🖨 Print⏱ 4 min read The much anticipated Republican tax bill is finalized, with President Trump expected to sign the legislation into law before Christmas. The final bill codifies significant changes to personal business tax laws, both in terms of tax structure and rules. Below is a summary of the key provisions in their final … Continue reading “The Final Tax Bill”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readThis is the third in a series of articles discussing various types of high-concept investment styles. This month we tackle socially responsible investing. Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is just what it sounds like – putting your money where your mouth is. If you are concerned about environmental issues, healthcare, debilitating diseases, … Continue reading “High Concept Strategies: Socially Responsible Investing”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readCongress’ recent tax reform bill, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, aims to lower taxes on corporations and companies. The GOP believes that lower taxes will help American companies to be more competitive and, in turn, will generate more jobs and more dividends for shareholders. Not all economists are sold on … Continue reading “Tax Bill Winners and Losers”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readWhen a business owner wants to expand his business concept across a region or the country, franchising can be an attractive option. According to the International Trade Association’s 2016 Franchising Top Markets Report, franchising was projected to generate $944 billion in financial growth for the nation’s economy, expanding more than 3 … Continue reading “Is it the Right Time to Franchise a Business?”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readTSP Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R. 3031) – Sponsored by Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) on June 23, this bill will offer government employees who participate in the Thrift Savings Plan more flexible withdrawal options. The law eliminates the current restriction on taking partial post-separation withdrawals if the participant has already taken … Continue reading “Enhancing Access to Retirement Funds and Emergency Medications; Getting Tougher on Online Predators of Children”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readLast month, the European Union Community made headlines with their release of a diplomatic document that, for the first time, defines cyber-terrorism by a foreign power as an act of war. The EU document is expected to say that member states may respond to online espionage or cyber-attacks against their infrastructure … Continue reading “Are Cyber Attacks Acts of War?”
🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readNow is the time to focus on year-end tax planning. Careful and strategic planning can help minimize your tax bill and maximize what you keep. Given the uncertainty and sweeping scope of proposed tax law changes, planning is both more complex and more important than ever this year. Below, we discuss … Continue reading “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Tax Planning Season”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readThis is the second in a series of articles discussing various types of high-concept investment styles. This month we explain evidenced-based investing. Investors and their advisors frequently are influenced by a variety of factors, ranging from news, rumors, biases, gut instinct, emotions (from exuberance to fear), marketing tactics, compensation models and … Continue reading “High Concept Strategies: Evidence-Based Investing”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readElder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act (S. 178) – Sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Jan. 20, this bill is intended to prevent elder abuse and exploitation and improve the justice system’s response to victims in such cases. Among other provisions, the Act facilitates improved data collection and Federal coordination, … Continue reading “Transparency for Elder Abuse, Internet Ads and Drug Pricing”
🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readCall it ironic that on the very day Equifax went public with news of its massive data breach, Congress was holding hearings on reducing the regulations imposed on U.S. credit bureaus. Long before the recent breach that exposed confidential data affecting about 143 million Americans, Equifax had been lobbying aggressively on … Continue reading “Weighing the Impact of the Equifax Breach”