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Do you have an Emergency Go Bag?

Do you have an Emergency Go Bag?

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I am sure that images of doomsday preppers just flashed through your mind as you thought of trying to plan for something that seems irrelevant and a little out there. While having an emergency kit may seem absurd, there are countless reasons why you should have a contingency plan.   For starters, our nation is still in a pandemic. This crisis may have gone to the back of your mind as more chaos and trauma enters the world, but the virus has not disappeared. While not highly probable, it is still possible to contract COVID-19 and spend a few days in the hospital. Across the nation, COVID patients are in isolated wings where they are unable to have visits from their friends and family. In this scenario, having a bag with…
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CA Proposition 19 – Property Tax Increase and Your Legacy

CA Proposition 19 – Property Tax Increase and Your Legacy

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The 2020 Election Cycle did not come as a surprise to the millions of voting Americans. However, with everyone’s eyes fixed on who would be the Commander in Chief for the next four years, lawmakers and state governments attempted to catch citizens off guard with propositions that raised taxes while eliminating important processes that have benefited families.  In California, one such example is Proposition 19 which deals with Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment (2020). This piece of legislation is designed to raise taxes on inherited homes by eliminating the parent-child exclusion from reassessment under California Proposition 58.  Under the current law (as stated in California Propositions 13, 58, and 193), property tax rates on residential real property are calculated at a rate of…
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Emma Lazarus: Poet, Activist, Jewish Icon

Emma Lazarus: Poet, Activist, Jewish Icon

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This women’s history month, we want to take some time each week to share with you the story of an important women in U.S. History. Over the four weeks, the women we talk about may be familiar figures with unfamiliar stories and others may be people you’ve never heard of before! We hope that through sharing their story you will gain a new perspective on the women who have made significant contributions to the formation of this county.` First up, we have the poet Emma Lazarus who lived in the 1800’s. If her name sounds familiar, you might recognize her for her most famous work, “The New Colossus” a poem written in 1883 inspired by the Statue of Liberty. Her work was so moving that several lines are inscribed on…
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Is an LLC Right of You?

Is an LLC Right of You?

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So you've decided to start a business and you've heard you need to choose a business structure. You've also heard a lot about LLC's being relatively easy to establish and maintain with advantages over a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. A Limited Liability Company or "LLC" is a business structure permitted under state law. A major advantage of an LLC is evidenced by it's name: Limited Liability, which limits your personal liability for the activities and debts of the LLC. An LLC is fairly easy to set-up. For most states you file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. It also a very good idea to draft an Operating Agreement which simply establishes a framework for how the LLC will be run, authority of the members, requirements of members, how…
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Warren Buffett, GOP Debate and President Obama’s Joint Session Speech, Oh MY!!

Warren Buffett, GOP Debate and President Obama’s Joint Session Speech, Oh MY!!

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Warren Buffett is calling for higher taxes on the rich and recently told Congress to raise taxes. The GOP debate will undoubtedly argue against raising taxes, period. While the President may very well make a case for higher taxes and closing loop holes for the rich, but tax cuts for the middle class. The only thing these people can agree on is to continue to disagree and fight about it, just as they did over the debt ceiling. They're all out of control. And the simple truth is, "Taxes will go up in 2013!" However, if you're a business owner, self-employed professional such as a doctor, chiropractor or dentist, real estate professional or real estate investor you don't have to be subject to the ever changing wind of politics. You…
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Tax Planning for my Business

Tax Planning for my Business

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"There is nothing wrong with a strategy to avoid the payment of taxes. The Internal Revenue Code doesn't prevent that." The late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Most business owners don't have a strategy or a plan for savings taxes. They think they do or actually they think their tax preparer does and that their tax preparer is implementing that "plan." But the reality is the tax preparer is just making sure you're in compliance and compliance is simply putting numbers in the right boxes on the right form and sending it to the IRS at the right time. Some plan!! Are you satisfied with the amount of taxes you pay? Are you absolutely confident that you're taking advantage of every legally available tax break? Is your tax advisor giving…
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Becoming a Trustee

Becoming a Trustee

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I’ve become a trustee of family member’s trust, now what? The job of being a trustee of a trust can be daunting and leave you feeling afraid of the dark, even if you never were before. There are several things you should do that will help you feel more in control. Get a Copy of the Trust and Read It. One of the first things to do is obtain a copy of the trust, if you haven't already, and read it. Even if you don't understand it in its entirety become familiar with the contents, the specific gifts, provisions, powers, and other terms. Make a list of people named in the trust and any assets listed, normally assets are listed on a schedule attached to the end of the trust.…
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When Loved One Passes

When Loved One Passes

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Here are some initial basic steps to take when a loved one passes. Always obtain competent legal help from a trusted estate lawyer. There is a great deal of sadness when we lose a loved one. I’ve experienced this in my family and it takes time to gain your bearings. Eventually, you’ll need to address the issues surrounding the administration of the family’s trust. Here is a brief list of items that will help you or the Successor Trustee navigate the administration of a trust. Of course there is no way a thorough explanation can be provided for trust administration. It is simply a starting point. I would highly recommend obtaining an attorney who focuses on trust and estates to help guide you. Locate the Trust, Will, Real Estate Papers,…
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Start Planning Now

Start Planning Now

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Start Planning Now to Keep your Family Home in the Family with these Straightforward Strategies. People tend to light up when they talk of their vacation homes because of all the great memories. It’s often the case with a childhood home that has been kept in the family. The question is how do you keep the childhood home or vacation home in the family? Well there are several ways to consider: Outright Sale to Family Members Perhaps the simplest way to transfer a cherished home is an outright sale. However, if the home has been in the family for some time and it has appreciated there may be a capital gains tax, especially if it’s not the primary residence where a capital gain exclusion may apply. Currently the capital gains…
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Tax-Free Income

Tax-Free Income

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Vacation Homes Offer Tax-Free Income and a Business Deduction. Did you know the Internal Revenue Code allows for you to earn tax-free rental income on your vacation home? The general rule is that if you rent your property for 14 days or less per calendar year, then the expenses that are not otherwise deductible are considered personal non-deductible expenses. So you can’t take a deduction for utilities, insurance, or maintenance. What is great about the general rule is that the rental income earned for the 14 days or less is Tax-Free!! So the requirement is that you not rent out your vacation home for more than 14 days in a calendar year. As long as you follow this rule, the IRS doesn’t even want to know about it!! A couple of other…
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