Store manager needs bankruptcy relief
“ The Chapter 13 trustee, unlike the Chapter 7 trustee, does not have the power to sell debtor’s house. So, in Chapter 13, there is no risk of losing debtor’s…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Business tax changes under Trump tax plan
A MAJOR thrust of the Trump Tax Plan is to bring back jobs to America. Large multi-nationals left and set up operations in foreign countries to avoid our corporate tax…
Bankruptcy can offer hope when life doesn’t seem fair
WE’VE all been there. Those moments when almost anything that could go wrong DOES go wrong in our finances. As human beings, we all want to be safe and secure…
New California laws
EACH year brings hundreds of new laws to Californians and the year 2017 is no exception. Cell phones while driving AB No. 1785: Any electronic devices including smart phones will…
Clients seek Chapter 7 and Chapter 20 bankruptcy relief
FIRST client is 45 and single. His gross income last year was $98K, which is good. It reached $98K because of bonus. Without bonus, his gross income is $72K. This…
Protecting employee rights and guarding against employer retaliation
CYNTHIA Begazo, then 53 years old, was hired in March 2015, as the Human Resources Director at Passages Malibu, an addiction treatment center in Malibu, CA. Shortly after starting work,…
Individual tax changes under Trump tax plan
HERE are proposed tax changes that could affect individuals like you and me. Individual Tax Rates: President Trump plans to simplify the tax code by condensing the current seven rates…
Here are 4 ways to get out of debt
ARE you seriously in debt and don’t know what to do about your situation? Are you afraid that unless you do something about it, thing will just continue to get…
Consumer alert tips: The IRS at your door
HOW do you determine if the person visiting you either at your business or at home or calling you are not an IRS imposter? Look for two forms of credentials….
Clients seek Chapter 7 and Chapter 20 bankruptcy relief
FIRST client is 45 and single. His gross income last year was $98K, which is good. It reached $98K because of bonus. Without bonus, his gross income is $72K. This…
The O’Reilly Factor: Sexual harassment allegations at Fox News
“ Courts have recognized two types of sexual harassment. One is called quid pro quo harassment, which exists when to a sexual conduct is made a condition of employment benefits,…
Why we need President Trump to overhaul our tax code
Estate Tax: AMERICANS pay taxes throughout their lives, then pay again after death. This is wrong. The death tax itself should be terminated. Yes, there are two things we can’t…
Divorce issue and tax tips part 2
1. What is New? Same sex marriages are considered the same as couples of opposite sex marriages for Federal tax purposes. On the other hand, other relationships that are not…
Protecting employee and consumer rights
WHEN is the Use of Deadly Force by Police Unreasonable? The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects persons from unreasonable search and seizures, including the use of excessive or…
How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible?
“God has come to help his people.” YOU may be surprised to find out that quite a number of dead people were resurrected. The Bible mentions some resurrections that occurred…
Fighting for civil rights in the face of police misconduct
TERRY Lafitte was a 49 year-old black man riding his bicycle in the dark of night in South Central Los Angeles. Two sheriff’s deputies, in their squad car, saw that…
Foreign earned income exclusion
ARE you a U.S. citizen or resident working in a foreign country? Did you declare your foreign income? Did you even file a tax return? Or are you hiding from…
Tax problems? Don’t let the IRS ruin your life!
IS the government after you for huge unpaid taxes that you cannot afford to pay? Do you get sick to your stomach not knowing what the government will do next…
What’s new: Death of a taxpayer
ESTATE and gift tax basics • Form 706 must be filed: 1) To elect portability regardless of the size of estate, to transfer deceased spouse unused exemption (DSUE) to surviving…
Common misconceptions about bankruptcy part 2
(Part 2 of 2) HERE are some more misconceptions about bankruptcy that we did not discuss last week: 1. Will I lose my house? Normally, debtors get to keep their…
Should employees be paid for doing tasks while not clocked in?
Q: I WORK as a “team member” in the service industry in Los Angeles. Before we clock-in for our shift, we are required to attend a “huddle,” or a meeting…
Debt problems: What to do when you don’t know what to do
ARE your debts keeping you up at night? Are you always worried about money? Are you barely surviving and can’t even keep up with minimum payments on your credit cards?…
Common misconceptions about bankruptcy
“ An honest debtor is one who truthfully discloses his financial affairs, income and expenses, assets and liabilities in his bankruptcy petition.” HAVING literally represented several thousand clients in successful…
Protecting ‘managers’ from wage theft
Should they be paid additional wages? JAIMIE Quinby, Linda Gomes, and Eric Fontes worked as “General Managers” (GMs) for ULTA Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (ULTA) in its California locations….
12 do’s in IRS audits
HERE are 10 tips to pull you through an audit: 1. Bring the right attitude with you. It could spell the difference between winning and losing. 2. Be on time….
Are you stuck in credit card debt?
WARNING: Excessive credit card debt can lead to financial disaster and can affect your financial well-being. The reason they call it “credit card debt trap” is because once you’re in,…
New California laws
Customer Service Dashboard: The goal is provide tools and resources in resolving tax matters. The “Customer Service Dashboard” was launched in March 1, 2017 with estimated time frames for your…
Clients with wage garnishment, huge sales tax, freak accident seek BK relief
“Chapter 7 will just wipe out all of his potential liability for the damage caused.” Freak accident liability I THINK I want to discuss the client with the freak accident…
Should I tell my boss about my medical condition?
Q: I WAS diagnosed with herniated disc and severe anxiety. I want to request leave but want to keep my privacy at work. Do I need to tell my employer…
Should you submit messy records to an IRS auditor?
THERE are two approaches to prepare for an audit: organized and shoebox. Organized means arranging your records. Shoebox means simply being you—your naturally disorganized you. Let’s discuss each method so…