A Health Care Surrogate/Health Care Power of Attorney document allows a person you name to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so. If you do not have this document, and are unable to make decisions for yourself, you may need to have a legal guardian appointed by the Court […]
What are some ways to minimize the chances of having an estate tax return audited?
In step with the sharp decline in taxable estates, there is a surge in the numbers of estate tax returns being audited. As the estate tax exemption amount has risen, the number of returns filed has declined, significantly increasing the chance that those returns filed will be audited. In 2000, 2.2 percent of deceased adults […]
Our organization is storing more and more records electronically. We are planning to move to electronic storage of our Employment Eligibility Verification forms (Forms I-9). I heard the Department of Homeland Security finalized its rule on electronic storage of I-9s. What are the changes from the former Interim Rule on electronic storage?
On July 21, 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had finalized a regulation that provides greater flexibility for employers to electronically sign and store I-9 forms, which are used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to verify employment. The Final Rule, published in the Federal Register on July 22nd […]
What are the current estate planning opportunities available this year under the current law?
Aggressive gifting is a very popular estate planning trend this year. The current gift tax law provides an incentive to individuals “to gift” because the tax rate, which is now 35 percent is scheduled to increase to 55 percent on January 1, 2011. The highest estate tax rate is also scheduled to increase to 55 […]
Early stage companies face a number of daunting problems and challenges. What are some of the actions young companies can take to avoid or mitigate some of these problems and challenges?
1. Choose the correct business entity. You need to ensure that you are operating your business through the correct entity.
How do I know if my company’s insurance limits are sufficient?
It is important for companies to work with their insurance brokers at each annual renewal to reassess the limits on property and liability policies.
Social networking is a powerful force in marketing and branding, and I want to begin to use it for my company. What are some of the pitfalls and potential problems that I should watch out for?
Social networking has become one of the most effective marketing and branding tools available, and by all indications the use of social networking in this context will continue to grow.
I have an awesome professional candidate to fill a critical specialty position in our organization. She is a foreign national and says she needs an “H-1B” visa. I have heard that H-1Bs are subject to an annual quota. Are they still available?
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (“USCIS”) most recent update, provided on June 25, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 23,500 H-1B petitions subject to the 65,000 annual cap. Additionally, USCIS has received approximately 10,000 petitions for foreign workers with advanced degrees, (Master’s degrees or higher) from U.S. institutions, subject to the 20,000 […]
What is a “tip credit” and what effect does it have upon the minimum wage paid to “tipped employees” in Florida?
Under Florida law, employers are required to pay employees the state minimum wage rate for all hours worked unless, the federal minimum wage becomes higher than the state rate or the employee is a “tipped employee.” A “tipped employee” is one who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips. Under both […]
Should Airlines Control their Security Checks?
Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. government nationalized the nation’s airport security. But now critics – namely, Fox Business Network host John Stossel – are calling for the government to privative the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Stossell, who came to fame in many of his on-air, libertarian-skewed pieces on ABC’s news magazine […]
