I used to tell to my friends and clients to hang up if they receive IRS collection calls. Similarly, the IRS and law enforcement officials often issue warnings about phone scams involving tax collection, and each time they claim the same thing: "The IRS will never call you to demand payment. It sends letters by mail." [...]
The IRS recently announced the new 2016 standard mileage rates to be used for travel. The standard business mileage rate is decreased by 3.5 cents while Medical and moving mileage rates are lowered by 4.0 cents. Charitable mileage rates are unchanged. 2016 Standard Mileage Rates Lower gas prices - good news; lower IRS standard mileage [...]
First of all, we would like to wish you a happy, healthy, and productive new year. As 2016 quickly gets underway, I'm sure you've been thinking of ways to become more efficient and successful this year. Yet, this year promises to be challenging in many respects. Many consumers will continue to struggle to get their [...]
Prospective clients often ask me how to find a good lawyer. The simple answer is: find a qualified lawyer who loves to practice law. It’s not easy, but it’s possible! Lawyers who love practicing law will likely be happier and easier to work with, thus making your overall experience more valuable and less frustrating. Let’s face [...]
In many instances, yes, you can be fired for social media comments or blogging! If you have a Facebook or Mypage, or like to comment on someone else’s blog post, be careful what you write. If your employer finds that your post or comments are offensive, disparaging, or disclose proprietary business information, you may be [...]
Timing of Employers’ Criminal Inquiries and Background Checks An Illinois legislature has recently adopted the Job Opportunities For Qualified Applicants Act (the “Job Opportunities Act”). Effective January 1, 2015, the Job Opportunities Act prohibits certain employers from inquiring into or considering a job applicant’s criminal history or background prior to considering such applicant’s qualifications. The [...]
Last year, Governor Quinn signed into law a new Pregnancy Accommodation Act, or the Illinois Pregnancy Accommodation Amendments (the “Pregnancy Fairness Act”). Effective January 1, 2015, the Pregnancy Fairness Act states that Illinois employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant women, during and after pregnancy. The new law applies to full and part-time employees. [...]
Center Partners, Ltd. v. Growth Head GP, LLC, Nos. 113107 & 113128 Cons. , 1st Dist. This case presents an attorney-client privileged communication question as to whether a trial court properly required defendants to produce all attorney-client communications pertaining to negotiations for purchasing company under circumstances where defendants had acknowledged sharing among each other legal [...]
While politicians in Springfield continue fighting over Illinois’ new minimum wage requirements, the Chicago’s City Council recently approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to raise Chicago’s minimum wage to $13.00 per hour by 2019. In an overwhelming 44 to 5 vote, the City Council’s members approved the following gradual increase in minimum wages payable to employees [...]
Effective January 1, 2014, the IRS began classifying automatic gratuities commonly added to bills of large parties in a restaurant as service charges instead of “tips.” According the IRS Revenue Ruling 212-18, gratuities treated as service charges will be classified as regular employee wages and subject to Social Security and Medicare withholdings. More importantly, restaurants [...]
