2020
Showing 497–512 of 589 results
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Auto parts’ aesthetic appeal doesn’t invalidate design patents
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Ideas on Intellectual Property Law
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 834
Abstract: Holders of design patents received some welcome news recently from a case in which some auto parts distributors sought declaratory judgment for invalidity of design patents to sell parts that were covered by a major vehicle manufacturer’s designs. This article reviews a case from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that sheds some valuable light on the type of functionality that can render a design patent invalid — and the type that won’t — as well as the importance of design patents. A short sidebar reviews the exhaustion and repair doctrines’ roles in the case. Automotive Body Parts Ass’n v. Ford Global Techs., LLC, No. 18-1613, July 11, 2019, Fed. Cir.
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Estate Planning Pitfall – You’re hiding assets without telling anyone
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 297
Abstract: People sometimes keep assets hidden without letting their family know about their existence or location. Similarly, they may have life insurance policies no one knows about. This brief article explains, through a fictional example, why full disclosure to loved ones is recommended.
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Digital assets and your estate plan – This asset type requires special planning
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 600
Abstract: The digital revolution has touched virtually every aspect of our lives. The result is that one likely has at least a handful of “digital assets.” These assets may include personal assets, such as online bank and brokerage accounts, and business assets, such as a company’s website, domain name, client databases and electronic invoices. This article explains that, as with all assets, a person needs to account for them in their estate plan.
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What are the benefits of a durable power of attorney?
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 676
Abstract: No one likes to think about being incapacitated, but the threat is real. This raises some troubling thoughts about how one’s personal and financial affairs will be handled in the event they’re incapacitated. This article notes that a common solution to this problem is to create a power of attorney, and explains why the optimal protection is afforded by a durable power of attorney.
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Executors and trustees – The name game
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Insight on Estate Planning
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 904
Abstract: It’s important to name executors and trustees who can provide the necessary expertise in handling assets and duties. This article details the duties of an executor and a trustee. A sidebar explains the need to name successors in the event one’s first choice can’t meet obligations.
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How rental real estate businesses can sail into a tax deduction safe harbor
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 432
Abstract: Revenue Procedure 2019-38, issued by the IRS in 2019, creates a safe harbor permitting certain interests in rental real estate to qualify for the Section 199A qualified business income (QBI) deduction. This article explains what criteria taxpayers must meet to treat their rental real estate enterprises as businesses. It also notes that even an interest in a real estate property that fails to meet the safe harbor requirements may still be treated as a trade or business for the Sec. 199A deduction if it is rented or licensed to a trade or business conducted by the individual or relevant pass-through entity.
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Save income taxes by including nongrantor trusts in your estate plan
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 588
Abstract: Estate planning strategies vary as new rules change the playing field. Now that fewer taxpayers are likely to be subject to federal gift and estate tax, many families are focusing more on income tax strategies in their estate plans. This article discusses one such strategy — including one or more nongrantor trusts to help reduce any negative tax impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s (TCJA’s) itemized deduction limitations. The article uses a hypothetical example to show how using a nongrantor trust has the potential to help increase deductions.
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Investing in home renovation – Will yours pay off?
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 643
Abstract: The potential resale value of, say, a kitchen or bath redo often is one consideration when deciding how to allocate a renovation budget. This article discusses some renovation projects that typically return most of their investment, such as garage door replacements and manufactured stone veneers. The article points out that ensuring that basic plumbing, roofing and other systems are in good working order also is critical in attracting buyers. And it offers some tips for gaining the most from a remodeling project.
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New overtime pay rules for 2020
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 774
Abstract: The new rules governing overtime pay, which the Department of Labor (DOL) announced in September 2019, carry an effective date of January 1, 2020. The changes are significant, so it’s important for businesses to ensure compliance with them. This article notes the biggest change, which is the increase in the earnings threshold required to exempt many executive, administrative and professional employees from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The article explains which businesses will be most affected and how to claim an exemption from overtime regulations for specific types of employees. A sidebar suggests that judicious use of overtime is one strategy for keeping budgets in check.
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COMPLIANCE ALERT
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 167
Abstract: This feature lists a few key tax reporting deadlines for February through April.
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2019 vs. 2020 retirement plan limits
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 116
Abstract: This chart contains updated retirement plan limits for 2020.
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Including financial wellness in your retirement plan strategy
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 597
Abstract: Many employees are paying a high price for their inadvertent ignorance about personal finance matters, studies are concluding. The price isn’t measured solely in bad investment or spending decisions, but also emotional and physical health, as well as in diminished job productivity. Employees’ understanding of their employer’s retirement plan, or lack thereof, is a critical piece of the puzzle. This article discusses how designing a retirement plan educational strategy without considering employees’ financial wellness could yield disappointing results. 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-55(c)(2)
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Now is the time for MEPs – DOL regulations liberalize commonality requirement
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 782
Abstract: What are multiple employer plans (MEPs) and “open” MEPs? For sponsors of small defined contribution plans, now is the time to ask these questions, thanks to a liberalization of the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations governing MEPs that took effect last October. This article examines what MEPs are (open or otherwise), and what’s in it for plan sponsors. 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-55(c)(2)
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IRS clarifies meaning of plan “contribution” for tax deduction purposes
February / March 2020
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 748
Abstract: When is an employer contribution to a retirement plan truly a contribution eligible for a tax deduction under ERISA Section 404(a)? Although this might seem like a rhetorical question, it was deemed worthy enough to warrant a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The IRS also addressed the matter in a chief counsel memorandum (CCM). This article discusses how the issue can arise when a plan sponsor does something more complicated than simply transfer corporate funds from its own bank account to that of the retirement plan trust in a straightforward manner. A short sidebar covers several examples from the CCM. Don E. Williams Co. v. Commissioner, 429 U.S. 569 (1977); IRS CCM 201935011
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Should you hold your vacation home in an LLC?
January / February 2020
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 411
Abstract: Holding a vacation home shared by family members in a limited liability company can offer important benefits. This short article lists several: asset protection, ease of management, ownership restrictions and estate planning advantages.
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New tax strategies for charitable givers
January / February 2020
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 578
Abstract: The passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed or eliminated tax benefits for many charitable donors who no longer itemize deductions. However, tax-saving strategies may still be available. This article proposes “bunching,” or donating twice as much in alternate years to take advantage of itemizing, and then using the standard deduction in the other years.