Take note if your organization employs seasonal workers or part-timers for the holidays: The IRS has issued a Health Care Tax Tip on how these individuals affect whether your business is subject to the shared responsibility provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Background Applicable large employers (ALEs) are required by the ACA to report the  Continue Reading »

How would you value a business?  Although the techniques sound simple, do-it-yourself appraisals can generate misleading results. Each business requires a customized approach, as well as fine-tuning and subtle nuances, and each. The three approaches appraisers use to value a business may seem like a matter of common sense. You start with the balance sheet  Continue Reading »

In re Dole Food Co., 2015 Del. Ch. LEXIS 223 (Aug. 27, 2015) (Dole III) In sharp contrast to some of its earlier decisions reprimanding financial advisors for generating outcome-driven valuations, the Delaware Court of Chancery recently extolled the conduct of the financial advisor in a highly contested take-private merger. It noted the firm’s “thorough  Continue Reading »

Sometimes, estate proceedings continue to be open for years with no end in sight. If you’re an executor or personal representative of an estate, or even an heir, eventually you want closure. There are certain steps that must be taken to close the estate. This article describes the general procedures, but the exact process depends  Continue Reading »

A top concern for Maine businesses is attracting and retaining qualified employees. Each year, numerous positions go unfilled, often because job applicants don’t have the requisite skills or training. Some proactive employers are tackling the issue with the help of federal and state programs. Here’s a closer look at the issues. Supply vs. Demand The  Continue Reading »

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) involve individuals and businesses buying less expensive health insurance policies with high deductibles, and contributions to the accounts are made on a pre-tax basis. The money can accumulate year after year tax free, and be withdrawn tax free to pay for a variety of medical expenses such as doctor visits, prescriptions, chiropractic  Continue Reading »

It can be difficult to plan for your replacement and deal with your mortality, which is why many Maine business owners procrastinate putting a well-conceived succession plan in place. The reasons are understandable. However, there are many reasons why it’s best to make a proactive plan. Here are five of the top reasons why business owners  Continue Reading »

Finjan, Inc. v. Blue Coat Systems, Inc., 2015 U.S. LEXIS 91528 (July 14, 2015) What apportionment techniques can a damages expert use to ensure the capture of the proceeds from the infringing features but not the noninfringing components? This question dominated a recent Daubert case in which both parties claimed the rival expert’s apportionment rendered  Continue Reading »

If you participate in a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k), profit-sharing, or Keogh plan, through your job or self-employment, you might be allowed to borrow from the account. It’s important to note that the borrowing option is not available for traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs or SIMPLE-IRAs. In the right circumstances, taking out a  Continue Reading »

There’s no doubt that technology has transformed our lives, from mobile apps to the Internet. It facilitates financial transactions and the transmission of information. But with convenience, it also brings risks. There are weekly news stories about sensitive personal data being hacked online and sold on the black market. Thieves use personal data to access  Continue Reading »