March / April
Showing 449–464 of 616 results
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Estate Planning Red Flag – Crummey powers provide for withdrawal of a specific dollar amount
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 277
Abstract: A lifetime gifting plan that takes advantage of the $13,000 per recipient annual gift tax exclusion can be a powerful strategy for transferring wealth tax free. But the exclusion is available only for gifts of present interests. This can be a problem for contributions to trusts, which are generally considered gifts of future interests. This article discusses Crummey powers, which give trust beneficiaries the right to withdraw contributions for a specified period after they’re made, and which convert a future interest into a present interest that qualifies for the annual exclusion.
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Helping a family member in need – Don’t let your intrafamily loan run afoul of the IRS
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 801
Abstract: When lending money to family members, the first question to ask is: “Is this transaction truly a loan?” If the IRS concludes that the transaction isn’t a bona fide loan, it will recharacterize it as a taxable gift. By formalizing the transaction and treating it as a loan, it’s possible to avoid negative tax consequences and have the necessary documentation to support a bad-debt deduction in the event the borrower defaults. This article examines the difference between a loan and a gift, appropriate interest rates, and how the type of loan affects income and gift taxes.
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Do you have a succession plan for your vacation home?
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 563
Abstract: Few estate planning issues are as emotionally charged as the disposition of the family home. And emotions may run even higher with vacation homes, which often evoke even more fond memories. So it’s important to address one’s vacation home in an estate plan. This article discusses considerations that should be addressed in transferring a home. Or, for those who are not yet ready to give up ownership, it explores other strategies, such as a qualified personal residence trust (QPRT) or qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust.
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A simple strategy – Pair an IDGT and an installment sale to pass on your business
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 933
Abstract: For many people, a family business is a significant source of wealth, so passing it on to the next generation in a tax-efficient manner is an important estate planning goal. One of the simplest and most effective strategies available is an installment sale to an intentionally defective grantor trust (IDGT), thereby allowing the transfer of the business free of capital gains and gift taxes, and allowing any future appreciation in value to go to heirs estate-tax free. This article shows what to consider in setting up an IDGT, with a sidebar listing some specific pros and cons.
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How much is enough? Employer’s response put to the test in hostile work environment case
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 924
Abstract: How much of a response is enough to safeguard a company from legal liability when sexual harassment is alleged? This article examines one case in which the plaintiff reported periodic harassment. The court, though finding some fault with the plaintiff’s supervisor, nevertheless sided with the company. But a sidebar discusses a similar case with a different conclusion. Cross v. Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, Inc., No. 09-3427, Aug. 12, 2010 (8th Cir.) EEOC v. Prospect Airport Services, No. 07-17221, Sept. 3, 2010 (9th Cir.)
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Employee sues over need for ASL interpreter
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 672
Abstract: When a deaf employee requested that an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter be present at any meetings he was asked to attend, the requests were denied. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit on his behalf alleging failure to provide a reasonable accommodation for a disability as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This article shows whether the court determined that accommodations the employer had made were sufficient to meet the standard of “reasonable.” EEOC v. UPS Supply Chain Solutions, No. 08-56874, Aug. 27, 2010 (9th Cir.)
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Closing argument draws fire in discrimination case
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 657
Abstract: When a Puerto Rican woman with a Dominican supervisor found that her services contract was not renewed, she filed suit, claiming that she’d been discriminated against on the basis of gender and national origin. Her attorney appealed to the jury’s Puerto Rican composition, urging them to “send a message” to Dominicans and remarking that Dominicans working in Puerto Rico were there only to take the Puerto Ricans’ money. The jury awarded the plaintiff $1.25 million. This article discusses how the appeals court decided the defendant’s appeal and addressed the attorney’s remarks. Alvarado – Santos v. Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Nos. 8 – 2027, 08 – 2028, September 8, 2010 (1st Cir.)
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Spy games – Did employer’s use of recorded conversation violate the Wiretap Act?
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 832
Abstract: Employee discussions aren’t always kind to their employers. So one can imagine the dismay of an employee and former employee of a hospital when they learned that a recording of one of their conversations had wound up in the hands of their employer. The employees filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the Wiretap Act. This article shows the reasoning of the court in favoring the defendants on some issues and the plaintiffs on others. McCann v. Iroquois Memorial Hospital, No. 08-3420, September 13, 2010 (7th Cir.)
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Dealer Digest – IRS offers safe harbor from UNICAP rules
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 414
Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” discusses a new IRS Revenue Procedure that offers auto dealerships two safe harbor methods to use for the capitalization of costs related to inventories per UNICAP rules. It also looks at new IRS guidance on in-plan Roth rollovers and rollovers from 403(b) plans to Roth accounts in the same plan.
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5 tips for holding up to a manufacturer rebate audit
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 480
Abstract: Many dealers have a love-hate relationship with manufacturer rebate incentives. On the one hand, they draw customers to the showroom and can bump up sales with alluring customer discounts. But they also pose the risk of a dealership undergoing a rebate audit by the manufacturer. This article offers five tips to help prevent a managerial headache — and a possibly large chargeback.
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Trade-ins expected to rise – Is your appraisal process up to par?
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 805
Abstract: Auto dealers know that a sure way to satisfy — or dissatisfy — customers has to do with trade-in offers. So, as dealers ready their business for an expected bump in used car stock in 2012, it’s important that they make sure their appraisal process is fair and transparent. This article discusses the advantages of formalizing the appraisal process, including using appraisal software that can help salespeople show skeptical customers that the dealership’s offer has been arrived at fairly.
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F&I products – Are you paving your service lanes with promise?
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 848
Abstract: A growing number of owners are finding unconventional ways to put their dealerships’ service lanes to better use by expanding product lines beyond batteries and floor mats. Service writers are being trained to talk about the value of service contracts and prepaid maintenance plans and how to close them. This article discusses how to determine the most likely customers and how to train service personnel to sell effectively to them. However, there’s at least some potential for fraud by service writers, so a sidebar discusses how to head it off.
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Construction Success Story – Contractor seeks to prevail over prevailing wage confusion
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 442
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” describes a contractor who hadn’t worked on public projects before, and needed some advice on navigating the confusing prevailing wage laws. His advisor determined the amount of increased benefits the contractor would have to pay his workers, but also showed him the most tax-advantageous way to do so and recommended specific construction software that could help keep accurate records and avoid fines.
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Cash in if you can on the extended tax carryback
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 428
Abstract: The Small Business Jobs Act (SBJA), enacted last year, contains a prime tax-saving opportunity for contractors. An SBJA provision includes an extended five-year “carryback” for general business tax credits to offset both regular tax liability and alternative minimum tax liability. The provision applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships and nonpublicly traded corporations that have $50 million or less in average annual gross receipts over the three preceding tax years. This article describes how the carryback works.
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Tripping out of the gate – 4 bidding mistakes to avoid
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 674
Abstract: There are many places where a construction business could stumble during a long project, but one of the worst has to be at the very beginning — during bidding. This article describes four bidding mistakes to avoid and offers ways to ensure that contractors submit the best offer for both the job in question and their construction company.
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Don’t get tangled in the web – Sales and use tax rules can snare the unaware
March / April 2011
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 921
Abstract: With states searching for extra revenue to plug their growing budget gaps, many are enforcing their sales and use tax rules more strictly than ever. So it’s critical for contractors who cross state lines to get and stay up-to-date on sales and use taxes to avoid getting tangled in the web so often spun by out-of-state jobs. This article reviews the basics of these taxes and how contractors can manage them. A sidebar lists three tips for easing the sales and use tax burden.