February / March
Showing 401–416 of 486 results
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News for Nonprofits – NEW M&A ACCOUNTING STANDARD KICKS IN
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 433
Abstract: This issue’s “News for Nonprofits” looks at Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 164, Not-for-Profit Entities: Mergers and Acquisitions, which offers guidance on merger and acquisition accounting and disclosures specifically for nonprofits, while also addressing the treatment of goodwill. Also mentioned in this issue are two surveys detailing executive compensation at not-for-profit organizations.
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Board-staff harmony
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 301
Abstract: Two planes flying in the same airspace need instruction from the tower to make sure they don’t collide. Likewise, a nonprofit needs to give direction to its board (and staff) — about “who does what” — to ensure that both reach their goals without distress. This can be especially important in a small organization. To avoid a collision, it’s important to make sure that board members receive a thorough orientation, work through the executive director when making requests of employees, and interact regularly with staff.
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Being “accountable” – Certain expense reimbursements not taxable in accountable plans
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 713
Abstract: Certain expense reimbursements and allowances aren’t viewed by the IRS as taxable income to the employee if they’re made under an accountable plan. In turn, if these amounts aren’t taxable income to the employee, they’re not subject to the employer portion of FICA taxes either. But there are four requirements for this type of plan: The expenses must have a business connection; they must be reasonable; there must be reasonable accounting for the expenses; and all excess reimbursements must be repaid in a reasonable time.
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Getting financing in today’s economy
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1103
Abstract: Nonprofit organizations, large and small, often consider borrowing money only as a last resort. But there are certain times when going to the bank is the right answer. This article discusses the steps necessary to prepare a loan application, and discusses the different kinds of loans available (line of credit, term loan, and tax-exempt bond) and the circumstances in which each may be most appropriate. A sidebar lists three bond options made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that allows nonprofits to access more attractive and cost-beneficial tax-exempt financing through 2010.
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Ask the Advisor – Q: What does it mean to “buy a balance sheet”?
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 422
Abstract: In an uncertain economic climate, bank financing for strategic growth initiatives can be hard to find — even for financially healthy companies. Buyers having trouble attracting lenders could consider “buying a balance sheet,” or acquiring a cash- or asset-rich company it has little strategic use for to use as loan collateral. This strategy can not only benefit buyers, but also sellers with a decent cash reserve or significant liquid assets, who can then negotiate for a higher-than-market price and favorable deal terms.
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8 first-time seller mistakes
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 732
Abstract: If they’re not careful, business owners selling their first company can make serious mistakes that jeopardize the deal or result in a lower sale price. Selling successfully requires extensive advance preparation and strategizing. It’s important to avoid a number of mistakes, including incorrectly estimating the business’s value, misunderstanding the buyer’s motivation and revealing too much confidential information to the wrong buyer.
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Initial steps to integration success
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 668
Abstract: M&A deal participants usually focus their energy on such activities as pricing, due diligence and negotiations. Numerous studies and ample anecdotal evidence suggest, however, that poor integration is the most common reason that mergers fail to meet their objectives. Buyers need to get the process rolling before they tell employees or publicly announce the deal. It’s necessary to develop an “integration philosophy” and then form a team to implement a process consistent with that philosophy. Integration isn’t a monolithic task, but instead a collection of smaller, but critical, activities involving employees, management, technology, products and clients.
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Looking up – An economic recovery can be your selling opportunity
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 795
Abstract: Although there’s some disagreement over whether the country’s recession is over, the future is finally beginning to look brighter for the M&A market. Corporate buyers and private equity funds that have bided their time building cash reserves are expected to re-emerge. For those who’ve been waiting to sell and are well positioned, this article shows how they might overcome financing barriers. A sidebar discusses how sellers can compete for the limited pool of prospective buyers.
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Who’s your daddy? Patent inventorship often turns on time of conception
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 593
Abstract: A UCLA researcher temporarily joined a University of Pittsburgh lab to join in a research project. Following applications by the University, a patent was issued for a method developed during the project. The listed inventors included the UCLA researcher. The University of Pittsburgh filed an action seeking removal of all inventors except their own two researchers, arguing that they had completed conception of the invention before the other researchers contributed their efforts. UCLA disagreed, asserting that the Pittsburgh researchers were required to know that the invention contained every limitation of each patent claim at the time of conception. University of Pittsburgh v. Hedrick, No. 08-1468, 2009 (Fed. Cir.)
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Court tackles tricky issue of tacking trademark rights
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 412
Abstract: When trademark rights are contested, a party might turn to “tacking” to establish that it made first use of the mark and thereby has senior rights to that mark. Tacking allows a trademark owner to claim priority in a mark based on the first use date of a similar, but technically distinct, mark. Courts, however, don’t always buy into this strategy; tacking is allowed in only extremely narrow instances. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently tackled the tricky issue of tacking in a case involving two similar company logos. One Industries, LLC v. Jim O’Neal Distributing, Inc., No. 08-55316, 2009 (9th Cir.)
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Connecting the dot-coms in a trademark dispute
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 561
Abstract: It’s well established that generic terms aren’t eligible for protection as trademarks or service marks. Some marketers, however, might try to bypass that problem by adding the suffix “.com” to an otherwise generic term in hopes of transforming it into a protectable brand name. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit squared off with such a party in a case involving use of the word “hotels” in a name. In re HOTELS.COM, No. 08-1429, 2009 (Fed. Cir.)
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Fore! – Court takes swing at printed publications as bars to patentability
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 895
Abstract: The Federal Patent Act prohibits the patenting of an invention that was described in a printed publication more than one year before its patent application is filed. But what is a “printed publication”? In this case, an inventor argued that his rejected manuscript did not qualify as a printed publication because no evidence indicated it was included in a catalog or index at that time that would have allowed an interested party to locate it. A sidebar lists three similar cases. In re Lister, No. 09-1060, 2009 (Fed. Cir.); In re Hall, 781 F.2d 897, 1986 (Fed. Cir.); In re Bayer, 568 F.2d 1357, 1978 (CCPA); In re Cronyn, 890 F.2d 1158, 1989 (Fed. Cir.)
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You haven’t looked at your estate plan in light of estate tax law uncertainty
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 320
Abstract: The 2001 tax act that reduced the top estate tax rate and increased the estate tax exemption over the last several years also repealed the estate tax — for 2010 only. It was expected that Congress would repeal the repeal by the end of 2009, but that didn’t happen. Regardless of what happens, it’s important to review one’s estate plan both now and after Congress takes action.
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Splitting the insurance bill – Family split-dollar arrangements can reduce gift taxes
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 685
Abstract: Dave and Susan have established an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) to purchase and hold a second-to-die life insurance policy. When the second spouse dies, the death benefit will be paid to the trust estate-tax free and then distributed tax free to their daughter, Anna, the trust’s beneficiary. There’s just one problem: To cover the policy’s premium, Dave and Susan make annual contributions to the ILIT, which are considered taxable gifts to Anna. Because of the way the trust is structured, the couple can use their combined annual gift tax exclusions to shield a portion of each contribution from gift tax. But the remaining portion is still a taxable gift. A family split-dollar insurance arrangement may be the answer.
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I’ll take a pass – Use a qualified disclaimer to forgo an interest in property
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 541
Abstract: Estate planning isn’t static — after a plan is created, life continues and circumstances likely will change. Estate tax laws also might change, warranting different strategies. A qualified disclaimer is one estate planning tool that provides some flexibility. A disclaimer is an irrevocable and unqualified refusal to accept an interest in property; if the disclaimer is “qualified,” the property will be redirected without negative gift or estate tax consequences. A person who is in line to inherit a significant amount of assets, but has a particular set of tax circumstances that make it unwise to accept further wealth, should consider using a disclaimer to pass the wealth on to another beneficiary.
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The Roth IRA: A powerful estate planning tool
February / March 2010
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1155
Abstract: A Roth IRA may not be the first thing that many think about when considering estate planning techniques. After all, not only is it designed to be a retirement savings vehicle, but the income of wealthier individuals keeps them from being eligible to contribute. However, beginning in 2010, conversions from traditional IRAs are available to taxpayers at all income levels. This article looks at some of the pros (and a few possible cons) of Roth IRAs involving distribution requirements, income tax considerations and possible estate tax savings. A sidebar discusses the benefits of Roth IRAs for kids.