California wage and hour law, more commonly referred to as California overtime laws are designed to ensure that employees are not taken advantage of by their employer and that they are being paid properly for their job. In order to do this, California wage and hour law provides regulations that classify California workers as either non exempt or exempt from overtime. An employee that is paid hourly is a “non exempt employee” and is therefore entitled to overtime pay when applicable. An “exempt employee” is typically paid by salary and/or commission, and is considered exempt from overtime pay. Thus, an exempt employee’s compensation is not a function of the number of hours they work as it relates to overtime compensation.

Fortunately for California employees California overtime laws are quite specific when authorizing what jobs may be considered exempt from overtime pay. The most important factor in determining the exempt status of an employee are the duties that employee actually performs on a daily and weekly basis. Employers often fall victim to the myth that if they just provide a job title of “manager” or “supervisor” then they are in compliance with classifying this employee as exempt from overtime pay. That is not the case, and whether it is intentional or unintentional on the part of the employer, the employer will bear the burden of proving the exemption pursuant to California wage and hour law. Experienced California labor law attorneys are best suited to review the details of job tasks and duties and assist in making a legal determination of exempt or non exempt status.

California overtime laws outline several categories for exempt employee status. The major exemption categories are the California Professional Exemption, the California Administrative Exemption, and the California Executive Exemption. Many of the most common jobs that are exempt from overtime are classified under the California Professional Exemption. These are jobs that typically require a license to practice, such as doctors, attorneys, registered nurses, pharmacists and teachers. The California Administrative Exemption deals with employees who spend over half their work time assisting the proprietor or other exempt individual in “servicing” a business in matters of significance. The California Executive Exemption applies to employees that spend over half their work time either managing businesses or the departments of a business. There are six key areas where this compliance is tested to determine if an individual meets California Executive Exemption requirements. Lesser known categories of exempt classifications are the California Caregivers Exemption and the California Public Facility Caregivers Exemption.

The California Salesperson Exemption is a category which can be more easily covered if it is split into the two “sales types.” There is the California Outside Salesperson Exemption and the California Inside Sales Exemption. Both these exemption categories have been an area frequently abused by employers and often require the assistance of skilled California labor law attorneys to pursue potential claims. The California outside Salesperson Exemption concentrates on the duties and the place where those duties are performed, with a focus on over half of the day being engaged in sales activity away from the employer’s office. In contrast, the California Inside Sales Exemption applies to salespersons making more than 1 ½ times the minimum wage, with more than half of their compensation being derived from commission pay. There are additional requirements about the industries in which these workers can be employed. California commission guidelines, whether for inside sales or outside sales, provide that employers must pay commissions earned but uncollected at the time of employment separation.

California wage and hour law affords many protections to California workers. Very often the most important regulations are those California overtime laws which prevent employer abuses related to misclassifying employees as exempt from overtime pay. This area of California wage and hour law can often be complex. If you are uncertain if your employer may be in violation of these overtime laws, contacting experienced California labor law attorneys is a wise course of action to get sound legal advice about a potential claim.

Lars Vheltzer is a freelance journalist who comments on California wage and hour law and California overtime laws. Lars suggests that employees who may be experiencing an exemption law violation should retain experienced California labor law attorneys to review their legal matter.

The purpose of California labor law is to protect employees from being taken advantage of by their employer and to ensure a common standard of living and or working. The United States and California have both come a long way since the Industrial Age when children worked alongside their parents 7 days a week, and often 12 to 14 hours per day without breaks. Today California labor law is designed to regulate everything from wrongful termination of employment to wage and hour compliance, with the latter being commonly referred to as California overtime law.

Some of the most common misconceptions regarding California overtime law revolve around how overtime is actually calculated. Often workers are under the impression that any hours over 40 in a week are considered overtime. While this is correct, it is not the entire truth either. California overtime law mandates that for every hour worked over 8 hours in a day and 40 hours in a week, the worker is to be paid one and a half times their regular rate of pay. Time and again, employers will try to avoid paying overtime completely by attempting to place the employees on salary, otherwise known as “exempt from overtime.” Fortunately for California employees, California labor law is quite specific when authorizing what jobs can be considered salaried, or “exempt from overtime pay.” The most important thing to remember is that exemption status is determined by the actual work or duties performed by the employee and not by the job title given to them by their employer. The best way to be certain you have not been misclassified as salaried exempt, is to contact a California labor law attorney to discuss your job duties.

An experienced California labor law attorney is also able to help determine if you have a legitimate claim involving improper meal and break periods. Most California workers are aware that California labor law requires a half hour lunch break. However, California labor law does require that this break be uninterrupted and be taken within the first 5 hours of a shift lasting at least 6 hours. Additionally, if the employee works a “10 hour day” then he/she is entitled to a second half hour, uninterrupted break. The law also states that for every 4 hours an employee works he or she is required to be provided a “10 minute uninterrupted break.”

Contacting a California labor law attorney can also be instrumental in proving a wrongful termination of employment claim. There are a number of factors that may constitute a potential claim for wrongful termination of employment. For example, if an employee feels they were terminated because he/she reported an employer’s safety violation, a potential case may exist for wrongful termination of employment based on retaliation. To cite another example, an African-American employee is told that he is being let go because of downsizing, only to discover later that the employer has immediately hired a Caucasian replacement for his exact position. This may very well constitute a wrongful termination of employment based on race.

The bottom line is that California labor law was designed to protect the California worker. If you suspect that your rights under California overtime law have been violated, or you believe you may have a claim for wrongful termination of employment, it may be wise to retain a skilled California labor law attorney to discuss your legal options. Remember that “knowing your rights” is just the start to insuring that the California labor laws designed to protect you are effective. You may be entitled to recover your wages, or your job, or both!

Lars Vheltzer is a freelance journalist who comments on California labor law and California overtime law. Lars suggests that employees who are suffering from an employer abuse of these laws should consider retaining a California labor law attorney.

You are probably reading this because you are in need of tax debt help. Sometimes it feels like there is no way out from under an overwhelming IRS tax debt. However, for taxpayers that simply can’t afford to pay, there is a solution. You can actually settle your IRS tax debt for less than you owe! This is known as an “Offer in Compromise” and if you qualify for it, it is one of the most beneficial forms of IRS tax debt help available. But before you try it, you need to prime yourself with a little research and some basic knowledge. Roll up your sleeves, this won’t be easy.

The IRS tax settlement program, or Offer in Compromise, reduces the amount owed for taxpayers that cannot afford to pay before the statute of limitations (time to collect on the debt) runs out. It is an agreement between the taxpayer and the IRS that settles the tax liability for less than the full amount owed. Anyone can apply for an Offer in Compromise for tax debt help. However, not everyone is going to be approved. You need to know the steps and the paperwork required for a tax settlement to increase your chances of actually securing this form of tax debt relief.

In order to apply for an Offer in Compromise you need to complete IRS Form 656, Offer in Compromise and IRS Form 655-V, the Offer in Compromise payment voucher. The IRS will not accept an offer that is less than your earning potential in the years before they can no longer collect on your debt. This means you need lots of documents to prove you simply cannot pay your tax debt before your statute runs out. Now your mission is to begin finding and assembling those documents that “will prove to the IRS” that you can’t pay your tax debt in full. Some common examples are past due notices, bills, unemployment checks, and anything and everything that serves to substantiate your financial hardship claim. Submit all of this documentation with IRS Form 656, Offer in Compromise

Before you begin on your quest for tax settlement as your preferred form of tax debt relief, it is important to know the success rate. While it is true that you can actually settle your IRS tax debt for less, the IRS does not “give up easily” on full collection of past tax debt. In fact, fewer than 20% annually of all Offer in Compromise applications submitted to the IRS are approved. For this reason, it is incredibly important to double check IRS Form 656, Offer in Compromise before you submit it. Incomplete or inaccurate applications are rejected. The IRS also rejects applications where the tax settlement “offer amount” is deemed to be too low.

It is true that some taxpayers have submitted their own Offer in Compromise successfully. However, when it comes to submitting an offer, you have a better success rate when you work with a qualified tax professional. IRS tax settlement specialists know the “ins and outs” of IRS rules and guidelines, and are experienced in assembling the necessary documentation to maximize your chances for approval. Remember that this form of tax debt relief is the most beneficial, so it may be prudent to give yourself every possible chance at success. That often means using qualified IRS tax debt help advisors. Keep in mind that if it appears you will not qualify for IRS tax settlement, a professional tax advisor is aware of all programs that may give you the tax debt relief you need.

Liv Worthington has worked in the debt management field for many years. She also advises clients who need tax debt help and are seeking information about tax settlement as their preferred form of tax debt relief.

The IRS used to be the terror in most peoples nightmares. Specifically, people who got behind on their taxes lived in dread of having the IRS catch up with them and freeze their bank accounts, lien their homes or garnish their wages. To promote voluntary resolutions, the IRS instituted a program known as Offer in Compromise. This IRS tax relief program is more commonly known as IRS tax settlement or tax settlement. You have undoubtedly seen the marketing promotions on TV and heard them on the radio touting that you can “settle your IRS tax debt” for less or “settle your IRS tax debt for pennies on the dollar”.

The offer in compromise program was designed to let taxpayers with back tax problems resolve their problems voluntarily. Instead of waiting for the IRS to catch up to them, taxpayers could come forward and essentially admit their sins and request tax debt help. In exchange for this voluntary action, the IRS would consider a reduction of the tax debt amount that was past due including penalties and interest. This IRS tax relief program was a big success.

What is IRS tax settlement? The Offer in Compromise program is essentially a “compromise” or “settling” of the past due IRS tax debt liability. This means that the IRS is willing to accept a smaller portion of what is owed as payment in full on the delinquent tax debt. The IRS does this because they realize it is unlikely that the full amount will ever be collected from the taxpayer. Not surprisingly, the IRS does not take accepting a tax settlement offer lightly, and the taxpayer must demonstrate that it is in their best interest to settle rather than attempt to collect in full on the tax debt. A complete financial disclosure is required from the taxpayer, including all assets held. It is critical that the proposed offer be accurate and complete, and for that reason, many taxpayers use a professional IRS tax settlement service to handle the filing of the application. A professional tax settlement firm has industry knowledge and the requisite tax expertise which can only improve the chances the offer will be accepted.

What is the “20 percent rule”? Also important to keep in mind is that a 20% of the offer amount must be submitted by the taxpayer with their offer in compromise application. This is called the “20 percent rule”. This amount is not refundable nor will any offer in compromise be acknowledged by the IRS if the funds are not submitted. Clearly, this makes the accurate and proper filing of the offer application even more critical. This leads delinquent taxpayers to seek the services of a professional IRS tax relief firm. If you face overwhelming tax debt, then you certainly cannot run the risk of losing this 20% application fee.

Why use a professional tax resolution firm? The IRS scrutinizes each offer in compromise case, so if your proposal is incomplete or improperly worded you may end up paying much more than you actually should. Even worse, the IRS could reject your proposal altogether because the submitted offer is deemed to be too low. Typically, the success rate of offers written by a professional tax firm is higher than those submitted by individual taxpayers. IRS tax specialists know the formulas and intricacies of IRS policy necessary for proper resolution. Most people find that working with a firm that specializes in IRS tax settlement actually saves them not only time and stress but also a significant amount of money. Just be certain to “do your homework” before retaining the services of an IRS tax relief firm. You want to maximize your chances of success to settle your IRS tax debt for as little as possible. The health of your financial future may hang in the balance.

Liv Worthington has worked in the debt management field for many years. She also advises clients who have past due tax debt and are seeking IRS tax relief through the tax settlement program.

IRS levies have a way of striking without warning. In a flash your bank accounts, wages, or assets vanish without a trace. You might think you are safe from an IRS tax levy if you’ve avoided an IRS notice so far. But truthfully, you can not escape the dangers of an IRS bank levy, IRS wage levy, or any other IRS levy as long as you owe back taxes. When an IRS levy strikes, one of your best options is to work with qualified IRS tax specialists.

The first type of IRS levy is the IRS bank levy. You will know an IRS bank levy is imminent when you receive an IRS Notice via certified mail that reads, “Final Notice of Intent to Levy.” After you receive this notice in the mail, the IRS bank levy can strike at any time. It will not happen immediately because the IRS wants to catch you unprepared (before you get a chance to remove funds from your bank account). Before your funds are seized for good, your bank account will be frozen. Your funds will be held, and you will have 21 days to negotiate with the IRS and come up with a solution before the IRS keeps the funds for good. You might want to hire qualified IRS tax relief advisors that can work quickly within the limited time frame

The second, and perhaps most painful type of IRS tax levy, is the IRS wage levy. Nothing stings quite like the IRS seizing wages directly from your paycheck. Many taxpayers do not even receive notice from the IRS. They simply receive notice from the payroll department at their job/employer. The IRS can seize a huge percentage of your earnings, leaving you with only enough to cover your basic necessities. The only way to stop an IRS wage levy from starting is to contact the IRS before your payroll cut-off date immediately after receiving the notice. You have to discuss a solution for paying off your back tax debt directly with the Internal Revenue Service. Due to its crucial nature, the time urgency, and the severe financial damage that can be caused by an IRS wage levy, contacting experienced IRS tax specialists is suggested.

Finally, it is important to note that the cash from your wages or bank account are not the only assets the IRS seeks. The IRS can not levy your clothes, primary residence, or primary vehicle. But they can seize practically everything else like a second car, second house, valuable antique furniture or jewelry, or anything they can sell for cash. All those types of assets are at risk.

The IRS threatens a levy to get your attention and force you to face up to your obligations. What the IRS really wants is negotiation; they want to talk to you so they can figure out the best way you can pay the tax debt in full. You can do a little research on your particular situation and call the IRS yourself to resolve the issue. Since you are not an expert in this area, you may not have the best chance of securing the IRS tax relief you desperately need. You can also hire experienced IRS tax specialists to work on your behalf.

An IRS tax professional will work quickly to stop the IRS bank levy or the IRS wage levy and return your funds. If you have not filed returns in a few years, using an IRS tax relief professional is particularly important. They can quickly stamp in your back tax years and negotiate for the best payment arrangement on your behalf. If left alone, the IRS will garnish your wages and continuously enact the IRS levy until the back tax debt is paid in full. Act fast, when it comes to any IRS levy, there is always a strict deadline.

Liv Worthington has worked in the debt management field for many years. She also advises clients who face IRS levy problems like an IRS wage levy and need urgent IRS tax relief assistance.

With the recent downturn in the U.S. economy, Americans face more financial challenges than ever before. Savings, investment and retirement accounts have plummeted to all time lows. Job loss is commonplace with millions of Americans out of work and desperate to find a way back to financial health. Home foreclosures are at an all time high, while confidence in a quick turnaround of the recession remains low. Not surprisingly, credit card debt balances are growing by leaps and bounds, creating what feels like an insurmountable mountain of financial obligation. But credit card debt problems “don’t have to be here to stay.” There are credit card debt relief solutions that could be a workable option for American consumers in financial trouble.

If this feels like the situation you currently face, even a little bit, then you may be justifiably worried about the prospect of a healthy financial future. Wouldn’t it be nice to live free from credit card debt problems? Outlined below are some helpful tips to assist you in modifying any behaviors that won’t take you down the path to that healthy financial future – your ultimate goal! If you are not a current offender in these areas, and simply face overwhelming credit card debt, then the information provided about credit card debt settlement which follows should prove both beneficial and informative. Debt settlement is a credit card debt relief solution that is a proven and increasingly popular bankruptcy alternative.

Helpful Tips to Keep to Keep You On The Path to a Healthy Financial Future:
• Try not to subscribe to the motto “If you can’t afford it, charge it!” Our “want it now culture” has bred a society filled with Americans who do not know how to exercise restraint in unnecessary or luxury purchases. If you know you cannot afford to pay off your credit card charges in full on the next billing statement, then you cannot afford an impulse purchase you are considering. Work hard to change your spending behaviors by using cash or checks or debit cards. Make a commitment to yourself to stop pulling out the plastic.
• The mass marketing efforts of credit card companies and financial institutions has created credit card offerings that pour into our households. No one is exempt, including college students without any real source of primary income. Throw out those credit card applications. Don’t be fooled by the cleverly worded marketing ploys. Department stores and major retailers are also in the mix of encouraging consumers to take on even greater levels of unsecured debt. Offers that entice you with 10% your purchase if you open a new credit line should be avoided. Credit scores are negatively impacted by too much revolving credit. And one more credit card creates that much more temptation.

Debt Settlement as a Credit Card Debt Relief Solution

Credit card debt settlement is the process of negotiating with your creditors to settle your unsecured debts for “less than you owe.” Credit card debt settlement is not restricted to just credit card debt accounts, so the “broader term” debt settlement will be used. Most debt settlement companies will also handle charge off and collection accounts, converted auto repossessions, or unsecured personal loans. This makes debt settlement a viable form of debt relief for consumers with several types of unsecured debt problems to address. Debt settlement companies typically require at least $10,000 in unsecured debts in order to qualify for their service. Debt settlement programs are typically completed in a much shorter time frame than a non-profit, credit counseling plan, as the debt is actually “reduced” or negotiated down. However, a debt settlement solution is recommended for consumers who are in severe financial hardship, and are seeking a bankruptcy alternative to enable them to get a fresh financial start.

Credit card debt settlement is now without its disadvantages. Debt settlement does require that your monthly payments be withheld from creditors, and this can certainly prompt harassing phone calls. Debt settlement services will attempt to assist with reducing the level harassment, but this cannot be guaranteed. As the monthly credit card payments are withheld, the late fees will continue to accrue on your unpaid account. This increases your total amount due to the creditor. Should you not remain “committed” to setting aside your monthly debt settlement funds for negotiation time, you could have a bigger mess on your hands than what you started with. It is important to note that creditors that “forgive” a portion of your debt may issue a 1099 to the IRS, hence reporting this as a form of income, and creating a potential income tax liability. It is prudent to seek the services of a reputable debt settlement company. Ask all the necessary questions so you are fully informed about this credit card debt relief solution and can make a sound financial decision.

Liv Worthington has worked in debt management for many years. She takes pride in helping clients find credit card debt relief solutions like debt settlement services. Many have found credit card debt settlement to be the best option.

The recent economic crisis has impacted American individuals and families at large, not just those that are of the Christian faith. Unemployment rates have skyrocketed while once secure investments, savings and retirement accounts have plummeted. Many Christian families facing long term job loss or other financial problems are looking at mounting credit card debt problems and the prospect of a healthy financial future seems grim. If you find yourself in the midst of an unsecured debt problem or are experiencing creditor harassment in your daily family life, there are Christian debt relief solutions that may work for your financial situation. Most Christians simply are not comfortable with filing personal bankruptcy so that debt relief solution is not presented here. There are Christian bankruptcy alternatives that can provide a workable solution depending upon your financial circumstances. Two of the most common Christian debt relief solutions are covered below: Christian debt consolidation and Christian debt settlement.

Christian Debt Consolidation: Debt consolidation is defined as the combining of several loans or debts into a single loan. The goal in a debt consolidation is to secure a lower rate of interest, and have the ease of only a single monthly payment. This monthly payment amount may be lower than the combined individual debt payments you were previously struggling to make. This in itself can provide much needed debt relief and “free up” monthly discretionary income to be used for other household expenses. Essentially, with Christian debt consolidation, you are taking out a new loan to “pay off” a number of other debts. For this reason, it is commonly referred to as a debt consolidation loan. This form of debt relief is advantageous because the interest rate can be significantly lower than the ridiculously high credit card interest rates you may be paying. So what is the catch, you may ask? While unsecured personal consolidation loans are available, the market interest rate for those is currently around 10%. If you have a poor credit score, which may be the case if you have been struggling with monthly minimum payments and are overextended in your revolving lines of credit, then you may not qualify. A Christian debt consolidation loan offering a lesser interest rate of around 6% or so, often requires collateral as security. This collateral is your home, and there are risks associated with converting your “unsecured debt problem” into a secured debt. Should you come upon extreme financial circumstances down the road, and are unable to make your loan payments timely, you could lose your home. It is recommended that you carefully investigate both the advantages and disadvantages of a Christian debt consolidation loan before proceeding.

Christian Debt Settlement: Debt settlement is defined as reducing an unsecured debt balance through a debt negotiation or debt arbitration process where the creditor and the debtor agree upon a reduced amount (the settlement offer) which will be regarded as payment in full. Christian credit card settlement can be a very effective Christian debt relief solution and it is growing in popularity because it offers many advantages for Christians in extreme financial hardship. If you are struggling to make even your minimum monthly payments, and are experiencing ridiculously high credit card interest rates, debt settlement may be right for you. This debt reduction approach does require that all payments to your creditors stop, so contracting with a reputable Christian debt settlement company is advised. They can assist in helping to reduce harassing creditor calls and are experienced in negotiating the best “reduced settlements” possible. Christian credit card settlement programs are designed to have a completion time frame of 12-42 months, and the monthly commitment amount will be less than the total monthly minimum payments you find impossible in your current financial circumstances. There are disadvantages which include a negative impact on your credit score, and taxable income consequences for the “forgiven portion” of your debts. As with any debt reduction option, it is recommended that you carefully investigate debt settlement before proceeding with it as your Christian debt relief solution.

Liv Worthington has worked in debt management for many years. She takes pride in helping all of her clients find Christian debt relief solutions like Christian debt consolidation and Christian credit card settlement so they can live a debt free future.