January / February
Showing 417–432 of 623 results
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S corporation shareholder-employees: Are your salaries high enough?
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 355
Abstract: Because S corporation shareholder-employees aren’t subject to self-employment taxes on their share of the corporation’s income, minimizing their salaries and maximizing income distributed to them in the form of dividends can save significant payroll taxes. But the IRS casts a wary eye on such salaries. This short article explains what to do to keep salaries reasonable; otherwise, the IRS may recharacterize a portion of dividends as wages and present the company with a bill for unpaid payroll taxes, interest and penalties.
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Get ready for new Medicare taxes
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1365
Abstract: Beginning in 2013, higher-income taxpayers are scheduled to be subject to additional Medicare taxes, including a 3.8% tax on investment income. This is a dramatic departure from current Medicare taxes, which are limited to wages and self-employment income. This article explains how the new taxes will work, and defines what will and what won’t constitute investment income. It also lists strategies for reducing or eliminating the new tax. One sidebar notes that, in many cases, the taxes will have a bigger impact on married couples than on single taxpayers. Another sidebar offers a table showing how income and capital gains tax rates will change in 2013.
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Ask the Advisor – My commercial tenant just filed for bankruptcy — now what?
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 501
Abstract: The uncertain economy is teaching landlords a hard lesson: Even reliable, long-time tenants can tread water for only so long, and bankruptcy is an inevitable reality for some. A tenant’s bankruptcy filing has repercussions for its lease obligations, so it’s important to know what to expect and how to protect oneself. This article explains the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants under a Chapter 7 liquidation or Chapter 11 reorganization.
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How to leverage loss deductions when transferring FLP or LLC interests
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 613
Abstract: Real estate investors who hold properties in a family limited partnership (FLP) or limited liability company (LLC) are likely making transfers of ownership interests to family members in an effort to “shift” income to those in a lower tax bracket or to tax efficiently transfer wealth to the next generation. But, in the current economy, some properties held by an FLP or LLC may be generating operating losses. This article shows how one can still make a gift of an FLP or LLC interest and maximize the benefit of loss deductions.
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Decisions, decisions — Options for minimizing exit costs from a CMBS loan
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 873
Abstract: Commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) loans provide real estate investors access to a larger pool of financing at lower rates than they could qualify for on their own. But when buying a property that’s being financed with a CMBS loan, it’s important to consider the consequences of exiting the loan. This article explains the concepts of yield maintenance vs. defeasance and their role in CMBS loans, and shows how to craft the loan document. Careful forethought will be rewarded with greater flexibility and lower costs if the property is later sold or refinanced.
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Know the tax consequences of an installment sale
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 717
Abstract: In a slow real estate market where financing can be tough to obtain, some investors are finding they have a better chance of disposing of real property in an installment sale. This type of transaction provides some financial benefits to both buyer and seller. But it’s important to understand the ins and outs before jumping in. This article discusses the potential pros and cons, and explains how to report an installment sale under the “installment method.” A sidebar notes that a wraparound mortgage can avoid the negative tax treatment that occurs when a buyer assumes an existing mortgage that’s more than their installment sale basis in the property.
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What does 2012 hold for your personal financial standing?
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 523
Abstract: The new year is a good time to reassess one’s personal financial standing for 2012. As this article explains, it begins with a measurement of personal net worth. It’s also important to evaluate one’s amount of homeowners and life insurance, along with contributions to retirement and health accounts.
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Money doesn’t grow on trees — Help your children acquire a saving and investing mindset
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 550
Abstract: It might be tough to convince children who are growing up in relative affluence of the importance of saving and investing. But they can have a rude awakening once they’re on their own. This article offers tips for teaching children how to respect the value of money. This includes having them earn their own money; showing them the value of compounding; and letting them help build an age-appropriate portfolio.
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Exemption portability not all it’s cracked up to be — Create a credit shelter trust as an alternative
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 829
Abstract: Married couples who are concerned about estate planning have probably heard about how the 2010 Tax Relief act provided for the “portability” of the estate tax exemption. But, without congressional action, gift and estate tax exemptions will decrease and tax rates will increase — and the portability of exemptions will expire, thereby increasing possible exposure to estate tax liability. However, as this article explains, a credit shelter trust can help protect assets.
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What to do when a fund manager leaves
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 993
Abstract: It might be tempting to sell a fund undergoing a portfolio manager (PM) change, but it pays to be cautious, and decide whether the fund can likely continue to deliver the kind of performance that originally made it attractive. In making this decision, it’s important to ask a number of questions: How important was the PM to the fund? Was he or she a “lone wolf” or part of a team? Has the management style changed? Does the new PM have the requisite experience for the kind of fund he or she will be managing? This article addresses these questions, while a sidebar notes that a PM’s “poor” track record can be deceptive.
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No hire, no retaliation — One FLSA case gives rise to another
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 775
Abstract: After a prospective employee admitted to having commenced a lawsuit against her former employer, her job offer was withdrawn. But was she protected as an employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act? This article discusses the court’s ruling. Citation: Dellinger v. Science Applications International Corp, No. 10-1499, Aug. 12, 2011 (4th Cir.)
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Assessing ADA protection for recovering addicts
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 732
Abstract: A plaintiff who’d completed an inpatient drug rehabilitation program asked his employer whether he could return to work. He was told yes, but with reduced compensation. He filed a lawsuit alleging that he was subject to unlawful discrimination. In response, the employer argued that he wasn’t protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act because, it asserted, he’d still been a drug user when he’d asked to be rehired. This article looks at whether the one month that the plaintiff had spent in the treatment program qualified him for protection under the ADA’s safe harbor provision for people not currently using drugs. Citation: Mauerhan v. Wagner Corporation, Nos. 09-4179 & 09-4185, April 19, 2011 (10th Cir.)
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Third Circuit addresses allegedly discriminatory PIP
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1040
Abstract: A performance improvement plan (PIP) is supposed to help an employee keep his or her job. But does requiring an employee to participate in a PIP constitute an adverse employment action that could establish the basis for an age discrimination case? This article discusses a case that addressed that question, while a sidebar looks at another case that dealt with whether failure to investigate a discrimination complaint constitutes an adverse employment action. Citations: Reynolds v. Department of Army, No. 10-3600, July 22, 2011 (3rd Cir.). Burlington Industries v. Ellerth, No. 97-569, June 26, 1998 (Supreme Court). Fincher v. Depository Trust & Clearing Corp., No. 08-5013, May 14, 2010 (2nd Cir.)
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Is that your final answer? — Polygraph law put to the test in Eleventh Circuit case
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 814
Abstract: When may an employer legally request that a staff member undergo a polygraph examination? After a bank discovered that money had gone amiss, surveillance video and employee testimony did not discover that a particular manager had stolen the money, but that he had violated security policies. After he refused to take a polygraph test, he was fired. This article looks at the court’s decision, which highlights the four conditions employers must meet before they may lawfully request that their employees take a polygraph test. Citation: Cummings v. Washington Mutual, No. 10-10706, Aug. 22, 2011 (11th Cir.)
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Dealer Digest
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 475
Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” discusses the circumstances under which employee cell phone use is not taxable. It notes a survey finding that most respondents lacked a disaster preparedness plan for business data, and explains how dealerships wishing to avoid large IRS penalties can voluntarily report misclassified employees.
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3 ways to keep cash flowing
January / February 2012
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 741
Abstract: Dealers know the importance of having sufficient cash on hand to meet daily needs and obligations. This article offers three tips for managing cash flow: staying organized, keeping the lid on inventory, and being quick to collect payments.