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ShawnCoulson News and Updates

Timely Opportunities

Supreme Court Rejects Claim for Exemption from Overtime Pay

Employers and employees are often at odds over the issue of overtime pay. Naturally, employers are inclined to argue that an employee isn’t entitled to overtime pay when it would boost the overall compensation that must be paid to the employee. The employer’s position may be bolstered by applicable regulations from the U.S. Department of […]
Timely Opportunities

Navigating the SALT Deduction

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) limits itemized deductions for state and local tax (SALT) payments for 2018 through 2025. This unfavorable tax law change is especially unpopular in states with high income or property taxes (or both). The limitation remains in effect, despite repeated calls to repeal it. (See “How Will the SALT […]
Business Law

Covenants Not To Compete: Protection for Your Business

Are you concerned that one of your best employees will leave to join a competitor? Your worries may be eased if the employee signs a “covenant not to compete” as part of an employment agreement. The covenant (also called a “non-compete clause” or “non-compete agreement”) is enforceable against a departing employee as long as certain […]
General Litigation

The Basics of Judicial Decisions

Many of our impressions about the American judicial system come from our exposure to television and the movies — from the defense of murder suspects on Perry Mason to the investigations leading to multimillion dollar settlements depicted in Erin Brockovich and Michael Clayton. Courtroom Drama on the Big and Little Screen Television Perry Mason 1957-1966 The […]
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FAQs on LTC Insurance and Your Taxes

If you or a loved one needs long-term care (LTC) services, there are insurance products that can help cover the cost. As an additional incentive, qualified LTC policies deliver some tax advantages. For LTC policies, “qualified” means that a policy is offered by an insurance company licensed in your state and includes certain federal tax […]
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How Much FDIC Coverage Do You Have?

In early March, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank unexpectedly collapsed. They became the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history, respectively. The largest collapse involved Washington Mutual in 2008, precipitating the Great Recession. (See “Two Banks Collapse in One Week” at right.) The recent regional bank failures have caused many individual […]
Intellectual Property

Non-Compete Agreements: What Can They Accomplish?

It may seem ironic that companies encourage innovation and brilliance while employees are on the payroll, but pull the plug on that ambition if they dare to leave. But non-compete agreements attempt to do just that to control damage. State Laws Vary Laws regarding non-compete covenants vary from state to state. For example, courts in […]
Employment Law

Spot Time Bombs in Your Employee Handbook

  Catch Dangerous Traps Could your employee handbook be dangerous? Have you ever looked through it, pretending to be employee? Better yet, have you ever had your attorney read through your handbook to see how an employee might be able to use it in court? This type of auditing can help spot potential time bombs… […]
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Workouts: A Practical Alternative to Formal Bankruptcy Proceedings

Is your company teetering on the edge of bankruptcy? In the wake of the pandemic, many small businesses are suffering financial distress from inflation, labor shortages, rising interest rates, tighter credit and continued economic uncertainty. If your company is having trouble making ends meet, it may be time to devise a workout plan to avoid […]
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Update on Deducting Business Meal and Entertainment Expenses

The federal income tax treatment of business-related meal and entertainment expenses has been a moving target the last few years. If you’re confused about what rules currently apply, you’re not alone. Here’s a refresher on what’s currently deductible — and what’s not. TCJA Impact Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) went into effect, […]