It might seem odd, but it is possible to get the IRS to give you a straight-forward and binding answer to ambiguous tax positions in advance. How does this happen, you ask? The answer is through an IRS private letter ruling. IRS private letter rulings provide many benefits, but they are not easy to obtain.…
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Sustaining Excellence in Medicaid Act of 2019 (HR 3253) – This bill authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2024 and makes changes to several Medicaid programs and funding mechanisms. Some of the provisions include allowing state Medicaid fraud control units to review complaints regarding noninstitutionalized patients; temporarily extending Medicaid eligibility to protect against spousal poverty for…
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Biometric technology has been on the rise as it promises to make the authentication process more secure and convenient. Unlike passwords and key cards, biometrics are something you will always have, can’t share and can’t forget. This makes the biometric approach convenient and at the same time it has lower password management costs. Biometrics also…
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Just when you’ve finished spending a bunch on swimsuits and stuff for grilling out, summer’s over and it’s time for the kids the head back to school. How did this happen? Here are some ways to cut expenses while shopping for all those inevitable, seemingly never-ending things that the season demands. Create a Budget This…
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If you have a relative who recently died and left you in charge of his or her finances, you are not alone. You probably have colleagues at work in the same boat. A neighbor or two (or 10) and even your millennial yoga teacher might very well be working through a quagmire of wills, probates…
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According to an Aug. 13 press release from the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), there will be a 10 percent tariff levied against $300 billion of Chinese imports effective Sept. 1. The same press release announced a modification, after hearing from the public and business owners, exempting some of the $300 billion…
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When it comes to an employer’s responsibility for non-exempt workers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are many requirements businesses must follow related to payroll. In one example, there are strict regulations on what information employers must document for each non-exempt worker. While there’s no requirement on how the information is recorded, there…
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Coming out on the winning side of a lawsuit as a plaintiff can be a gratifying feeling, especially if there is a financial settlement involved. There is likely a sense of both relief and vindication. Unfortunately, far too often people are in for a shock when they realize that they must pay taxes on the…
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Single Taxpayers 2018 Tax Rates – Standard Deduction $12,000 2017 Tax Rates – Standard Deduction $6,350 10% 0 to $9,525 10% 0 to $9,325 12% $9,525 to $38,700 15% $9,325 to $37,950 22% $38,700 to $82,500 25% $37,950 to $91,900 24% $82,500 to $157,500 28% $91,900 to $191,650 32% $157,500 to $200,000 33% $191,650 to…
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Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (H.R. 3364) – This Act expands U.S. sanctions against Russia (for annexing Ukraine’s Crimea and meddling in last year’s U.S. presidential election), Iran and North Korea (for weapons activities). It also establishes a congressional review process to authorize any changes to existing sanctions against Russia, prohibits U.S. persons from…
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