“My role is to guide people through the process of cultivating and owning a successful tax service.” In the heart of Houston, communities grappling with low-income, and poverty face distinctive challenges during tax season. Filing taxes and securing refunds becomes a formidable task due to limited access to financial resources and professional assistance. Residents in…
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.) introduced the American Teacher Act to incentivize states to increase the minimum K-12 teacher salary to $60,000 and adjust inflation. Wilson, the chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, said the financial incentive supports ongoing state efforts to provide competitive wages for teachers and address the national teacher…
By: d-mars.com News Provider There are several myths and misconceptions surrounding 401(k) plans, which are employer-sponsored retirement savings accounts in the United States. It’s important to clarify these misconceptions to make informed decisions about your retirement planning. Here are some common myths about 401(k) plans: Myth: I don’t need to start contributing to my 401(k)…
By: d-mars.com News Provider StatePoint Figuring out how much home you can afford is one of the most important questions you’ll need to answer before you begin house hunting. But as home prices and interest rates have increased in the past few years, you may be wondering how your buying power has changed. To get…
Following President Joe Biden’s announcement canceling student loan debt of up to $20,000 for specific borrowers, the U.S. Department of Education said applications for relief under the plan should be submitted by Nov. 15. Department officials said they’ve made the application process simple, and if borrowers fail to apply by Nov. 15, they’d still have…
Senate Democrats took a critical step toward reducing inflation and the cost of living by passing the Inflation Reduction Act. Proponents said the measure would make a big difference for many Americans by locking in savings on health insurance premiums and reducing the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices. The…
By Contributing Writer James L. Marshall, Jr., Financial Advisor, Financial Educator & Author “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” – Matthew 24:36 No one gets out alive! And the best thing we can do to ease the pain of…
Surprise fees, contracts, price hikes – it’s no wonder that broadband customers are the least satisfied customers in America according to the American Consumer Satisfaction Index. But having reliable and affordable internet access is no longer a luxury. Today, the home internet is essential for everyday activities, like connecting us to our classrooms, workplaces, healthcare…
Fewer households throughout the Greater Houston area could afford to purchase the median-priced home in the first quarter of 2022, as home prices and mortgage interest rates climbed. Homebuyers in the Houston Area need 26.9 percent more income than they did a year ago to afford the median-priced home, according to the newly launched Houston…
By d-mars.com News Provider Did you know self-employed people make up the largest and fastest-growing employment sector? If you’re one of the millions of self-employed Americans, you could benefit from current favorable tax laws – but if you don’t know them, you could risk paying too much. “The self-employed can access many tax benefits, even…
By d-mars.com News Provider While there are many ways to set your kids up for a successful future, money in the bank is one of the most powerful financial tools you can pass along. Every dollar you save or invest can help your child create a productive and stable foundation for many years to come….
By d-mars.com News Provider Like many other people, you probably have taxes on your mind right now. Figuring out if you have a tax refund coming your way can be an exciting time. But tax season doesn’t have to be all about crunching numbers and filling out forms. “If you’re in the market for a…
by d-mars.com News Provider Each year, approximately 200,000 men and women transition from the U.S. military to civilian life.1 It can be a dramatic life change with financial implications that many people don’t realize or plan for. Much attention is given to accessing healthcare, transitioning careers and pursuing educational opportunities, but the adjustments to your…
by d-mars.com News Provider A year as unusual and challenging as 2020 means there may be some additional factors that can impact your tax return, from stimulus payments, potential job changes and unemployment benefits, to virtual work transitions and more. “2020 was full of challenges, changes and plenty of uncertainty. While we’re optimistic for the…
By d-mars.com News Provider Social isolation among seniors is not only linked to numerous negative health consequences like depression and cardiovascular disease, but it’s also a primary contributing factor in financial exploitation and scams. Estimated to affect one in 10 older adults and cost billions annually, the threat of elder financial fraud is pervasive, and…
When a young person turns 18, it’s an exciting time full of possibilities. Being able to vote and no longer adhering to a curfew is just the beginning. Now an official adult, it’s time to begin a new chapter that sets the foundation for the rest of their life, including their financial wellness. “How you…
These are challenging times for businesses all over the nation. The Texas Comptroller’s office knows that during periods of economic hardship, paying or remitting taxes and fees on time can feel like an extra burden when there’s so much uncertainty. We’re thankful to those businesses that were able to remit state and local sales taxes…
Americans will have an additional three months to file their taxes amid the coronavirus pandemic, the US treasury secretary said on Friday. “We are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15,” Secretary Steven Mnuchin tweeted. “All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties.”…
When you completed last year’s small business tax return, did you run into surprises? Deductions you could no longer take? Changes in the tax code that left you regretting choices you made last year? You may have discovered you can no longer deduct for entertaining, so hold off on buying sports tickets for clients…
By Barrington M. Salmon, (USC Annenberg Health Journalism Fellow), Contributing Writer, NNPA When Detrice Belt walks around what’s left of her neighborhood and community, she is saddened because of the destruction of the place she calls home. She is deeply frustrated by the struggle she and the remaining residents at Barry Farm have been wrapped…