Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
ELIZABETH Carter worked at Dunn-Edwards, the paint store, when her medical condition prevented her from lifting more than 20 pounds. She could, however, still continue to perform most of her essential duties. Her employer thus provided modified work duty by allowing her to ask co-workers for help whenever she needed to lift anything heavier than…
By Martin Santiago, Broker-Associate While most Americans agree with the protesters’ cause, some detractors worry about the cities with the largest marches, where people are gathering in the thousands in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those arguments aren’t always made in good faith, but the concerns have some validity. How big is the risk that…
Among the many brands who showed up for the #BlackOutTuesday trend meant to highlight the gravity of police brutality and anti-blackness in the United States, the popular fashion brand Revolve was among the last to participate, posting its black square on Wednesday, June 3. But Revolve’s participation in the social media campaign raised eyebrows as…
ON Monday, June 1 at 12 p.m., Pechanga Resort Casino, located just outside of Temecula, CA, reopened to the public. The West Coast’s largest casino/resort closed March 16 after a decision by Pechanga Tribal leaders was made to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Pechanga Resort Casino opened with limited operations as the facility opens…
I would, especially if I’m retired. Would you consider moving from high-tax California or New York to tax-free Nevada or Florida? You could. But then, there are other considerations; but for now, let’s just talk about taxes… and a related issue of audits by your former state, the one you’re moving from. Let’s discuss the…
Interactive process in the COVID-19 era Q: MY work required me to interact with a lot of people. I became infected with COVID-19. I was hospitalized and went on disability leave. After 8 weeks of quarantine and after being relieved of symptoms, my doctor ordered another test, which came back negative. I was then cleared…
THE client’s company filed for Chapter 7 relief as it was bankrupt. It had two warehouses and rent for one was $15,000 a month, while the other was $20,000 a month. The original business started 12 years ago when client had a partner. They imported merchandise from Asia and distributed them here in the USA….
SAN FRANCISCO – As businesses across America are forced to shut down due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Goldilocks Filipino Bakeshop and Restaurant opens its newest North America branch at the Harvey Milk Terminal 1 of San Francisco International Airport. SFO is open and providing services to travelers and partner airlines. Freddie…
EARLY morning on Tuesday, June 2, Mary Jane Rempola received a call from an employee that the front glass door of Bagnet in Panorama City had been shattered amidst the unrest unfolding across Southern California. Rempola opened the small Filipino restaurant in a plaza along Roscoe Boulevard in February, but has since been struggling to…
CALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, May 29 announced that Los Angeles County — one of the most concentrated hubs for COVID-19 in the country — can now reopen restaurants, barbershops and salons, signaling a possible return to normal life with the addition of social distancing and safety guidelines that all residents should follow. “This…
A NEW Los Angeles City Council motion is seeking to use $100 million in federal funding for the city’s Emergency Renters Assistance Program. The proposal, filed by Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez on Wednesday, May 27, is said to be the largest rent relief program of any city in the U.S. “From the…
“However, the Order goes on to say that all persons living within the County of Los Angeles should remain in their residences whenever practicable.” Q: SINCE the shelter-in-place order, I have been working from home. Now that we are re-opening, I heard from HR that we will be going back to the office soon. My…
PENNSYLVANIA • Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or pension income except if you retire early. • Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits. • Income tax: low, flat income tax rate of 3.07% (but municipalities can tax earned income). • Inheritance and Estate taxes: Has inheritance…
THE client is in his 50s. Believe me, 50s is still young. He has been divorced more than 10 years ago and now lives by himself. He used to own a house but lost that house in the divorce to his ex-wife. Now he rents an apartment. He’s planning to marry again but he says…
“The world has changed, and Vegas is changing with it.” That’s the new ad campaign slogan put together by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the organization behind the famous “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” campaign. The new slogan comes as Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said Tuesday, May 26 that a…
A LOT of people in debt often already know what they need to do once they realize that bankruptcy is their only way out. But they usually delay the decision to file because they try their best to avoid it if at all possible and will only rush to act when they face an immediate…
Asian Americans are the leading consumer segment in the United States in favor of digital devices and streaming platforms as alternatives to traditional television consumption, according to a new report released by Nielsen this week. The report entitled, “Engaging Asian American Consumers at the Dawn of a New Decade,” found that Asian Americans are spending…
ALASKA •Retirement income: No state tax on your 401(k), IRA or pension income. • Social security benefits: No state income tax on your Social Security benefits. • Income tax: No state income tax. • Inheritance and Estate taxes: No state inheritance tax or an estate tax. Florida • Retirement income: No state tax on your…
Why employees should look at their paystubs JULIE Gunther started working as a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines in 2015. In 2017, she sued her employer in a class action, claiming that Alaska Airlines did not provide her with accurate itemized paystubs. This led her to question whether she was in fact paid properly for…
AT 90 years old, this senior was my oldest client. Everything came crashing down on him during his golden years unfortunately. He had a business, which looked like it never made money but he kept on doing the business just because it gave him something to do every day. So, he had $34,000 in credit…
By Martin Santiago THE chairman of the Federal Reserve on Sunday said the central bank has not exhausted its power to help the economy get through the coronavirus pandemic. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said, “There’s a lot more we can do. We’re not out of ammunition by a long shot. There’s really no limit to…
THE coronavirus has put a lot of strain on people’s ability to pay their debts. With a lot of employees getting laid off in massive numbers, they are staying at home to keep themselves and their families safe. In the meantime, however, the bills still continue and without any income, it is becoming increasingly difficult…
TWO Philippine senators recently suggested that economic managers should direct American businesses leaving China to consider the country for their relocation plans. According to Senator Imee Marcos, recent news that the United States businesses was transferring a number of its China-based factories to Indonesia confirms a growing economic trend favoring Southeast Asian countries as alternative…
The Philippines’ major airlines have all announced that their flights are canceled for the rest of May, in compliance with the government’s new quarantine guidelines. Budget airlines AirAsia Philippines and Cebu Pacific said all domestic and international flights are canceled from May 16 until May 31. “All Cebu Pacific and Cebgo domestic and international flights…
THE IRS will never: • Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes. All tax payments should only…
“California law prohibits discrimination based on disability or medical condition. The employer has a duty to provide reasonable accommodation to disabled employees to enable them to work despite their disability.” ALEJANDRO Gonzalez worked as a loader coordinator for Swissport, a company which provides airport ground and cargo handling services. Gonzalez worked at Swissport’s LAX location…
“Now is the time for kindness and our humanity to shine forth, to help each other not get sick, by wearing face masks, gloves and self isolating and helping our society’s most vulnerable, seniors, get the good treatment and protection they need.” IF the commercial lease tenant cannot pay the rent because business is non-existent…
A PHILIPPINE House of Representatives committee on Wednesday, May 13 approved a bill granting the media giant ABS-CBN a provisional franchise until the end of October. The House of Representatives Committee of the Whole gave the greenlight for House Bill 6732 or “An Act Granting the ABS-CBN Corporation A Franchise to Construct, Install, Operate and…
AS Los Angeles County’s “safer at home” order is slated to expire this week, officials are now recommending that it be extended for another three months in a continued effort to diminish the spread of the novel coronavirus. The county’s current emergency order was set to be lifted on Friday, May 15. The possibility for an…
A LOT of people who are burdened with credit card debt often don’t know where to turn for help. They see all the ads on TV, internet, etc. by so-called “debt consolidation” or “debt settlement” companies hoping that this will get them out of debt without filing for bankruptcy. More often than not, however, they…
