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On November 9, 2016, many Americans woke up to (or stayed awake for) an unexpected election outcome. As of that day, the downside for the DOW and the S&P 500 Index appeared to be less than the declines that occurred after the 2008 and 2012 elections. However, it is still early. During these uncertain times, it is best to stick with your investm...

In 2015 charitable giving rose to $373 billion in the United States, driven by an almost $10 billion increase in gifts from individuals which represent over 70% of total giving. This year individual giving in the U.S. is poised for even greater growth, thanks to several contributing factors, including a solid economy and robust stock market perform...

A new U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Kaestner case means that more out-of-state residents will be able to fully realize the benefits of Tennessee's progressive trust laws and zero income tax on non-residents. Previously, many states relied on the residence of a trust beneficiary as one of the criteria for taxing a trust. In essence, the new r...

2018 brought radical transformation in the federal tax landscape. The effects continue to cascade through the economy, and individuals, families and businesses are striving to find equilibrium amid the change. Of course, radical transformations can occur at the individual level as well. A good wealth plan anticipates personal disruptions, transitio...

It is not uncommon for a related or “friendly” party to desire to make a loan at a lower interest rate than what is available in an arms-length transaction on the open market. This is often the case when loans are made between relatives, business owners and their businesses, and employers and their employees. However, if the lender does...

Section 1061 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act imposes a new three-year holding period for gains derived by a partnership that are passed through to the holder of a carried interest to qualify as long-term gains. This change is effective for any allocations of income or sales of carried interests on or after January 1, 2018, and it applies to newly-gran...

Every year during tax season the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) releases the “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams. With the increased number of data breaches, it is important to remain vigilant when sharing your personal data and responding to demands for tax payments. Here are some tips to help you avoid tax scams and identity theft.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law in December and made sweeping changes to many laws affecting tax-exempt organizations. Several changes combined to eliminate the tax incentive for many taxpayers to make charitable contributions. With anticipated declines in contributions, charities may be looking for more creative sources of fundraisin...

Even the best laid plans or checklists for filing the various U.S. forms on time can sometimes go astray. When they do, it is prudent to request an extension to file the particular return. Careful attention should be paid to where and how to submit the request, as procedures are not necessarily the same for all returns.

Over the past decade, matriarchs and patriarchs of successful families have been shifting their focus from their children to a broader group of individuals, such as grandchildren, siblings, and nieces. Often, they choose to create family banks, which are typically trusts that are funded to help individuals pursue entrepreneurial opportunities, vent...

This recorded webinar Illustrates how effective annual income tax rates for a C corporation differs, depending on whether it distributes all, part, or none of its annual earnings. This provides a more realistic base against which to compare one's tax rates as an owner of a pass-through business entity, such as an S corporation, partnership, or ...

Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) offer taxable investors the potential for deferral of existing gains and tax-free growth. Though the basic provisions of the tax incentive are known, the rules remain unclear and regulatory risks persist. While the existence of a tax incentive can make a good investment even better, investment decisions should not ...

Generation Z and millennial entrepreneurs are known for being innovative, bold, quick-thinking game changers. But too often they ignore the more mundane (but incredibly important) aspects of their personal financial situations and decisions regarding the fate of their business. By investing some of the passion and energy they have for their busines...

When it comes to updating your estate plan, it’s more than just document preparation. It’s also about updating and distributing your health care documents, preparing your agent to conduct business on your behalf at the appropriate time, and reviewing asset titling and beneficiary designations.

An increasingly popular way to reduce taxes generally is to invest in Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs), but little is discussed about how QOZs can be utilized to shift appreciation of wealth over time to future generations. Investors have various options to transfer interests in QOZs to future generations tax efficiently. With this new opportunit...