Financial Focus: The New NY State Tax System

President Donald Trump, in creating his tax plan that we now as Americans must live under is very dangerous to high tax states. Now, as an example, the State and Local Tax (SALT) deductibility has been capped at $10,000. You would think one counter to that, from the state point of view, would be to lower their tax base so they can allow their residents to maximize their tax liability, lowering their liability under the current law. But Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is thinking of running for President has another idea. Lets play “end around” tax reform! According to newly


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Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers! The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest Bronx, is out with its latest edition for 2018. We welcome you to check out plenty of stories featured in this fresh edition. We begin, of course, with page one and a story involving a community garden and one headstrong neighbor who refuses to throw in the towel. Read about Elizabeth Carson and her quest for governance at Risse Street Garden. Also, get a sense of how the agency tasked to bring order to community gardens is handling this. Inside the cover you’ll find a recap of


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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on KNIC’s Progress

This week we asked Kingsbridge residents their thoughts on the re-development of the Kingsbridge Armory which has now languished for years, and a recent behind-closed-doors meeting. Well, I always thought that people should be notified at any time and there should always be an open door for any comments. If you’re going to do it under the table, then it’s not worth it. And if you’re going to spend $500 million dollars, help the homeless first. Hell no! I don’t want an ice skating rink here. They need to make it a building for homeless people, something for the homeless.


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Financial Focus: Tax Season Equals Tax Scammers

In our first article focusing on income tax scams and identity theft, we began to cover some of the traditional ways one gets scammed. In 2018, with modern technology and spyware anything is now possible. Two examples are below: The One Where They Steal Your Refund: Someone will file a fraudulent tax return on your behalf, claiming all sorts of benefits and deductions that you’re not entitled to. When you file your real return, the IRS thinks you already filed and presses STOP on everything. In reality, the only thing that will be stopped is your tax refund going to you–the thief


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Health Check: Start Your Stop Smoking Plan

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use through smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence. There is no safe way to use tobacco. Smokers have a higher risk of developing many serious health problems such as respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.  Using tobacco in cigarettes, cigars, pipes or hookah are all equally harmful and stopping is the best way to start getting healthy. Start your stop smoking plan with START:  S = Set a quit date. Choose a date


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Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers! The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest Bronx, is out with its latest edition for 2018. We welcome you to check out plenty of stories featured in this year’s sixth edition. We begin, of course, with page one and a story involving a back-and-forth battle between a Norwood resident and a developer building right next door to his house. Hear this ping-pong of a story and why both sides remain at an impasse. Inside the cover you’ll find the latest on the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, where the founder of the mega-project stopped to


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Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

The fifth edition of the Norwood News, primarily covering the northwest Bronx, is out with plenty of community news. We have 16 pages full of news for you to share with your friends, family, and make you the smartest person in the room! We begin with page one and a quality of life inconvenience that is being addressed: loud parties and spurts of violence at Devoe Park in University Heights. Reporter Niall Ridgley reports that it’s the off season now, and Councilman Fernando Cabrera has ordered gates to be installed at nine of the park’s entrances. Hear what residents have


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At State of the Borough, BP Highlights Fixes and Needs

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered his ninth State of the Bronx address before an audience of supporters, well-wishers, and fellow elected officials. For nearly 45 minutes, Diaz stood composed as he delivered a speech that largely underscored the borough’s positives while lambasting the city’s shortcomings. But read between the lines, Diaz’s speech also showed his sights set on higher office. “Look at how different things are in this borough today than just a decade ago,” Diaz said. “We have set the bar for the entire nation on transformative urban renewal and development. We are the new standard


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Financial Focus: Delay, Delay, Delay!

So, now everyone thinks they are a do-it-yourself tax preparer. That’s wonderful! I’m curious: does the box you bought your software in tell you the following: Tax refunds may face additional examination before you receive them. Yes, welcome to Income “Tax Hell Oops” Season 2018-2017 Taxes. While “the loss of deductibility effect” on the new tax laws actually take place for 2018  taxes, President Donald Trump says many are skirting the IRS system now and for this year’s taxes. He says he’s going to do something about it. You’ll need a Social Security number in order to claim certain tax


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