• The U.S. Department of Labor finalizes the new overtime rule

    The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released the finalized rule on overtime exemptions for white-collar workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The rule updates the standard salary levels for the first time since 2004. While it is expected to expand the pool of nonexempt workers by more than 1 million, it’s also more favorable to employers than a rule proposed by the Obama [...]

    Published On: October 25, 2019Categories: ETRA
  • Congress acts to reform the IRS, enhance taxpayer protections

    The U.S. Senate has passed, and President Trump is expected to sign into law, a broad package of reforms aimed at the IRS. Among other things, the Taxpayer First Act contains several new protections for taxpayers, along with provisions intended to improve the IRS’s customer service.Stronger safeguards against identity theft Several of the bill’s provisions address tax-related identity theft. For example, the bill generally requires [...]

    Published On: June 20, 2019Categories: ETRA
  • IRS wheels out additional guidance on company cars

    The IRS has updated the inflation-adjusted “luxury automobile” limits on certain deductions taxpayers can take for passenger automobiles — including light trucks and vans — used in their businesses. Revenue Procedure 2019-26 includes different limits for purchased automobiles that are and aren’t eligible for bonus first-year depreciation, as well as for leased automobiles.The role of the TCJAThe Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) amended Internal [...]

    Published On: June 12, 2019Categories: ETRA
  • The Department of Labor proposes updated overtime rule

    The Trump administration has released its long-awaited proposed rule to update the overtime exemptions for so-called white-collar workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The rule increases the minimum weekly standard salary level for both regular workers and highly compensated employees (HCEs). It also increases the total annual compensation requirement for HCEs that’s required to qualify them as exempt. In addition, it retains the often [...]

    Published On: March 22, 2019Categories: ETRA
  • 2019 tax calendar

    To help you make sure you don’t miss any important 2019 deadlines, we’ve provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due. Please review the calendar and let us know if you have any questions about the deadlines or would like assistance in meeting them.

    Published On: February 19, 2019Categories: ETRA
  • Is more tax reform on the horizon?

    President Trump and Republican lawmakers currently are considering a second round of tax reform legislation as a follow-up to last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). As of this writing, there’s been no actual bill drafted. However, House Ways and Means Committee Chair Kevin Brady (R-TX) just released a broad outline or framework of what the tax package may contain. Proposed framework One of [...]

    Published On: August 2, 2018Categories: ETRA