Houston, Texas tax lawyer with Dove law firm? Many of the courts in Harris County, Galveston County and Fort Bend County require mediation to be completed before a trial can be held. Mediation is when both sides meet with an independent third person who attempts to get the parties to reach an agreement. A mediator is a go-between and does not have the power to make any decisions in the case. If neither side files or prevails on a summary judgment motion and settlement is not reached, the case will be set for trial. In a trial for an unpaid debt, the judge (or jury in some instances) decides two questions. The first question the judge decides is if the Defendant legally owes a debt to the Plaintiff or not. If it is decided a debt is owed, the second question the judge decides is how much the Defendant owes to the Plaintiff. In a debt lawsuit, the Defendant’s ability to repay the debt or reason the Defendant failed to make payments on the debt is irrelevant to the questions the judge is deciding.
As a bankruptcy lawyer in Houston, I primarily help people and companies file Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. I also help both individuals and companies resolve other debt issues. I have been practicing as a Chapter 7 lawyer in Houston and as a Chapter 13 lawyer in Houston for over 5 years. I believe that customer help should be the no 1 priority in any business, but it is especially important in the bankruptcy and debt settlement field. When people are struggling financially they may be stressed, nervous and scared about their situation. The prompt returning of telephone calls and e-mails is important so as to help alleviate anxiety. You can also take comfort in knowing that you will be speaking with an attorney every time you call or come in for an appointment. Dove Law Firm, PLLC is a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code as well as resolve other debt issues.
What is involved in filing an Offer In Compromise with the IRS? There is an application fee to the IRS that must be paid along with several forms that must be completed. These forms include a full disclosure of your income, expenses and assets. The IRS can request paystubs, bank statements and other documents. Once you have gathered the information, a Houston tax attorney will perform the calculations needed to determine if an OIC is right to resolve your back tax debt. Read more info at dove law houston texas.
State sales taxes: This write-off makes sense primarily for those who live in states that do not impose an income tax. You must choose between deducting state and local income taxes, or state and local sales taxes. For most citizens of income-tax-states, the income tax deduction usually is a better deal. IRS has tables for residents of states with sales taxes showing how much they can deduct. But the tables aren’t the last word. If you purchased a vehicle, boat or airplane, you get to add the state sales tax you paid to the amount shown in IRS tables for your state, to the extent the sales tax rate you paid doesn’t exceed the state’s general sales tax rate. The same goes for home building materials you purchased. These items are easy to overlook. The IRS even has a calculator to help you figure out the deduction, which varies by your state and income level. Beginning in 2018, your itemized deduction for state and local taxes is limited to $10,000 per year. You still will only be allowed to deduct either state and local sales tax or state and local income taxes, but not both.
Who Should File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy? Many people think of bankruptcy court as the final stop on a path to financial ruin, the only option left when repaying debts seems impossible. But there’s hope even in bankruptcy, and Chapter 13 of the federal bankruptcy code offers the closest thing to a soft landing. Sometimes called the Wage Earner’s Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 allows those with enough income to repay all or part of their debts an alternative to liquidation. It’s bankruptcy for those whose biggest problem is dealing with creditors’ demands for immediate payment, not lack of income.
Pick Up Capital Gains if You’re in a Low Tax Bracket: The end of the year is also a good time for some people to sell stocks that have appreciated significantly in value. This can be a particularly good strategy for those who are in the 10% and 12% tax brackets since their capital gains tax may be zero. The stocks can then be repurchased, which resets the basis and minimizes the amount of tax to be paid on future gains. Even if you’re not in the lowest tax brackets, you may want to sell winning stocks to reset the basis if you’re also harvesting losses. “What you want to do is balance (gains) with stocks that have losses,” Barlin says.
What’s the Difference Between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy? Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the two common types of bankruptcy that affect consumers. Either could help when you don’t have the means to pay all your bills, but there are important differences between the two. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out certain debts within several months, but a court-appointed trustee can sell your nonexempt property to pay your creditors. You also must have a low income to qualify.