Richmond, Virginia, presents a vibrant tapestry of history meeting modernity, creating a unique and alluring place to call home. This city brims with energy, offering a lifestyle that’s both relaxed and invigorating.
For history enthusiasts, Richmond is a treasure trove, showcasing pivotal sites from America’s past, artfully woven into the city’s rich cultural fabric. Museums and historical trails pepper the city, inviting residents and visitors alike to indulge in America’s story, right in their backyard.
Beyond its historical allure, Richmond is equally celebrated for its lively arts and culture scene. The city teems with creative expressions, from striking street murals to thriving local theaters. The annual art and music festivals infuse life into the city streets, creating a year-round calendar of vibrant events that cater to diverse tastes and interests.
For those who cherish outdoor activities, the James River provides the perfect playground. Whether it’s kayaking, hiking, or simply enjoying a scenic riverbank picnic, nature is never far away in Richmond. The city's commitment to green spaces ensures a perfect harmony between urban living and natural escapes.
Last but certainly not least, Richmond's culi...
Discover the Charms of Richmond,
4 | HelloRichmond, Virginia • Winter Issue
Discover the Charms of Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia, presents a vibrant tapestry of history meeting modernity, creating a unique and alluring place to call home. This city brims with energy, offering a lifestyle that’s both relaxed and invigorating.
For history enthusiasts, Richmond is a treasure trove, showcasing pivotal sites from America’s past, artfully woven into the city’s rich cultural fabric. Museums and historical trails pepper the city, inviting residents and visitors alike to indulge in America’s story, right in their backyard.
Beyond its historical allure, Richmond is equally celebrated for its lively arts and culture scene. The city teems with creative expressions, from striking street murals to thriving local theaters. The annual art and music festivals infuse life into the city streets, creating a year-round calendar of vibrant events that cater to diverse tastes and interests.
For those who cherish outdoor activities, the James River provides the perfect playground. Whether it’s kayaking, hiking, or simply enjoying a scenic riverbank picnic, nature is never far away in Richmond. The city's commitment to green spaces ensures a perfect harmony between urban living and natural escapes.
Last but certainly not least, Richmond's culinary scene is a feast for the senses, offering everything from Southern comfort food to cutting-edge gastronomy. Each neighborhood boasts its own special flavor, making dining out an adventure in itself.
In Richmond, Virginia, the warmth of community, a respect for history, and a spirit of creativity meet, creating a lively and enriching environment for all.
Hello Richmond, Virginia • Winter Issue |5
Discover the Charms of Richmond,
Big Beautiful Bill — What It Means for Your Taxes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 changes individual taxes in several ways. Tax-rate cuts from previous laws are now permanent, helping taxpayers plan ahead. The law also introduces new features, like possibly letting you exclude some tips from taxable income (within limits). For hourly workers,
part of qualifying overtime pay may also become deductible, offering a way to reduce taxes.Understanding these new rules can be tricky. With higher income limits and new reporting steps, even small errors could mean lost deductions or surprise tax bills. It is important to know which parts of the
6 | HelloRichmond, Virginia • Winter Issue
Big Beautiful Bill — What It Means for Your Taxes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 changes individual taxes in several ways. Tax-rate cuts from previous laws are now permanent, helping taxpayers plan ahead. The law also introduces new features, like possibly letting you exclude some tips from taxable income (within limits). For hourly workers, part of qualifying overtime pay may also become deductible, offering a way to reduce taxes. Understanding these new rules can be tricky. With higher income limits and new reporting steps, even small errors could mean lost deductions or surprise tax bills. It is important to know which parts of the law apply to you, since benefits are not automatic. Check your eligibility and keep records for tips and overtime pay. The changes to tip taxation are especially notable. Under the previous law, all tips were generally considered taxable income. The 2025 rules allow certain tips to be excluded, but only if reporting and other limits are met. This can make a meaningful difference for service workers whose income relies heavily on gratuities. Similarly, the overtime deduction has specific criteria; only qualifying overtime pay counts, and proper records must be kept to claim the deduction accurately. The permanent tax cuts give families and individuals more stability, but tax obligations still exist. Higher standard deductions and exemptions could lower your taxable income, but it is important to see how these changes work with credits and other deductions. Mistakes could lead to paying too much or too little in taxes. Businesses also feel the impact, as changes in employee withholding rules and reporting requirements may require updated payroll systems. Employers must ensure compliance with the law to avoid penalties, while employees may need guidance on adjusting withholding for the new rates and deductions. The interplay among employee income, tip reporting, and overtime deductions is complex, making expert advice valuable. Tax professionals at Adams Enterprises in North Chesterfield, VA, can offer advice for your situation. Josh Adams recommends early planning and careful record keeping under the Big Beautiful Bill. The law has benefits, but you must pay close attention to details, such as rules for tips, overtime, and taxes. Overall, the Big Beautiful Bill Act offers significant advantages for taxpayers, particularly through permanent tax rate reductions and selective income exclusions. However, understanding the scope of these benefits requires close attention to the updated rules and careful tax planning. Expert assistance can make the difference between simply complying and fully optimizing your tax situation in 2025.
Josh Adams
and other limits are met. This can make a meaningful difference for service workers whose income relies heavily on gratuities. Similarly, the overtime deduction has specific criteria; only qualifying overtime pay counts, and proper records must be kept to claim the deduction accurately.The permanent tax cuts give families and individuals more stability, but tax obligations still exist. Higher standard deductions and exemptions could lower your taxable income, but it is important to see how these changes work with credits and other deductions. Mistakes could lead to paying too much or too little in taxes.Businesses also feel the...
law apply to you, since benefits are not automatic. Check your eligibility and keep records for tips and overtime pay.The changes to tip taxation are especially notable. Under the previous law, all tips were generally considered taxable income. The 2025 rules allow certain tips to be excluded, but only if reporting
It is important to know which parts of the law apply to you, since benefits are not automatic. Check your eligibility and keep records
About the Author
In 1983, Josh Adams was approached by IRS Auditors looking for people to help with military tax returns. A military veteran himself, Josh completed the training at the top of his class. Because of this, he was able to become licensed to do the returns that didn’t qualify for the free services. Since then, Adams Enterprises has been providing top-quality tax preparation services to the people of North Chesterfield and beyond.
HelloRichmond, Virginia • Winter Issue |7
FEATURED STORY
What BBB Central Virginia is Doing Now, a Look With Barry Moore
by HelloNation Staff
Barry Moore leads the Better Business Bureau serving Central Virginia, and his role is straightforward. He oversees the local office that helps buyers and sellers set fair expectations, resolve disputes, and avoid scams. The work is practical, centered on clear information and public processes that people can use in daily transactions.He stepped into the CEO position in 2022 after earlier service on the local BBB board. That path reflects a connection to the region’s business community and a familiarity with the BBB’s tools. The transition also
8 | HelloRichmond, Virginia • Winter Issue
HelloNation Staff
ABOUT THE AUTHOR HelloNation is a national magazine dedicated to practical consumer education. We translate real marketplace issues into plain steps that help people set fair expectations, compare options, and resolve problems. Our editorial mission closely aligns with the Better Business Bureau’s emphasis on public education and transparent practices, while remaining independent and not affiliated.
signaled continuity for an office that has served Central Virginia for decades.The service area is large and diverse. BBB Central Virginia covers 42 counties that include city neighborhoods, small towns, and rural communities. That scale shapes the pace of outreach and the way staff explain policies. The same basic steps, written estimates, staged payments, and clear refund terms, help in every corner of the map.Moore’s team keeps the focus on the parts of the system the public can see. Business Profiles place complaint history and responses in context. People can read how a
Hello Richmond, Virginia • Winter Issue |9
What BBB Central Virginia is Doing Now, a Look With Barry Moore
Barry Moore leads the Better Business Bureau serving Central Virginia, and his role is straightforward. He oversees the local office that helps buyers and sellers set fair expectations, resolve disputes, and avoid scams. The work is practical, centered on clear information and public processes that people can use in daily transactions. He stepped into the CEO position in 2022 after earlier service on the local BBB board. That path reflects a connection to the region’s business community and a familiarity with the BBB’s tools. The transition also signaled continuity for an office that has served Central Virginia for decades. The service area is large and diverse. BBB Central Virginia covers 42 counties that include city neighborhoods, small towns, and rural communities. That scale shapes the pace of outreach and the way staff explain policies. The same basic steps, written estimates, staged payments, and clear refund terms, help in every corner of the map. Moore’s team keeps the focus on the parts of the system the public can see. Business Profiles place complaint history and responses in context. People can read how a business handled a problem, and businesses can show how they operate when things do not go perfectly. That visibility helps both sides set expectations before they sign, which reduces conflict later. Dispute resolution follows a documented path. A consumer files a complaint that meets acceptance rules, the BBB forwards it, and the business replies within a set timeline. Staff encourage specific, dated replies and attachments that show what happened. Many matters close with a written plan, and the record remains available for others to read. The point is not to pick winners, it is to make facts easier to see. Education is the other constant. Moore has backed outreach that translates scam trends into simple habits. Slow down before clicking a link, verify a seller’s contact information, and be skeptical of payments by gift card or wire. Those reminders are repeated across the office’s channels so the same advice reaches people who prefer video, radio, or a quick read. A newer piece of that outreach is the BBB Sharing podcast. Episodes feature conversations with local owners and advisors about service standards, communication, and customer trust. The tone is conversational, but the aim is concrete. Listeners hear examples that make policies and payment practices feel less abstract. The format works for a region spread across long distances, because people can listen while they work or commute. Media partnerships help extend that reach. The office has appeared on local television to discuss a collaboration that introduces BBB resources to new audiences. Segments like that are not press events for their own sake; they are a chance to remind viewers how to look up a profile, where to report a scam, and what to expect from the complaint process. The value comes from repetition and clarity. Inside the organization, operations matter as much as messaging. Staff publish profiles, handle inquiries, and route cases through the same steps every time. Businesses learn to post policies where customers can find them and to respond without defensiveness. Consumers learn to keep receipts, emails, and screenshots so they can describe issues with dates and names. When both sides use the same simple rules, most problems get smaller and faster to solve. The office’s programs reflect the same philosophy. Scam reporting helps patterns emerge, and public alerts turn private losses into lessons that can protect the next person. Charity evaluation resources give donors a place to check the basics before they give. Business education sessions focus on practical changes, like describing deposits in writing or using change orders to avoid confusion when prices or scopes shift. Moore’s background in the regional business community supports those efforts. Experience in customer-facing industries tends to produce a steady style, quick to translate policy into steps that front-line teams can follow. Day to day, the aim is consistent: make it easier for people to make good choices. A buyer reads a profile before hiring. A contractor writes down the timeline and payment terms. A store posts a return policy that matches how staff handle exceptions. These are small moves, but they add up to a marketplace where trust is easier to maintain and easier to repair when something goes wrong. Central Virginia’s size means the work will always be ongoing. New businesses open, new products appear, and scam tactics shift with the season. The response stays the same. Keep the information public, keep the process clear, and keep the advice practical enough to use in a few minutes. That is the tone Moore has emphasized, and it is the reason the office’s tools feel useful across such different communities.
When both sides usethe same simple rules,most problemsget smaller and fasterto solve.
business handled a problem, and businesses can show how they operate when things do not go perfectly. That visibility helps both sides set expectations before they sign, which reduces conflict later.Dispute resolution follows a documented path. A consumer files a complaint that meets acceptance rules, the BBB forwards it, and the business replies within a set timeline. Staff encourage specific, dated replies and attachments that show what happened. Many matters close with a written...
