COVID Relief Provisions that Can Lower Your Business Taxes
After a most unusual, volatile and unprecedented year for Maine businesses, your finances — and tax situation — may be unlike any other “normal” year. Filing your business taxes can oftentimes be stressful, but with the economic hardships of the past year, it can be...
DOL Suspends Changes to Trump-Era Labor Regulations
Just weeks before President Biden took office, the Trump administration took action to change how employers determined independent contractor status. Now, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is rescinding those regulations, returning the country to the guidelines set...
Plaintiff’s Proposed Class Action Alleging Overpayment Survives Motion to Dismiss
Lysengen v. Argent Trust Co. This proposed ESOP class action featured familiar claims against the trustee and several individual defendants. In her complaint, the plaintiff alleged the trustee violated ERISA by allowing the plan to overpay for company stock and by...
4 Ways to Improve Productivity
So-called "lean" manufacturing is easier said than done, but there are several improvements that can increase your firm's output. Lean companies operate as efficiently as possible, using the least possible staff time, equipment, and raw materials. Here are four ideas...
How Manufacturers Can Benefit from Blockchain Technology
To succeed in the 21st century, manufacturers must embrace the latest technological innovations. As part of this trend, factories around the world are starting to use blockchain technology. Although the concept is shared by businesses in various industries, it's...
Expert Identifies Only Viable Method to Value Stock in ‘Severely Distressed’ Private Company
Lucero v. United States The taxpayer sued the federal government for a refund, arguing she had overpaid income taxes on stock she had received as part of settling a lawsuit against her former employer. She initially relied on the value in the settlement agreement but...
Key Changes for Businesses created by the New American Rescue Plan Act
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law earlier this month, providing a massive infusion of much-needed relief to nearly every corner of the American economy — from individuals to businesses to nonprofits to healthcare organizations and state and local...
LLC Buyout at Fair Value Poses ‘Conundrum’ for the Court
Finkel v. Palm Park, Inc. In allowing LLC members to buy out a departing member to avoid the dissolution of the company, a court had to determine the fair value of the departing member’s interest in a holding company. The court, in large part, relied on the fair...
What makes a small business owner’s compensation ‘reasonable’?
As a small business owner, you need to ensure that your compensation reflects what others would receive for performing similar duties in a similar setting. Not only is this important for tax purposes, but it’s needed to determine the value of your business. Total...
Solvency Opinion Based on Management Projections Faces Daubert Challenge
Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors v. Calpers Corp. Partners, LLC In a bankruptcy-cum-Daubert case that turned on solvency, a court recently rejected both parties’ claims that the opposing financial expert testimony was inadmissible. Among the myriad of attacks...