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NYC Pet Hotline Launched As Two New York Cats Test Positive for COVID-19

By Síle Moloney

Following recent reports by the CDC that two pet cats in New York State contracted the novel coronavirus, pet owners around the City may have become concerned that their own pets may get infected. However, they can now call a new Pet Hotline which will serve as an information, planning, referral and service coordination hub for New York City pet owners. On Apr. 29, the City’s emergency management department and the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare announced the launch of the NYC COVID-19 Pet Hotline for those who need support for their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Pets

Op-Ed, Financial Focus: A New Job for the Kids: “House Assistant”

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

So, the kids who are now on “stay home” orders are continuing their education through online learning during the day, but what are they doing with their evenings? I would assume many kids would want to play, and I would presume many parents would want them to do chores! What might be a common denominator? What do kids want just as much as their parents? A job and money! Financial literacy for children during the early stages of life is about teaching them how to earn, value and manage money. So, as parents have been doing for

Financial Focus: What Wrestling Can Teach Us about the Coronavirus, Economy, Your Job & You

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

The share price for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a publicly-traded wrestling and entertainment company, fell by 40 percent between Jan. 1 and Mar. 11, the latter being the date on which the World Health Organization officially declared the growing spread of the novel coronavirus a pandemic. At that stage, 28 people had died from the virus in the U.S. according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. having been reported in Washington state in January. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed positive cases in the U.S. had risen to over

Op-Ed, Financial Focus: You Have a New Job – The Unemployment Telephone Line

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

When people got laid off in an earlier time, you would never see any lines at the unemployment exchange. They were in cyberspace. States would process unemployment claims by telephone and via the internet. While success varied from state to state, I’m sure many would say, except for some minor glitches, people would start to receive assistance within three weeks of applying. Welcome to Coronavirus 2020 – where now it might take you three weeks – just to apply. The phone lines are jammed. You might get disconnected. Even worse, when completing the application online, you may find

Financial Focus: Coronavirus Interest Rates and What You Should Do for Your Financial Health!

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

In this sad state of affairs that we now see ourselves in because of Coronavirus, we will not comment on the health concerns except to say, please be safe and careful. But while our Government tries to find ways to safeguard our US Economy, The Federal Reserve has lowered short term interest rates to nearly 0 percent. This will no doubt have a trickle down effect on long term interest rates as well. So, how do you dare save money in Banking accounts? At 0 percent interest? What should you do to make your money healthier, while yourself quarantined? Mortgages

Financial Focus: Want The Biggest Tax Refund of all Next Year? Change your W-4 at Work!

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA PFA

Are you paying too little in taxes? Too much? Who cares as long as you get a gillion-dollar tax refund, right? Boy, do you have a lot to learn. But don’t worry, you’re in the right place! In short, every taxpayer has a tax bracket. Of course, as our income goes up, so does our tax bracket. Based on your income at the last day of the calendar year that will put you in your tax bracket at the end of the year. So, by the end of the year, if you paid too little in taxes, you will owe

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

Financial Focus: The Path to a Bigger Tax Refund for 2021 – Investments (Part 6 of 7)

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

By PROFESSOR ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

Do you own stock? Bonds? Mutual funds? Congratulations, then you could have investment interest or dividend and capital gains. Or God forbid, capital losses! Is the interest, dividends and capital gains taxable? Can you deduct your capital losses? Investment interest Deductible investment interest is interest paid on margin accounts or interest paid on loans used to buy or carry investments. For example, if you get a margin loan through your brokerage account and use it to buy more stocks, then the interest you pay is investment interest. Another example would be if you bought land to hold as an investment,

Financial Focus: The Path to a Bigger Tax Refund for 2021 – Business & Self-Employment (Part 4 of 7)

Crime File: Who's Wanted In the Bronx?

By PROF. ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

If you have been keeping track of our income tax deduction series, you should have learned much already on our first two subjects: children and itemized deductions. Please go to our prior issues to look up these subject matter specifically, this issue will be special, geared toward the world of small business and self employment. Whether you own a storefront or provide goods or services in your home for other income, entrepreneurship, over the last 30 years, has helped to spur economic growth. And in the last two years, the federal government has lowered business tax rates, significantly even more,