12 divorce tax tips

1. YOUR legal marital status is determined as of December 31 of each year.  Even if you were married for the previous 364 days if you were divorced on the 365th day of the year, you are considered unmarried for the entire year. 2. You can file single only if you receive a final decree…

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The consequences of a Duterte presidency

“MABUHAY ang NPA!” Rodrigo Duterte has exhorted in his speeches. And Jose Maria Sison, Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army founder has acknowledged Duterte’s promise that if he becomes president, the NPA will have one foot in Malacañang. Said Sison: “Sabi niya, kapag ako ang presidente, isang paa ng NPA nasa Malacañang…

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On mothers, motherhood and beyond

The most demanding view of motherhood is this romanticized notion:  that no woman is complete or fulfilled unless she has kids.  In addition to this, the world’s view about motherhood is that she must remain the best primary caregiver of her children, devote her entire physical, emotional and intellectual well-being 24/7.    This old perception…

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PAFCOM crowns beauty queens in ‘Panagbenga’-themed gala

The Philippine-American Friendship Committee, Inc. (PAFCOM), a Jersey City-based socio-civic service-oriented organization, has long journeyed and rousingly established its dedicated advocacy of providing community service and assistance programs which enormously covered various activities that have brought about effectual social well-being and sustainable assistance in many Jersey City communities. This year, as the organization turns another…

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Black propaganda in Philippine politics

Political jousts in this country are eternally exciting, entertaining, somehow also enlightening and, from the point of view of those who become objects of vicious black propaganda attacks, absolutely infuriating. Remember the malicious tag of “Brenda” hurled against a leading presidential candidate a few years ago that was intended to put her mental faculty in…

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Do you have bad breath?

As a common presumption goes, “one isolated incident of bad breath, like a first-time thief who is caught, permanently tarnishes the reputation, and the condemnation sticks for life.” What is halitosis? Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Dental reports in the United States say there are about 65 million Americans who have bad…

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Deguito denies money laundering raps

MANILA—Former Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) branch manager Maia Santos-Deguito denied on Monday, May 2 the money laundering charges filed against her in connection with the $80.9 million stolen by hackers from the Bangladesh Bank and laundered to the country. In a 15-page counter-affidavit, Deguito asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the complaint…

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Debt relief exclusion for rental properties

WE talked about tax consequences of short sales, foreclosures, and abandonments of homes. Let us now talk about tax consequences of cancelled debt on qualified real property – including rental units. Debt forgiven from short sales, foreclosures, and abandonments creates debt relief income – taxable income, taxed at ordinary rates. Hard for property owners who…

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Public Interest

THESE last few days leading up to May 9—the Philippine national elections—are critical. This moment is intense as aspiring leaders are rushing to mount campaigns that will boost in public support, which in turn, they hope will manifest in actual votes. For Filipino voters, this moment is a chance for them to relish the power…

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Family Feuds and Shattered Families

I had a wonderful time exchanging notes with the participants of my Family Business Talk last Friday at the Holiday Inn in Makati. It was a sold out event with whole families coming in droves and occupying several tables armed with loads of questions related to governance.  To those who attended, many thanks! It is…

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Protecting employees against workplace violence

YOWAN Yang worked for ActioNet as an information technology technician. ActioNet is a contractor providing technical support to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Cy Tymony was another technician who worked with Yang on the same team. Yang worked four feet away from Tymony’s cubicle. On July 24, 2012, Yang and Tymony had an argument about…

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Grounds for annulling a marriage

MOST couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce.  There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided” rather than “dissolved.”  There is a big difference between the two concepts.  With a voided marriage, it restores the couple to status of unmarried person as if they…

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Right 1095 to avoid tax penalty 

ANALOGOUS to taxpayers showing their earning statements with W2 or 1099, this year taxpayers are asked to show 1095s as their health insurance statements. Without proof of health insurance, they may have to pay a penalty. A 1095 form basically declares who is covered by a health insurance meeting the “minimum essential coverage” defined by…

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How to spot an IRS fraud audit

IT started with a dreaded letter from the IRS. Your tax return has been selected for examination. Lately, the agent has been asking about cash transactions, safety deposit box, foreign bank accounts and even showed up with a second agent. At your doorsteps! Something is wrong. Does the agent suspect fraud? Are you being referred…

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Get out of debt without filing for bankruptcy?

BEING in debt and doing nothing about it can have more serious consequences than you think. First of all, it can impact your financial future. Uncontrolled debt can deprive you the opportunity to put money aside for emergencies, save money for a home or college for your children, or perhaps for retirement. Every day I…

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