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September 2020

News

Why should you hire the Services of a Galveston Criminal Attorney? 

The criminal attorney would be your best bet for handling all kinds of criminal cases. He or she would have the required experience in handling all kinds of criminal cases without any hassles. The criminal case requires the experience and expertise of a criminal lawyer. Rest assured the criminal cases would be largely complicated for a layman to understand. Therefore, you would require the services of the best criminal lawyer in the region for handling your criminal cases. With a plethora of options at your behest, you may be spoilt for choice of options. However, with Galveston criminal attorney at your disposal, do not look any further. 

The criminal lawyer would be your best bet for all kinds of criminal cases in the region. It would be pertinent that you should not be complacent with your choice of criminal lawyer. The best criminal lawyer should be important for your case. The criminal cases are largely complicated for you to handle. The chances of receiving punishment would be higher without a proper representation. Only a criminal lawyer would be able to handle your specific needs without any hassles. They would have the experience in handling all kinds of criminal cases. The criminal cases should not be handled without an expert in the region. 

The criminal lawyer should be competent to handle the case without any problem. They would provide to your specific criminal cases handling needs with their experience in the arena. The expert in the region would handle the criminal case. Therefore, you should not be complacent with your choice of attorney. It would be in your best interest to look for the best available options in the region. They would provide to your specific needs without any hassles. The best option would be to hire a criminal lawyer willing to handle your case without burning a significant hole in your pocket. 

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Finance

Top Tips for Getting Out of Debt

When you are in debt, it can seem impossible to envision a future without money worries, but that doesn’t mean it is not possible.

Debt is a massive issue in the United States, with an estimated 80% of Americans being caught up in the cycle of borrowing and struggling with debt. The average person in the US currently has $38,000 of personal debt, that is without the additional mortgage debt that most households also have to pay off.

Fortunately, even if you feel that your situation is hopeless, there are always ways in which you can improve your finances and get out of debt for good. You just need to be able to see them.

From consolidating your debts to earning more money, keep reading to discover four top tips for getting and staying out of debt.

Be honest with yourself

Yes, it is easier to bury your head in the sand and pretend that everything is ok when it comes to your finances, but this is the worst possible decision you can make. Debt will not go away on its own. You need to be completely open and honest with yourself and your partner about your finances, and then you can start to find a way to move forward.

To achieve this, you will need:

  • Recent bill statements,including loans, credit cards,etc.
  • Credit reports
  • Your credit score – this will help you out with the next step

Consider debt consolidation

If you have many debts that you struggle to pay off each month, especially ones that are charging you a high rate of interest, you should look into loans for debt consolidation.

Just imagine how much easier, and less stressful your life would be if you only had one manageable loan repayment every month rather than multiple ones all coming out of your bank account on different days?

Further benefits of debt consolidation include:

  • Lower interest rate
  • Reduction in late fees
  • Debt repayment plan
  • Improve your credit rating
  • Eliminate debt collection calls

Pay more if you can

If you have a credit card or personal loan, you should not, unless you have no other choice, pay just the minimum payment each month. In fact, this is the easiest and fastest way to stay in the cycle of debt for longer. If you are already paying a high level of interest, chances are that with a minimum repayment, you are only paying the interest and not any of the actual debt itself.

Instead, work out what you can comfortably afford and pay that every month. The same applies to your mortgage, car loan, and any other debt you have, always pay as much as you can afford.

Earn more or spend less

This may seem obvious, but in the end, paying off debt fast comes down to two simple principles. You either need to find ways to earn more money, or you need to cut down on your expenses.

If you would prefer to earn more money, you could look into the possibility of getting a side hustle, or two. Alternatively, if you want to spend less, look at cutting out any unnecessary expenses such as memberships, eating out, or expensive clothes.

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News

What Aspects would Enhance your Chances of Winning an Injury Claim 

When you consider looking for the best attorney in the region, you should invest in Johnston Law Firm, P.C. The attorney would help you cater to your specific needs without burning a significant hole in your pocket. The attorney would work in your best interest to seek the deserved compensation from the insurance company lawyers. The injury attorney is your salvation for achieving a fair compensation. Therefore, you should not be complacent with your choice of injury attorney. It would be pertinent to mention here that you should choose the best available option in the region for your claim handling needs. 

The attorney handling your claim should be experienced in handling all kinds of injury claims. If you come across an attorney dealing specifically in the injuries that you have suffered, consider it a boon for the claim. The attorney would have adequate experience in handling similar cases throughout his or her career. It would enhance your chances of success against the insurance company lawyers bent upon saving every penny of their client they could save. Therefore, it would be in your best interest to consider an experienced attorney rather than investing in a cheap novice attorney or delving in your DIY stint. 

It would not do you any good or the chances of winning a fair compensation claim. You should consider looking forward to meeting your specific requirements by hiring the best available attorney in the region for your injury claim handling needs. The injury claim would be a security to your future. It would be pertinent that you should not be complacent in your choice of attorney for handling your claim. The attorney should work in your best bet for handling all kinds of claims. The attorney should be prudent in handling your claim by designing a suitable strategy to win the claim against the insurance company lawyers. 

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News

Compare the Potential Contingency Injury Attorneys for Hiring the Best for your Claim

With numerous options that you may come across online for hiring the best personal injury attorney near you, consider looking for the best available option near you. You should emphasize on the need to hire the services of a local injury attorney. The local injury attorney has to offer several benefits to your claim. It would be pertinent to mention here that without the assistance of a local injury attorney, your chances of winning the claim would be significantly lower. The injury attorney would be required to handle your specific claim in the best possible way. It would be in your best interest to look for the attorney willing to handle your claim on a contingency basis. 

The question to ponder upon would be how to choose the best contingency attorney for your claim handling needs. It would not be a daunting task, as numerous options are made available in the region. It would not be a daunting task going through the several available options near you. However, it may be a tedious task for most people. A good strategy would be to look for specific kinds of attorneys handling your respective injury claims. It would shortlist the number of options in the region. If you could find a specialist in the region, consider scheduling an initial consultation with the attorney. It would help you seek the deserved claim in the best possible way. 

When you schedule an initial consultation with the potential injury attorney, consider asking him or her about the number of cases they have handled in the past along with the outcomes. If the injury attorney is popular for settling the claim through negotiations, look for another available option. It would not be worth spending your time and effort on the attorney. However, the injury attorney having a reputation of taking the claim to the court of law would be a better option. Chances of winning a fair compensation would be higher with the injury attorney taking the claim to the court of law. 

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Investment

Tax-Efficient Investing 101: Making the Most of Your Rate of Return

Sound tax planning strategies should be a consideration when it comes to your investments. But with record-low interest rates today, the opportunity to improve your rate of return by a mere few percentage points because of tax-informed investment decisions could be significant. This is particularly the case if you are in a higher marginal income tax bracket.

Below are some strategies to consider as you aim to improve your after-tax rates of return on your investments over time:

Target Long-Term Capital Gains

Under today’s tax rules, there can be a significant difference in the tax implications of selling investments over a shorter versus longer time period.

For short-term investments held for one year or less, you pay tax on any profits from the sale of an asset at your marginal income tax rate. In contrast, you can use a potentially much lower long-term capital gains rate to tax the profits on that same asset sale by holding the asset for at least one year.

Here is a simple example of the potential advantage of qualifying for long-term capital gains tax treatment: A married couple with a combined annual income of $450,000 would fall into a 35% marginal income tax bracket, under today’s tax rules. However, at their current level of income, they pay for long-term capital gains at only a 15% tax rate. As a result, the couple can potentially earn an implied 20% additional return on their investment gains simply by holding an appreciated asset for at least one year in order to qualify for the long-term capital gains rate.

Take Advantage of Tax-Deferred Accounts

Contributions to your employer’s 401k remains a great tool for both tax-deferred growth of your investments and a tax shield of your income.

Currently, you can contribute up to $19,500 per year (or $26,000 if over 50 years old) to a 401k plan, which will reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. Any investment returns you earn in the account grow free of tax until withdrawn.

But you do not have to work for someone else to own and benefit from 401k income tax deductions and deferrals. In fact, if you are self-employed with no employees, the appropriately named Individual 401k plan can also offer you a valuable tax shield on your current income as an entrepreneur or consultant.

For example, you can make salary deferral contributions up to the same limits mentioned above on an employer-sponsored 401k plans (or up to 100% of your business income, whichever is less). In addition to these salary deferral contributions, you can also make profit-sharing contributions of up to 25% of compensation, assuming your business generates sufficient profits during the year. As a result, you could potentially shield up to $57,000 ($63,500 if over 50 years old) of your business profits in 2020 using an Individual 401k[1]. There is also no tax on your investment gains from assets held in an Individual 401k until you make withdrawals from the account later in life.

Finally, do not discount the value of tried-and-true Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Currently, individuals can contribute up to $6,000 per year ($7,000 if over 50) into IRA accounts. You can contribute to a Traditional IRA and benefit from tax-deferred growth on investment gains until you make withdrawals (income limitations apply when determining the deductibility of the contribution). Roth IRAs offer tax-free (i.e., not deferred) withdrawals on gains. You can only contribute to a Roth IRA if your modified adjusted gross income is under $206,000 for married couples and $139,000 for single filers[2], which can make Roths a better contribution option for years when your income may be below these thresholds.

Municipal Bonds Are Still Valuable

People in the highest income tax brackets can still benefit from owning municipal bonds, even in today’s low interest rate environment.

For example, $1 million invested in income-producing assets yielding 1% annually would generate $10,000 of taxable investment income. If invested in tax-free municipal bonds, however, that $10,000 would not be subject to federal income tax (and sometimes is state tax-free as well). If you are in the highest income tax bracket, you could potentially lose $3,700 of that $10,000 investment income to income taxes without the benefit of tax-free municipal bond income. For high earners especially, municipal bonds still potentially offer a much more favorable after-tax rate of return on investment.

Create a Donor-Advised Fund

Changes to the tax law have impacted some people’s ability to benefit fully from charitable contributions. Another option to consider is using a Donor-Advised Fund, where you can make larger charitable contributions, receive an immediate and up-front tax deduction, and then set up the fund to make regular grants to charities in the future. With a Donor-Advised Fund, you can contribute a variety of appreciated assets to the Fund, which allows you to avoid paying taxes on any accumulated gains on those assets. This can be a significant tax savings.

It Is Not Just About Taxes (But Avoiding Tax Certainly Helps)

At Modera Wealth Management LLC, we believe individual investment decisions should not necessarily be made solely for tax reasons. However, a sound investment plan should factor in the implications of taxes where possible, which can optimize your rate of return over time. We can customize and develop investment strategies for you with an eye on minimizing taxes both now and in the future to help maximize your after-tax returns. Contact your Modera Wealth Manager to further discuss some of the options discussed in this article, or to explore other opportunities to improve your returns on investment through income tax management strategies.

Information sourced from an article by Bradley Hilton from Modera Financial Advisors in Atlanta, GA.

Modera Wealth Management., LLC (“Modera”) is an SEC-registered investment advisor with places of business in Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. SEC registration does not imply any level of skill or training. Modera may only transact business in those states in which it is registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. SEC registration does not imply any level of skill or training.  For information pertaining to our registration status, fees and services, please contact us or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure web site (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov) to obtain a copy of our disclosure statement set forth in Form ADV Part 2A. Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you invest or send money.

This article is limited to the dissemination of general information about Modera’s investment advisory and financial planning services that is not suitable for everyone. Nothing herein should be interpreted or construed as investment advice nor as legal, tax or accounting advice nor as personalized financial planning, tax planning or wealth management advice. For legal, tax and accounting-related matters, we recommend you seek the advice of a qualified attorney or accountant. This article is not a substitute for personalized investment or financial planning from Modera. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed herein will come to pass, and the information herein should not be considered a solicitation to engage in a particular investment or financial planning strategy. The statements and opinions expressed in this article are subject to change without notice based on changes in the law and other conditions.

[1]  https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-401k-and-profit-sharing-plan-contribution-limits

[2] https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/amount-of-roth-ira-contributions-that-you-can-make-for-2020

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Business

How Does Purchase Order Factoring Work?

Purchase order factoring is one of the foremost misunderstood products within the factoring industry. In part, this is often probably because the name is both generic and enticing.

Purchase order factoring, or Financing, is a sort of commercial financing that permits a business to receive funding foar a pre-ordered project using the acquisition order from the client as collateral.

Here is how a purchase order financing transaction is typically structured. Let’s assume that your customer has placed a sale order to shop for $100 worth of products. Your supplier charges you $70 for those products. Additionally, your supplier wants you to prepay the $70, and your company doesn’t have the cash to prepay for the products. This is often where order financing comes in. The financing company can assist you to complete this sale by structuring the subsequent transaction (assuming you’ve got a financing contract in place):

  • The purchase order financing company reviews the transaction to make sure that it complies with the funding requirements.
  • The purchase order financing company pays $70 to your supplier directly. counting on the circumstances, payment is made by letter of credit or, if the transaction merits it, by wire transfer. Note that payment to foreign suppliers must be made by letter of credit only.
  • Once the payment has been received, your supplier manufactures the products.
  • The goods are delivered to the customer, who inspects and accepts them.

At now, you’ll invoice your customer. The transaction can proceed in one of two ways. you’ll factor the invoice and use the factoring proceeds to pay the purchase order financing company and shut that line. The transaction would then proceed as a standard factoring transaction. Alternatively, if factoring isn’t an option, the transaction can settle once your customer pays for the end goods.

The difference between purchase order factoring and traditional bank financing is that purchase order factoring bases its credit decision on the financial situation of your client, and a bank would be watching your finances alone no matter any purchase order promising future income.

Purchase order factoring can remove barriers to growth that trying to get traditional financing might cause. It also features a generally higher turnaround in processing than traditional commercial loans. Payment is made to your suppliers, factor receives payment from your customer, and your profit is paid on to you.

Generally speaking, your company may be a good candidate for order factoring if all the subsequent are true:

  • You buy then resell products with none modifications or customizations
  • Your company doesn’t directly manufacture the products that you simply sell
  • Your gross margins are a minimum of 20%
  • Your suppliers have a good track record of delivering products and are in good financial shape
  • Your customers have good credit
  • Your purchase orders are non-cancelable and haven’t any consignment or guaranteed sale terms
  • Your orders are for a minimum of $100,000

As you’ll see, purchase order factoring has very specific requirements and may only help a narrow set of consumers. Order factoring helps resellers/distributors that have received a sale order exceeding their current funding abilities and wish financing to satisfy it.

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