Thursday, February 24, 2011
Kerala God's Own Country
Kerala is a green stripof land, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. It has only 1.1 8 per cent of the total area of the country but houses 3.43% of the the country's population.
In 1956, when the stateswere reorganized, Kerala was formed after tying the princely states of Travancore and Cochin with Malabar, a province under Madras state.
Kerala may be dividedinto three geographical regions:
(1) High lands
(2) Midlands
(3) Lowlands
The Highlands slope down from the Western Ghats which rise to an average height of 900 m, with a number of peaks well over 1,800 m in height. This is the area of major plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, cardamom and other spices.
The Midlands, lyingbetween the mountains and the lowlands, is made up of undulating hills and valleys. This is an area of intensive cultivation. Cashew, coconut, areca nut, cassava (tapioca), banana, rice, ginger, pepper, sugarcane and vegetables of myriad varieties are grown in this area.
It is a purified worldin Kerala, the land of trees. A big, spreading tree purifies as much air as a room air-conditioner. And the former is never switched off. The prolific, bustling, vegetation acts like a massive, biological, air-filtration plant working round the clock, round the year. Hence spending days in Kerala countryside is as if spending in an air- purified environ; some times better than it. So is the rejuvenating effect of the lush greenery of the state.
The wanton growth oftrees makes Kerala a herbarium. The four month-long, copious monsoon and recurrent flurry make this land a perfect nursery for all living beings. Loitering under the canopy of the foliage, you will feel blossoming the dreams. Thus, on a sojourn in Kerala, away from the rough and tumble of cities, you're breathing freshly purified air all the time.
Another piece de resistanceof Kerala is the meandering rivers which criss-cross the state physique like blood veins. Besides, water bodies tucked away in thick forests also enhance the amazing beauty of the state. They fertilize the' land, turn waste into the wealth of the rich, black, alluvial soil on which the agrarian state thrive.
The Lowlands or the coastalarea, made up of river deltas, backwaters and the Arabian coast, is essentially a land of coconuts and rice. Fisheries and coif industry constitute the major industries of this area.
Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty-four rivers (41 west-flowing and 3 east-flowing} criss-cross the state physique along with countless runlets. During summer, these monsoon-fed rivers will turn into rivulets especially in the upper parts of Kerala.
Backwaters are an attractive, economicallyvaluable feature of Kerala. These include lakes and ocean in lets which stretch irregularly along the Kerala coast. The biggest among these backwaters is the Vembanad lake, with an area of 200 sq km, which opens out into the Arabian Sea at Cochin port.
The Periyar, Pamba, Manimala, Achenkovil, Meenachil andMoovattupuzha rivers drain into this lake.The other important backwaters are Veli, Kadhinam kulam, Anjengo (Anju Thengu),Edava, Nadayara, Paravoor. Ashtamudi (Quilon)
Flora: Kerala has over 25% of India's 15,000plant species. Among them include endangered and rare species, flowering plants, fungies, lichens and mosses. The state's forest wealth include tropical wet evergreen, semi-green and tropical most deciduous. Teak, Mahagoney, Rosewood and Sandalwood are common, the forests abound with orchids, anthirium, balsam, and medicinal plants. banyan figs, bamboo as well as 40,000 years old grasslands. Mangroves are seen in coastal areas and low, morass lands. So fertile is the state, thanks to rivers and dams that are replenished by copious rain in Western Ghats.
Kerala, India's most advanced society : Hundred percent literate people. World-class health care systems. India's lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates. The highest physical quality of life in India. Peaceful and pristine, Kerala is also India's cleanest State.
Posted by Saul at 10:34 AM 0 comments
What Do You Want from the Web Designer?
If you are an entrepreneur trying to make waves online, you are surely looking for information about web design and how to use it effectively to market your products. You want to have the best design possible which will draw the attention of your customers and make them stay in your website which heightens the likelihood of achieving sales. Most certainly, however, you do not have an idea on how to create a unique web design which is why the first thing that comes to your mind is to work with a web design company. But before you complete the task of choosing one, you need to gather some information in order to effectively choose a web designer.
You have to first know what you want from a web designer. Do you need him to design an entire website or only your company’s logo. You might also want to work with a web design company who can update your site regularly or that which can give you a design that you can easily update yourself. Next thing to consider is your budget. You have to have a planned budget before you even talk with a web design company. Having a budget in mind will make the search of your service provider easier. Sure, there are people who will do the work for a small fee but can you expect quality from them? Always take a look at their portfolio to check some of their designs. You can even ask for references, that is, their previous clients with whom they have worked with. You can find a web designer who will meet your budget if you put in some effort to search for one.
If you have a specific time line in mind, you have to do your search immediately since most web designing companies are booked up for months. Be sure to ask for the estimated time they will be able to complete your project and check if it matches your own timeline. But take into consideration the style and graphics and be realistic with your expectations. Web design is not just a one night deal so you have to expect that it can take a long time. Also, consider the fact that not all web design companies are good at everything – one might be adept in flash and the other might be good in search engine optimization so choose wisely.
Posted by Saul at 12:32 AM 0 comments
Monday, February 21, 2011
New Hampshire Bankruptcy law
Among the 50 states of America, New Hampshire is one which is not suffering or going through from the financial hardships as much in our troubled economy as some other states. According to a survey in 2009 they did have over 5,000 filings. It points out that a number of consumers are interested in filing bankruptcy at the present days. Filing bankruptcy in the state of New Hampshire has a lot of advantages. Though there are many new debt relief options appearing on the financial horizon but some of them are not as lawful as others. A Mystry to unfold
Filing bankruptcy depends on the unique circumstances of the consumer. Though bankruptcy offers protection and relief to your financial aspects discharging many debts. But before filing you have to decide whether bankruptcy is the right debt relief option for you or not. We have compiled a list of resources to help you research, find a lawyer, and decide how New Hampshire law will affect you when filing for bankruptcy.
You cannot afford to pay your mortgage.
You can only afford to pay the minimum payments on credit cards and loans.
You have lost your job or the only chance to earn a significant amount of money.
You are going through a separation or divorce case.
You are frequently receiving notices from creditors that your bills are past due.
You are thrashed with overwhelming medical expenses.
Before filing bankruptcy you also have to remember that bankruptcy does not cancel or discharge all kinds of debts. Such as
Fines owed to federal or the New Hampshire government agencies
Several Taxes
Current Cash Advances
Student Loans
Alimony & Child Support
Purchases in more than $550 made within 90 days of filing bankruptcy
Debts accrued as a result of a fraudulent activity
Bankruptcy also has some negative impacts on your credit record such as your decreasing the reputation of your credit score which carries a black mark that lasts for at least 10 years.
Bankruptcy has six different chapters which carries its own personal characteristics regarding various benefits and drawbacks.
The majority of US consumers opt to declare bankruptcy under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 which are undertaken by the laws of U.S. Code Title 11, carrying specific state regulations.
Both on the one hand the chapter 7 bankruptcy provides a good scope to start your financial career afresh and on the other hand the chapter 13 bankruptcy provides you the courage to reorganize your financial career by wiping out your debts.
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New Hampshire:
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is well known as the ‘liquidation’ bankruptcy. In this process you are bound to give your valuable assets to a court appointed trustee, aside from 'exemptions’. Then those are placed in the control of a bankruptcy trustee who liquidates the properties applicable in outstanding liens and debt related responsibilities.
This is a legal procedure which is intended to free you from financial problems like unsecured debt obligations. But you also must remember that chapter 7 does not wipe out debt like mortgages or car payments because they are secured by collateral. Individuals, partnerships, corporations, and married couples who are all qualified to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. It is the most common type of bankruptcy and can be used to release or discharge most of your unsecured debts within four to six months.
In this process you will usually receive your discharge soon after you file and you will also get allowed to keep any money you earn after you file.
Chapter 7 means test:
In 2005, the Bankruptcy Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCA), made the process of filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy more difficult. It required an income test, additional credit counseling prior to filing bankruptcy, and a completion of financial management course before the discharge of your debt. The main reason of this is to attract more and more consumers to file for a chapter 13 bankruptcies instead of chapter 7 bankruptcies.
To qualify for filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you have to pass a 'means test' to prevent bankruptcy abuse. This test is taken in order to determine if your income is below the median income of your community or the given state. In New Hampshire, the median income figure used is
For a single person: $55,766
For two persons’- $65,751
For three persons’-$77,008
For four persons’- $93,186 and an additional $6,900 for each addition family member.
New Hampshire bankruptcy exemption process:
If you have qualified by passing for the Chapter 7 bankruptcy ‘means test’, then you will have several federal and state exemptions to protect necessary forms of your property to lessen the destructiveness of bankruptcy to you and your family and allow you sufficient possessions to start your financial career afresh. Only state exemptions are applicable in New Hampshire. Those exemptions include:
Homestead exemptions: Real property, or artificial home, up to $100,000.
Wage exemption: Earned but unpaid wages of debtor and the spouse, fees of jury and witness, payroll account deposits when designated as such, 50 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week, wages of a minor child.
Tools of Trade: 1 yoke of oxen or a horse needed for farming or teaming.
Uniforms, arms, and tools used by military members, Up to $5,000.
Retirement plans: Firefighters, public employees, federal pension, Police officers, and unpaid benefits.
Insurance: Fraternal society benefits, unlimited amount, homeowner’s insurance proceeds up to $5,000, firefighters insurance.
Personal property exemptions: Church Pew, Burial plot, Books and Bible to $800, Motor vehicle to $4,000, Proceeds for lost or destroyed exempt property, Clothing, Refrigerator, Cooking utensils, Cooking and heating stoves, bedding and beds, Domestic fowl to $300, 1 cow, 6 sheep and their fleece, 4 tons of hay, 1 hog or pig or its meat (if slaughtered), Food and fuel to $400, Furniture to $3,500, Jewelry to $500, Sewing machine.
Miscellaneous: Property of business partnership, Wages of minor child, fees of Jury and witness.
Communal benefits: Unemployment compensation, workers ‘compensation, unlimited amount ,aid to aged, blind, disabled and families with dependent children, unlimited amount .
Wildcard: Unused portion of books and bible, tools of trade exemptions to $7,000,$1,000 of any assets, food and fuel, furniture, jewelry, motor vehicle.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New Hampshire:
Chapter 13 is more appropriate for those consumers who have a reasonable amount of monthly disposable income which will enable you to meet a debt repayment plan. This type of bankruptcy allows you to keep all of your property and assemble small monthly payments and at the end of the three- to five-year repayment plan, your remaining debts can get discharged.
The eligibility criteria for filing chapter 13 bankruptcy:
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is well known as the ‘wage earner’ bankruptcy because this form of bankruptcy is designed for those persons or sole proprietors who earn a stable and regular wage. But for filing this type of bankruptcy you need to fulfill some basic criteria. If you have no more than $1,010,650 in secured debts or $336,900 in unsecured debts then only you can qualify for this form of bankruptcy. After filing, the collections process stops, but you have to follow closely or continue the repayment plan. This bankruptcy process is designed with the bankruptcy trustee who communicates between the debtor and creditors.
Conclusion:
To file bankruptcy in New Hampshire the first thing you need is taking help of an efficient bankruptcy attorney. It is not so easy always to find such an expert. For those persons, who don’t know where to begin, the state bar association may have recommendations to consider, and so may state or local legal websites. This source provides sufficient legal helps throughout this complicated process and makes it simple to obtain in order to gain victory over the debt troubles.
Posted by Saul at 3:39 AM 0 comments
Iowa bankruptcy law
When you are going to file for bankruptcy in Iowa you should be well aware of the 2005 Bankruptcy Act that has changed the entire bankruptcy laws. The
typical bankruptcy filer must be a person already in breakable economic circumstances, often with large amounts of unpaid credit card debt and in the meanwhile who is going through a epidemic of hard luck such as loss of the only source of income, physical injury, uninsured medical expenses or even a divorce as the reason behind it. Bankruptcy law is created in order to help people just like this, who need assistance in restarting or rebuilding their economical condition.
Bankruptcy is a way for people to conquer some degree of financial trouble to start over new with a fresh schedule. If you've been planning on filing for bankruptcy in Iowa, think of it in a simple way. This article will help you to understand this process in an easy way.
In federal court bankruptcy filings take place due to the fact that bankruptcy is undertaken within the jurisdiction of federal law in all 50 states across the US.
There are six types of bankruptcy. The two most popular among them are chapter 7 and chapter 13.You can choose between this to as per your affordability and financial condition.
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Iowa:
A chapter 7 bankruptcy is a legal process created with the intent to rescue you from the huge trap of financial struggles from unsecured debt obligations. Though it does not eliminate your secured debt like mortgages or car payments because those loans get returned by collateral. In this bankruptcy process a court appointed trustee sells out all your non-exempt assets in order to pay off your dues to your creditors. For this reason this particular chapter is known as the “liquidation bankruptcy”.
Chapter 7 means test:
Before filing the chapter 7 bankruptcy you have to pass its means test, based on your median income. In this test you'll need to display that your total income is lower than Iowa's state or community’s median income. The Census Bureau measures this figure and varies depending on the size of your household. The following part will show you the estimation
Single person: $41,381
Two members’ family: $54,628
Three members’ family: $63,888
Four members’ family: $74,047
Five+ members’ family: $74,047 plus $6,900 for each extra individual over four
Iowa bankruptcy exemption process:
Once you've decided that you are eligible to file for chapter 7 and need to obtain it urgently. The exemptions according to the state bankruptcy laws are the most important part of it. Here are a few of the acceptable exemptions in Iowa.
Homestead exemptions: Real property or public housing to an unlimited value regarding which property cannot exceed 1/2 acre in town or city, 40 acres elsewhere and the spouses cannot double it.
Wage exemption: Wages of a prisoner, Expected Annual Earnings Amount not exempt per year $0 to $12,000 $250 $12,000 to $16,000 $400 $16,000 to $24,000 $800 $24,000 to $35,000 $1,000 $35,000 to $50,000 $2,000 More than $50,000 10%
Also not exempt from child or spousal support.
Tools of Trade: Farming equipments including farm animals and feed, non-farming apparatus up to $10,000 up to $10,000.
Retirement plans: Public employees, Tax exempt retirement accounts, Traditional and Roth IRAs up to $1,095,000 per person, Police officers, firefighters, Disabled firefighters and police officers, but only for benefits being received. Other pensions, allowances and contracts fully exempt, however, contributions that were made within the year prior to filing for bankruptcy are not exempt, Peace officers, Roth IRAs, IRAs, ERISA-qualified benefits, Federal government pension.
Insurance: Fraternal benefit society benefits, Employee group insurance policy or proceeds, Life insurance proceeds to $10,000, acquired within 2 years of filing for bankruptcy, paid to spouse, child or other dependent, Life insurance proceeds if clause forbid proceeds from being used to pay beneficiary’s creditors, Accident, disability, health, illness or life proceeds or avails to $15,000 paid to surviving spouse, child, or other dependent, Disability or illness benefit, upon death of insured, up to $15,000 total proceeds from all mature life.
Personal property exemptions: Motor vehicle up to $7,000 ,domestic devices, residential utility or security deposits up to $500 or advance of rent household furnishing, clothing up to $7,000, books, musical instruments, family pictures, paintings, portraits, and bibles up to $1,000 total, burial plot up to 1 acre, Jewelry up to $2,000, health aids, wedding and engagement rings if purchased after marriage or within the last 2 years there is a limit of $7,000,rifle or musket, shotgun, Wrongful death proceeds need for support; up to $1,000 of any other personal property including cash.
Miscellaneous: Liquor license, Alimony, child support needed for support, Business partnership property etc.
Communal benefits: Unemployment compensation, Workers’ compensation, Veterans’ benefits, Social security, Any public assistance benefits, Adopted child assistance.
Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Iowa:
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is popularly known as the “Wage Earners Plan," Chapter 13 is commonly used by people who are facing secured debt payment problems. It is actually a repayment process where you can keep your valuable assents with you and pay your debts with your regular income or funds within a time period of three to five years. By this type of bankruptcy one can restore his/her damaged financial career.
The eligibility criteria for filing chapter 13 bankruptcy:
According to the new act effective in October 17, 2005 a means test has been included which requires a proof of your fixed disposable income and also matters related to state exemptions, counseling and child support.
Regarding to the chapter 13 means test requirements you have to obtain a stable monthly disposable income including the requirement to have no more than $1,010,650 in secured debt and $336,900 in unsecured debt.
Conclusion:
Iowa is among the 50 states of US and it has its own state bankruptcy laws .An recommended bankruptcy attorney who can guide you properly throughout this legal way.
Posted by Saul at 3:16 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Divorce and Tax Debts
Divorce, like marriage, marks an important change of life. It not only leaves you at the crossroads of emotions but also impacts your financial life to a great extent. You get busy dividing your assets with your spouse and keep fighting for your children’s custody. A faint thought of dividing the debts crosses your mind too, but what you forget to pay heed is tax debts.
Divorce and separation impact your taxes significantly. Here is a brief overview of the possible tax implications post divorce:
Filing Status:
Your tax filing status will be determined by your marital and family status as of December 31. If you were divorced by then or had been separated legally, you will have to file as a single tax payer.
If you are married as of December 31, then your filing status will be determined as follows:
· If you and your spouse lived in the same house and were not legally separated till December 31, you must file as married (either a joint return or separate returns). Usually, filing for a Married Joint Return will get you lowest tax amounts.
· If you were legally married till December 31, then you can file as Head of Household, provided:
1. You were unmarried or considered unmarried on December 31.
2. You paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for the year.
3. A child or other qualifying person lived with you in the home for more than half the year for whom you or the other parent is entitled to claim the tax exemption.
Alimony and Child Support:
Periodic alimony is included in the taxable income of the recipient, and it's tax-deductible to the payer. Child support is not included in the taxable income of the recipient, and it's not tax-deductible to the payer. So all other things being equal, payers want as much of support as possible to be in the form of alimony, and recipients want as much of support as possible to be in the form of child support.
Exemptions on Children:
Most divorcing couples are aware of the exemptions for the children. The IRS assumes that the custodial parent is entitled to the tax exemptions. However, the parents are allowed to trade them back and forth freely, using IRS Form 8332. With the passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1997, the exemption now carries with it the right to use the child credit for each child, as well as to use the Hope Scholarship and the Lifetime Learning Credit.
When there are multiple children, parents often split the exemptions to make the situation fair to both the parties. But that is not a good idea. If one spouse's income is substantially higher than the other spouse’s, then splitting will cause the parents to miss out on a chance to maximize tax savings.
So, the better idea is to seek advice of a tax consultant who can calculate the value of the exemption(s) to each spouse and guide accordingly.
Child Care Credit:
Custodian parent is entitled to claim a credit of a percentage (usually 20% to 30 %) of the cost of work-related child care that extends up to $960 for multiple children below 13 years. It is a credit for child care expenses and cannot be traded between the custodian and the non-custodian parents. Even if the custodial parent is assigned one or more exemptions using IRS Form 8332, it will in no way affect their ability to claim child care credit.
Divorce filing and Tax
Make sure that you have all tax related issues settled and clearly stated in your separation agreement and or divorce decree. Also remember that since your marital status is crucial to your tax return, you should also be careful about the divorce timing. If you are planning a divorce at the end of the year, then it will be wise to postpone it to the next year so you can file as a Married Joint Tax payer and maximize your tax savings.
The IRS is not guided by divorce decrees and too many people negotiate and finalize their divorce without taking proper account of the tax impact of the decisions they are considering. So, it is important to remember that tax is an area where you should try your hardest to keep the lines of communication open and the emotions out so you can work towards your taxes better. The best way to deal with tax issues in divorce is to consult a reputable tax debt attorney in your state.
Posted by Saul at 9:54 AM 0 comments