2017

Showing 641–656 of 690 results

  • 3 reasons you should continue making lifetime gifts

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 587

    Abstract: Now that the gift and estate tax exemption has reached $5.49 million (for 2017), it may seem that gifting assets to loved ones is less important than it was in previous years. However, lifetime gifts continue to provide significant benefits, whether an estate is taxable or not. This article details three reasons why making lifetime gifts continues to make sense.

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  • Is a noncharitable purpose trust right for you?

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 594

    Abstract: There are two trust types that don’t require one or more human beneficiaries: charitable trusts and noncharitable purpose (NCP) trusts. A charitable trust is the more common of the two, but an NCP trust could also be a formidable tool to help achieve one’s estate planning goals. This article explains how an NCP trust works and details its drawbacks.

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  • IRS targeting FLPs – Proposed regs endanger valuation discounts for family-controlled entities

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1019

    Abstract: In August 2016, the IRS released its long-anticipated proposed regulations limiting the ability of family limited partnerships and other family-controlled entities to take advantage of valuation discounts. If the regulations are finalized as proposed, they’ll make it difficult, if not impossible, for these entities to use certain lapsing rights and liquidation restrictions to “devalue” interests for gift and estate tax purposes. This article details the proposed regs. A sidebar offers alternative estate planning strategies.

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  • ADA accommodation – Improper paperwork doesn’t excuse employers

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 677

    Abstract: When is an employer doing enough to accommodate an employee under the Americans with Disabilities Act? The employer in a case before the Tenth Circuit learned the hard way that it wasn’t. This article explains why the court found that the employer’s inconsistent reasons for terminating the employee could be pretext. Foster v. Mountain Coal Company, No. 15-1025, July 26, 2016 (10th Cir.)

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  • Why employers must set harassment policies in motion

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 641

    Abstract: Recently, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decided whether a trial court had erroneously granted summary judgment in favor of an employer in a Title VII sexual harassment claim. At issue in the case was whether the employer, simply by having a harassment policy, had done enough to prevent claims. This article relates the details and urges employers to clearly explain their harassment policies to employees. Pullen v. Caddo Parish School Board, No. 15-30871, July 20, 2016 (5th Cir.)

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  • Dead end – Discrimination case bumps up against limits of Title VII

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 751

    Abstract: Both employees and employers may be surprised to learn that sexual orientation isn’t a protected class under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. When an employee accused her former employer of discrimination, she encountered unexpected obstacles. This article summarizes the Seventh Circuit Court case and explains why the appeals court couldn’t entertain the employee’s claim. Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College, South Bend, No. 15-1720, July 28, 2016 (7th Cir.)

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  • What makes a leader an executive? Appeals court considers a key FLSA exemption

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 956

    Abstract: Overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) continues to be a contentious issue in U.S. courts. This article discusses a recent case in which the Eighth Circuit decided whether employees who worked as team leaders fell under the FLSA’s executive exemption. The case hinged on whether the employees’ hiring and firing recommendations had “particular weight.” A sidebar describes a similar case where a court couldn’t make a conclusive determination. Garrison v. ConAgra Packaged Foods, Nos. 15-1177/15-1428, August 15, 2016 (8th Cir.) Lankford v. Double Eagle Sports and Events, No. 14-cv-0083, March 10, 2016 (N.D. AL)

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  • COMPLIANCE ALERT

    February / March 2017
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 168

    Abstract: This feature lists a few key tax reporting deadlines for February through April.

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  • 2016 vs. 2017 retirement plan limits

    February / March 2017
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 96

    Abstract: This chart contains updated retirement plan limits for 2017.

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  • Hardship withdrawal programs require strict administration

    February / March 2017
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 810

    Abstract: While not required, most 401(k) plans offer a hardship withdrawal option. The IRS recently updated its guidance on how plan sponsors can remedy errors in the administration of hardship withdrawals. This article highlights the basics of hardship withdrawals and how to correct mistakes when administering a hardship withdrawal program.

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  • Who’s to blame? Court equitably apportions fiduciary misdeeds

    February / March 2017
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 490

    Abstract: When a fiduciary breach occurs, some fiduciaries may be more culpable than others. And when that’s the case, the court can order those parties to indemnify other fiduciaries who were, despite their technical status as fiduciaries, without blame. This article summarizes a recent case of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit where the court equitably apportioned relief in a fiduciary duty setting.

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  • Get your fiduciary house in order – DOL’s newest regulations require plan sponsor action

    February / March 2017
    Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 874

    Abstract: The majority of the U.S. Department of Labor’s complex regulations mandating fiduciary status for individuals dealing with retirement investment decision-making involve investment advisors. But the regulations, which are scheduled to take effect on April 10, 2017, also require plan sponsors to take certain steps. Remember, plan sponsors are always the fiduciary, and the regulations expand the definition of fiduciary status. A sidebar discusses the distinction between investment education and investment recommendations or advice.

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  • Vehicle quality is rising — and you can benefit

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 436

    Abstract: The J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Initial Quality StudySM includes some good news for the automobile industry. According to the study, new vehicle quality has improved by 6%, which doubles the 3% improvement rate reported in 2015. This was the largest uptrend in new vehicle quality since 2009. This article discusses how quality is gauged — and how this trend toward better quality can generate more sales and repeat business.

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  • A ransomware cyberattack could hit your dealership

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 565

    Abstract: A new type of cyberattack called ransomware is costing businesses millions of dollars a year. Hackers infiltrate computers by getting users to open email messages and download attachments that contain malware. This allows the hackers to encrypt everything on a computer and keep it locked until the user pays a high ransom. This article explains how ransomware attacks work and how a dealership can be protected against them.

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  • 8 tips for containing unemployment taxes

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 642

    Abstract: Soaring numbers of unemployment claims during the last recession exhausted unemployment trusts in many states and forced them to borrow federal funds to compensate unemployed workers. To produce more revenue to meet their loan obligations, some states raised their unemployment tax rates, and dealerships have felt the bite. This article offers several best practices dealerships can follow to keep the lid on employment taxes.

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  • Could your dealership benefit from sustainability reporting?

    January / February 2017
    Newsletter: Dealer Insights

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 826

    Abstract: With a growing focus on the environmental impact of their everyday activities, businesses in a wide range of industries are adopting the practice of sustainability reporting. This includes automobile dealerships, which can potentially leave a heavy environmental footprint. This article explains the basics of sustainability reporting and its benefits, and discusses the importance of a uniform structure in this reporting. A sidebar looks at a GM program to recognize green dealerships.

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