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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)  filed its lawsuit in August 2013, against debt-relief services company Morgan Drexen. The CFPB alleges, among other things, that  Morgan Drexen deceived consumers into paying unlawful up-front fees for debt relief services by disguising them as fees related to “sham” bankruptcy services. According to an article by Joanna M. Zdanys and Jessica Kaufman of the lawfirm Morrison & Foerster LLP “(t)he CFPB claimed that the defendant’s practices violated the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), 16 C.F.R. § 310, and the Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA).
 
The action offered its share of drama even during motion practice, when the defendant was one of those that took up the sword against the Bureau on constitutionality grounds. It lost that motion last month but managed first to get the Court to hold that CFPB officials could be subjected to depositions. Trial was set to begin on February 10, 2015, but instead the court held an evidentiary hearing that day in connection with the CFPB’s motion for sanctions against the defendant for fabricating and destroying evidence.
At the hearing, CFPB attorney Gabriel D. O’Malley alleged that the defendant created or altered relevant bankruptcy petitions in June or July of 2014, after the CFPB had served its discovery requests on the defendant. The CFPB claims that the defendant’s former Chief Operating Officer tipped off the CFPB just last month that the defendant had altered dates on existing documents or fabricated bankruptcy petitions entirely. The defendant flatly denies these allegations and paints the former COO as a disgruntled ex-employee with a vendetta against the company. The court has not yet ruled on the CFPB’s motion.”

The post CFPB vs Morgan Drexen – fraudulent debt “relief” assistance appeared first on Diane L. Drain - Phoenix Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Attorney.

The economic hardships of recent years combined with the burst of the “housing bubble” caused many Michigan families to get behind on their mortgage and/or property taxes.  Although things may be improving now for some families and individuals, many homeowners are still trying to dig out the financial mess.  This includes dealing with past due […]
The post Property Tax Forfeiture and Foreclosure Timelines for Michigan – Time is Running Out! appeared first on Acclaim Legal Services, PLLC.

When you know what information you need beforehand, Federal and Wisconsin tax return filing becomes a lot easier. Use this handy list to help you prepare for Federal and Wisconsin income tax return filing.
1. If you are filing your income taxes in person with a CPA or another business, such as H&R Block, be sure to bring photo identification, such as your Driver’s License and Social Security cards for all adults.
2. You will need to know the date of birth and social security numbers for everyone in your household. This includes your spouse, children, and any other person living with you for whom you provided care during the tax year.
3. Current address and relationship to you of all individuals you provided care to during the tax year.
4. W-2s from every job held during the tax year for all individuals in your household.
5. Any 1099s received by any person in your household. Common 1099s indicate interest earned, refunds received, social security, loans, reimbursements, last year’s State of Wisconsin refund, winnings, etc.
6. Any 1098s received. 1098s report payments you have made, such as school loans.
7. Any 1095 received showing credit from the healthcare.gov marketplace (health insurance).
8. Statements from your bank accounts showing savings and investments.
9. Your bank’s routing number and the account number which you would like your refund direct deposited in, if you choose the direct deposit option.
10. Last year’s Federal and Wisconsin tax returns, if you have them.
11. Any property tax paid on your home.
12. Home improvement expenses, if deductible. Sometimes certain energy star appliances, doors, and windows are deductible.
13. Medical expenses and miles driven for medical purposes (to and from your doctor). This includes dentist, eye doctor, general practitioner, hospital expenses, specialists, prescription medications, over the counter medicine, dietary food items, and medical equipment.
14. Interest paid on your mortgage.
15. Childcare expenses. This pertains to daycare expenses you pay a childcare provider. You will need their tax information.
16. Business expenses, such as required uniforms, meters paid for parking, miles driven, hotels, cabs, airplane tickets, etc. If self employed, this also includes office equipment purchased, insurance paid, advertising expenses, office supplies, etc.
17. Moving expenses, if related to your job.
18. Amount or value of charitable donations given.
19. Gambling losses.
20. Cost of last year’s income tax return filing.
21. Any vehicle sales tax paid.
22. Mortgage points.
23. Hobby expenses.
24. Out-of-Pocket expenses paid by teachers for items used in the classroom.
25. Expenses related to job searching, such as the cost of printing resumes.
Remember, you must keep a copy of your tax records for seven years. Your Federal and Wisconsin income tax returns must be postmarked by April 15, 2015.
There are two new features available from the IRS this year. First, the IRS allows you to get your tax transcripts for free online. To get a free transcript online, you must have a Social Security Number and access to your email account to confirm your email address. Then, you’ll need to answer some personal, financial, and tax related questions to verify your identity.
The second new featured offered by the IRS this year is if your debt to the IRS is less than $25,000 total, you can get set up an installment agreement online to make monthly payments. Before applying for any payment agreement, you must file all required tax returns.
If you have questions regarding Federal or Wisconsin income tax returns, bankruptcy, or debt repair, please contact Wynn at Law, LLC. Our expert debt attorney can answer your questions. Wynn at Law, LLC has offices in Lake Geneva, Salem, and Delavan, Wisconsin. You can reach our Wisconsin tax attorney by phone at 262-725-0175 or by email via our website’s contact page.

 
 
 
*The content and material on this web page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
 

Reaffirming a Debt in Bankruptcy
There are times when clients who have filed chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy will ask whether or not they should reaffirm a debt that would otherwise be discharged in their bankruptcy. Reaffirmation is an agreement made with a creditor to continue paying off a debt even after bankruptcy. There may be legitimate reasons for wanting to reaffirm a debt or loan. However, before the changes in bankruptcy law in 2005, it was not uncommon for creditors to use coercive methods to try and get debtors to reaffirm a loan. Reaffirming a debt means that you will be legally responsible for repaying the debt after your bankruptcy even though the bankruptcy would have released you of any legal responsibility to pay it back.
The post Reaffirming a Debt in Bankruptcy appeared first on Tucson Bankruptcy Attorney.