The FTC, Washington State, and Non-Compete Agreements
On April 23rd of this year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule banning non-compete agreements throughout the nation. In 2020, Washington state enacted its own prohibitions on…
Is an Installment Sale Preferable to All Cash At Closing?
Let’s assume you are ready to sell your business and you are reviewing two competing offers, both compelling in their own way. The first offer is for an all-cash payment…
Use Retirement Accounts to Give to Charity in Your Estate Plan
Whether you know it or not, your “estate” is comprised of different assets with different attributes. Some of your assets will be governed by your will, while others will be…
Consider Declining to Act as Power of Attorney
A power of attorney authorizes a person (an “agent”) to act on behalf of the “principal” when the principal is no longer able to make his or her own decisions…
New Corporate Transparency Act Requires Action by Small Business Owners
Business owners beware: starting this year, individuals seeking to set up a legal entity (think LLC or corporation) as well as owners of existing legal entities, should be prepared to…
Your Business Tax Savings Might Be Doing More Harm Than Good
Small business owners sometimes have an enviable opportunity to save on tax. They rightfully look for every loophole to which they are entitled to save money on taxes by deducting…
Beneficiaries
Think beneficiary designations are just a formality? Think again. In this quick video, Beau Ruff explains how these simple selections can override your will, impact your estate plan, and affect how your assets are distributed. Learn the importance of keeping them up to date—especially for retirement accounts, trusts, and minor children—and how they can provide flexibility or create complications.
How Much Estate Tax Will I Owe (Back-of-the-Napkin Calculation)
Washington state has published its estate tax threshold for 2024. Spoiler alert: it hasn’t changed from 2023. When learning about the estate tax, people generally want to understand how to…
Is the Nonprofit Advocating or Lobbying? The Answer Can Affect Tax-Exempt Status
During a lunch with an Executive Director of a local charity that currently qualifies as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3), I heard him remark that he is a constant advocate for both…
Navigating the Personal Residence Capital Gains Tax Trap for Seniors
As a senior citizen ages in her residence, she begins to understand a problem that has been brewing for years or decades. The house that she bought many moons ago…
