Employee or Independent Contractor? The Rules May Be Getting Simpler.
In this past election, voters in California approved legislation that allowed companies in the so-called “gig economy” to continue classifying their workers as independent contractors, opposed to employees. This issue isn’t exclusive to California, however, as the...
Calculations of Value Are Admissible in Divorce, Alabama Appeals Court Confirms
Horne-Ballard v. Ballard About two years ago, in Rohling v. Rohling, an Alabama appeals court upheld a trial court’s decision to admit into evidence a qualified expert’s estimate about the value of the owner spouse’s business based on a calculation engagement....
Five Tax Breaks Expiring This Year
Unless Congress takes action in the next few months, several significant federal tax breaks will expire at the end of this year. In the past, lawmakers have routinely made “extender” provisions to continue expiring tax breaks for another year or two. However, with the...
Clarity on Three 2020 Employer Tax Credits
With the year ending and tax season on the horizon, it can be helpful to get clarity on various tax credits. With COVID impacting the economy and quite possibly your business, you should ensure you can save every dollar you can. Congress enacted three tax credits that...
Tax Implications of Holding Precious Metal Assets in Your IRA
With the stock market hitting record levels and interest rates at historic lows, some investors are moving away from low-risk securities like bonds and money-market funds and investing in precious metal such as gold, silver or platinum. If you’re considering doing the...
Ways to Fully Deduct Business Related Meals
Portland is known around Maine and New England — and even throughout the country — for its award-winning, creative and gourmet restaurants. Unfortunately, many of Portland’s restaurant businesses have struggled mightily during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have even had...
Plaintiff’s COVID-Related Contract Claim Falters Despite Force Majeure Provision
NetOne, Inc. v. Panache Destination Management While the economy teeters during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, courts are beginning to rule on lawsuits brought by businesses under various legal theories. In the instant case, the plaintiff suggested the defendant had...
Overstated’ Projections Sink Plaintiff’s Fair Value Determination
Magarik v Kraus Earlier this year, a New York trial court presiding over a buyout dispute featuring an online wholesaler of faucets, sinks, and fixtures rebuffed the departing shareholder’s valuation. His expert’s discounted cash flow analysis collapsed on account of...
5 Valuable Tax Credits for 2020 Individual Returns
Every dollar counts, especially as the COVID pandemic continues to create economic uncertainty here in Maine and throughout the country. As tax season arrives, it can be helpful to learn about federal income tax credits that can significantly lower your tax...
How the New USMCA Trade Agreement Will Affect Maine Businesses
In about a month, on July 1st, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will take effect. This new, far-reaching trade agreement updates many of the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has been in place now for 26 years. While...