Tuesday, April 3, 2012
On December 17th, 2010 the President signed into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Jobs Creation Act of 2010 which contained dramatic, yet temporary, changes to the federal transfer tax system (estate, gift and generation skipping taxes).
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
While there are many different ways a business can get started, one of the more common answers we hear goes something like this – “I was working for XYZ Company as a Vice President of something important, but there weren’t enough opportunities for growth. I had some ideas, came into some money and decided to break out on my own.”
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (the Departments) have released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the implementation of the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released its final rule on state health insurance exchanges March 12th. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires states to be able to demonstrate that they can operate an exchange by January 1, 2013. Under the final rule, HHS may grant conditional approval to states that have made progress toward the implementation of an exchange by January 2013.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wind direction is changing! Property Casualty (P&C) insurance rates are beginning to trend upward. This trend, known as a ‘ firming marketplace,’ began in the fourth quarter of 2011, and it is expected to gain momentum in 2012.
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued Technical Release No. 2012-01 which, among other things, has further delayed the implementation of the automatic enrollment requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Friday, February 10, 2012
Most people are surprised just how easy it is for a thief to gather personal information. Thieves are clever: they go through your trash and mail looking for bank and credit card statements, pre-approval offers and tax information.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Green is everywhere these days, from our cleaning products to the local car wash operation. The residential construction industry, with a renewed focus on energy efficiency and eco-friendly materials, is one of the leaders in green innovation.
Friday, February 10, 2012
The IRS, Department of Labor, and Health and Human Services (the agencies) have released final regulations regarding the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wind direction is changing! Property Casualty (P&C) insurance rates are beginning to trend upward. This trend, known as a ‘ firming marketplace,’ began in the fourth quarter of 2011, and it is expected to gain momentum in 2012.
Monday, January 9, 2012
The IRS has released additional guidance regarding the W-2 health insurance reporting requirement contained in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In Notice 2012-9 released January 5th, the IRS clarifies a number of issues addressed in earlier guidance and extends the small employer exemption from the reporting requirement.
Monday, December 19, 2011
On December 16, 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a bulletin outlining proposed policies that will give States flexibility to define the “ essential health benefits” required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Instead of issuing proposed regulations, HHS chose to release the information in the form of a “pre-rule bulletin”. The announcement provides states with a framework for defining, on their own, the essential health benefits that will apply in each particular state. Implementing regulations based on this approach are expected in 2012.