2020
Showing 417–432 of 589 results
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You fail to mention a close relative in your will
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 251
Abstract: Typically, a person arranges to leave most of his or her assets to various family members, including a spouse and children. These dispositions are spelled out in a will. But what happens when one fails to mention a close relative in a will or wants to disinherit a loved one? This brief article explores potential outcomes of not clearly communicating your wishes in your will.
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Letter of instructions – Make your thoughts crystal clear to your family
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 656
Abstract: Generally, every estate plan requires a will, but this main attraction may be complemented by other documents, like a letter of instructions. The letter, unlike a valid will, isn’t legally binding, but can be valuable to surviving family members. This article details what a letter of instruction should cover.
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To file or not to file? A gift tax return doesn’t always have to be filed
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 807
Abstract: Now that fewer people are subject to federal gift taxes, because of a generous $11.58 million lifetime gift tax exemption for 2020, a question many are asking is: “Do I need to file a gift tax return?” The short answer is “no” if one’s wealth is well within the exemption amount. This article examines the scenarios where it’s necessary (and possibly advantageous) to file Form 709 — “United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return.”
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Beware of the generation-skipping transfer tax
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 806
Abstract: Thanks to recent tax law changes, most families can avoid liability for federal estate and gift taxes. However, there’s a lesser-known tax whammy that can hit wealthy individuals without warning: the generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax. As its name implies, the GST tax generally applies to transfers that “skip” a generation. This article details the GST tax. A sidebar explains GST tax strategies.
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The lowdown on qualified charitable distributions
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 453
Abstract: Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) can help people use their required minimum distributions (RMDs) to support worthwhile organizations while excluding the amounts from their taxable income. This article explains the advantages of doing so, including the ability to stay under various income-based phaseouts and thresholds that can reduce other tax benefits or trigger certain taxes. The article lists the rules for QCDs, including recent changes to the age requirements.
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How to make sure your family business stays in good hands
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 619
Abstract: Determining the right successor for a family business can be more complex than it first appears. When the time comes to transition ownership and management to a chosen successor, what if that successor isn’t ready or able to meet the challenges? This article points out that obtaining the advice of a trusted advisor or business consultant might be a first step to smoothing the transition. In addition, it offers guidance to help business owners maintain goodwill, fairness and clear thinking while working out succession problems.
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Increase lease accounting transparency – Implementing the updated accounting rules for leases
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 648
Abstract: In late 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) postponed the implementation date for its updated rules for leases, Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), by a year for most nonpublic and nonprofit organizations. While most of these organizations won’t have to implement the changes until 2021, it’s a good idea to begin now. This article explains the steps organizations should take to ensure compliance, such as identifying all leases to pinpoint the information they’ll need to disclose and providing expanded disclosures on the nature of the leases — including related-party lease transactions, as well as finance and operating lease costs.
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The best of both worlds? A new option for long-term care insurance
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 835
Abstract: Premiums for traditional long-term care insurance often run thousands of dollars per year per person. Individuals are forced to weigh this cost against the likelihood that they may end up not tapping into their policies. This article discusses a new hybrid life and long-term care policy that might address the concerns with traditional long-term care coverage. It combines life and long-term care insurance, typically by adding a long-term care rider to a traditional life insurance policy — thus reducing the “use it or lose it” risk of traditional long-term care policies. A sidebar offers some other hybrid policy benefits and caveats.
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COMPLIANCE ALERT
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 85
Abstract: This feature lists a few key tax reporting deadlines for April and May.
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The evolution of the target date fund selection process
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 437
Abstract: How does a company know if it has the best target date funds (TDFs) on its plan’s investment menu? Plan sponsors should regularly review all their plan’s investment options — especially when most participant deferrals are earmarked for TDFs. This article reviews several questions all sponsors should consider if they have TDFs.
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Which plan documents must you surrender if you’re sued?
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 552
Abstract: When participants believe they’ve been mistreated by a retirement plan and take their complaints to court, one must be prepared for requests for plan documents. Although under ERISA companies are obligated to produce relevant materials, they aren’t required to indulge a document fishing expedition. This article discusses a recent court case, Theriot v. Building Trades United Pension Trust Fund, that offers insights on just how far it’s necessary to go, and where to draw the line. ERISA §1024(b)(4); Theriot v. Building Trades United Pension Trust Fund, No. 18-10250 (E.D. La. Nov. 4, 2019)
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Stopping cybertheft of plan assets before it happens
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 588
Abstract: Cybertheft of participant accounts always happens to some other plan sponsor — until it doesn’t. Whether or not a company is liable, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. This article reviews a recent lawsuit in its initial phase, Berman v. Estee Lauder Inc., that highlights an unenviable position (assuming the plaintiff’s allegations hold up) — and what a company can do to minimize the chances that it ever will. Berman v. Estee Lauder Inc., No. 3:19-cv-06489 (N.D. Cal. filed Oct. 9, 2019)
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SECURE Act 101 – New law changes plan policies, creates design options
April / May 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 880
Abstract: Defined contribution plan sponsors have some important decisions to make and opportunities to consider in the wake of enactment of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act at the end of last year. The act is intended to boost retirement financial security on several fronts. This article covers several topics from the act, including safe harbors for annuities, transfers to IRAs, and annual disclosures of projected income. A short sidebar looks at how the act affects part-time employees.
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Floor plan lending – The importance of remaining in trust
March / April 2020
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 348
Abstract: Remaining in good standing with floor plan lenders is critical to financial success for most dealerships. This article discusses how lenders monitor trust compliance in varied ways.
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How large should your sales staff be?
March / April 2020
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 600
Abstract: Based on current and projected sales in a dealership’s part of the country, how does a dealer know the ideal size for its sales staff? This article describes steps a dealer can take, including considering monthly gross profits, to determine a store’s optimal sales staff level.
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Prepare your dealership for a disaster
March / April 2020
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 691
Abstract: Your disaster recovery plan should account for how your dealership will respond to a wide range of both natural and manmade disasters. This article discusses cornerstones of a plan, such as how you’ll reopen quickly, stay financially viable and assess your insurance coverage.