California tax update for individuals for 2014 tax returns
1. YOU are required to file a California tax return if your gross income exceeds: a. Single – $16,047. b. Head of household – $27,147. c. Married filing jointly –…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Meal break or extra pay for those working more than 12 hours
When meal waivers don’t apply SOME employees work 12-hour shifts, such as nurses, therapists, technicians, or even caregivers and domestic employees. Because of the realities of their job, especially for…
Struggling with debt: What are you prepared to do?
IN this week’s article, I would like to address a bad habit that we all tend to have at times. In dealing with debt, it can mean the difference between…
A Vision Centered Leadership Style
“I believe that it is my duty as a CEO to lead and inspire the workforce, to provide vision and direction, to guide and motivate my people so that Megaworld…
Client throws in towel on $68K of credit card debt seeks bankruptcy relief; Federal court blocks implementation of Obama amnesty
Client seeks discharge of $68k credit card debt CLIENT migrated to the United States when he was 16 years, which was 49 years ago. At 17, he enlisted with the…
Federal tax update for 2014 tax returns
1. YOU are required to file an income tax return if your 2014 gross income reaches: Elderly and blind taxpayers add $1,200 to $1,550. 2. Personal exemptions $3,950 Phaseouts for…
Double-check your ‘fixed salary’ status – you may be owed back wages
(Part 2) LAST week, we discussed the case of a class of “Review Appraisers,” employed by Bank of America (BoA), who recently obtained approval of a settlement for $5.8 million….
Are you always worried about your finances?
FOR a lot of people, financial concerns can be their number one cause of stress. But worrying without acting doesn’t really solve anything. If you feel that your finances are…
Tips for patients with fixed retainers
MANY people, after completing orthodontic treatment, are fitted with a fixed retainer-—a thin wire that’s bonded to the back of teeth, designed to help keep teeth straight and aligned. Fixed…
The tale of 3 seniors who need bankruptcy relief
White House will hire 1,000 more employees to implement Obama’s immigration action The 3 seniors who need bankruptcy relief THIS must have been my pre valentine seniors’ week for bankruptcy relief….
Affordable Care Act (ACA – ObamaCare)
Premium Tax Credit for individuals and families IF YOU purchased health coverage from a state or the federal Marketplace and are eligible for the premium tax credit, file Form 8962,…
Double-check your ‘fixed salary’ status – you may be owed back wages!
A CLASS of “Review Appraisers,” employed by Bank of America (BoA) through its subsidiary, Landsafe, recently obtained approval of a settlement for $5.8 million. The employees sued BoA for alleged…
Are your debt problems straining your marriage?
EVERYDAY, I meet with couples who are deeply in debt. In a lot of cases, I can feel the stress level that they are experiencing while the couple is in…
Open wide the lines of communication
While medications are designed to make us feel better, in some cases their side effects can instigate a second, completely different, problem. That’s why dentists encourage patients to “open up,”…
Senior client seeks chapter 7 to discharge $200k of income taxes; Parents hurry to legalize status to cover younger daughter who actually qualifies for Obama amnesty
Client seeks to discharge $200k of taxes CLIENT is an investment & financial broker who advises people how to invest their retirement accounts. He is now 60 years old. During…
Individual shared responsibility provision for individuals and families
Affordable Care Act (ACA – ObamaCare) THE Individual Shared Responsibility provision of ObamaCare requires taxpayers to either: • Have qualifying health care coverage, • Qualify for an exemption, or •…
Can your Facebook photos be used against you in a lawsuit?
MARIA Nucci slipped and fell at a Target store in Palm Beach, Florida. She sued Target for personal injury, claiming, among other things, that she has become physically handicapped experiencing…
Can you settle credit card debts to avoid bankruptcy?
MOST people are unaware that credit card companies will negotiate with you if they believe that it is in their best interests to do so. Many times you can negotiate…
Considerations for dental patients with special needs
FOR both children and adults with special needs, dental care can be challenging. In some cases, limited coordination can make brushing and flossing tricky. In other cases there may be…
The Rise of Dr. Andrew L. Tan: The Struggling Years
“About a week after arriving in the Philippines, I happened to wake up one day at 7 o’clock in the morning. My father got angry and he scolded me. As…
Single client seeks chapter 7 discharge of $80K credit card debt; parents qualify under Obama amnesty
Single client seeks BK relief CLIENT is 48 years old, single and works as a licensed vocational nurse. She used to gross $75K a year with two jobs but recently…
Payroll tax guide for 2015
* * * Sy Al-os Accountancy Corporation provides accounting and tax services to individuals, corporations, LLCs and business entities. The Firm has a niche in defending taxpayers audited by…
Illegal firing of employee with ADHD and depression leads to $1.6 million verdict
MYRA Becraft was a full-time staff psychiatrist for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at its facility in San Diego. According to the Daily Journal, Ms. Becraft sued her…
To people who need to get out of debt-but are afraid of bankruptcy
DO you want to get out of debt but are afraid that filing bankruptcy may only make things worse for you? Facing difficult financial times can be a frightening thing…
Senior raids retirement account then seeks Chapter 7 discharge; undocumented immigrants qualify for Obama amnesty
Senior raids retirement account CLIENT is 65 and still works as a registered nurse with $70K annual gross. She divorced 5 years ago. At that time, there was community property…
New California laws for 2015 Pt. 3
(Part 3 of 3) MATERNITY Leave: State universities may not require female graduate students to take leaves of absence for pregnancies and must allow those who do take leaves to…
Do you receive unsolicited telephone calls and text messages?
Stopping those pesky communications THE telephone is one of mankind’s most remarkable inventions. It has allowed people in distant locations to connect within seconds. But like most inventions, it can…
Who else needs to apply for loan modification again?
IF YOU’RE one of the many people who got approved for loan modification many years ago under the HAMP Program, chances are that you obtained a low interest rate of…
Like, Share and Tweet: Expanding your business by getting social
It’s the New Year and if you’re like most, you’re thinking about what your resolutions will be this year. You might be thinking of getting into shape and losing some…
Do you need help filing bankruptcy again?
I’VE been asked this question a few times lately so I decided to write an article on it. If you have filed bankruptcy before, you may be wondering whether it’s…