Financial Focus: The Path to a Bigger Tax Refund for 2021 – Education (Part 7 of 7)

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Education is a wonderful thing. But did you know that it’s even more wonderful because it is tax advantaged? But there’s many things we must understand, most notably, the tax expenses, deductions and credits! And since the law will allow you to take the bigger number of tax expenses, versus a tax credit versus a deduction, one must calculate which education credit or education deduction gives you the largest refund. Expenses & Deductions Up to $4,000 in qualified education expenses can be deducted on your tax return if your modified adjusted gross income is not more than $65,000 ($130,000 if

A Decade After Representing 85th A.D., Assemblyman Marcos Crespo Announces He Won't Seek Re-Election

By DAVID CRUZ

Assemblyman Marcos Crespo, who wielded power both in Albany and as Bronx Democratic Party boss, announced he won’t be running for re-election. He’ll be finishing out his term at the end of the year, opening the door for a vacant Assembly seat. In a long statement posted on Facebook, Crespo called his time as Assemblyman for the 85th Assembly District, representing the southeast neighborhoods of Soundview, an “honor of my life.” “I have decided not to seek re-election, but instead pursue opportunities outside of government that will allow me to continue to serve my community, be closer to my daughters

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered his annual State of the Borough speech in a rather interesting way, sidestepping its usual ceremonial proclivities that involve absorbing all the attention while unveiling his to-do list for the upcoming year by honoring the borough’s unsung heroes (more on this can be found in our front page story). But missing in that retrospective speech complete with pomp and swagger, bespoke of Diaz’s own personality, were ideas for the borough. Where were they? Checking back on previous state of the borough speeches (unlike this year, his office would send reporters a transcript of

By DAVID CRUZ

United Auto Workers Region 9A union (UAW) is throwing its support behind former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the first labor union to support Mark-Viverito in her run for the 15th Congressional District race. The endorsement comes a day before candidates in the crowded race start collecting signatures to get on the June Democratic primary ballot. “Although we have relationships with several of the candidates in this race, our bond with Melissa is strong,” Beverley Brakeman, UAW Region 9A director, said in a statement. “From her days as a City Councilwoman and then Speaker, Melissa always stood by

By DAVID CRUZ

Samelys López, a grassroots community organizer, indirectly picked up the official endorsement of Bronx Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, through a political action committee she began in January. López was endorsed by Courage for Change, a political action committee controlled by Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic socialist legislator (who’s also facing multiple challengers to her seat), boosting López’s chances at securing the seat long held by Congressman Jose Serrano. Her endorsement was first reported by the New York Times. “Growing up homeless in the shelter system, while facing housing insecurity like many of our neighbors in the Bronx, I have made it my mission

The One Bronx Bus Stop That Could Spell Bad News for Hundreds of Riders

By ELEANOR DECKER-GAVIN

The Bx34 stop on the corner of Bainbridge Avenue and East 198th Street in Bedford Park is a crucial stop for residents of Serviam Gardens, a local senior affordable housing community. The bus stop touches the gate of the residence, making it extremely easy for elderly riders to get to and from where they need to go. But the MTA’s Bronx Bus Network Redesign–a plan that would cut 400 stops along routes to make bus lines more efficient for drivers and commuters by the fall of 2020–looks to upend that route as a way of streamlining the route by moving

By DAVID CRUZ

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. threw away the oft-formulaic State of the Borough speech he’s delivered over the last decade for a retrospective of sorts while honoring a who’s who of civic activists, educators, and captains of industry. His penultimate speech at Borough Hall comes a few weeks after announcing he won’t be running for New York City mayor after all. Diaz, 47, told reporters he’s “at peace” with his decision, mentioning that the Bronx certainly has a crop of elected officials ready to pick up the baton. He mentioned by name Assembly Members Marcos Crespo, Michael Blake, Victor Pichardo,

With Two New Buildings Coming to Bedford Park, Concerns Over Safety Surface

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Representatives of CAMBA Housing Ventures reassured residents of Bedford Park that their impending construction project comprised of two buildings will take into account their concerns about traffic safety, increased amount of formerly homeless people, and over-burdened city services. The representatives updated Community Board 7 at the latest meeting of the Housing, Land Use & Economic committee meeting on Feb. 11, showing renderings of the pair of buildings. The two buildings–one at 257-271 E. 202nd St., and the other at 258-278 E. 203rd St.–will go up on a shared plot of land in a section of the neighborhood that’s extremely narrow,

By DAVID CRUZ

The architectural firm behind the New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) first-ever residential development released a rendering of the impending property that will contribute to an evolving Webster Avenue corridor. Stephen B. Jacobs Group, the architectural firm, sent the Norwood News the rendering showing a 12-story modern-looking building that’s expected to be a senior residence. While the land is owned by NYBG, the Bronx institution entered into a 99-year lease deal with Douglaston Development to build and manage the property. Douglaston Development hired the architectural firm to draft renderings and schematics. The rendering also shows 12 stories, an extra floor space