Showing 41 posts by Taylor A. Gast.
Cybersecurity Month Serves as Reminder to Take Proactive Steps
Whether you are the CEO of a big corporation working in the office six days a week or an analyst working remotely from home entering data, everyone is at risk of a cyber-attack. Despite the fact that all organizations, regardless of size, are at risk, few have preventative measures in place, or have even planned for how they would respond in the event of an attack. Read More ›
Categories: Criminal, Cybersecurity, Technology
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Michigan Launches “Afflicted Business” Grant Program
Nearly two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of Michigan is continuing to design new programs to help support Michigan businesses that were negatively impacted by the pandemic and resulting economic shutdowns. Beginning March 1, 2022, Michigan will distribute up to $409 million under the new Afflicted Business Relief (ABR) grant program. Eligible businesses can apply beginning March 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022. Grants are not first-come, first-serve, but instead may be prorated depending on the number of eligible businesses that apply. Read More ›
Categories: Financing, News, Sales Tax, Tax
Cybersecurity Impact on Small Businesses in Wake of Colonial Pipeline
In the wake of the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, cyber attacks such as ransomware and phishing continue to be a major threat for all businesses, large or small. Even with precautions in place, it is not a matter of "if" but "when" a business will experience an attack. In the case of Colonial Pipeline, the hackers not only demanded and received millions from Colonial Pipeline in May 2021, but the resulting ransomware attack forced the company into a fuel distribution shutdown, making headlines across the country and causing gas shortages on the east coast. The attack also compromised thousands of individuals' personal information. Read More ›
Categories: Cybersecurity, Did you Know?, News, Technology
Department of Labor Releases Employee Benefits and Cybersecurity Best Practices
On April 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (“DOL’s”) Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”) issued its first cybersecurity best practices guidance for retirement plans. The EBSA guidance has been highly anticipated as the frequency and cost of data breaches affecting employee benefit plans continues to rise. The EBSA guidance focuses on actions that plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record-keepers, and plan participants can take. Read More ›
Categories: Cybersecurity, Department of Labor, Employee Benefits
Maryland’s Digital Ad Tax: The Next Frontier in State and Local Taxation
On Friday February 12, the Maryland State Senate voted to override Maryland’s governor to pass a bill creating a tax on annual gross revenues derived from digital advertising services in Maryland. Maryland’s digital advertising tax is the first of its kind in the United States. Read More ›
Categories: Sales Tax, Tax, Tax Disputes
Minimizing Cybersecurity Risks for Remote Workers
With more employees working remotely for the foreseeable future, a resulting increase in spoofing and other hacking attempts is becoming a very common and real threat. It is imperative for a business to have the proper protection policies and procedures in place.
In the following video, moderated by Patricia Scott, attorneys Taylor Gast and Robert Hamor discuss ways to minimize risk and avoid disaster as more employees work remotely. This video touches on the recent rise in computer hacking attempts, along with a discussion on strategies to protect businesses and employees.
Click the thumbnail below to view the full video.
This video is for general information purposes only and IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. If you seek legal counsel or need help in determining how this information applies to a specific situation, contact a Foster Swift business & tax law attorney before taking any action.
Categories: Compliance, Cybersecurity, Digital Assets
The Impact of PPP Loans on Mergers & Acquisitions
With the addition of new rules from the SBA (Small Business Administration), business & tax law attorneys Taylor Gast and Mike Zahrt discuss these updates regarding the impact of PPP Loans on Mergers & Acquisitions activity. Read More ›
Categories: Alerts and Updates, Compliance
Recent Questions Regarding PPP Forgiveness Applications
As PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) Loan Applicants await for banks to open their portals and begin accepting forgiveness applications, Foster Swift Business & Tax attorneys Taylor Gast and Mike Zahrt discuss recent updates regarding applications along with answers to common questions to consider regarding the next steps in the loan process.
Click the thumbnail below to view the full video.
This video is meant to provide general information and SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE. If you seek legal counsel or need help in determining how this information applies to a specific situation, contact a Foster Swift business attorney before taking any action. Our attorneys can help assist you in making the best decisions for your circumstances.
Categories: Alerts and Updates, News
SEC Expands Accredited Investor Definition to Include Sophisticated Investors, Others
On August 26, 2020 the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted amendments to Rule 501(a) of the Securities Act that expand the definition of “accredited investor” to include additional categories of investors who may invest in unregistered private offerings. This amendment is intended to provide greater access to private investment markets. The amendments become effective 60 days after the new rule is published in the Federal Register. Read More ›
Categories: Entity Planning, Entity Selection, Organization & Planning, News, Startup, Venture Capital/Funding
A Guide to the Employee Retention Tax Credit: An Alternative to the PPP
For more articles from the June 2020 issue of Business & Tax Law News, click here.
The CARES Act created the Employee Retention Tax Credit (“ERTC”), which is designed to provide financial relief to employers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ERTC is a refundable tax credit that is credited against an employer’s share of social security taxes for specific wages paid on or after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021. An eligible employer can access ERTC funds by (1) immediately reducing employment tax obligations, (2) applying for an advance payment of the estimated credit, or (3) calculating the final credit amount at the end of the applicable calendar quarter, usually on Form 941. Importantly, an employer that has received a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan cannot also claim the ERTC (unless the employer has repaid its PPP loan by May 14, 2020). Read More ›
Categories: Employment, Tax
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