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Bobby Brown’s mother had a hand in his publishing deal that is still sending him checks today. Brown is an R&B crooner whose music career began with the boy group New Edition. The group was formed in the Orchard Park Projects of Roxbury, Boston, MA, and originally included Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Brown. Ralph Tresvant and Ronnie DeVoe joined later, notes The Grio. Their claim to fame was participating in a talent show in 1983 where they finished in second place, catching the attention of musician and producer Maurice Starr. The group signed to Starr under a deal with a $500 bonus . “Our royalty check was like $168 but we got $500 to sign and a VCR… We didn’t know anything about it,” Brown acknowledged on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast with Shannon Sharpe . “All we wanted was to perform. All we wanted to do was make enough money to go to the movies, buy candy, date girls. That’s all we thought about. We wasn’t thinking about the longevity.” New Edition then released their debut...
Tax season rolls around every year, but for many it never feels any easier . The stress associated with this time of year (particularly if you’re not anticipating a huge return) can really mess up your groove. Whether you’re managing multiple income streams , juggling business responsibilities or just trying to keep up with life, things can get messy fast. Getting your taxes filed on time can feel overwhelming and like a chore. And let’s face it, when deadlines sneak up and your plate is already full, taxes typically take a back seat. No matter how busy you are, it’s worth noting that missing the filing deadline can lead to some avoidable penalties and much more unnecessary stress. If you’re not ready to file by the due date, requesting a tax extension so time is on your side again might be the next best choice. For those wondering how to take advantage of the option, there are a few things to remember . Firstly, filing an extension is a normal thing (and it is an IRS-approved...
In a political landscape where economic promises often shift with the news cycle, one topic has managed to grab headlines and public curiosity alike: DOGE checks. Tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) — an initiative linked to Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s administration — the proposed stimulus would direct billions in alleged government savings back to American taxpayers. But is this an actual policy shift or a high-profile thought experiment? Here’s what we know. What Are DOGE Checks? DOGE checks are a proposed stimulus payout drawn from cost-cutting measures implemented by DOGE. Since its launch in January, DOGE claims to have saved the federal government $130 billion by downsizing federal agencies and eliminating redundancies. According to Newsweek, the Trump administration has set a $2 trillion savings goal, with the potential for Americans to receive direct financial benefits from these efforts. The term “DOGE checks” gained traction following a...
Editorial Note: Opinions and thoughts are the author’s own and not those of AFROTECH™. The tech industry has long had an obsession with youth. This is seen in how the industry conducts itself, who investors look to invest in, how people look at hiring in the world of startups, as well as which programs are being targeted by DOGE, and which ones aren’t, as they look to make the government more efficient. Over the last few months, the Department of Government Efficiency has aggressively looked for waste and fraud within the federal government. It started with organizations that do not come to mind for the average American, like the United States Agency For International Development, or USAID, which focuses on deploying aid to foreign countries for a variety of efforts centered around health, disaster aid, and economic development. DOGE came in like a wrecking ball to the organization, and as reported by ABC News in February, 4,080 employees worldwide were placed on leave and an...
If you missed out on your 2021 stimulus payment, there’s still time to claim what you’re owed. According to USA Today, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is giving eligible taxpayers another chance to receive up to $1,400 through the Recovery Rebate Credit. Are You Eligible For The Stimulus Payment? You may qualify for this Economic Impact Payment (EIP) if you: Filed a 2021 tax return but did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit. Have not yet filed your 2021 tax return but do so before April 15, 2025. To check if you’re eligible, review your 2021 tax return. If the Recovery Rebate Credit section is blank or marked $0, you could still receive your payment. Filing before the deadline ensures you receive not only this credit but also any additional refund you may be entitled to. How To Claim Your Stimulus Money For those who already filed their 2021 tax return but didn’t claim the credit, there’s nothing else to do — the IRS began automatically distributing stimulus payments in...
Nearly 630,000 Fortnite players were reportedly “tricked” into making purchases through the game and will receive a refund. According to a press release, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reportedly accused Fortnite developer Epic Games of leading gamers to make “unwanted purchases” by carrying out tactics through its game button configuration. “For example, players could be charged while attempting to wake the game from sleep mode, while the game was in a loading screen, or by pressing an adjacent button while attempting simply to preview an item,” the press release from the FTC read. It had also been brought to light that Epic Games had allowed minors to accumulate charges without parental approval and blocked gamers who filed disputes of unauthorized charges, preventing them from obtaining items they had purchased. For these reasons, the company received an order from the FTC to refund players in December 2022 who had been subjected to these “unlawful billing practices.” The...
Since Donald Trump came out on top in the 2024 election, the news has been flooded with headlines about how the New York native plans to run the country during his second term. With another dramatic leadership shift from Democratic back to Republican, Americans are anticipating a lot of change to come. Despite the chaos that ensued during his first time in office, there seems to be one thing Trump had to offer that most everyone wants more of – stimulus checks. Per Fox 5 DC , there’s been a sudden increase in social media posts claiming American taxpayers in some states will receive $2,000 or more from the government. This isn’t the first time in 2024 these claims have circulated, and they only seem to be growing more popular in wake of Trump’s presidential campaign and victory. Internal Revenue Service Has No Apparent Stimulus Plans (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) As you might recall, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS offered three stimulus checks to support taxpayers and keep...
At the top of their X profile, the official @IRSnews account has pinned a tweet advising Americans to be cautious while filing their annual return . “There are many different kinds of social media content,” they wrote, “including tons of misleading tax advice that can put you at risk.” Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to be diligent amid the endless scams and near-constant flow of fake news online. Currently, the rumored IRS $8700 stimulus check has people asking questions. Here’s everything we know about the situation so far: What Are Stimulus Checks? After a bumpy few years navigating the “new normal” following the COVID-19 pandemic , Americans have become familiar with stimulus checks. The idea behind them is to generate economic activity during times of strife. Thanks to bonuses from the government, consumers have more to spend without the stress of going into debt or dipping into savings. In March 2020, then-POTUS Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic...
The CARES Act stimulus checks may offer some relief to taxpayers amid the coronavirus outbreak, but distribution may pose a problem for the millions who don’t use direct deposit to receive their tax refunds. In 2019, 19.8 million taxpayers waited longer for their tax refunds to arrive via paper check. Today, these same taxpayers will have to wait longer again — potentially up to an additional three months — for their stimulus checks. MagnifyMoney looked at the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. to determine where taxpayers used direct deposit the most (and least) to receive their 2018 tax refund. Cities with the highest percentages of check-receiving taxpayers are where people will likely wait longer for financial relief to arrive. In this review, we’ll cover: Key findings Where taxpayers may have to wait longer for their stimulus checks What to do if you didn’t use direct deposit File your 2019 tax return as soon as possible Provide your banking information to the IRS online Open...