Ross & Matthews, P.C.

🌍✈️ Spring Break Travel Tips for U.S. Citizens Abroad 🌴🏖️ Planning an international getaway for spring break? Stay safe and travel smart with these essential tips from the U.S. State Department: ✅ Check Your Passport – Ensure it’s valid for at least six months beyond your trip. ✅ Research Your Destination – Review travel advisories and local laws. ✅ Enroll in STEP – Get important updates by signing up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. ✅ Stay Connected – Share your itinerary with family and know how to reach the nearest U.S. embassy. ✅ Be Money-Smart – Have multiple payment options and be cautious of scams. For more details, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gEsyPdnf 🌎💼 #SpringBreak #TravelSmart #StaySafe #USCitizensAbroad

What to Do if You're Involved in an Auto Accident in Texas An auto accident can be stressful and frightening—in fact, Texas saw 1,997 traffic fatalities in 2024 alone. If you're ever involved in an accident, knowing exactly what to do next is crucial. Here are important steps to follow if you ever find yourself involved in an auto accident: Stay Calm & Check for Injuries ✅ Ensure everyone involved is okay. 🚑 Call 911 immediately if medical help is needed. Move to a Safe Area 🚗 If possible, safely move vehicles out of traffic. Call the Police 📞 Even minor accidents should be reported. 📝 Request an official police report. Exchange Information 📌 Names, phone numbers, addresses 🪪 Driver’s license numbers 📑 Insurance company details 🚘 Vehicle descriptions (make, model, license plate) Document the Scene 📸 Take clear photos/videos of vehicle damage and the surrounding area. Contact Your Insurance Company 📲 Notify them promptly but avoid discussing fault at this stage. Seek Medical Attention 🩺 Some injuries show up later; get checked promptly. Consult an Attorney ⚖️ If seriously injured or liability is disputed, consider seeking legal advice to understand your rights. Stay informed, stay safe! #TexasLaw #DriveSafeTexas #RoadAwareness

📢 Texas School Voucher Program: What You Need to Know 📢 The Texas legislature is currently debating Senate Bill 2, a proposal that could significantly impact public and private education across the state. What is it? This bill proposes a $1 billion education savings account (ESA) program, allowing families to use up to $10,000 per student per year in taxpayer funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, and other educational expenses. Who qualifies? Eligibility would be broad, including many students currently in public schools, private schools, or homeschooling. What’s next? The bill has support from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and some lawmakers, while others have raised concerns about its potential impact on public school funding. As the debate continues in the Texas Legislature, the final decision remains uncertain. Stay Updated! You can track Texas Senate Bill 2 (SB 2) and other legislative updates on the Texas Legislature Online website: 📌 https://lnkd.in/gRYXjSRV This site provides real-time updates on the bill’s progress, including text, amendments, legislative history, and upcoming actions.   #TexasLaw #EducationPolicy #SchoolVouchers #LawAndPolicy

Real ID Compliance: Are You Ready? Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID-compliant ID or an acceptable alternative (like a passport) to: Board domestic flights in the U.S. Access federal facilities and nuclear power plants How to Know if You Have a REAL ID: Look for a star in the upper right corner of your driver’s license or ID card. No star? It’s time to upgrade! What You Need to Bring to the DMV: Proof of Identity: Valid passport, birth certificate, or another approved document Proof of Social Security Number: Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub with full SSN Proof of Residency: Utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement Don't Wait! Avoid long lines by scheduling an appointment with your local DMV.   Pro Tip: If you already have a U.S. passport or a military ID, you may not need a REAL ID for air travel, but it’s still handy to have! ✈️Make sure you're REAL ID-ready before your next trip!   https://lnkd.in/d4AX6jK #REALID #TravelSmart #Compliance #DMV #BePrepared

New Regulation V on Medical Information Protection On March 17, 2025, new rules under Regulation V, the Prohibition on Creditors and Consumer Reporting Agencies Concerning Medical Information, are set to take effect. These changes bring significant protections for consumers regarding how medical information is used in credit decisions. 🔒 Enhanced Privacy: Creditors are prohibited from using medical information when determining credit eligibility unless specifically allowed by law. 🚫 Restricted Reporting: Consumer reporting agencies cannot include detailed medical information on credit reports, enhancing consumer privacy. ✅ Consumer Protection: This regulation aims to prevent discrimination and ensure that sensitive health information does not negatively impact credit opportunities. However, recent developments at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may delay the enforcement of this rule. The effective date could shift to June 2025 due to a suspension of new rule activities by the CFPB’s acting director. To stay up to date, visit the official page 👉 https://lnkd.in/eN353nFR #FinancialWellness #ConsumerRights #PrivacyProtection

✨ How to Start the New Year with Stronger Business Contracts ✨ A new year brings new opportunities—make sure your business contracts are ready to support your success in 2025! 📝 🔑 Key tips to consider: ✔️ Review contracts for outdated terms. ✔️ Ensure they comply with current laws. ✔️ Address potential risks or gaps. Need help understanding Texas contract laws? Check out these resources: 📚 Texas Business and Commerce Code https://lnkd.in/ggZY_cw5 📖 Texas State Law Library - Contracts Resources https://lnkd.in/gFg-sq3Y Taking a proactive approach now can help prevent disputes and build stronger partnerships throughout the year. 💼 #NewYearNewGoals #BusinessTips #LegalInsights #StrongerContracts

🌍 Immigration Updates You Should Know 🌍 Immigration policies are constantly evolving, and staying informed is key—whether you're an employer, HR professional, or an individual navigating the system. Here are some recent changes that could impact you: 🔹 Birthright Citizenship Protections Temporarily Upheld A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship. The issue of whether children born in the U.S. will continue to receive automatic citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status will be subject to further legal proceedings. 🔹 USCIS Removes COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for Green Card Applicants Green card applicants no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, simplifying the medical exam process and cutting down on delays. However, other required vaccines—like MMR and tuberculosis screening—are still part of the application process. 🔹 Updates to EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Guidelines USCIS has streamlined the EB-2 NIW process, making it clearer for skilled workers and employers to understand eligibility. If you’re considering applying, now is a great time to review the updated criteria. 📌 Why This Matters These changes affect families, employees, and business operations across the country. Staying informed helps you prepare, plan, and make the best decisions moving forward. 👉Stay informed – You can visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at https://www.uscis.gov. USCIS regularly publishes news releases, policy changes, and other important information regarding immigration laws and procedures. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides broader information on immigration enforcement and policies at https://www.dhs.gov. For details on visas and consular services, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs offers resources at https://travel.state.gov. #ImmigrationNews #USCIS #GreenCard #ImmigrationPolicy

✨ How to Start the New Year with Stronger Business Contracts ✨ A new year brings new opportunities—make sure your business contracts are ready to support your success in 2025! 📝 🔑 Key tips to consider: ✔️ Review contracts for outdated terms. ✔️ Ensure they comply with current laws. ✔️ Address potential risks or gaps. Need help understanding Texas contract laws? Check out these resources: 📚 Texas Business and Commerce Code https://lnkd.in/ggZY_cw5 📖 Texas State Law Library - Contracts Resources https://lnkd.in/gFg-sq3Y Taking a proactive approach now can help prevent disputes and build stronger partnerships throughout the year. 💼 #NewYearNewGoals #BusinessTips #LegalInsights #StrongerContracts

🔒 Data Privacy Day: Protecting What Matters Most 🔒 January 28th marks Data Privacy Day—a reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal information in today’s digital world. Did you know that 91% of consumers are concerned about how much data companies collect about them? Whether you're an individual, a small business, or a large organization, protecting data is more critical than ever. 💡 Quick Tips for Better Data Privacy: Strengthen Your Passwords: 59% of people reuse the same passwords for multiple accounts – don’t be one of them! Use unique, complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication. Enabling multi-factor authentication can block 99.9% of automated attacks on accounts. Be Mindful of What You Share: Think twice before sharing sensitive information online or via email. Update Your Software: Regular updates protect against vulnerabilities. Review Privacy Settings: 1 in 3 smartphone users have never checked their app privacy settings. Check the privacy settings on social media, apps, and devices. Statistics like these remind us of how vital it is to take control of our personal data and adopt safe practices. #DataPrivacyDay #PrivacyMatters #CyberSecurity #ProtectYourData💪

📢 Tax Season is Here: Key Deadlines to Remember 🗓️ As tax season approaches, it’s important to stay on top of key dates to avoid penalties and ensure a smooth filing process: 🔹 January 31, 2025: Employers must send W-2s and 1099 forms by this date. 🔹 April 15, 2025: Federal income tax returns are due, or you can file for an extension if needed. 🔹 October 15, 2025: Deadline for filing tax returns if you’ve received an extension. 💡 Helpful Tip: Review your documents early to ensure you’ve received everything needed to file. While Texas doesn’t have a state income tax, it’s a great opportunity to review property tax assessments or other local obligations to keep everything up to date. Staying informed and planning ahead can help you avoid last-minute surprises. #TaxSeasonTexas #TexasDeadlines #StayOrganized