June / July
Showing 433–448 of 477 results
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Estate planning pitfall – You haven’t reviewed your estate plan since your divorce
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 325
Abstract: A divorce settlement typically takes care of issues such as jointly owned real estate, bank accounts and other property. But, if you’re divorced, is your spouse still a beneficiary of any life insurance policies, retirement accounts or irrevocable trusts? Is he or she still an agent for your health care issues, or have power of attorney for financial matters? These are reasons why you may need to review your estate plan.
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Bankruptcy and your estate plan – When assets are transferred is key
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 728
Abstract: Some estate planning tools, such as FLPs and FLLCs, provide some peace of mind that your assets will be there when your family needs them. But don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Asset protection is never absolute, particularly when bankruptcy is involved. To minimize your risk, it’s important to consider bankruptcy issues as you plan your estate. This article explains how you can set up asset protection trusts and other vehicles in a way that keeps them from being disqualified as fraudulent or preferential transfers.
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Don’t let your Crummey trust crumble
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 959
Abstract: The annual gift tax exclusion lets you remove a substantial amount of wealth from your taxable estate without tapping any of your $1 million lifetime gift tax or $3.5 million estate tax exemptions. There’s just one catch: The annual exclusion applies only to gifts of a present interest — that is, the recipient must have all immediate rights to the use, possession and enjoyment of the gifted property or of the income from such property. But gifts to a trust are, by definition, gifts of future interests. So how do you make annual exclusion gifts to a trust? One way is to provide trust beneficiaries with Crummey withdrawal rights. This article discusses such trusts, including the “5&5 rule,” while a sidebar offers dos and don’ts in regard to protecting a Crummey trust from IRS challenge.
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Defective by design – Weighing the ins and outs of income defective and estate defective trusts
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1071
Abstract: For decades estate planning has focused on avoiding or minimizing federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes. But now that the federal estate tax exemption has climbed to $3.5 million, fewer people are subject to federal estate tax, and income tax has taken on a more significant role. If you’re among those for whom estate tax has become less of a concern, it’s a good idea to review your situation and consider such estate planning strategies as income defective trusts and estate defective trusts.
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Mom, Dad, we need to talk – Why it’s necessary to discuss finances with aging parents
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 365
Abstract: Talking with aging parents about their finances can be emotionally taxing for them — and you. But with some advance planning — and a lot of sensitivity and respect — you can help your parents manage their emotions and their finances. This brief article lists a few of the things you need to discuss.
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Joint tenancy arrangements carry significant risks
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 725
Abstract: One way some individuals sidestep the formalities of a will is to place property in “joint tenancy with the right of survivorship.” Under this arrangement, the property is co-owned by two parties, with ownership ceding to the surviving owner upon one party’s death. Although it sounds simple, joint tenancy carries significant risks. This article looks at the specific risks involved regarding legal conflicts, Medicaid disqualification and tax liability.
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Be cautious when asking for business loans from family members
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 524
Abstract: A family business owner might be tempted to use family members as a source of capital. But receiving money from family members can be like a double-edged sword: For tax purposes you may structure the transactions as outright gifts or as loans. But too much debt from these loans can signal bankers and potential investors that your business is financially unstable. Here are tips on how to treat the debt the same as you would if you held it with outside investors or lenders.
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Are your independent contractors truly independent?
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 824
Abstract: In today’s belt-tightening economy, some businesses are replacing downsized workers with independent contractors (ICs) to eliminate the costs of maintaining full-time employees. But just because your company considers workers as ICs doesn’t mean the IRS will. This article offers guidelines to help companies observe the distinction between supporting and controlling the way an employee works, and a sidebar warns that companies must be careful to protect the tax-qualified status of their benefit plans when reclassifying ICs as employees.
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A thief among us – How to curtail employee fraud
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 361
Abstract: The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners notes that employee fraud is on the rise. Workers may commit a variety of crimes, ranging from misappropriating assets to stealing supplies. This article discusses the kinds of persons most likely to commit fraud, what company functions are susceptible to particular kinds of fraud, and — most important — what steps companies can take to minimize risk.
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Practical Perspectives: Key financial issues for you and your family – Couple revs up some tax advice for vehicle purchase
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 578
Abstract: In this issue, we meet Debbie and Alex, who’d read about the vehicle-related provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and wanted to put one of its new tax deductions to good use. To discuss this and other vehicle-related tax breaks, they gave their financial advisor a call.
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Moneylines: News Briefs for Businesses and Individuals
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 416
Abstract: This issue’s Moneylines discusses expanded tax breaks for education; how some companies are using furloughs to avoid or delay layoffs; increased savings rates among Americans; and the danger of data theft by ex-employees.
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Bartering surges as cash flows dwindle
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 579
Abstract: Bartering isn’t just something done by enthusiastic vendors at exotic ports of call. As many companies’ cash flows dwindle, the practice of trading for goods or services is very real — and surging. Many businesses are finding it a good way to combat today’s credit-stingy economy. Step inside this article to see if it’s right for you, and where you might start.
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The ABCs of LTC – Long-term care policies still make sense for some
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 702
Abstract: Although you might regard a long-term care (LTC) insurance policy as a nonessential expense at the moment, procuring such coverage may still be the right move. Deciding whether you fit the bill entails learning some of the ABCs of LTC: Adjust your expectations, Beware of limitations, and Consider the tax impact. This article discusses some of the details.
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An NOL is nothing to LOL about – Fortunately, a tax break is available
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1099
Abstract: In Internet parlance, “LOL” is a commonly used abbreviation for “laughing out loud.” In tax parlance, an NOL — or net operating loss — occurs when a company’s allowable deductions for the tax year exceed its gross income. An NOL is obviously nothing to LOL about. Fortunately, the federal tax code allows a deduction for NOLs that recently has been enhanced for smaller companies. But is it better to carry the loss back as far as possible, and carry any remainder forward? Or is it better to just carry the entire amount forward? This article looks at the ins and outs of this valuable tax break. Also, a sidebar explains that recent legislation has extended the Section 179 initial-year expensing election — so now might be a good time to buy new assets.
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Remind your participants about the upside of investing
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 317
Abstract: It’s fair to say the economy is in upheaval and the stock market has been volatile in the past year. Although some participants may believe it’s time to get their money out of your company’s 401(k) plan and head for the hills, they’d be missing the bigger picture. This brief article provides a few ideas that may help quell participant nervousness.
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“Waiving” bye-bye to 2009 RMDs
June / July 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 818
Abstract: The economic downturn has impacted every facet of the American economic system, including retirement plans. At a time when account values are the lowest they’ve been in years, IRS rules force some participants to take a distribution under the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules. Many of those affected believe that, if the money were left in the account, it would have a chance to recover some of its lost value when the economy turns around and stocks make up some of their lost ground. With this in mind, late last year the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 became law. This article reviews what this means for your participants and what you need to know.