is directly or indirectly affected by diabetes. Not only can diabetes be difficult to manage, but it can also increase a person’s risk for other major health problems—including oral health problems. It’s everyone’s obligation to help educate With over 300 million people worldwide suffering from diabetes, we want to be…

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Chapter 13: How to pay debts on limited income

CHAPTER 13 is the section of the US Bankruptcy Code that allows individuals in the United States to reorganize their finances. If you are having difficulty paying your debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, taxes, late mortgage payments and property taxes- all kinds of debts) due to insufficient income, don’t despair. Chapter 13 may…

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A Fully Charged Venture

IT’S one of the biggest pet peeves in the world. Imagine traveling for business or leisure and rummaging through your suitcase, only to realize that you’ve forgotten your cell phone charger. You see the dreaded red light flash on the phone. It’s about to die. You have no clue where the nearest electronic store is….

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10 tips in deducting charitable contributions

1. YOU may deduct donations to qualified organizations.  Qualified organizations include corporations or foundations organized in the US for religious, charitable, educational, scientific, literary, or prevention of cruelty to children and animals. 2. You cannot deduct contributions made to specific individuals – priests, nuns, victims, and political organizations or candidates. 3. File Form 1040 and…

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Discharging income taxes in bankruptcy: Part 2

LAST week, we established the fact that back due income taxes can be discharged in bankruptcy, despite the popular belief that this was not possible. We said that there are six rules that must be complied with to discharge taxes. All of these rules must be followed. If you comply only with five rules, the…

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Part B – Business

THIS fiscal cliff legislation includes lots of tax changes; accordingly, I summarized the provisions for simple reading. Last week’s Part A dealt with individuals while this week’s Part B deals with business. Business depreciation and cost recovery provisions 50% Bonus Depreciation extended The Act extends the 50% first-year bonus depreciation for an additional year to…

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Changes in loan modification programs for 2013

Homeowners Bill of Rights IN JULY, California enacted the major pieces of legislation, which were introduced by Attorney General Kamala Harris. These provision, which will take effect January 1, 2013, will incorporate many of the provisions of the National Mortgage Settlement into California law and specifically will: 1) eliminate “dual tracking” of foreclosures during loan…

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Discharging income taxes in bankruptcy

MANY people have the mistaken belief that back due income taxes cannot be discharged in bankruptcy because a debt owed to the Federal and State government cannot be wiped out. That belief is wrong. Since 1966, bankruptcy law allows the discharge of debt to the IRS. However, there are rules that must be followed to…

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