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Please Click HerePosted on January 5, 2018 by Ruder Ware Alumni
On September 27, 2017, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve, and the OCC (the “Agencies”) issued a proposed rule that simplifies the compliance requirements of the existing regulatory capital rules and is intended to reduce the regulatory burden imposed by it. Developed with small- and medium-sized banks in mind, the proposed rule would: replace the complex […]
Posted on December 21, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
We have reported in blog articles and seminars in recent years on decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that invalidated employee policies and handbook provisions which sought, among other things, to promote workplace civility and reasonable behavior. Last week the NLRB overturned the 2004 case that started that trend. In the 2004 case, […]
Posted on December 15, 2017 by Mary Ellen Schill
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2018, and the increased rates reflect the increase in gasoline prices. Effective January 1, 2018, the optional standard mileage rates will increase to 54.5 cents per mile for […]
Posted on December 13, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
It has come to our attention that some examiners have recently been carefully scrutinizing financial institutions’ employee compensation arrangements. Although it now appears unlikely that the proposed Dodd-Frank rules on financial-institution incentive compensation (which only apply to institutions with at least $1 billion in total assets) will ever take effect, examiners still do take compensation, […]
Posted on December 4, 2017 by Mary Ellen Schill
Workplace retirement programs play an important role in attracting and retaining employees, helping workers (and owners!) save, and provide significant tax advantages. Employer contributions to “qualified” plans (like 401(k) plans) or IRA-based plans are deductible by the business when made, and taxes on the recipients (your employees or even you!) are not imposed until the […]
Posted on December 1, 2017 by Sara J. Ackermann
Sexual harassment in the workplace is not new. However, the rash of recent cases reported in Hollywood, Corporate America, and our Federal Government are shining a new spotlight on the issue. As an employer in Wisconsin, here is what you need to know to avoid being the next headline: All allegations must be taken seriously. […]
Posted on December 1, 2017 by Matthew D. Rowe
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) has recently updated its “Business Combinations” booklet, which is part of the Comptroller’s Licensing Manual. The revised booklet replaces the prior version, which was issued by the OCC in December 2006. The booklet incorporates a variety of updated procedures and requirements for national banks and federal […]
Posted on November 30, 2017 by Amy E. Ebeling
Are you using the right business entity for your farm or other agribusiness? I have worked with too many clients who have paid additional tax dollars or have been unable to achieve their succession planning goals due to their entity structure. Learn from their mistakes. Selecting and using the right entity is essential to a […]
Posted on November 30, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
There has been a lot of discussion lately about “ageism” in the workplace. People are wondering what this means and what type of steps need to be taken by an employer to avoid age discrimination complaints. Ageism is the key word being used today to describe attitudes and behaviors in the workplace that reflect negatively […]
Posted on November 28, 2017 by Ruder Ware Alumni
A top official in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a major change in the federal government’s position on claims brought under the False Claims Act (FCA). Michael Granston, the director of DOJ’s Civil Frauds Section, the section that handles health care fraud and other FCA cases, stated that the DOJ will ask […]