Soto Law Group - January 2021

Soto Law Group - January 2021

January 2021 Soto’s Chronicles

DeDe Soto

Protecting your most valuable asset — your family

FROM THE DESK OF DeDe Soto

How to Teach Yourself New Tricks

Be Realistic About Building New Habits in the New Year

A New Year always feels like a clean slate begging me to reinvent myself. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stacked resolution upon resolution, like losing weight, exercising more, eating healthier, spending more quality time with the kids, and remembering to read at least one book a month — all starting on Jan. 1. And then, without fail, any motivation for achieving those resolutions evaporates by Feb. 1 at the latest. According to an article from USA Today a few years ago, most people actually give up on their resolutions by Jan. 17. It’s a tale as old as New Year’s resolutions themselves, and it happens to millions of people every year. Mulling over my continued failure to successfully achieve my New Year’s goals inevitably reminds me of the old cliche, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” As we get older, are we simply so set in our ways that we can’t form new, healthy habits? After all, some studies show that it’s much easier to develop habits when you’re younger. According to one study, children develop habits that stick when they’re just 9 years old! Don’t worry, though. There is still hope for those of us who want to change our habits later in life. Don’t overreach in your goal-setting. As I said earlier, a clean slate is attractive. It seems like the perfect chance to really change our ways. So, we load up all our half-baked plans to change our habits, and start them

Wishing You Much Success In 2021!

I hope the New Year is treating you kindly so far. I wish you success and happiness! As we prepare for 2021, my wish for each of you is to find calm in the midst of change and to enjoy the little things that bring you happiness. As with each new year, the unknown can bring lots of surprises and many adventures, some with twists and turns that will be welcomed surprises and some not so welcome. I do hope you take time to set your goals and priorities for 2021 and create a year that brings hope and prosperity. As always, we are here to assist you in leaving a loving legacy as an expression of love to your most precious asset: your family.

Until next time, many blessings,

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Map out your goals. Many New Year’s resolutions don’t have clear end goals (e.g., getting in better shape), and even if they do, a concrete plan for how to get there isn’t included. If your resolution is to run a marathon by the end of the year, how do you expect to prepare yourself without breaking down your training week by week and day by day? You can’t; it’s impossible. Instead, if you’re really serious about accomplishing your resolutions, break them down into smaller, achievable action steps. If you want to lose 50 pounds by the end of the year, find out what small things you need to do to lose around 1–2 pounds per week. This will make your goals feel more achievable and provide a clear pathway to getting there. Plan for failure. Whatever you decide to work on in the new year, always remember: At some point, your progress will stagnate or some hurdle will be very difficult. No one pursues a goal perfectly; everyone encounters unforeseen obstacles to their success. Don’t just throw your hands up in disgust and give up. Failure is normal. Give yourself space in your resolution maps to be human, so that when you fall behind, you can pick yourself up and carry on toward the end of the year.

all on Jan. 1. Why wouldn’t we expect that to fail? Trying to start everything at once is far too mentally, physically, and emotionally jarring. That’s why we should pick one or two habits to start instead of trying to get to everything at once. For example, if you want to get in better shape, rather than suddenly implementing a plan to lift at the gym, jog daily, and cut sugar out of your diet, why not start small and commit to a 10-minute walk every day and drink more water? Those are far more realistic, and once you do those things easily, you can build on them.

Good luck in tackling your resolutions this year. I know you can do it. Happy New Year!

‘The Bachelorette’ Contestants Go to Court

JUDGE, WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS ROSE?

According to Deadline, Cimino told Johnson she would help him get movie roles with her studio, but that never happened. Instead, she allegedly lured him into in-person meetings and bombarded him with inappropriate calls and text messages. After years of back-and-forth, the case is finally moving forward. In July 2020, a judge ruled that all of Johnson’s accusations were proven except failure to hire. Upping the drama, Deadline reported that “no attorneys for Cimino or the studio participated in the hearing.” Meanwhile, another “Bachelorette” contestant, Luke Parker , has been ordered by the court to pay $100,000 for breach of contract. Parker, who vied for the affection of Hannah Brown in the 2019 season, has allegedly been making media appearances without the consent

The reality TV show “The Bachelorette” is known for being packed with drama, but last year there was just as much scandal among its contestants off-screen as there was while the cameras were rolling. Late in 2020, not one but two past “Bachelorette” contestants ended up in court. One of them was Chad Johnson , hailing from the group of hunks who competed for Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher’s attention in season 12. That season aired in 2016, but it wasn’t until two years later that Johnson sued Sunset Studios Entertainment and one of its executives, Cristina Cimino, for sexual harassment, failure to prevent harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud by intentional misrepresentation, and wrongful failure to hire in violation of public policy.

of the show’s production company, NZK Productions Inc.

Each appearance was a breach of contract, and now he owes the company a pretty penny: $25,000 per appearance. According to Page Six, Parker might also be on the hook for bad-mouthing the show and/or sharing information about what happened on set — both things his contract forbids. Hopefully, the 2021 season of “The Bachelorette,” which should air later this year following the postponed 2020 season, will feature less drama than these real-life legal battles.

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THE 4 BEST COOKING AND TRAVEL SHOWS Don’t Get Lost in the Sauce

‘Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown’

Streaming services are booming right now, and there’s no shortage of entertainment between HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, and more. But the important question is this: What are the best binge-worthy cooking shows? Here are four streamable culinary shows you’ll love. ‘The Chef Show’ Get cozy at home and turn on Netflix to watch Chef Roy Choi, the man responsible for bringing the food from the movie “Chef” to life, on “The Chef Show.” You’ll get incredible home- cooking tips while enjoying appearances from your favorite celebrities, like Tom Holland trying oysters for the first time. This show travels all over the world to explore recipes and honor the tradition of sharing good food. Four seasons are out now!

If you’re not familiar with the late Anthony Bourdain, you’re missing out on one of the most influential, internationally lauded chefs of the past few decades. “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” one of his longest-running TV shows, filmed 12 seasons over seven years, and all 12 seasons are streaming on HBO Max. The show follows Bourdain as he travels and discovers little-known places in order to celebrate diverse cultures by exploring their food and dining rituals. ‘Gordon Ramsey: Uncharted’ Want something a little more recent? Hop on Disney+ to watch Chef Gordon Ramsey of “Hell’s Kitchen,” who has seven Michelin stars, leap out of helicopters to take some of the most epic adventures

you can imagine — ranging from the icy waters of Alaska to the plains of New Zealand — all while learning to cook local food along the way. The latest two seasons are available right now! ‘Great Chefs of New Orleans’ Whatever your favorite cooking show may be, it was likely influenced by this classic. One of the oldest cooking shows in the U.S., “Great Chefs” has aged like a fine wine. In this series, you’ll meet some of the best chefs in New Orleans and learn how they create and prepare an appetizer, entree, and dessert. Two seasons are available to Amazon Prime members!

Take a Break!

Korean Beef Rice Bowls

Inspired by SkinnyTaste.com

Directions 1. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, 2 tbsp water, brown sugar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. 2. Spray a deep, nonstick skillet with cooking oil and place over high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Ingredients • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce • 2 tsp light brown sugar • 1 tsp sesame oil • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes • 1 lb lean ground beef • 1/4 cup yellow onion, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

3. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger to the meat and cook for 1 minute. 4. Pour sauce over the beef, then cover and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. 5. Divide rice evenly into four serving bowls. Top each with scant 2/3 cup beef, cucumber slices, sesame seeds, scallions, and gochujang, to taste. • 2 tbsp gochujang sauce, or more if desired • 3 cups cooked brown rice • 1 small cucumber, sliced • 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds, plus more for topping • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Desk of DeDe PAGE 1 How to Successfully Set and Keep New Habits PAGE 1 ‘The Bachelorette’ Contestants Go to Court PAGE 2 Don’t Miss These Cooking Shows! PAGE 3 Take a Break PAGE 3 Korean Beef Rice Bowls PAGE 3 How to Deduct Charitable Contributions on Your 2020 Taxes PAGE 4

New Tax Rules for Charitable Contributions in 2020

Don’t Forget the CARES Act’s Special Bonus!

Take note that the standard deduction was increased in 2020 because of the CARES Act. In 2019, the standard deduction for a single person was $12,200; in 2020, it’s $12,400. For those who are married and filing jointly, the standard deduction was $24,400 in 2019 and $24,800 in 2020. And the standard deduction for heads of household in 2019 was $18,350 and it’s $18,650 in 2020. Deductible Contributions If you choose to itemize your deductions, almost any gift to a qualified charitable organization can be deducted against your taxable income. It’s very important to keep records of all your contributions. According to the IRS, when donating items to a local charity like the Red Cross or Goodwill, the deductible value equals the fair market value of your items.

Many people tackled deep-cleaning projects while spending more time at home last year. If your cleaning spree ended in donating items to a local charity, or if you donated funds to help local organizations supporting pandemic relief, you can look forward to some tax breaks! To feel confident in claiming them, here’s what you need to know about filing your 2020 taxes, including some unique additions from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Itemized vs. Standard Deductions When filing your taxes, you’ll need to first decide whether you want to itemize your deductions or take the standard deduction set by the IRS. Even those who cannot claim other tax credits or breaks qualify for the standard deduction. However, if you do have qualifying deductions and they add up to more than the standard deduction, it’s smarter to itemize your deductions.

to public charities are now 100% deductible instead of 60%. However, this doesn’t apply to private foundations. An Additional Charitable Deduction If you choose to take the standard deduction rather than itemize deductions on your 2020 tax return, you may qualify for a new dedication courtesy of the CARES Act. If you donated to a qualified charity before Jan. 1, 2021, you can deduct up to $300, for single filers, or $600 per married couple. The CARES Act can save you hundreds of dollars on your 2020 tax return. Use this guide to navigate the upcoming tax season. Happy filing!

If you made cash donations in 2020, there is a special rule to be aware of: Donations

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