Sunday, May 6, 2012

Payroll Puerto Rico, Unique Aspects of Puerto Rico Payroll Law and Practice

The Puerto Rico State Agency that oversees the collection and reporting of State income taxes deducted from payroll checks is:

Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Income Tax
Intendente Alejandro Ramirez Bldg.
Paseo Covadonga, Stop 1
P.O. Box S-4515
San Juan, PR 00905
(787) 721-2020


Puerto Rico has no State Income Tax. Therefore, there are no State W2's to file, no supplement wage withholding rates and no State W2's to file.

The Puerto Rico State Unemployment Insurance Agency is:

Department of Labor and Human Resources
Bureau of Employment Security
Prudencio Rivera Martinez Bldg.
505 Munoz Rivera Ave.
Hato Rey, PR 00918
(787) 754-5262

The State of Puerto Rico taxable wage base for unemployment purposes is wages up to ,000.00.

Puerto Rico has no provision of quarterly wages on magnetic media.

Unemployment records must be retained in Puerto Rico for a minimum period of five years. This information generally includes: name; social security number; dates of hire, rehire and termination; wages by period; payroll pay periods and pay dates; date and circumstances of termination.

The Puerto Rico State Agency charged with enforcing the state wage and hour laws is:

Department of Labor and Human Resources
505 Munoz Rivera Ave.
Hato Rey, PR 00918
(787) 754-2119


There is no provision for minimum wage in Puerto Rico.

The general provision in Puerto Rico concerning paying overtime in a non-FLSA covered employer is one and one half times regular rate after 40-hour week except under contract, custom, nature of work.

There is no provision of new hire requirements in the Puerto Rico law.

There is no provision of rules for direct deposit for Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has no Wage and Hour Law provisions concerning pay stub information except that employees paid by direct deposit must get a voucher showing all deductions.

Puerto Rico requires that employee be paid every 15 days.

In Puerto Rico there are no statutory requirements concerning the lag time between when the services are performed and when the employee must be paid.

Puerto Rico payroll law requires that involuntarily terminated employees must be paid their final pay by next regular payday.

Puerto Rico has no general provision on when voluntarily terminated employees must be paid their final wages.

There is no provision in Puerto Rico law concerning paying deceased employees.

There is no provision of when unclaimed wages should be paid in Puerto Rico.

There is no provision in Puerto Rico law concerning record retention of abandoned wage records.

There is no provision in Puerto Rico law concerning tip credits against State minimum wage.

In Puerto Rico the payroll laws covering mandatory rest or meal breaks are only that all employees must have 1-hour meal period after 3rd and before 6th hour of shift unless agreed otherwise.

There is no provision in Puerto Rico law concerning record retention of wage and hour records therefore it is probably wise to follow FLSA guidelines.

The Puerto Rico agency charged with enforcing Child Support Orders and laws is:

Child Support Enforcement Program
Department of Social Services
P.O. Box 3349
San Juan, PR 00902-3349
(787) 767-1500

Puerto Rico has no provisions for child support deductions.

Please note that this article is not updated for changes that can and will happen from time to time.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Securing Home Loans With Bad Credit: Some Tricks That Make It Happen

Excellent credit histories are pretty rare these days. Even mortgages, arguably the biggest single debt anyone will take on in their lifetime, are being applied for by applicants with low credit scores. But is it even possible to get home loans with bad credit?

The simple answer is yes. Approval for any kind of loan depends on the strength of the application, not on the credit score the applicant has. Employment and affordability are much more significant factors in any loan approval process, so securing mortgage approval is about having a good income and a healthy debt-to-income ratio.

But that is not to say matters cannot be improved in advance of submitting an application. The right moves (and 3 in particular) can strengthen the home loan application overall, increasing greatly the chances of success. These three involve knowing your financial reputation; taking time to improve your credit score; and offering a large down payment.

Know Your Financial Reputation

Knowing your own financial reputation is a very useful thing when it comes to building a strong loan application. This is done by reading your own credit report, which details the nature of your credit history, and reveals the weaknesses that lenders will take note of. Knowing where the faults lie can help greatly when seeking home loans with bad credit.

The credit score is only a calculated value of the risk factor of a particular applicant, but the accuracy of that evaluation has come into question in recent years. But they still have a limited influence, with low scores meaning higher interest rates charged, which in turn affects the affordability of the required repayments. So, the chances of securing mortgage approval can still be affected.

When the score is very low (around 500), then it is obvious that some effort needs to be made to improve it if a home loan is to be secured. But if the score is high (around 700) the application is going to be pretty strong in any case.

Increase Your Credit Score

But how can these scores be improved? Well, the only way is to reduce the amount of debt that exists by paying at least some of them off. With every debt cleared, the score is adjusted upwards, so gradually the score rises to a higher level. This can help to secure a home loan with bad credit, with the interest is lowered and the debt-to-income ratio improved.

Clearing debts can be done in two ways. Firstly, with a single consolidation loan paying all of the remaining balances in one go. Because 4 individual loans come with 4 individual interest rates, the overall cost can be quite high. Replacing them with one loan and one interest rate creates considerable savings. So, securing mortgage approval becomes easier.

Also, because the amount of debt falls, the debt-to-income ratio improves. More funds become available for any new debt, so a home loan can be deemed affordable.

Consider a Larger Down Payment

A down payment is important, not just because it seals the transaction, but because it lowers the amount needed to borrow to complete the transaction. This can be very beneficial when seeking a home loan with bad credit, with smaller loans meaning lower monthly repayments.

For example, a 10% down payment on a home worth 0,000, means a mortgage of 5,000 is required to purchase the property. But a down payment of 20% lowers the required home loan to 0,000. This effectively lowers the monthly repayments from 0 to 0 (over 30 years).

And with greater affordability, securing mortgage approval becomes that little bit easier. Of course, saving ,000 to make a 20% down payment is the difficult part, and can typically take years to do.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Silver Libertad - Neglected And Undervalued Silver Coin Carries A Rich History

Probably the most underappreciated and ignored silver bullion coins is the Mexican Silver Libertad.



Most coin lovers along with other buyers invest in well-liked bullion coins including the U . S . Silver Eagle or even the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf and so are unaware of the beauty along with valuation on this excellent coin.

I can't imagine one more coin which design boasts from difficult struggled freedom to endlesslove to early quest for civilization much like the silver Libertad actually does!



Prior to diving to the specification of the actual coin, let's check out the unique design.



The opposite side of the coin showcases the particular coat of arms of Mexico, which is a golden Mexican Eagle that's holding a snake in its beak while he is perching on a cactus. The particular eagle is actually flanked by the wreath combined with words and phrases, Estados Unidos Mexicanos, the standard Spanish name for Mexico.



The coat of arms highlighted on the coin is renowned along with symbolic occurred because of the particular achievement of an time tested prediction.



In the days of the Aztec, ahead of the city was started, this particular group started to search the particular Mexican valley spot to reside.



The particular God they patronized revealed for them the fact that they {would understand when they had the correct place whenever they observed an indication. This indicator ended up being a good large eagle, located on a cactus, holding a snake in the beak.



And the Aztec created their particular fantastic city, Tenochitlan, in the precise region exactly where these people noticed The eagle. The region was really any swampy isle, in Lake Texoco.



the location eventually became thus so big as well as regal thatl conquerors coming from Europe whom discovered ended up dazzled because of it.



Tenochitlan became what's right now, modern-day Mexico City.



Currently let's glance at the obverse aspect of the Libertad silver coin.



The actual obverse side of the coin showcases the Angel de la Independencia. She's portrayed as rising in the air across the famous volcanoes of Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl.



The particular angel is a symbol of the freedom involving Mexico In the heart of Mexico City presently there stands a well-known column that is a symbol of both triumph and liberty. The actual angel is actually designed after this popular column generally known as Independence Column.



The identities of the volcanos originated from a pair of doomed, mythic Aztec lovers. Unfortunately, these two people became separated and ended up changed from the Gods into a couple of interlocked mountains to ensure finally they might be together perpetuity!



At present minted with the Mexican Central Bank, the silver Libertad is not legal tender and is regarded as a numismatic coin.



What's intriguing , Hugo Salinas, the Mexican billionaire, has been trying for a long time to produce a silver bullion coin legitimate money. His concept is to monetize and publicly distribute a one ounce silver bullion coin : especially the Libertad : combined with the Mexican Peso.



The particular proposition has been launched and passed by the 2009 Mexican legislature but unfortunately rejected from the Mexican Central Bank.



To summarize, I believe the Mexican Silver Libertad, with its fine .999 gold content and also prosperous, historic, style makes a beautiful supplement to any collector's portfolio. It's great for anyone who desires to own a small bit of history.

Ordinary Income v. Capital Gains on Selling Foreclosed Property

Ordinary Income v. Capital Gains on Selling Foreclosed Property
WENDELL V. AND SHARON T. GARRISON v. COMMISSIONER
U.S. TAX COURT
December 1, 2010

Facts: Wendell Garrison, in the years under question, 1998 to 2000, was a Mortgage Broker making about ,000 a year from his mortgage business. Also during this time period he and his wife bought and sold foreclosed properties, flipping them as quickly as possible, holding them for a period averaging about four months. The Garrisons reported the income from the properties as capital gains rather than ordinary income. The IRS claimed that the properties were not bought as longer-term investments, but were merely inventory in the ongoing business of buying and quickly reselling foreclosed houses. The IRS sent a notice of deficiency stating that since this was ordinary income, self-employment taxes were also due against the earnings. The Garrisons appealed the ruling to the Tax Court

Analysis and Conclusion: Prior Court rulings have outlined the criteria for whether the buying and selling of property should be considered capital gains or ordinary income (see box below). Since the Court saw the Garrisons as buying and selling homes on an ongoing basis, rather than investing in them for the longer term, the Court considered their activities to be a Schedule C business earning ordinary business income. Therefore, they had to pay employment taxes on their selfemployment income. The ruling was in favor of the IRS.

Notes: This is a particularly timely case with the vast amount of foreclosures currently on the market. No doubt, if one of your clients dabbles in the business of buying and selling foreclosed properties, they need to understand that their activities can be considered a side business earning ordinary income.

Source: National Society of Tax Professionals: Federal Tax Alert, December 2010

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Here Is What You Should Know About Txtloan, The Text Loan Provider

TxtLoan is a payday loan provider in the UK market. They are unique in that they offer loans from the convenience of your mobile phone. You have to register once and you might need to fax in some documents, but after that, you just have to send a text and you will receive a loan fast.

In case you are not familiar with payday loans, they are a type of short term financing for bridging the gap until your next pay day. It is not a long term financial solution, but if you have expenses that you must cover today, then these loans can be a great help.

If you are getting a loan from TxtLoan, then you can borrow 100 only, no more and no less. Usually pay day lenders give the option of choosing from a range of amounts, but TxtLoan is unique in this respect.

You can expect an APR of 894% on your loan. This is one of the lowest APRs on the market today. It is typical to see APRs of 1500%, 2000%, and even more with other lenders.

All loans are same day transfers, even if it's past 5pm or it's not even a business day. These text loans are available around the clock, so it can be a lifesaver if you need the money fast on a Sunday.

However, there is a same day transfer fee of 5.50. The typical repayment amount on a 7 day loan is 10%, so for each 100 borrowed, you repay 110, plus the same day transfer.

Usual terms apply: you must be over 18 years of age, be a resident in the UK, and receive a regular salary. The minimum monthly NET salary you can apply with is at least 400. You must also have a bank account which can receive direct debit.

In addition, this lender, unlike almost all others on the market, requires you to have a mobile phone and an e-mail address. But these days, that should not be a problem.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Total Environment - The New Age Architectural Design Firm

It's the age of metamorphosis for the real estate developers in India. All the major markets, metros, and class A cities are taking serious efforts to create new townships in and around the given city equipped with better infrastructure and other amenities like quality schools, hospitals, clubs, malls etc. Increase in job opportunities, availability of more land to developers by the state govt., tax incentives to the developers and tax benefits to potential buyers are the prime reasons for this upsurge.

With so many real estate developers in India vying for the coveted projects, it is a rare phenomenon to pick up a trendsetting real estate construction firm. Enter Total Environment one of the few realty developers in recent times to break new grounds in terms of creativity, innovation and structural marvel. Nothing short of a holistic architectural design firm. 11 years back what began as a quiet start with an initial investment of Rs.10000, 4 people and the simple idea of giving Bangalore, buildings that blend with its natural landscape, preserving the charm of the city has come a long way to be counted among the elite architectural design firm of recent times.

Their core strength is the ability to understand and meet the needs of global professionals through innovative concepts, personalized service, total transparency and of course, raising the highest quality buildings corporate and residential. Total Environment has a very unique and innovative approach when it comes to building structures. Focus is always on creating physical environments that are in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Every apartment has a terrace garden that gives the owners their own little patch of outdoors right at home. The use of natural construction materials like wire-cut bricks and exposed form finished concrete, has added a new dimension to building aesthetics. Besides being maintenance-free, these natural materials age beautifully and the passage of time gives them a life and character of their own. They are one of the few construction companies to use the DOKA system of formwork. For the clients, this translates into the assurance of high quality, long lasting and more efficitconstruction.

A 100% growth year after year comes as no surprise from this out-of-the-box architectural design firm.

Hot Prices At Target Spark A Buying Frenzy

Target, the fourth largest retailer of home furnishings in the United States, has made some moves in global circles that have consumers flocking to their website like never before. Not only are their prices still among the best anywhere in cyberspace, but a number of new promotions make their already unbeatable deals just a little bit sweeter. This article will discuss the new and improved Target online marketplace and ways to save money on almost any everyday purchase.

Fantastic Electronics at Fantastic Prices

The big holiday sales may finally be over, but for some reason the prices at Target have remained well below what other stores are charging. We're not just talking about feature items like televisions and video game consoles; their cameras, MP4 players, computers, navigation systems, and cellular phones are all at rock bottom prices right now as well. Inside sources say that Target has secured several big contracts with many of the world's top electronic manufacturers to remain one of the leading suppliers on US soil. Many of their electronics are also discounted even further through their website, so be sure to check back often and grab those deals when you see them!

The RedCard

The RedCard is Target's personal store credit card, and besides offering very competitive rates it also comes packed with several exciting features. First off, any purchase that you make with your Target card goes directly back into your community to programs like the Boys and Girls Club, the United Way, and several other great charities. They believe in supporting our youth, and just using the RedCard is an excellent way to make that dream happen.

There's a lot more than charity going on with the RedCard though, because when you use it online or at a local Target you automatically get 5% off any purchase. This isn't just on select items or ones that cost a certain amount of money; it's 5% off anything you buy, every time. If you have five prescriptions filled and pay with the RedCard you'll earn an additional 5% off any single day's purchases...so the benefits can really add up! Compare that to the 1% annual return on traditional cash back credit cards and you can see why so many shoppers are taking advantage of this easy way to save.

Online Only Specials

Many retailers charge a bit more for online purchases because there's the extra burden of shipping, packing, and handling involved, but Target sees it a little bit differently. For them, it's much easier to send something from a centralized warehouse than to keep restocking hundreds of nationwide stores, so they pass that extra savings right down to their customers. In fact, they ship most purchases completely free of charge.

Be sure to check out Target's online only specials because some of the savings can be substantial. We're not talking about 5-10% off selected merchandise that they haven't been able to sell otherwise--almost a third of their website is marked down up to 20% below what other retailers are charging. With deals like these, there's little reason to shop anywhere else!

Use Target Coupons for Extra Savings

Target also has several affiliates around the World Wide Web, and one of the best ones for everyday savings is MoneyJibe.com. They work directly with Target to offer the latest coupons, promotions and specials, so you're not likely to find better prices anywhere else. To get in on some of the exclusive savings offered by MoneyJibe, including Target furniture coupons and free shipping coupons, visit their Target Coupons page for the latest offers and specials.