The new book by J. Alfredo Guizar, “The Character of Success”, is a brilliant work that provides a series of teachings on how to achieve success throughout life.

March 19, 2019

BREMERTON, Washington, March 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Recent release “The Character of Success”, written by J. Alfredo Guizar and published by Page Publishing, is a work that explains the essential principles and objectives to obtain success in life, through the application of practical and simple exercises.

J. Alfredo Guizar brings his new book with an interesting and audacious theme about the process to seek success and how to succeed in every test that life imposes.

The contents of this book were inspired by the great personalities of the world who animated and molded themselves; They visualized their goal, dreamed of it until they realized it and never gave up.

Guizar shares, “The individual who is looking for success can find the beginning of it in this work, as well as you can also find some examples in order to clarify the goal and know what path it will take to get there.

You can find the key to achieve whatever you are looking for and want to achieve in this life. ‘Impose your will on emotions.’

Published by Page Publishing, based in New York City, the work of J. Alfredo Guizar, “The Character of Success”, is a compendium of practical and wonderful lessons on how to achieve success in life.

For readers who wish to experience this book can purchase “The Character of Success”, in any book store, or in the online stores of Apple iTunes, Amazon, Google Play or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or any questions, please contact Page Publishing, 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional New York-based, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors’ books, including distribution in the world’s largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create – not overwhelmed with logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of accomplished authors and publishing professionals allows writers to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues to focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at www.pagepublishing.com.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/837270/Page_Publishing___J_Alfredo_Guizar.jpg

SOURCE Page Publishing

READY TO ROCK: 12th-generation Corolla Rolls Off the Line at Toyota Mississippi

March 18, 2019

BLUE SPRINGS, Mississippi, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — It has style. It has grace. And today, Toyota’s stunning all-new 2020 Corolla calls Mississippi home.

The world’s most popular compact sedan is now in its 12th generation.

Plant President Sean Suggs praised his team’s success when the first Mississippi-built 12th-generation Corolla rolled off the line, showcasing its sleek new design to team members and community leaders.

“We have an extraordinary team in Mississippi building a remarkable vehicle,” said Suggs. “I can honestly say we get better every day, and it’s because of our amazing team members. I can’t wait to see what happens next for our plant, our community, and as we like to say, the Toyota Mississippi Family.”

Suggs also presented the town of Blue Springs with the first 11^th-generation Corolla that rolled off the line at Toyota Mississippi on September 7, 2013. Town of Blue Springs Mayor Rita Gentry said the vehicle will be used in the day-to-day functions of the Blue Springs Police Department.

More than 2,000 people come together each day in Blue Springs to build the world’s most popular compact sedan for customers across the Americas and the Caribbean.

Chris Reynolds, Toyota Motor North America chief administrative officer, Manufacturing and Corporate Resources, greeted team members and Mississippi leaders with words of encouragement and admiration during a ceremony celebrating the plant’s sixth major milestone since opening in 2011.

“The role of our team members is critically important, not only to Toyota Mississippi, but to Toyota as a global mobility company,” Reynolds said. “I am so proud of the Toyota Family in Mississippi, and I am grateful to be part of this special day.”

For over 50 years, Corolla has been synonymous with dependability, fuel efficiency, safety and value. Now, thanks to the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform and Corolla’s wheels-to-roof transformation, stylish, connected, refined and exciting will be used to describe the all-new Corolla.

Toyota announced in April 2018 that it would invest $170 million in its Mississippi plant to build the 12th-generation Corolla using TNGA — the new way Toyota designs, engineers and produces its vehicles.

With an elevated dynamic design, robust build and confidence-inspiring safety and quality, the Corolla sedan’s bold new look is shaking up the compact sedan segment. From every angle, the new Corolla sedan looks lower and leaner, tauter and tighter. Powerful fender flares and generously curved fender top surfaces accent its sculpted, athletic core.

From an engine that produces more power, to greater agility to Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard on all Corolla sedans, TNGA showcases a spectacular product in the 2020 Corolla.

The Toyota Corolla remains the world’s best-selling nameplate with more than 46 million vehicles sold globally since its introduction in 1966.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. and North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands. During that time, Toyota has created a tremendous value chain as our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 38 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 47,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (nearly 1,500 in the U.S.) sold 2.8 million cars and trucks (2.4 million in the U.S.) in 2018 – and about 87 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 16 years are still on the road today.

Through the Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Contact: Emily Wilemon-Holland, 662-507-5148

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835594/Toyota_Motor_North_America_Corolla_12th_generation.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/439685/Toyota_Corp_Red_Logo.jpg

(PRNewsfoto/Toyota Motor North America)

SOURCE Toyota Motor North America

Chilean Salmon Marketing Council Unveils New, Patagonia-Focused Campaign “The Promise of Patagonia” at Seafood Expo North America

March 18, 2019

BOSTON, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Chilean Salmon Marketing Council (CSMC), a U.S.-based entity dedicated to strengthening the reputation of Chilean Salmon, announced a new creative campaign, “The Promise of Patagonia,” at the annual Seafood Expo North America (SENA) in Boston today.

“The Promise of Patagonia” is focused on forging the connection for American consumers between the cold, clear waters of Chilean Patagonia, and the salmon they put on their table. Starting this month, it will live on print, online and out-of-home channels.

“The mystique of Patagonia is well-known,” said Ricardo Garcia, CEO of Camanchaca, Vice Chairman of Salmones Camanchaca and Chairman of CSMC. “We are emphasizing the pristine Patagonian region of Chile, where salmon is raised in the pure coastal Antarctic waters. As stewards of this remarkable ecology, CSMC’s members proudly produce high-quality salmon using environmentally responsible and sustainable aquaculture,” said Garcia.

“The Promise of Patagonia” will also signify CSMC members’ commitment to the welfare of the region’s salmon and to the environment in bringing a high quality, reliable and nutritious fish to market year-round. As a proof-point to this commitment, SalmonChile, the national association for the salmon industry in Chile, CSMC, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium® (MBA) collaborated to form the Chilean Salmon Antibiotic Reduction Program (CSARP), a landmark initiative to reduce antibiotic use by 50 percent as a step toward reaching a Seafood Watch® Good Alternative by 2025.

“A 50 percent reduction in antibiotic use, in concert with other improvements to the industry, could lead to a Good Alternative recommendation. Improvement on that scale is excellent news for Patagonia, and for everyone around the world who enjoys Chilean salmon. We’re proud to support this work and are hopeful to see real change along the way to our 2025 goal,” said Jennifer Kemmerly, Director of Global Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

“Never before has our industry made such a bold commitment,” said Arturo Clement, CEO of SalmonChile. “We are excited to work together as an industry and with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to fulfill this extremely important goal. We have made significant advances in salmon farming over the past four years and always work to minimize the use of antibiotics. Collaborating to further this work is a major step we can take toward continuous and quantifiable improvement.”

“We already have companies in Chile with positive Seafood Watch ratings. It has been my dream to see Chile’s Seafood Watch rating, as a whole country, move in a positive direction,” said James Griffin, CSMC’s Director. “It’s a highlight of my career to be part of the effort to achieve this goal. In the coming years, this will be our focus, and U.S. consumers and the people of the Chilean Patagonia will benefit, but the ultimate beneficiary will be the ocean and ecology of such a pristine part of the world.”

Members of CSMC will be available to speak to press at the SENA show in Boston. Please contact Rebecca Appelman at 410-218-0431 or [email protected] for media inquiries.

About CSMC
The Chilean Salmon Marketing Council (CSMC) is a U.S.-based entity dedicated to strengthening the reputation of Chilean Salmon while increasing value and healthy growth for member companies. CSMC is governed by a Chile-based executive board and managed by a U.S.-based President/Executive Director. Member companies include AgroSuper (Aquachile, Los Fiordos, Verlasso), Cermaq Chile, MultiExport Foods, Australis, Salmones Camachaca, Bluemar, Ventisqueros, Salmones Austral, Marine Farm, Salmones Magallanes. For more information, visit http://chileansalmon.org.

About the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the ocean. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is the most admired aquarium in the United States, a leader in science education and a voice for ocean conservation through comprehensive programs in marine science and public policy. The Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program is part of a comprehensive initiative to improve the sustainability of global fisheries and aquaculture, through policy leadership, scientific research, industry partnerships and consumer engagement. Everything we do works in concert to protect the future of our blue planet. More information is at montereybayaquarium.org and at seafoodwatch.org.

From left to right: Arturo Clement, President and CEO, SalmonChile; Jennifer Dianto Kemmerly, Director of Global Fisheries and Aquaculture, Monterey Bay Aquarium; Tyler Isaac, Senior Aquaculture Scientist, Monterey Bay Aquarium; Rolando Ibar ra Olmedo, Fish Health & Food Safety Manager, SalmonChile; Wendy Norden, Science Director, Monterey Bay Aquarium; Melanie Whatmore, Marketing Director, SalmonChile; James Griffin, Executive Director, Chilean Salmon Marketing Council.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/836886/Salmon_de_Chile.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/836887/Promise_of_Patagonia.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/836888/CSMC_Monterey_Bay_Aquarium_and_SalmonChile.jpg

SOURCE Chilean Salmon Marketing Council

(Español) “Encárgate y #PrevénEnvenenamientos”: la CPSC, Health Canada y PROFECO conmemora la Semana Nacional de Prevención de Envenenamientos del 17 al 23 de marzo de 2019

March 18, 2019

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1973 and charged with protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or visit http://www.saferproducts.gov. Further recall information is available at http://www.cpsc.gov.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

First Bank & Trust Company Opens New Office in Blacksburg, Virginia

March 18, 2019

ABINGDON, Virginia, March 18, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On Thursday, March 21^st at 5:30 PM First Bank & Trust Company, in partnership with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the Bank’s new office opening at 2695 Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg. On Friday, March 22^nd, the general public is invited to tour the new office and enjoy a meet and greet with the staff from 9 AM to 4 PM. Refreshments will be served and giveaways provided while supplies last. A special savings account rate is being offered for a limited time, just for new accounts opened in person at the Blacksburg office.

First Bank & Trust Company’s new facility is a full service office that features round-the-clock banking for personal and business accounts. Services include over 55,000 free ATMs via the Allpoint network, mobile and text banking and free personal checking accounts opened with a minimum deposit of $50 with no minimum balance requirements.

Branch operating hours are Monday-Thursday, 8 AM – 5PM; Friday, 8 AM – 6 PM and Saturday, 8 AM – 1 PM. Branch visitors will enjoy courteous, knowledgeable customer service, and a new technology bar that allows visitors to test the latest in banking technology and innovation.

“There’s a lot of excitement about our new branch,” stated Jim McAlister, Senior Vice President and New River Valley Regional Manager. “We want to establish personal and business relationships in this community, and become an integral part of the Virginia Tech and greater Blacksburg community.”

About First Bank & Trust Company

First Bank & Trust Company, one of the top community banks in the United States, is a diversified financial services firm with office locations in southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee, and New River and Shenandoah Valleys. Financial objectives are addressed by offering free checking products for personal and business accounts, and assessing lending solutions managed by mortgage, agricultural and commercial lending divisions. Comprehensive financial solutions are available through trust and brokerage service representatives. www.FirstBank.com

For more information, visit www.firstbank.com or contact Nicole Franks [email protected]

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/625204/First_Bank_and_Trust_Company_logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE First Bank & Trust Company

(Español) Los consumidores de todo Estados Unidos están en capacidad de mejorar potencialmente sus puntajes de crédito al agregar los pagos de facturas de telecomunicaciones y de servicios públicos a sus historiales de crédito

March 18, 2019

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

Beatriz Rossello, First Lady Of Puerto Rico, To Be Keynote Speaker At The XX Minority Women Leadership World Summit Miami 2019

March 14, 2019

MIAMI, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ –The United States Minority Chamber of Commerce (USMCC) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Beatriz Rosselló, First Lady of Puerto Rico, will be a keynote speaker at the XX Edition of The Minority Women Leadership World Summit Miami 2019, to take place March 29^th – 30^th, 2019 at the Miami Marriott Dadeland Hotel. The event is not open to the public.

The Summit will be titled “Inform, Empower, Inspire and Impact.” Mrs. Rosselló will be speaking during the luncheon conference on Friday, March 30^th, 2019.

The Minority Women Leadership World Summit 2019 explores ways to empower women by sharing stories from the front lines of change. It actively presents examples of women who have presided over this great awakening in global leadership. This year we face a wide range of important matters that still impact women today. These matters range from economic development and public service to the wage gap and the absence of educational opportunities for women around the world.

The exclusive Minority Women Leadership World Summit Miami 2019 will be a convening of mighty female leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, public officials, and high-level corporate executives. Together they will move and inspire with their provocative accounts and make waves with their new vision for years to come.

This year’s invited speakers include Mrs. Ivanka Trump, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States; Mrs. Michelle Bolsonaro, First Lady of Brazil; Maria Rios, CEO of Waste Nation; Mrs. Casey DeSantis, First Lady of the State of Florida; Waleska Rivera, CEO Danosa Caribbean and other exceptional women.

“The XX edition is the first gathering of its kind. The Summit aims to spotlight humanitarian efforts with the official participation of the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Mrs. Rosselló,” said Doug Mayorga, CEO of the U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce. “It will be a unique opportunity since traditionally our activities are based on business, technology, public and private investment. This time we are giving a human side to the Minority Women Leadership World Summit. We also appreciate the attendance of the Governor of Puerto Rico, who will accompany the First Lady,” adds Mr. Mayorga.

About the Minority Women Leadership World Summit Miami 2019

It is the global stage for celebrating women’s voices around the world in Business, Science, Governance and public service. There is a lot that has been done by and for women, but there’s still plenty to do. The conference will bring leaders from various backgrounds and experiences to share ways women can contribute to Sustainable Development Goals and accelerate women’s leadership in a bold new way.

About the U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce (USMCC)

Founded in Miami Dade in the year 2000, the mission of the USMCC is to build lasting prosperity for minority businesses in the U.S. through expansion of trade, public-private partnership, and the international cooperation, and implementing good practices that are the hallmark of the U.S. entrepreneurial spirit. The biggest obstacles to economic engagement and development for U.S. minority businesses are a lack of direction and connections and the unknown/perceived risks in the global market. The USMCC helps companies mitigate these risks through advocacy, access, and by identifying market opportunities. For more information: www.minoritychamber.net

For interview and agenda:

Maria Loaisiga
Public Affairs Director
[email protected]
(786)406-2190

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/722000/1_LOGO_CHAMBER_Logo.jpg

SOURCE U.S. Minority Chamber of Commerce

Mi Padrino Creates All-In-One Experience For Hispanic Event Planners

March 14, 2019

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mi Padrino®, an innovative Hispanic event website, celebrates its 300,000th user today. The online platform is a true one-stop shop planning experience for quinceañeras, bodas, and other traditional Hispanic events, allowing Latinx families from all over the country to easily plan their events online while embracing their centuries-old traditions.

With Mi Padrino’s event planning and crowd-gifting platform, families can plan their entire events online from start to finish. Users get a personalized online checklist to stay organized and keep track of everything that needs to get done. Mi Padrino’s vendor platform lists bands, venues, photographers, and other types of vendors in their area specializing in these traditional events. Inspiration and planning guides help keep them prepared and make sure they pick the right vendors that are truly perfect for them.

“One of the best features of Mi Padrino are the event pages,” said Kim Gamez, founder, and CEO of Mi Padrino. “Users create personalized websites to share event details and pictures, gather RSVPs, create a customized registry, and gather contributions from padrinos online.”

Beyond helping people plan their biggest life events, Mi Padrino also offers a marketplace for small business owners to sell homemade and traditional products to a global market. This connects users with products from around the world that they otherwise could not find, from traditional dresses and tiaras to invitations and more.

“Hispanic families are so passionate about their culture; the food, dancing, traditions, and more. Yet, planning traditional events has always been done with pen and paper” said Gamez. “That’s why we started Mi Padrino – to bring Hispanic traditions online and meet the demand of the modern Latinx family. Our community is proud of who they are and where they’ve come from, and we hope tools like Mi Padrino can help keep the beautiful Hispanic traditions alive for generations to come.”

About Mi Padrino
At Mi Padrino, we believe in the deep and lasting impact of traditions in shaping lives and building community. We make event planning easy by organizing and connecting hosts, guests, vendors, products, and resources, so that Latinx families and friends can focus on what matters: honoring their heritage and celebrating life’s most significant occasions together.

SOURCE Mi Padrino

Colgate Brings Cirque Du Soleil’s Exclusive Philanthropic Performance Supporting Global Access to Water Solutions to National Television ahead of World Water Day

March 14, 2019

NEW YORK, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — In celebration of World Water Day on March 22, Colgate continues to spread awareness surrounding the importance of water conservation. This year, the brand is bringing Cirque Du Soleil’s exclusive One Night for One Drop performance to national television for the first time. The entertainment special, hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s, Kevin Frazier and Figure Skating Champion, Tara Lipinski, imagined by Cirque Du Soleil – brought to you by Colgate, will air on Saturday, March 16 at 8:00PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. The exclusive television airing will magnify Colgate’s mission to raise awareness surrounding water conservation because #EveryDropCounts.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8504851-colgate-one-drop-cirque-du-soleil-world-water-day/

One Drop, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing global safe water solutions, brings its unique Social Art for Behavior Change^TM approach to the performance to promote the adoption of sustainable practices around water usage. Inspiring small behavior changes that can make a big impact in daily water usage is an important goal for Colgate. Now in its fourth year, the brand’s Save Water campaign encourages Americans to turn off the faucet while brushing their teeth as it can save up to four gallons of clean drinking water each time¹.

In addition to the philanthropic efforts of One Night for One Drop, Colgate recently partnered with water conservation advocate and ultra-runner, Mina Guli, who set out to run 100 marathons in 100 days across six continents to put a spotlight on water challenges around the globe as part of her #RunningDry campaign. Unfortunately, Guli suffered from a broken femur after her 62^nd consecutive marathon, but the notoriety of her efforts led to a surprising response from #RunningDry supporters. Runners from 40 countries around the world hit the trail, running to date over 19,000 miles collectively and logging these miles through social media to help Guli reach her goal. Guli continues to partner with Colgate to collaboratively raise awareness of the global water crisis and support organizations like One Drop that work to bring safe water solutions to communities around the globe.

“The mission of One Night for One Drop aligns perfectly with the goals set forth by Colgate and the mission of the Save Water campaign to generate awareness surrounding the global water crisis,” says Guli. “If every individual attending One Night for One Drop performance goes home and turns off the faucet while brushing their teeth, over 7,000 gallons of clean water could be saved. Imagine the impact now that Colgate is bringing this powerful message to a national audience.”

One Night for One Drop benefits One Drop, a world-renowned non-profit organization dedicated to providing access to safe water around the globe. To date, the exclusive event has raised more $35 Million dollars with plans to continue growing and furthering the need to support water conservation efforts and provide universal access to safe water solutions.

About Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Sorriso, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, EltaMD, PCA Skin, , Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline, and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. For more information about Colgate’s global business, visit the Company’s web site at http://www.colgatepalmolive.com. To learn more about Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures^® oral health education program, please visit http://www.colgatebsbf.com. CL-C

About One Drop
One Drop™ is an international foundation created by Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté with the vision of a better world, where all have access to living conditions that allow empowerment and development, today and forever. Our mission is to ensure sustainable access to safe water and sanitation to the most vulnerable communities through innovative partnerships, creativity and the power of art. Together with its partners, One Drop brings its unique Social Art for Behaviour Change™ approach to promote the adoption of healthy practices around water, sanitation and hygiene through locally inspired social art programs, empowering the communities to take ownership of the projects over time. For this to be possible, One Drop puts together novel fundraising initiatives supported by a visionary community of partners and donors. One Drop counts over 10 years of turning water into action with projects that will transform the lives of over 1.4 million beneficiaries around the world. The foundation was recognized by Charity Intelligence as one of the 2018 Top 10 Impact Charities in Canada. To learn more about One Drop, visit www.onedrop.org. Interact with One Drop on Facebook and Twitter at @onedrop, or on Instagram @1dropwater.

About Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. On top of producing world-renowned circus arts shows, the Canadian organization brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, theme parks and special events. It currently has 4,500 employees from nearly 70 countries. Going beyond its various creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit cdsentertainmentgroup.com.

About Mina Guli
The founder and Ambassador for Thirst, Mina is a global leader, an entrepreneur and adventurer
passionate and committed to making a difference in the world. Thirst is harnessing social media and technology to inform and inspire 14-24 year olds about water and the steps they can take to reduce their own water consumption. Mina is also a keen ultra-distance athlete, having started running only at the age of 22 after a severe injury. Named as one of the 50 greatest leaders in the world by Fortune, Mina runs to raise awareness and inspire action around the global water crisis and in doing so, has set two world firsts. In 2016 in just 7 weeks, Mina ran 40 marathons across 7 deserts on 7 continents. In 2017, Mina ran 40 marathons in 40 days on 6 continents down 6 of the World’s great rivers – to promote the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 (water). Now in partnership with the United Nations Development Program, Mina is embarking on her next expedition – to run 100 marathons in 100 days for 1 reason: water.

¹https://www.epa.gov/watersense/bathroom-faucets

SOURCE Colgate

Five Ways to Identify if Your Tax Preparer is a Fraud

March 14, 2019

SACRAMENTO, California, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — It is a typical scenario. Your neighbor refers you to a tax preparer who helped him get a big tax refund. You go to the tax preparer. He asks you questions. You tell him things like you made donations to a charity, but you’re not sure how much. You also have some business expenses, but you’re not great at keeping records. The tax preparer says not to worry, he can estimate.

You get a big refund. You’re thrilled. The tax preparer says because he helped you get such a big refund, he’ll take 15 percent of your refund as a fee. You sign the return. You look at the signature lines. On that line he included a business label. At least it’s not blank, right? Wrong. Below are the most common signs your tax preparer is a fraud.

Claims they are endorsed by the IRS – The Internal Revenue Service does not endorse any type of tax preparer. It only recognizes certain tax preparer credentials – such as certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent or attorney. Those professionals are allowed to represent clients before the IRS. Some states have set requirements for paid tax preparers who are not a CPA, enrolled agent or attorney.

For example, California requires unlicensed tax preparers to register with California Tax Education Council (CTEC). Each CTEC registered tax preparer (CRTP) is required to complete tax education courses each year and obtain a bond to protect clients against fraud.

Doesn’t have a PTIN — Anyone who prepares federal tax returns for a fee is required by the IRS to have an individual Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and include it on client federal tax returns.

Signs your tax return under a business name or as “self prepared” — Paid tax preparers are required to sign your state and federal tax returns and include their PTIN on all federal tax returns. Beware of tax preparers who sign it “self prepared,” with a business label or under a business name instead of their individual name.

Takes a percentage of your refund as payment — Beware of tax preparers who base the fee on a percentage of your refund or claim they can obtain larger refunds than their competitors. The fee should be based on the complexity of your tax return, not on the amount of your refund.

Suggests you direct deposit your refund to an outside account — Questionable tax preparers may tell you it is more convenient to deposit your refund to their account; however, it is one of the most common ways scammers steal refunds.

CTEC is a nonprofit organization that was established in 1997 by the California State Legislature to protect taxpayers against fraud. Taxpayers can report questionable tax preparers at ctec.org.

SOURCE California Tax Education Council (CTEC)

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