Is your family-owned business struggling financially?
THE recession has been tough on a lot of small businesses. And if you have a family-owned business that is your only source of income, the business may not even…
Category: Business
Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Why biting down on aluminum foil hurts
HAVE you ever accidentally bitten down on a little piece of aluminum foil? Have you experienced that quick zap of pain? Perhaps a little piece of foil was clinging to the tortilla when…
IRS may have refunds waiting for you
IF YOU earned income in the last few years but didn’t file a tax return because your wages were below the filing requirement, the Internal Revenue Service may have some…
Long 12-hour shifts, no overtime pay, and no breaks? Time to stop the abuse!
KINDRED Healthcare Incorporated, a healthcare services company that operates hospitals, nursing centers, and rehabilitation services nationwide, was sued by its health care employees in California. The employees alleged that Kindred…
To people who want to get out of debt, but are afraid to file 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…
Single mom seeks 2nd bankruptcy relief after 15 years
I REMEMBER client the first time I met her 15 years ago. At that time, she was only 30 years old and had just started working as a registered nurse…
How do you keep good tax records?
1. IRS wants you to keep good records to document your income and support your expenses. It does not require you to keep records in any specific manner, but there…
Disability discrimination – prevention & remedies
Q: I HAD to take a few weeks of medical leave from work because I had to undergo a heart procedure. I gave my employer my doctors’ notes. When I…
Debt problems: Do you have a secret fear of losing everything you have?
I KNOW we’ve never met. But there’s a common concern we all share. As a debt relief attorney, I hear it from people who consult with me every day. It…
Media channels for advertising
What is the first thing you do when planning for your daily commute? You probably watch the news, check for train or bus delays on the internet, or check a…
Federal penalties for underpayment of taxes
“Taxpayers who are hit with the 20 percent penalty for negligence or disregard of rules may try to establish reasonable cause for underpayment and show that you acted in good…
New law protects subcontracted and temp workers in CA
Q: I HAVE worked at XY Company, a big processing plant in the Inland Empire, for many years. My direct employer is really ABC LLC, which subcontracts labor to XY…
Why do you need to get out of debt?
PEOPLE come to me every day with different reasons for getting out of debt. Most of the time, I’m thinking that they would have been better off had they come…
Rules to follow for a smile-healthy Halloween
HERE it comes! The season of ghosts, ghouls, witches, and, of course… candy! If you’re savvy about it, there’s no reason for your Halloween fun to come at the expense…
Values and philanthropy: Cornerstones to an enduring family business
“I choose to rise up out of that storm and see that in moments of desperation, fear, and helplessness, each of us can be a rainbow of hope, doing what…
Client seeks conversion of Chapter 13 to Chapter 7
YESTERDAY, a new client I saw said that she had been in a Chapter 13 paying $400/month for the last 12 months. But next year after her car was paid…
I owe the IRS – what can I do?
HERE 10 tips if you owe but cannot immediately pay the IRS: • Pay What you can: Pay promptly to stop additional penalties and interest from accruing. If you are…
Can employees challenge employment documents they signed?
WE previously discussed the question of whether an employee’s signature to an independent contractor (IC) agreement binds the employee to the terms of that agreement. We noted that the law…
Debt problems: Are you lost in a ‘money fog’?
MAYBE you’ve experienced this before: You’re driving down the road one cold, chilly day and before you know it, you find yourself surrounded by a thick white wall of dense…
Filipino invention Beer Below Zero comes to US
LOS ANGELES – Beer drinkers love their beer ice cold. That’s usually 8 degrees Celsius if taken from a regular refrigerator. But what if they could drink beer at the…
Down and out clients seek Chapter 7 fresh start in life
WE will discuss two recent cases involving clients who truly need a fresh start in life with no debts owed to anyone. The first case involves an individual who has…
Should you submit an offer in compromise (OIC) to the IRS?
IF YOU cannot pay all your taxes owed to the IRS, you may make an offer to pay a smaller sum to fully pay all taxes, penalties, and interests. This…
Should supervisors, lead persons, and foremen be paid overtime?
Why a fixed monthly salary may shortchange some employees Q: I WORK as a supervisor/team lead at a manufacturing plant. I supervise a few employees but I can’t hire or…
Do you have these early signs of debt trouble?
HOW much debt is too much? Are you worried that you have accumulated more debt than you can afford to pay back? One of the smartest things you can do…
Dental-related fun facts
INDEED, dentistry is serious business. But that doesn’t mean we have to take ourselves too seriously all the time, right? Here are some dental-related fun facts: • A typical elephant’s molar…
Getting the word out with advertising
One thing I truly enjoy about my job is my relationship with my clients. I get to speak with CEOs, Presidents from large corporations and small business owners from various…
Is college tuition deferral dischargeable?
SECTION 523(a)(8)(A)(ii) of the current bankruptcy code states that “an obligation to repay funds received as an educational benefit, scholarship or stipend;” is not dischargeable in bankruptcy unless excepting such…
IRS alert – protect your self from email scams
TAX scams via email have become widespread over the last year. Thieves have become bolder. Their bogus IRS website has improved graphics and looks so real that even a veteran…
Should commissions be included in computing overtime pay?
When employees are entitled to higher pay ANDREW Prizler worked as an hourly retail sales consultant at AT&T Mobility Services. Being in sales, he was also paid commissions. In June…
Bankruptcy: When financial stress becomes unbearable
ARE you having problems paying your debts? Are creditors calling you day and night threatening you with a wage garnishment, repossession or foreclosure? Are you starting to feel hopeless and…