All Articles
Showing 145–160 of 10245 results
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Risk management: 6 common causes of construction claims
Fall 2023
Newsletter: On-Site
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 535
Abstract: It almost goes without saying that construction is a risky business. Yet many contractors don’t adequately tackle the daunting yet critical topic of risk management. To guard against risks, construction business owners need to identify them. This article identifies and explores six common causes of construction claims.
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Calculating how much your equipment really costs
Fall 2023
Newsletter: On-Site
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 681
Abstract: Construction businesses invest millions of dollars in equipment annually. Of course, that investment goes far beyond the initial purchase price. This article explores some of the analytical concepts involved in accurately calculating equipment costs and then setting billing rates to recoup those costs.
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Employee benefits – Check out the many varieties of HRAs
Fall 2023
Newsletter: On-Site
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 921
Abstract: Health care benefits and construction go hand in hand. After all, many construction workers face physically demanding work and it’s critical for contractors to keep jobsites fully staffed so projects can be completed on time. This article explains how several kinds of Health Reimbursement Arrangements offer employers flexibility, affordability and tax advantages. A sidebar warns construction business owners to stay on top of compliance with the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate.
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Are you ready to be a Construction Manager at Risk?
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 460
Abstract: Although the traditional approach to handling construction projects (design-bid-build) still reigns supreme, there are others out there gaining steam. One method that’s become more popular, particularly in the realm of publicly funded jobs, is Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). This article explains how CMAR works and identifies the benefits and risks.
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Risk management: 6 common causes of construction claims
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 535
Abstract: It almost goes without saying that construction is a risky business. Yet many contractors don’t adequately tackle the daunting yet critical topic of risk management. To guard against risks, construction business owners need to identify them. This article identifies and explores six common causes of construction claims.
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Calculating how much your equipment really costs
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 681
Abstract: Construction businesses invest millions of dollars in equipment annually. Of course, that investment goes far beyond the initial purchase price. This article explores some of the analytical concepts involved in accurately calculating equipment costs and then setting billing rates to recoup those costs.
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Employee benefits – Check out the many varieties of HRAs
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 921
Abstract: Health care benefits and construction go hand in hand. After all, many construction workers face physically demanding work and it’s critical for contractors to keep jobsites fully staffed so projects can be completed on time. This article explains how several kinds of Health Reimbursement Arrangements offer employers flexibility, affordability and tax advantages. A sidebar warns construction business owners to stay on top of compliance with the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate.
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Compiling a marital balance sheet in divorce
August 2023
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 262
Abstract: Divorce is a difficult process for everyone involved. That’s why being clear and organized when it comes to finances can help facilitate the process. The first step is generally to compile a marital balance sheet. This brief article discusses this step and what it involves.
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A possible tax quirk of being a business partner
August 2023
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 353
Abstract: Business partnerships may include situations that give the partners pause. This article explains that in any given year, the partners may have been taxed on more partnership income than was distributed to them. It notes that the cause of this quirk of taxation lies in the way partnerships and partners are taxed.
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Weighing the pros and cons of LTC insurance
August 2023
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 490
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have significantly affected our lives in many ways that are still playing out. For example, the pandemic has served as a reminder of how difficult an unexpected medical crisis may be to manage financially. This article explores the pros and cons of one potential safeguard against such risk: long-term care insurance.
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Your estate plan: Don’t forget about income tax planning
August 2023
Newsletter: Tax & Business Alert
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 588
Abstract: As a result of the current estate tax exemption amount ($12.92 million in 2023), many people are no longer concerned with federal estate tax. This article points out that before 2011, a much smaller dollar amount resulted in many people attempting to avoid estate tax. Now, because many estates won’t be subject to estate tax, more planning can be devoted to saving income taxes for heirs. A sidebar briefly looks at certain exclusions or discounts.
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Estate Planning Red Flag – You’re not sure whether your trust deposits are fully insured
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 268
Abstract: Recent bank failures have increased concerns about the availability of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) coverage for bank accounts held in trust. The rules regarding insurance of trust accounts are complex, and new rules will take effect on April 1, 2024. This brief article explains how the new rules simplify the calculations of FDIC coverage.
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QTIP trust – The right trust for your blended family
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 598
Abstract: If a person is currently in a second marriage and has older children from the first marriage, this trust may be of interest: a qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) trust. It can provide future security for both a surviving spouse and any children from a prior marriage. Plus, it can provide flexibility to an estate plan. This article explores the ins and outs of a QTIP trust.
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Can you undo an irrevocable life insurance trust?
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 656
Abstract: For years, people have been setting up irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs) to avoid estate tax on the death benefits paid out under their life insurance policies. But what if they have an ILIT that they no longer need? This article explains a person’s options for pulling a life insurance policy out of an ILIT or even unwinding the ILIT entirely.
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Preparing for 2026 – Four ways to build flexibility into your estate plan
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 973
Abstract: On January 1, 2026, the federal gift and estate tax exemption amount set by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will sunset. If an estate exceeds, or is expected to exceed, 2026 exemption levels, one should consider implementing planning techniques today that can help reduce or avoid gift and estate tax down the road. However, what if a person isn’t ready to give significant amounts of wealth to the next generation? Perhaps he or she wants to hold on to assets in case circumstances change. Fortunately, there are strategies available to take advantage of the current exemption amount while retaining some flexibility to access wealth should the need arise. This article details four such strategies. A sidebar explains why a person must be careful of running afoul of the reciprocal trust doctrine.
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Couple lets judge value their top marital asset – Absent expert testimony, court values interest in professional practice
September / October 2023
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 457
Abstract: The Court of Appeals of North Carolina recently upheld a trial court’s valuation of the wife’s interest in a dental practice for equitable distribution purposes. Neither spouse offered expert testimony. This article summarizes the case and explains why the appellate court found that the trial court’s market-based valuation approach, while “rudimentary,” was a reasonable basis for the value of the business interest. Logue v. Logue, 877 S.E.2d 887 (N.C. Ct. App. 2022).