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Showing 44 posts by Taylor A. Gast.

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. 

PPP VideoThis 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

Investor with laptopOn 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

PPP Loan with Sticky NoteFor 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

Cyber Insurance: Is it right for you?

Block on KeyboardWe are frequently asked about insurance policies that cover internet-based risks like those involving network security like data breaches and ransomware, as well as data privacy related risks like class action lawsuits for privacy violations and costs related to the increasingly complex landscape of privacy rules. Read More ›

Categories: Cybersecurity, Insurance

Legal Cybersecurity Hotline Launched

Cell Phone in HandsThis blog post has since been updated with new information

Hackers are more sophisticated than ever. It is often not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ a data breach will occur. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and with new threats frequently reported in the media; individuals, businesses, municipalities and other organizations need to do their due diligence in preparing for the inevitable. Read More ›

Categories: Cybersecurity

Using Vendor Management to Protect Your Business's Data

As a business or business owner, one thing to consider when creating a cybersecurity plan, is a vendor management program. Vendor management programs can help businesses address risks that arise when working with vendors and third parties that might be receiving sensitive information or business information. Read More ›

Categories: Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Digital Assets, IT Contracts

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act: Are You Compliant?

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) was enacted in 1998 and was created to address concerns with the online collection of children’s personal information. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has announced several large fines for companies not in compliance. Read More ›

Categories: Compliance, Liability, Privacy, Technology

Updates on Federal and State Privacy Legislation and the FTC’s Authority

The International Association of Privacy Professionals Global Privacy Summit (“GPS”) occurred at the beginning of this month in Washington, D.C., giving more than 4,000 privacy professionals the chance to meet, reconnect, discuss developing issues, and learn from leaders in data privacy and security. Much of the conversation centered around the General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), now approaching one year since its effective date. Read More ›

How are Businesses Preparing for Proposed Federal Data Privacy Legislation? Part Two: Conduct a Data Assessment and Address Risks

This is the second part in a series discussing the actions that companies can take to prepare for potential data privacy legislation. Part One summarizes and discusses recently proposed data privacy legislation. Read More ›

Categories: Compliance, Cybersecurity, Digital Assets, IT Contracts

Michigan Marijuana Retailers: Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Risks

More than 30 states have legalized medical marijuana and more than 10 have legalized marijuana for recreational use, including Michigan in a 2018 ballot proposal. Marijuana retailers have significant issues to address as the industry and the rules governing it mature over time. Among those issues, retailers should not overlook data privacy and cybersecurity issues.   Read More ›

Categories: Cybersecurity, Electronic Health Records, HIPAA