Should you go phishing with your employees?
November 12, 2020 Knowledge Center
Should you go phishing with your employees?

Every business owner is aware of the threat posed by cybercriminals. If a hacker were to gain access to the sensitive data about your business, customers or employees, the damage to your reputation and profitability could be severe. You’re also probably aware of the specific danger of “phishing.” This is when a fraudster sends a […]

Estate planning and your art collection
November 12, 2020 Knowledge Center
Estate planning and your art collection

If you’re an art collector, it’s critical for your estate plan to address your collection separately from other types of assets. Investments in artwork may be motivated in part by potential financial gain, but for most collectors the primary motivation is a passion for the art itself. As a result, managing these assets involves issues […]

New Forms 1099-NEC & 1099-MISC and Other Information Reporting Changes for 2020
November 11, 2020 Knowledge Center
New Forms 1099-NEC & 1099-MISC and Other Information Reporting Changes for 2020

by Julia Damasco, J.D., LL.M. Taxation; Nicholas Sanchez, J.D., LL.M. Taxation; Qiva Dinuri, J.D., LL.M. Taxation; and Emily Ransom   As we approach the end of calendar year 2020 and head into the information reporting compliance season that begins in January 2021, information return filers[1] need to be aware of changes that will require adjustment to […]

2020 Reporting Deadlines and Procedure Guide
November 11, 2020 Resources
2020 Reporting Deadlines and Procedure Guide

Updated 11.17.2020: Reporting deadlines for tax year 2020 information returns filed in 2021

Michael Kaplan & Justine Ruffalo Named Among Business Managers Elite | Variety
November 11, 2020 In the News
Michael Kaplan & Justine Ruffalo Named Among Business Managers Elite | Variety

Congratulations Michael Kaplan and Justine Ruffalo on being named to Variety’s 2020 Business Managers Elite.

Agility is Key to Success in Post-Pandemic World | LABJ
November 10, 2020 In the News
Agility is Key to Success in Post-Pandemic World | LABJ

by Michael Kaplan | While the need for a business to be agile is not new, the hyper-fast, hyper-sensitive manifestation of that this year has really divided the herd – those that can and therefore become “Disruptors,” and those that cannot and are likely to fade out. So what does it mean for your business […]

How effectively does your business manage risk?
November 6, 2020 Knowledge Center
How effectively does your business manage risk?

From natural disasters and government shutdowns to cyberattacks and fraud, risks abound in today’s volatile, uncertain marketplace. While some level of risk is inevitable when operating a business, proactive owners and executives apply an enterprise risk management (ERM) framework to manage it more effectively. Evolving framework The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission […]

Is your business inadvertently paying a shell company?
November 6, 2020 Knowledge Center
Is your business inadvertently paying a shell company?

Not all shell companies are dishonest. Despite their often-sinister reputation, these paper-only companies may be used legitimately to hold another business’s assets. Or they may be the “empty container” left after a company downsizes or is acquired. That said, some fraud perpetrators use shell companies to embezzle funds, evade taxes, dodge debts and commit other […]

Don’t forget about making a portability election
November 5, 2020 Knowledge Center
Don’t forget about making a portability election

Portability allows a surviving spouse to apply a deceased spouse’s unused federal gift and estate tax exemption amount toward his or her own transfers during life or at death. For 2020, the exemption amount is $11.58 million, and the IRS just announced that that amount will increase to $11.7 million for 2021. To secure these […]

Put pen to paper: How a letter of instruction can benefit family harmony
November 5, 2020 Knowledge Center
Put pen to paper: How a letter of instruction can benefit family harmony

You may view your will as the centerpiece of your estate plan, but other documents can complement it. For example, if you haven’t already done so, consider writing a letter of instruction. Elements of the letter A letter of instruction is an informal document providing your loved ones with vital information about personal and financial […]

Now more than ever, carefully track payroll records
November 3, 2020 Knowledge Center
Now more than ever, carefully track payroll records

The subject of payroll has been top-of-mind for business owners this year. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered economic changes that caused considerable fluctuations in the size of many companies’ workforces. Employees have been laid off, furloughed and, in some cases, rehired. There has also been crisis relief for eligible businesses in the form of the Paycheck […]

Divorcing couples should understand these 4 tax issues
November 3, 2020 Knowledge Center
Divorcing couples should understand these 4 tax issues

When a couple is going through a divorce, taxes are probably not foremost in their minds. But without proper planning and advice, some people find divorce to be an even more taxing experience. Several tax concerns need to be addressed to ensure that taxes are kept to a minimum and that important tax-related decisions are […]