I have many bankruptcy/debt management clients whose credit cards have been closed, and they’re listed as closed on their credit report, but interest and late penalties keep getting tacked onto the balances due month after month. Huh? How is that even possible? I know it seems counterintuitive – that the credit card account is listed as “closed” but its outstanding balance keeps increasing. But it’s not. Read more>>
July 5, 2022
Credit card debt reduction can be accomplished by filing bankruptcy. But there’s also a way to reduce big credit card debt that doesn’t involve bankruptcy. I frequently offer this option to clients who either do not qualify for bankruptcy, or who would lose an important asset in bankruptcy. Read more>>
June 19, 2022
A common strategy for dealing with unmanageable debt is to file bankruptcy. Yet some people don’t have enough money to file bankruptcy. I don’t mean that they can’t afford to pay me (although that happens too), but that their life and financial situations combine in a way that bankruptcy makes no sense. But the turnip defense does. Read more>>
June 8, 2022
For anyone who owes back taxes to the IRS, obtaining Uncollectible Status is like reaching a Promised Land for Tax Debtors. It means the IRS has decided to temporarily halt any collection actions against the “uncollectible” tax payer because it’s just not worth it. Read more>>
May 24, 2022
A newly divorced woman comes to me in shock: in the divorce settlement, her husband accepted all responsibility for the $400,000 in taxes they owed, but the IRS is now threatening to levy on her meager bank accounts. What’s up? Read more>>
May 2, 2022
Regular readers know I occasionally post stories about the IRS and California Tax Agency’s more absurd shenanigans. Unfortunately, I see a LOT of shenanigans. Here are two recent Tales from the Tax Troll Trenches. Read more »
April 8, 2022
There are many obligations taxpayers have which, if not done or not done on time, are subject to penalties and fines from the IRS. Read more »
March 24, 2022
Readers of my blog know I frequently berate Congress for having cut the IRS’ budget while dramatically increasing its workload in the past decade. But here’s the politically conservative Wall Street Journal, letting us know how the IRS’s woes are encouraging tax evasion. Read more »
March 8, 2022
The IRS’s 2021 responsiveness has been rightfully panned. Due to budget constraints, Covid work restrictions for IRS employees, and a huge work increase from administering much of the Economic Recovery Act, the IRS was pounded and thus taxpayers were, too. But, if last year was bad, this year will be worse Read more »
February 24, 2022
Readers of my blog and newsletter know I have a side-gig in about a dozen hens. I love them and I love the fresh eggs they give me. That’s me with one of the girls. I’ve written about my flock before. Notice the nifty Faucher Family Farms shirt Karen got me for Christmas. Read more »
February 14, 2022
