You can change filing status for Mass.

You can change filing status for Mass.

Tax season is upon us and the Herald's TaxSmart experts are here every Friday to help.

Today, Joy Child of Alexander, Aronson, Finning & Co. of Westboro discusses federal and state filing statuses.

Can I file as head of household on my federal return, but file as single on my state return? In other words, do I have to use the same filing status for both federal and state? I do qualify for both.

— bshaw69

Yes, you can file as head of household on your federal return and as single on your state return. However, the exemption is larger if you file as head of household on the Massachusetts return so there would be no advantage to filing as single. You cannot file as head of household on the Massachusetts form unless you also qualify as head of household on the federal return.

Massachusetts does not require you to use the same filing status that you used for federal purposes, as long as you qualify for the status that you use.

To further complicate matters, since the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages, but Massachusetts does, a person in a same-sex marriage can file as single or as a head of household (if other requirements are met) for the federal return.

However, in Massachusetts, a same-sex married couple can only file as married filing jointly or as married filing separately. They do not have the option of filing as single or as head of household, since they are, in fact, married under state law.

Email your TaxSmart questions to bizsmart@bostonherald.com

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

High-end home sales on a roll

Sales of high-end homes surged in 2012, as wealthy owners rushed to list their properties and buy new ones to avoid the capital-gains tax hikes in January that were part of the "fiscal cliff" deal.

The momentum has carried over into 2013, with sales of luxury properties staying strong despite the higher tax rates. The first two months of 2013 saw 30 properties over the $2 million level sell, roughly the same as a year ago when 31 such sales were made.

Meanwhile, the number of high-end homes under contract is higher now than a year ago. In the first two months of 2013, there were 66 condos and single-family homes worth at least 
$2 million under agreement, versus 55 in the same span of 2012.

To highlight the trend, here's a look at a few recent luxury sales:

37 Thatcher St., Westwood

Selling for $3,015,000, this four-bedroom, Gambrel-style home measures 9,400 square feet and sits on about 3.5 acres of landscaped grounds.

The estate's layout features a grand foyer; a gourmet kitchen with a separate breakfast room and a butler's pantry; formal living and dining rooms; and a 32-by-20-foot family room flanked by a sunroom terrace. The master suite includes a bath, dressing room and sitting room.

There are 10 fireplaces in the main house, and the cottage house has a four-car garage and a tack room. A pool house accompanies the in-ground swimming pool.

173 West Brookline St., Boston

This classic South End bowfront single-family home sold for $2,500,000. The 3,931-square-foot home has five bedrooms plus an au pair suite, 31⁄2 baths, and some of the most beautifully restored original detail in the neighborhood.

Elegant double parlors have high ceilings, gorgeous moldings and mantles. There is a formal dining room with butler's pantry, an eat-in kitchen that opens out to rear deck and garden, central air conditioning and deeded parking spaces for two cars.

17 Yarmouth Road, Brookline

Selling for an even $2 million, on one of Chestnut Hill's most prestigious streets in Brookline, was this five-bedroom, 51⁄2 bath Colonial.

The stately, 3,256-
square-foot property has a three-car garage and enough parking for 10 cars. Grand mature trees on the acre-plus lot surround a large in-ground pool with a separate pool house.

580 Walnut St., 
Newton

On Bullough's Pond, a recently renovated and expanded Victorian home sold for $2,250,000. The 4,625-square-foot home has five bedrooms that encompass three floors as well as a walk out lower level. The living room has an open floor plan to the great dining room as well as an eat-in kitchen with custom cabinets, an island and high end appliances.

Penthouse 1 at The Clarendon, Boston

This posh three-bedroom spread in the Back Bay residential tower developed by the Related Cos. and Beal Cos. sold for $6,500,000.

The three-bedroom plus library penthouse measures 3,545 square feet and features a private terrace with panoramic views of Boston. The property comes with garage parking for two cars.

Jennifer Athas, a licensed real estate broker, can 
be reached by email at heraldhotproperty@
gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenAthas.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Yahoo, we’re more flexible

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer's telecommuting ban wouldn't work for most Hub companies, and some have even been moving toward giving workers more autonomy, local tech executives told the Herald.

"Our culture here at HubSpot works really well when you have a group of people that achieve results when they're not monitored by Big Brother," said Mike Volpe, chief marketing officer at HubSpot, which doesn't even track employees' sick or vacation time. "Marissa doesn't have that at Yahoo."

HubSpot CEO Brian Halligan said this week that one drawback of his firm's policy is that workers at the Cambridge-based inbound marketing software company aren't taking enough time off.

Volpe said HubSpot has no plans to change its policies, adding happy workers and a flexible company culture are key factors to the firm's 82 percent revenue growth to nearly $53 million last year.

"As long as people are hitting their goals and delivering what they need to deliver, I could care less about the hours they work, or where they work, or how much vacation they're taking," he said.

But over on the West Coast, all Yahoo workers are being strongly urged to work at company offices starting in June, according to an internal memo. A spokesman for the technology giant added, "This isn't a broad industry view on working from home — this is about what is right for Yahoo right now."

Workplace management expert Holly G. Green said although Yahoo's change is likely being done with good intentions, workers will nonetheless perceive the new policy negatively.

"They would have been smart to expose what they were thinking as they made these decisions so maybe people would say, 'I get it and that makes sense,' " she said. "Instead, we assume this is about control, and that's not what you want employees thinking."

Diane Hessan, CEO of Boston-based Communispace, said 20 percent of her company's nearly 500-employee workforce takes advantage of some form of "flex time," whether it's working odd hours, on a reduced schedule or from home. All three have guidelines and require manager approval.

Hessan added that Yahoo risks losing employees.

"In our experience, what we've found is that giving people a chance to have a great career and work around the complexities and idiosyncrasies of their lives is a very, very powerful combination for people," she said. "If you structure it right, it pays off in unbelievable ways."

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Linked in

Two top Bay State employers, Bose and Putnam Investments, are now connected in the golf world. The Framingham-based audio giant announced a product endorsement deal with world No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy 
yesterday. That one-ups the Boston money manager, which in 2011 signed then-unheralded Keegan Bradley, now ranked 18th.

Some company highlights:

BOSE CORP.

• HQ: Bose Mountain, Framingham

• Business: Sells high-end audio products such as headphones and speakers

• Annual revenue: $2.5 billion, according to Forbes estimate

• Founded: 1964 by MIT professor Amar Bose

• Other sponsorships: National Football League

PUTNAM INVESTMENTS

• HQ: Post Office Square, Boston

• Business: Provides investment management products including mutual funds

• Total assets under management: $133 billion

• Founded: 1937 by George Putnam

• Other sponsorships: Champion skier Ted Ligety; Gillette Stadium club

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

New format for Clear Channel’s WXKS

Bloomberg Radio wants to become the pulse of the Hub's business and finance community with a new 24/7 station that launches 12:01 a.m. Friday on WXKS 1200 AM.

"There's been a retrenchment in business coverage and we hope to come in there and fill that void," Al Mayers, head of Bloomberg Radio and a Melrose native, told the Herald. "Boston's a great center for the things that our customers are very interested in."

Bloomberg has 26 journalists in Boston who will be contributing regularly to show content, Mayers said. The station format will be guest-driven and will feature interviews anchored by eight hosts, he added.

The station will provide a signal for those with HD radio on 94.5FM-HD2. Bloomberg Radio has also formed a content partnership with Bentley University, which will provide the station access to faculty and staff for content and commentary.

WXKS, which is owned by Clear Channel Communications, has gone through several AM formats, including progressive talk and comedy, said Donna Halper, a veteran radio consultant and Lesley University professor.

"There's a real limitation to what you can do on AM in Boston right now because so many formats are already taken," she said. "AM, for right or for wrong, is listened to by older people and business attracts an older audience, so it might actually be a good move."

Mary Menna, market president for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Boston, said the change in operation won't affect any employees. The station's current programming, "Matty's Comedy 1200," will now be offered to listeners on 107.9 WXKS HD2 in Boston, she added.

"We believe (Bloomberg Radio) will resonate very well with the audience in Boston," Menna said.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Ticker

Home sales start strong

Statewide home sales hit a five-year high in January, a hopeful sign for the upcoming spring real estate market, according to the Warren Group.

Single-family sales rose by more than 10 percent to 2,680, while the median price increased 6.8 percent to $277,750. That's the highest median price in three years, fueled by the lack of inventory.

"Given low mortgage rates and steady prices, there are positive signs that 2013 will be a second year of recovery," said Timothy M. Warren Jr., CEO of the Boston-based real estate tracker.

Mass. economy 'poised' for growth

Massachusetts' economy is "poised for expansion" despite a big threat from the federal budget battle, according to a new report.

The MassBenchmarks report reiterated that the state's defense, technology and health sectors could suffer massive job losses from large across-the-board cuts if the so-called sequester goes into effect on Friday.

Central Sq. biotech project gets OK

The Cambridge City Council approved zoning changes for Forest City Enterprises' plan for a 250,000-square-foot life sciences building in Central Square for drug developer Millennium. The Cleveland real estate developer's previous plan for 300 Massachusetts Ave. stalled after residents objected, but it agreed to create affordable housing in the area.

TODAY

 State Treasurer Steven Grossman speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

 Groupon, JC Penney, Target and TJX Cos. report quarterly financial results.

TOMORROW

 Bank of America exec Meredith Verdone speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce women's network breakfast at the Fairmount Copley Plaza Hotel.

  Verastem CEO Christoph Westphal and co-founder Robert Weinberg speak at an MIT technology breakfast event.

  State Sen. Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland), at left, has joined the corporate and business law department of Day Pitney LLP in the firm's Boston office.

  Mike Frisby, longtime political reporter for the Boston Globe and former White House correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, has joined forces with Regan Communications Group. Frisby, president of Frisby & Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based public relations firm, will also serve as president of Regan's Washington office.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Ticker

Smokestack settlement

Ohio-based American Electric Power agreed to significantly reduce air pollution from its coal-fired power plants and pay $1 million in mitigation to Massachusetts as part of a settlement, Attorney General Martha Coakley said.

Under a proposed $8.5 million agreement with eight East Coast states, the federal government and citizens groups from Indiana, the company agreed to retire or switch to natural gas two coal-burning units at power plants in Ohio and Indiana by the end of 2015.

Stop & Shop, union still talking

Supermarket chain Stop & Shop and the union for 40,000 of its workers are continuing negotiations this week after agreeing to a contract extension through midnight Sunday.

The United Food and Commercial Workers said the two sides are focused on getting past "legal hurdles" created by the Obamacare law.

Fung Wah buses taken off road

State regulators ordered the Fung Wah bus company to take 21 of its 28 buses out of service, citing "structural issues" found during inspections. The buses, which shuttle passengers between Boston and New York City, were all models made before 2005.

Stocks drop on Italian elections

Stocks suffered their biggest drop since November after a strong showing in Italian elections by groups opposed to the country's economic reforms triggered worry that Europe's debt problems could once again destabilize the global economy.

Barnes & Noble founder makes offer

Barnes & Noble founder and Chairman Leonard Riggio disclosed in a regulatory filing that he wants to buy the book seller's stores and website, but not the business that makes the Nook e-reader or the company's college bookstores. No price was disclosed.

TODAY

• The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index for December and fourth quarter is released.
• The Consumer Confidence Index for February is released.
• TOMORROW
• State Treasurer Steven Grossman speaks at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce forum at the Boston Harbor Hotel.
• Skanska USA, a design and construction management firm, promoted , lNorm O'Brien to vice president of environment, health and safety for the Northeast region. O'Brien, who will be based in Skanska's Boston office, previously operated as EHS director for the New England region for the past five years.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hold your horses, Ikea meatballs OK in U.S.

Hold your horses, Ikea meatballs OK in U.S.

Swedish home goods giant Ikea said no one has been horsing around with the meatballs sold at its U.S. stores, including its Massachusetts outpost in Stoughton.

The top furniture retailer, which sells food in cafeterias at its maze-like stores, withdrew the traditional Swedish meatballs from outlets in 21 European Union countries yesterday after Czech Republic authorities said a batch they tested contained horse meat.

In a statement, Ikea said "customer confidence is of the upmost importance" to the company, and added that all meatballs sold in the chain's U.S. stores are sourced from a different supplier.

The company said it mapped the sources of the meat in its U.S. meatballs and their contents were found to contain only beef and pork from animals raised here and in Canada.

"Ikea is committed to serving and selling high-quality food that is safe, healthy and produced with care for the environment and the people who produce it," the company said. "We do not tolerate any other ingredients than the ones stipulated in our recipes or specifications, secured through set standards, certifications and product analysis by accredited laboratories."

Last month, fast-food behemoth Burger King said it stopped purchasing beef from Irish meat processor Silvercrest Foods whose patties were found also to contain traces of horse meat.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Ticker

Beacon Hill apts. sold

The Copley Group has purchased a pair of Beacon Hill apartment buildings for $6.8 million.

The real estate firm, headed by Norman Levenson, bought 24 Joy St., above, and 88 West Cedar St., totaling 16 units with retail, from Connecticut investor Salvatore Campofranco, according to real estate records.

The "Beacon Hill Portfolio," as one broker branded the properties, has changed hands three times in less than three years as investors make moves in Boston's hot multifamily market.

Campofranco picked them up a year ago in a package deal from Parsons Commercial Group of Framingham. Parsons bought them in separate 2011 deals, with the Joy Street building sold by Fan Pier developer Joseph Fallon and 88 West Cedar by the Acorn Trust Inc. of Boston.

L LoJack Corp. of Canton has hired Emad Isaac as chief technology officer. Prior to joining the company, Isaac served as senior vice president and chief technology officer at Rand McNally.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Adlens tunes in with John Lennon

Music legend John Lennon is giving new meaning to the term "visionary" thanks to UK-based Adlens.

The variable-focus eyewear company, which launched its U.S. headquarters at Boston's Lewis Wharf in September, has its sights set on increasing its brand awareness nationwide with a new glasses line modeled after the former Beatle's distinctive "granny" frames.

"We're just starting, but Lennon has given (Adlens) tremendous acceleration," CEO Chairman Michael Ferrara told the Herald. "Once you can get it on someone's face, it's a wow."

At least 50,000 pairs of John Lennon Collection glasses have been sold worldwide since their December debut, Ferrara said. The company's fluid injection technology allows consumers to set their own prescriptions in seconds simply by twisting dials on the sides of the lenses.

Licensed by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, Adlens' round-frame glasses start at $79 a pair and come in optical, sunglasses and "Imagine" collections.

The 8-year-old company's Boston office handles sales, branding and shipping and will employ 10 workers by the end of the year, Ferrara said, adding Adlens chose the Hub as its U.S. base to better immerse itself in area technology and fashion.

"Most eyewear is made either in Italy or in Asia ... but Boston had the design element," he said. "Boston, through the jewelry business, had a tremendous infrastructure of designers and they grew into eyewear."

Adlens has 65 full-time employees, and locations in Oxford, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The company also offers two other round-frame eyewear products online and at select stores — Emergensee and Hemisphere glasses, which sell for $39 and $59, respectively.

A company nonprofit, Vision for a Nation, also has partnered with the Rwandan Ministry of Health to distribute glasses to more than a million people in the African country, which lacks a sufficient number of optometrists, Ferrara said.

The growing success of the Lennon collection will pave the way for Adlens' next U.S. "game changer," officials said. The company is expected to unveil a $500 to $700 progressive lens replacement by year's end that uses fluid compression technology to open up a broader view field for wearers.

"There are so many limitations in progressives. You can't read in bed, you can't watch TV in bed, your computers are a nightmare," said Sue Creek, head of training for Adlens. "This is going to be the alternative."

Even though Ferrara projected Adlens to be a
$500 million company over the next five years, he still encouraged consumers to visit an optometrist once a year for an eye exam.

"I would certainly support, and we do publicly, the fact that we want to work within the optometry community," he said. "But there are circumstances where you need a pair of glasses right away and this is amazingly close to 20-20."

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cyber experts: no one’s safe

Security experts warn that the recent cyberattacks on Apple and the New York Times are only the highest-profile examples of an escalating problem that threatens American businesses and undermines national security.

"A new frontier for people who are not our friends is attacking our infrastructure and disrupting our day-to-day lives and our economy," said Jay Kesan, a University of Illinois professor of law and computer engineering. "It's not traditional warfare, but it should be a matter of very high priority."

Last week, the Obama administration announced a new effort to fight the growing theft of American trade secrets after Apple's and Facebook's revelations that they had been hacked, and new evidence linking years of cyberattacks against more than 140 U.S. companies to the Chinese military. The administration's plan includes a new diplomatic push and better coordination at home to help companies protect themselves. The next meeting of NATO defense ministers will include a major focus on cybersecurity.

While the theft of online banking information and payroll credentials is among the most common types of attacks, some of the greatest threats, Kesan said, are to industrial control systems such as those of airlines, railways and utilities.

"Once you get ahold of them, you can cause a lot of havoc," he said. "The threat is real. The only way to address this is to have the public and private sectors work together."

The most costly cybercrimes are those caused by denial of service, malicious insiders and Web-based attacks, according to the Ponemon Institute, a Michigan cybersecurity think tank.

A 2012 study of 56 companies by the institute found that the average annualized cost of cybercrime was $8.9 million, a 6 percent increase from the previous year, and the companies experienced a total of 102 successful attacks per week, up 42 percent from 2011.

Some attacks involve the way companies have implemented their systems. Ian Abreu, a consultant at Core Security in Boston, gave the example of an online retailer that puts its sales database on the same server as its business analytics database.

"This created a big problem when we found a certain type of attack aimed at the e-commerce platform allowed us to access company financial records and information as well," Abreu said.

Other attacks involve "spear phishing," carefully targeted strikes on specific employees to gain access to sensitive internal communications and trade secrets, said Richard Wang, manager of SophosLabs U.S. in Burlington.

To guard against such attacks, many companies now require employees to log into their computers using not only a password, which must be changed periodically, but also some other form of identification, such as a fingerprint, said Srini Devadas, a professor of electrical engineering and computer 
science at MIT.

"It's all about armor and ammunition," he said. "You have to double-lock everything."

Devadas also recommends that companies update their operating systems and software frequently, and train employees in basic self-defense, such as knowing not to click on links without knowing where they lead.

Still, there is no fool-proof way for businesses and their employees to protect themselves, said Sven Dietrich, assistant professor of computer science at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J.

"There are lots of things you can do, but in the end, software is written by humans and will always have vulnerabilities," Dietrich said. "You just have to be careful. It's dangerous out there. It's not a cozy neighborhood."

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More

Replacing rotors is standard maintenance these days

The past six GMC vehicles I've owned were low-mileage, used vehicles. The first major problem is always brake rotors and pads. I fight tooth and nail with the dealership to have something done.

I noticed that your reply to the lady buying a used, low-mileage vehicle included: "The vehicle may need routine tire and brake replacement." Tire replacement is a given and a no-brainer. What is your meaning as to routine brake replacement and especially the rotors? Brake pads I understand, and I treat them as I would tires.

I would like someone to tell me what to do to make this situation less costly. Just like clockwork, I can expect in the next year or so to have to pay out $800 to $900 to have all four rotors replaced on my vehicle, which has less than 38,000 miles. How can I avoid this?

I've always considered brake rotors — like brake pads — as "consumable" components. Granted, back in the day rotors seemed to last longer, but today's motor vehicles no longer use asbestos and feature more aggressive metallic and ceramic friction materials that operate at higher temperatures and generate measurable wear on brake rotors. The benefit is better stopping power and fade resistance. The price is more wear on the rotors.

I'm also not a big fan of turning brake rotors. Today's rotors are already close to their minimum thickness when new. By thinning the rotors, their ability to dissipate heat is reduced. causing more rapid wear and distortion. It is possible to "true" a slightly warped rotor, but once significantly worn, warped or out-of-round, it's time for replacement. You certainly can shop brake work among dealers and independents, and aftermarket brake rotors are often significantly less expensive.

I think it's time for you to accept the fact that replacing brake rotors once or twice during the life of a modern motor vehicle is relatively normal and routine.

I have a 2005 Mercury Mariner with 135,000 miles on it. I've been told by a dealer that it needs brakes. The steering wheel does shake at high speeds when applying the brakes, but my vehicle info center says the brakes are OK. I've also been told major parts in the front end also need replacing for $700 to $800.

The shake when applying the brakes is typically caused by a problem with the front brake rotors. They are either worn, warped or out of round. When you apply the brake pedal, the uneven surface of the rotor kicks the brake pads back, causing the master cylinder to pulse the brake pedal. The dealer or shop should be able to show you the wear, run-out or out-of-round with a dial indicator. Specifications for warping or run-out is 0.0005 inches and thickness variation is 0.0002 inches.

The vehicle information center will tell you only when the brake pads are worn, not when the rotors are warped. So, your vehicle does need brakes. At this mileage, I would replace both front rotors and brake pads as well as check the rear brakes.

I have a 1991 Mercury Colony Park station wagon with slightly more than 100,000 miles. It's a beautiful car with an unusual quirk. The car starts and runs perfectly, but when it is warmed up and I shift into park, the car immediately dies. It will start right back up with a turn of the key, idle and run just fine. Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Contamination in the idle air bypass valve might be causing this stalling. I'd start by cleaning the throttle body and idle air bypass valve with an aerosol carburetor spray as outlined by Ford in technical service bulletin 91257 from December 1991. Also, make sure ignition base timing is correct and that the oxygen sensor is responding quickly enough to ensure correct fuel-air mixtures.

Paul Brand, author of "How to Repair Your Car," is an automotive troubleshooter, driving instructor and former race-car driver. Readers may write to him at Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488 or via email at paulbrand@startribune.com. Leave a daytime phone number.

12.32 | 0 komentar | Read More