The high cost of worker misclassification

Independent contractors (ICs) offer businesses several advantages. Unlike with employees, you don’t have to withhold income and payroll taxes; make Social Security, Medicare and unemployment insurance contributions; pay overtime; or provide employee benefits. Treating an employee as an IC has always been risky. But in the last few years, these relationships are being looked at more closely and more often. Revenue-strapped tax authorities are scrutinizing worker relationships and often reclassifying ICs as employees. This article reviews the risks of worker misclassification and offers tips on how to tell the two apart.
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Address ownership transfer issues with a buy-sell agreement

There are a number of reasons why owners of closely held businesses put off discussing how ownership interests will be transferred when an owner exits the firm. For one, owners may be concerned about conflicts that could arise if an owner wants to transfer interests to family members or sell them to outsiders. For another, issues such as how fellow owners (or the business itself) will be able to pay for an exiting owner’s interests or the effect of the agreement on estate taxes can seem overwhelmingly complex. This article explains how a buy-sell agreement, when drafted carefully, can address these issues and more.
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The pros and cons of 401(k) loans

In today’s tough economy, many people are struggling to meet their day-to-day expenses. At the same time, the credit crunch has made it harder to obtain traditional loans. This article looks at one enticing alternative, which is to borrow against your 401(k) account, if your plan permits it. This can be a risky strategy, though, so it’s generally best considered only as a last resort.
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Tax Tips

In this article, we briefly explore self-directed IRA withdrawals, qualified personal residence trusts and early refunds for corporations.
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