2011
Showing 609–624 of 649 results
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Brace yourself for the next wave of practice consolidation
Winter 2011
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 892
Abstract: The new health care reform law, downward pressure on physician reimbursements and the need for capital are all driving an anticipated next wave of physician practice consolidation. Although some doctors have avoided these problems by accepting employment with a hospital, many others are exploring the option of merging with or acquiring other physician practices. This article takes a closer look at the potential advantages and roadblocks of these arrangements.
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Estate Planning Red Flag – You don’t know whether to file a gift tax return
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 320
Abstract: The rules surrounding gift tax returns can be confusing. This article lists the circumstances under which a federal gift tax return (Form 709) is required, and when it is not. It also mentions when it may be advisable to file Form 709 to report nongifts.
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For unmarried couples, estate planning is indispensable
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 674
Abstract: When married couples neglect to prepare an estate plan, state intestacy law provides one for them. Unmarried couples, however, have no backup plan. Unless they carefully spell out how they wish to distribute their wealth, a surviving life partner may end up with nothing. This article describes the estate planning advantages that married couples enjoy, and how unmarried couples can reduce their risks. It also describes one strategy in which unmarried couples have an edge: a grantor retained income trust (GRIT).
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Happy heirs – An inheritor’s trust allows loved ones to both enjoy your assets and protect them
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 649
Abstract: When creating an estate plan, it’s important to consider how estate taxes will affect heirs who ultimately will receive the assets. Why? Because, when they take possession of the assets, the property becomes part of their own taxable estates. To avoid this outcome, they can have the assets pass into an inheritor’s trust. This article shows how the trust can protect assets from creditor claims and realize wealth building opportunities. It also explains what’s involved in setting up and maintaining the trust.
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2010 Tax Relief act and your estate plan – Short-term answers, long-term questions
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Estate Planner
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 867
Abstract: The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 was signed into law on Dec. 17. The act provides lower estate tax rates, higher exemptions and more flexibility — through 2012. This article takes a look at tax law in the years leading up to this Tax Relief act, and how it affects estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax rates, along with tax exemptions and stepped-up basis rules. A sidebar discusses the portability of the estate tax exemption for 2011 and 2012, and how this can simplify estate planning.
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When company policies go wrong – Nursing home’s practice leads to Title VII case
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 928
Abstract: If some nursing home residents don’t want to be served by employees of different races, can the home accommodate those requests? One employee who worked in such a home, and suffered racially tinged comments and epithets from co-workers, filed a complaint alleging the existence of a racially motivated hostile work environment. The court agreed, explaining that a company’s desire to cater to the perceived racial preferences of its customers wasn’t a defense under Title VII. A sidebar to this article looks at a gender-focused case that had a different result. Chaney v. Plainfield Healthcare Center, No. 09-3661, July 20, 2010 (7th Cir.) Veleanu v. Beth Isr. Med. Ctr., LEXIS 13948, 2000 (U.S. Dist. S.D.N.Y.)
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“Minor annoyances” or sex-based discrimination?
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 677
Abstract: When a female field technician for a telecom suffered discriminatory treatment and gender-related verbal abuse, the company claimed that the complained-of conduct amounted to nothing more than minor annoyances and inconveniences — but the court felt otherwise. This article explains that, although Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 wasn’t created with the intent of creating a “code of civility” in the workplace, severe or pervasive conduct could very well be held to create a hostile work environment in a court of law. Pucino v. Verizon Communications Inc., No. 09-1306-cv, August 13, 2010 (2nd Cir.)
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Employee sues over fitness-for-duty exam
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 639
Abstract: A year after suffering a head injury in an off-duty car accident, a police officer returned to work. But temperamental conflicts with his superiors led to his being put on administrative leave and ordered to undergo a fitness-for-duty exam. He sued, arguing that the employer couldn’t meet the “business necessity” standard without showing that his job performance had suffered because of health problems. This article explains why the court disagreed. Brownfield v. City of Yakima, No. 09-35628, July 27, 2010 (9th Cir.)
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Doctor’s orders – Company disputes physician’s assessment of pregnant welder
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Employment Law Briefing
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 823
Abstract: Did one employer engage in discrimination when it disallowed a pregnant employee from resuming her work as a welder — even though a physician had cleared her to do so? This article shows how the court considered whether, instead of objectively evaluating the plaintiff’s ability to perform her job while pregnant, the employer subjectively determined that her pregnancy made her unable to weld. Spees v. James Marine, Inc., No. 09-5839, August 10, 2010 (6th Cir.)
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Dealer Digest – Could your streetlights save you ’10 tax dollars?
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 393
Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” looks at consumer buying trends, 2010 and 2011 tax breaks, and how dealers with a large number of streetlights may enjoy tax savings.
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Are you savvy about F&I employee fraud?
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 752
Abstract: Many crimes can originate in the finance and insurance (F&I) department if owners aren’t aware of the possible F&I schemes. This article shows how to be on guard against employee cost-padding scams, illegitimate financing approval ploys, and ruses that take advantage of customers with low credit scores. A brief sidebar emphasizes the importance of training employees to know what constitutes unethical practices and that transgressors will face serious consequences.
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Stocking inventory: Trends and tips
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 641
Abstract: Identifying vehicle-buying trends and knowing how to react to them is part of the challenge an auto dealership owner or manager faces. This article presents some inventory trends and stocking tips that dealers should consider as they steer their stores into 2011.
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Q & A – The ins and outs of benchmarking with KPIs
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 699
Abstract: Key performance indicators (KPIs) are a way to benchmark a dealership against its past performance and against other dealerships. These financial measures can chart successes and pinpoint deficiencies. KPIs provide a snapshot of a dealership at a particular point in time and, when gathered regularly, an ongoing report card on its health. This article takes a closer look at the ins and outs.
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Construction Success Story – Competitive contractor looks to labor burden costs
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 413
Abstract: This issue’s “Construction Success Story” discusses a midsize excavation specialist who, facing a request for proposal for a potentially lucrative project, wanted some input on where he should focus his attention to stay within his means but still be competitive. The first thing the advisor suggested was to look at the labor burden cost per production hour — a stat that measures the costs of labor beyond compensation. Putting a hard number to this concept could help the contractor determine his true costs and prepare a feasible bid.
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Get your employees involved in accident prevention
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 437
Abstract: Accidents and injuries lead not only to detrimental medical and morale consequences, but also to financial and, often, legal ones. Naturally, there are a variety of ways to encourage safety. But few of them are likely to be effective without one key ingredient: the participation of employees. This article discusses how to train and supervise employees and to make sure subcontractors are on board.
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Are you mishandling your independent contractors? The IRS is watching more closely than ever
January / February 2011
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 658
Abstract: For many years now, the IRS has been monitoring, in some cases challenging, employers’ handling of independent contractors. At issue: the agency’s contention that some companies are misclassifying employees as independent contractors. And construction companies are particularly in danger of running into classification troubles. This article explains how to distinguish between the two categories, and what to do if cases of misclassification are found.