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Doug Balfour, author of Doing Good Great: An Insider’s Guide to Getting the Most Out of Your Philanthropic Journey, and Pat Armstrong of the Abbot Downing Institute for Family Culture discuss best practices for engaging in philanthropic activities as a family. Both believe that while each family’s questions are unique to their individual circumstances, there are common themes and patterns associated with the exploration of the “why” of their giving as well as the evolution of their philanthropy.

In a summary of the tax law signed on December 22, 2017, there are still seven individual tax brackets, but the top rate was lowered from 39.6% to 37%. Most of the law's provisions became effective on January 1, 2018, with numerous provisions expiring after 2025. Like most tax laws, it is neither positive nor negative in and of itself; rather, its effects will vary according to taxpayers' individual circumstances. The bill includes both personal and corporate tax changes, including key provisions applicable to high-net-worth individuals.

Reviewing the changes to the Tax Reform law from the lens of tax-efficient giving, it's clear it created some philanthropic winners and losers for the next few years. With the elimination of the phase-out of itemized deductions, donors who itemize can take advantage of the full amount of their charitable gifts, subject to Adjusted Gross Income limits. For donors who can no longer itemize, there are several good strategies to mitigate the loss of the deduction, including the use of IRAs, donor advised funds, and gifts of appreciated property.

The results of the U.S. Family Business Survey findings brought out the importance of being prepared to compete in a far more digital economy. Family businesses have built up trust among loyal employees and their ownership group. So how to turn values like loyalty and hard work into a multi-generational success story?

At the start of 2019, the market’s perception of risks and the resulting volatility is high, a stark contrast to the complacency and strong growth expectations in the prior year. It is important to reflect on recent history, but it is also important to recognize how expectations can change and stay grounded in a broad understanding of the business environment and market valuations—thus our themes as outlined in this Market Insights: the late stage expansion; the not-so-invisible hand; diversification fatigue; and not all international markets are equal.

An increasing problem facing employers is the threat of class action lawsuits related to their use of background checks. In these lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that employers are violating a federal statute called the Fair Credit Reporting Act (the “FCRA”), which regulates, among other things, an employer’s use of background checks performed by third-party providers. In the face of this potential exposure, it is extremely important that employers ensure they are complying with the FCRA’s notice and disclosure requirements.

People, by nature, are born to judge and make judgments about others as well as themselves. Understanding each other through Real Colors® and knowing what makes each other tick regardless of, and separate from, each person’s relationship with the family of wealth or the family business, is eye opening for families. Real Colors® is a “rite of passage” for accepting others for who they really are and it provides a means for making critical family decisions (including financial decisions).

For families of wealth, especially those with a goal of long-term wealth preservation, the potential value of Real Colors® is multidimensional. It offers a language of understanding that aims to improve communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. It may also provide insight into making asset allocation decisions to help maximize the family’s long-term financial capital requirements.

There are three reasons why investors should be considering preferreds in a rising rates environment: its low duration structures, its wide credit spreads, and its high levels of income. In this video, Brian Cordes, discusses the reasons and highlights how preferreds can also offer some of the highest tax advantage income in the markets today.

Despite mounting cost pressures on their supply chains, just a fraction of middle market companies appear to be hedging commodity prices for the longer term. In this issue of The Real Economy, we examine that topic, as well as a government shutdown’s fallout on food stamp program funding, real GDP growth projections, and the current state of environmental, social and corporate governance practices, benefits, and reporting challenges.