Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025 BBB Scam Alert: Rental cons cash in on stressed out movers I f you are considering a move and need to rent, watch out for a new twist on fake rental ads. According to multiple Better Business Bureau (BBB) Scam Tracker reports, scammers use fake tenant credit checks to trick potential renters into compromising sensitive personal information. How the scam works: You fi nd a good deal on an apartment while browsing rental listings online. When you call the number to inquire, the owner asks you to complete a credit check before you can see the place. If you agree, they’ll send you a link to a website where you can get the credit check done. The website might look professional, but it’s all part of a scam. After you enter your sensitive information and pay for the credit check, the “landlord” will disappear. Your credit card information could be compromised, and you could even be at risk for identity theft. One consumer in California reported paying for the credit check as part of the application, then tried to cancel after they “put all of our personal information on there… there is no phone number on a form to request for someone to contact you and no one ever does.” They lost $100, had to cancel their card and are now worried about identity theft. Another consumer in Connecticut reported that they fi lled out the application and paid, but “No credit check was made until after 35 days after I called [,] email [ed] and texted numerous times regarding my refund for service not provided… lesson learned I will always look at reviews as if I did, I would not have lost my $100…” — again, leave the name out since we never know if the scammer is spoofi ng a name. Another consumer reported the following experience: “I gave my name, address, and social security number to obtain my credit score from this website. I was asked to take a screenshot of my score and send it to the same address that BBB Scam Alert | SEE Page 21 1. On July 11, 1804, what famous duel happened in Weehawken, N.J.? 2. What USA city has a Historic Voodoo Museum? 3. On July 12 in what year did Geraldine Ferraro become the fi rst female nominee for vice president: 1979, 1984 or 1994? 4. The Vegetable Orchestra, which creates instruments from fresh veggies, is based in what city that has been the residence of many composers? 5. What country are Great Danes native to: Denmark, France or Germany? 6. On July 13, 1977, what city had an approximately 24-hour electrical blackout? 7. What author of Concord, Mass., said, “[M] y greatest skill has been to want but little”? 8. Are yetis (wild men) only found in the Himalayas? 9. In 1973 the Wall of Sound was created for what band: AC/DC, Grateful Dead or Queen? 10. July 14 in France is Bastille Day; who sent the key to the Bastille to George Washington in 1790? 11. How are Arnold Palmer, Shirley Temple and Virgin Mary Answers similar? 12. What word meaning “bird” was fi rst used to mean men who enlisted in order to get food and clothing in winter? 13. On July 15, 2006, what social media site was launched that was later renamed? 14. What was the fi rst sport at the ancient Olympic games: discus throw, sprint or javelin? 15. The 32nd chapter of “MobyDick” is titled “Cetology,” which means what? 16. On July 16, 1935, the fi rst parking meters in the world were installed in what city that has a name that includes its state’s name? 17. In 1968 candidate Richard Nixon appeared on “Laugh In” and said what catchphrase? 18. In 1872 who was arrested for voting in the presidential election in Rochester, N.Y.? 19. What TV talk show host’s book club recommended books for sales of 55 million-plus? 20. On July 17, 1763, John Jacob Astor (famous family founder) was born in what German city that has the same name as a salad? THE SALT DEDUCTION INCREASE P resident Trump signed off on the big beautiful bill on July 4, 2025. This legislation contained many various provisions, not just tax provisions. However, one big tax provision was the increase in the SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction. Since the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act enacted in 2017, this deduction was limited to $10,000 as an itemized deduction on Schedule A. A taxpayer added up his or her state income taxes, excise taxes and real estate taxes in order to include on Schedule A. However, the amount actually deducted could not exceed $10,000. Many taxpayers pay far in excess of $10,000 in those types of taxes, especially for taxpayers in states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and California. With the 2025 standard deduction at $30,000 for a married couple ($33,200 for a married couple if both are 65 years of age or older), with such a limit on the SALT deduction under the old law, many taxpayers would take the standard deduction because the total of their SALT deduction, charitable contributions, medical expenses and mortgage interest would not exceed the standard deduction. For a single person, the 2025 standard deduction is $15,000 ($17,000 if 65 years of age or older). This new law now allows taxpayers to claim up to $40,000 in SALT deductions thereby putting them in a better position to itemized their deductions. The SALT deduction for 2025 begins to phase out for taxpayers who have income of $500,000 or more. The $40,000 SALT deduction limit as well as the $500,000 income limit are increased by 1% per year up until December 31, 2029. For calendar year 2030, the SALT deduction will revert back to $10,000. The $40,000 SALT deduction is phased out as your income exceeds $500,000 by an amount equal to 30% of the excess income amount. As an example, if your 2025 income is $600,000, the phase out of the SALT deduction would be equal to 30% of $100,000, or $30,000, leaving you with a SALT deduction of only $10,000. The SALT deduction is completely phased out with income of $633,333 as $133,333 x 30% equals $40,000. It is diffi cult to claim medical expenses for most taxpayers as an itemized deduction as they must exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income before you get to deduct one dollar worth of medical expenses. Prior to this most recent legislation, the vast majority of taxpayers ended up taking the standard deduction. This new bill will allow many more taxpayers to itemize their deductions on Schedule A. However, the state income deduction and real estate tax deduction will have to be higher than the standard deduction, unless there are charitable contributions and medical expenses that bring you over that threshold. The new bill also preserved the end-around for the state income tax deduction wherein many states enacted tax legislation that allows for pass through entities such as S Corporations and LLC’s to pay the state income tax based upon the earnings of the business and take a deduction on the federal return at the entity level. Then, the individual owner can take a tax credit on his or her personal return equal to 90% (in Massachusetts) of the state income taxes actually paid by the entity. We’ll just have to see how this all plays out this upcoming tax season after the fi rst of the year. Joseph D. Cataldo is an Estate Planning/Elder Law Attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation. 1. Between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr 2. New Orleans 3. 1984 4. Vienna (Examples: carrot recorder, pumpkin drum and agave leaf/kidney beans maraca.) 5. Germany (It was renamed due to geopolitical friction; in Germany it is still called Deutsche Dogge.) 6. NYC 7. Henry David Thoreau 8. Many places have them; they go by different names in Australia, China and the USA. 9. The Grateful Dead 10. Marquis de Lafayette (The key is displayed at Mount Vernon in Virginia.) 11. They are mocktails. 12. Snowbird (It later came to mean people travelling to a warmer area for the winter.) 13. Twitter (X) 14. A sprint 15. The study of whales 16. Oklahoma City 17. “Sock it to me” 18. Susan B. Anthony (plus 14 other women) 19. Oprah Winfrey 20. Waldorf
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