(Part 2) FORM 1098-T from an eligible educational institution is REQUIRED for 2016 TO CLAIM the American Opportunity Tax Credit AOTC (previously Hope Scholarship Credit), Lifetime Learning Credit LLC, and Tuition and Fees deduction. Here are some tax tips to benefit from these credits in 2016 • Additional criteria must be satisfied for these refundable…
EVEN U.S. President Barack Obama has raised concern about the recent statements of Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and his war on drugs, which has already claimed the lives of more than 1,800 people since Duterte took office. Obama is set to meet with Duterte in Laos next week to talk about the alleged issue of…
ARTICLE III Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution states that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.” This is recognized to give people a conducive environment for participation and…
TODAY, more women are writing columns than before. But as the women’s movement took hold, traditional limitations on them began to dissolve, and they’re now writing about politics, government, finance, health or international affairs; in addition to family matters and personal concerns. They’ve stretched the boundaries of the form by creating columns that combine personal…
IN these turbulent times when the world is replete with hatred, violence, and killings, Paramount Pictures and MGM’s remake of the classic film, “Ben-Hur,” makes a relevant point: forgiveness heals and liberates. A fictional movie, it’s a story about a Jewish nobleman, Judah Ben-Hur, and his adopted Roman brother, Messala, whose happy family life ends…
ANYONE with a relatively good grasp of current events can tell you who said this: “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” Or this: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” The first one was John F. Kennedy’s classic statement during his inauguration as…
“YOU can’t stop me,” declared Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, despite the criticism from international organizations like the United Nations and the Human Rights Watch, as well as by major international news organizations, for the drug war-related deaths since he took office. They call the killings a violation of human rights and due process, however, Duterte…
Seniors choose Chapter 7 to discharge $30K and $10K credit cards CLIENT is 47, single and a registered nurse. Her income is good at $80K a year. She has no dependents except her mom who lives with her. Despite her good income, she has a default on her mortgage for $50K. She had an affair…
KNOWING how to save on auto insurance is important. Over time, the savings could be a lot of money. Here are some good tips on how to save on auto insurance: #1 Have appropriate coverage Common sense would tell you to minimize coverage to save money. But of course, you should not be overly minimizing…
Q: I WORK for a temp agency with headquarters outside California. As a condition of work, I agree to report to a location anywhere in Southern California assigned by the agency and I have to wait to be given work. Often, I report to a location and I am assigned work only after 3 or…
THERE are two different approaches to prepare for an audit: organized and shoebox. Organized means systematically arranging your records. Shoebox means simply being you—naturally disorganized. Let’s discuss each method so you can determine which one is best for your next audit. Why You Should be Organized: 1. This methodical approach of presenting data in a…
WHEN people are going through financial difficulty and are unable to pay their bills, their first reaction is often to ignore their debts and avoid contact with creditors. They think that by doing this, somehow the creditors will simply give up and go away. Bad news: This rarely works. Then one day they get a…
“ The Joint Petition provides an opportunity for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to inquire as to the legitimacy of the marriage after conditional permanent residence is granted.” MARRIAGE for many persons is the culmination of one’s life. Getting married signifies the beginning of a new phase in life, both socially…
Everyone pretty much agrees that if you exercise, eat right and don’t smoke or drink, you’ll never die. I have been told that by my internist, cardiologist, psychiatrist and all of their nurses, receptionists and building custodians. Over the weekend, I was invited for cocktails by a group of excruciatingly charming and renowned surgeons. Nothing…
The trailer of “Scripted in Heaven,” the movie inspired by Lou Baron’s book, premiered during a red carpet screening event at the Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, August 20. Many investors, media and guests attended the highly-anticipated event during which the team presented the concept and trailer of the movie. It…
Long Beach, Calif. – As a continuing public service, E.C. Ferrer Custom House Broker, Inc. is sponsoring another half-day seminar for importers, entrepreneurs, distributors, wholesalers and retailers on Oct. 26 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel on 4700 Airport Plaza Drive. Complimentary breakfast will be available and served upon…
Actor Matteo Guidicelli dismissed rumors that he and girlfriend, Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo, are planning to get married. He explained that getting married is a serious matter and thinks that they shouldn’t pressure themselves. Even the discussion of marriage has not been ventured to, Matteo said during a press conference last Friday, August. “Hindi pa…
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I entered the US under an assumed name. When I filed for adjustment of status, I had to file a fraud waiver (Form I – 601). Unfortunately, USCIS denied my fraud waiver along with my adjustment of status application. I am so depressed and want to know if there is anything I…
JAMES had just finished with his Adjustment of Status interview based on the immigrant petition of his wife, Kimberly. At the end of the interview, they were given a piece of paper entitled “Removal of Conditional Status” and the Immigration Officer made them both sign. A year-and-a-half later, Kimberly filed for divorce and left James. …
A CLINICAL study of 3.9 million adults in 189 countries, published in the medical journal Lancet, revealed that our risk for illness (like hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and cancer) and premature death is impacted by our weight. Overweight and obese individuals have the highest risk. Obesity is actually second to smoking as the…
NO career lasts forever. However dedicated individuals might be their professions, health and other concerns will eventually limit their ability to work. When that time comes, it is unlikely that seniors will be able to rely on their Social Security pension to live comfortably in retirement. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that the average…
INTERNATIONAL organizations like the United Nations (UN) and Human Rights Watch(HRW) did not mince words in their concerns about how Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is governing the country, specifically on his war against drugs. The United Nations may send observers to the Philippines after it has expressed concern regarding what the international organization deems as…
HISTORY will tell that the Philippines has one of the world’s most celebrated democracies today. On Sept. 21, 1972, former Philippine Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law. For today’s Filipinos, 42 years may seem like another lifetime—a bygone period with sketchy details of what martial law entailed for the people who had to endure…
At the recent FASO’s Summer Family Concert, you’d think that time honored, phrase “Maestro, at his best!” says it all.. But there is more between fresh observation and stale clichés when one thinks of the Maestro. All his past concerts, resonates into journeys to a musical world, with beauty heard and seen, through intangible shades…
MY favorite time of the day is the early morning after I arise from bed and take a shower. I would quietly sit by the window of my living room, take some deep breaths, and feel God’s presence. I would do this exercise for 20 to 30 minutes and then proceed to the prayer hall…
Senior seeks Chapter 7 relief for $19K credit cards CLIENT is 55 and single. He appears to have no problems to worry about. He is self-employed and makes about $5K monthly teaching people a special skill. He has no dependents. He owns a house that has no equity. The house is worth $400K but he owes…
Q: I WORK as a nurse at a hospital that has a strict policy of no unapproved overtime, and no going on breaks unless we are relieved by another nurse. We are forced to skip our breaks if there is no reliever (which happens a lot because we are often understaffed). As for overtime, we…
IF you are an applicant for an immigration visa, K visa, or V non-immigrant visa, your application may be denied if you are found inadmissible under certain circumstances. In this case, you may file an application for waiver for pacific grounds, such as health-related grounds of inadmissibility, certain criminal grounds of inadmissibility, or immigrant fraud…
THE IRS issued new guidance requiring individuals with an interest in a “specified foreign financial asset” to attach a disclosure statement to your income tax return for any year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $50,000. Use new form Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) starting in 2011. Q….
IF you’ve made the decision to file bankruptcy in order to get a fresh financial start, here are some things to consider in choosing between Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Be aware, however, that your income and expenses have a lot to do with which chapter you will be able to file because the courts…
