Financial Focus: Humans vs. Software Tax Preparers

Neighborhood Notes: Free Immigration Service

As a 25-year financial advisor, I am obviously a big fan of tax preparation and planning to be a human process of actually a bigger project called financial planning. Today’s technology allows us to handle many wonderful tasks that outside human professionalism is today. Today, many believe tax prep software and Internet services can provide a do-it-yourself approach to getting your taxes done in 15 minutes and getting a huge tax refund. Such nonsense talk! That’s like saying technology allows for major surgery to happen in the morning and then we can go back to work in the afternoon. Yes, today’s technology

Become Civically Engaged Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. encourages New Yorkers to become more civically engaged as part of the “Hour New York Challenge.” Those interested take a pledge to dedicate at least one hour each month throughout 2018. Activities include attending community board meetings, volunteering with a nonprofit, and generally being a more informed and active citizen to improve neighborhoods. For more information, call (718) 590-3543. Catholic Schools Open Houses Bronx Catholic elementary schools are holding “Touring Tuesdays” open houses: Jan. 30, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. or by appointment. Local

Latest Edition of the Norwood News is Out!

Dear Fellow Readers, The latest edition of the Norwood News, covering the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. There are 16 pages filled with a lot of useful information intended to make your aware of where you live. We begin, of course, with page one. In one of the more hotly controversial stories of the year (we’re only the second edition of 2018) teachers and staffers of JHS/MS 80 came in the defense of its principal, Emmanuel Polanco. The five-year principal and the school are under investigation for covering up a fight

It’s hard to tell what’s really happening at JHS 80, a school that became fodder for the New York Post and touched off responses from legislators and the city Department of Education. The Op-Ed submitted to the Norwood News about the school itself (see below) has generated more than 100 comments. There’s the one story where JHS 80, under the leadership of principal Emmanuel Polanco, has been saved from academic ruin; then there’s the story that describes JHS 80 as a “hellhole.” That storyline has been emphasized by a $2 million lawsuit against Polanco as described in the Post’s recent

By ANTHONY RIVIECCIO, MBA, PFA

So is it really true? Will the new tax bill that put caps on mortgage interest and property taxes stop people from buying a home? Will it prevent them from receiving numerous tax deductions? Well, according to the IRS, the caps on these areas will only affect four percent of the nation. Now, while I’m sure, many (including me) question this number, their next projection might be more accurate: In high state areas like New York this will effect over 60 percent of home ownership. “Capping” deductible areas like mortgage interest and property taxes are designed to shift you from being

By ROSSE MARY SAVERY

As a sixth grade teacher at MS 80, I was deeply disheartened to see recent negative news stories that have attacked our students, staff and community. Our students are upset and hurt that they have been made to look like delinquents. Simply put, what has been written about MS 80 is false—if you take the time to talk to our students and teachers, it is easy to see that there are amazing opportunities and programs at our school. Not only are teachers coming in prepared to provide the strongest academic experience possible, students are eager to learn each and every

By DAVID GREENE

This week we asked readers their thoughts on several new laws that took effect in New York State on Jan. 1, which included Paid Family Leave, an income tax cut for 4.4 million New Yorkers, and a minimum wage increase to $12 for New York City residents. I feel like some of these laws are good. The raise is great, but I wonder if it will raise the cost of everything else with inflation. But overall a lot of these new laws are good for the residents of New York State and the City of New York. With all

Michael Cotto of Norwood, along with his wife and two kids, are among those lucky to be alive in the Knox Place blaze that disrupted them and the lives of many others on Dec. 27. They escaped the four-alarm inferno unscathed. When compared to the devastating fire at Prospect Avenue in Belmont that claimed 12 victims a day later, the Cottos were presented with a silver lining. The fire happened at 3414 Knox Pl. a building notorious for its subpar living conditions, according to the New York Public Advocate’s Office. For the last few years, the city has placed the

By DAVID CRUZ

The Norwood News produced a total of 284 stories (not counting Public & Community Meetings, Neighborhood Notes and Out & About) throughout the 25-issue print run for 2017. The issues the paper called attention to ranged, though some stories bore greater urgency in the hopes action from local legislators could be taken. Below are some topics that surfaced and resurfaced throughout the last 12 months, and are once again highlighted in the Norwood News’ annual Year in Review: Homeless Crisis Norwood was not immune to homelessness, an issue that continues pressing across the city. In the 25 Norwood News issues