Law Offices of Marcel R. Wurms

04/05/2025

Please be advised that I have retired from the practice of law and am not accepting clients.

08/15/2022

Ten-Day Sales Tax Holiday
This year, the first annual Sales Tax Holiday on back-to-school items will be held from August 27, 2022, to September 5, 2022. During this holiday period, nonbusiness purchases of certain tangible personal property will be exempt from Sales and Use Tax. Back-to-school items included in the tax holiday are:

Personal computers with a sales price less than $3,000;
School computer supplies priced less than $1,000;
School supplies;
School art supplies;
School instructional materials; and
Sports or recreation equipment.

For more information:

Sales Tax Holiday for Certain Retail Sales of School Supplies, Computers, and Sport or Recreational Equipment

03/12/2019

Beware of the scam!!!

There's a company that goes around and sends out a letter to homeowners, mostly new homeowners, which makes it seems it's from a government agency.

The letter advises that for a $79.00 fee, the company will provide you with a property profile. While they may actually provide you with this profile, all they are doing is compiling information easily obtainable on the internet.

The scam arises from the way the letter is set up, making it sound like it's an official document that you are required to purchase. Many clients don't understand that this is not a requirement and that obtaining this information may only be useful prior to purchasing a home.

Don't be scammed. If you're not sure of the legitimacy of such a letter, contact your attorney for advice.

12/06/2017

ATTENTION VETERANS LIVING IN NJ!!!!

Beginning with your 2017 tax return, which is filed next April, your will be entitled to a $3,000 income exemption. The exemption is for honorably discharged veterans only, and requires that you attach a copy of your Form DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty to the 2017 tax return.

However, if you want to get a jump on things, you can file the Veteran Exemption Submission Form now, along with your DD-214. Filing instructions are on the form. Contact me for a copy of the form.

If you can't locate your DD-14, contact the Veterans' Service Records section of the National Archives at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records.

For most people, this exemption will save you approximately $100 in New Jersey income taxes.

(Includes DD 214/Separation Documents, Personnel Records, Replacement Medals, and/or Medical Records)

08/29/2017

First time home buyer? See my legal guide for tips for first time home buyers.

https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/buying-a-home-tips-for-the-first-time-home-buyer-phase-1

01/08/2016

I was recently asked about advice from some attorney regarding identity theft. Here's the original post, and my reply:

1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your
checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

Mr. Wurms's reply:
If the bank is diligent enough to look at the signature to see if it matches the card, then they should be able to pick up on the difference in hand writing. Generally, you are not liable for a fraud such as this.

2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."

Mr. Wurms's reply:
I don't think this works either. Many times, the back of the card isn't even looked at. Also, by not signing the back, you're basically letting the thief sign the back in their own handwriting.

3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.

Mr. Wurms's reply:
I guess this is OK, but more likely it's a waste of time. Of course, if there is a thief in the check processing system, he/she already has access to your (and countless other's) bank info, and many checks will have driver's license numbers on them. That's a gold mine right there, without your credit card number. Also, most credit card transactions require the expiration date and the security id on the back.

4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS # printed on your checks, (DUH!). You can add it if it is necessary. However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it. (This may not be possible for many people).

Mr. Wurms's reply:
Don't put any address or phone numbers on personal checks. Definitely don't put your social security number or driver's license numbers on your checks.

Putting your work address on your checks may be counter-productive. Now your ID won't match up when you give a check. (And really, how many of us actually use a check that often for live transactions. Most of us have debit cards.)

Speaking of debit cards, what I do recommend is that you avoid using the card as a debit card to pay bills, which requires you to enter your pin. Rather, hit cancel, and then use your card as a credit card, avoiding the risk of having your pin disclosed.

5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad.

Mr. Wurms's reply:
I agree. I have actually done this.

6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates. Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever.

Mr. Wurms's reply:
I really don't know what information is contained on those key cards. However, this advice seems like a "no-loser", so why not go with it?

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR INFORMATION A CREDIT CARD OR CHECK HAS BEEN STOLEN, DO THE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY:

- Contact the companies that are involved with the actual fraud.

- Place a fraud alert on your credit. This notifies potential debtors to confirm your id before issuing credit.

Experian - www.experian.com/fraud/center.html
Equifax - www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAlert.jsp
www.transunion.com/fraud-victim-resource/place-fraud-alert

- File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. Make sure the officer provides you with an "Identity Theft Victim's Complaint and Affidavit" (this form is also available at www.ftc.gov/idtheft).

- Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at www.identitytheft.gov

03/30/2015

IRS Scam!!!!

There is a phone scam going around the area. Scammers are calling people, and announcing they are the IRS and intend to sue them if the message recipient does not call them back.

The IRS does not call you when there is an issue with your account. Their only method of contact is my US mail. Any other forms of communications is a scam.

Please share this with your friends and family, especially senior citizens who tend to be the most vulnerable to these types of scams.

Of course if you do get contacted by the real IRS, please feel free to give me a call.

04/03/2014

http://www.northjersey.com/news/crime-and-courts/statewide-crackdown-in-april-focuses-on-distracted-drivers-1.840281

Starting April 1, drivers talking and texting on their phones will be the focus of a new statewide crackdown by law enforcement agencies.

03/05/2013

PAYING TOO MUCH IN PROPERTY TAXES?????

Time is running out to get a free review of your residential or commercial property. Call me THIS WEEK, and we'll help you determine whether you should file a property tax appeal. (973) 614-0870

02/20/2013

IRS regulations have you confused? Are you paying too much property taxes on your home or business? Give us a call.

We provide our clients with help on a variety of tax issues, including property tax appeals (except for properties in the Borough of Lodi, where Marcel represents the municipality) and income tax issues.

For property tax matters, we work hand in hand with licensed appraisers, and will review your case for free, if submitted to us on or before March 1. Tax appeals are handled on a contingency basis; if you don't receive a tax reduction, we won't charge you a legal fee (you are responsible for out of pocket expenses).

As a result of over 30 years of income tax return experience, you will find our tax preparation costs very competitive, often less expensive than even the larger tax chains like H&R Block.

Call Marcel at 973-614-0870 to set up a consultation.