6 Family Business Succession Tips
There is only one certainty for business owners: You won’t be able to stay at the helm forever. You’ll exit, either by choice or by circumstance. Some business owners prepare years in advance for that day, but family business owners don’t often have such a clear vision in place. Overlooking a smart exit plan can […]
Why the IRS Isn’t Taking Your Call
Although our Texas Tax Day was delayed an entire month longer than the rest of the country, it has still been a chaotic mess for those needing answers from the IRS. The agency is backlogged so severely that help or swift refunds shouldn’t be expected anytime soon. How dire is the situation? About 29 million […]
Michael Jackson’s Thrilling Tax Court Win
When Michael Jackson died in 2009, his estate was suffering, and he was deeply in debt. Among what was owed was millions in taxes, but exactly how much was anyone’s guess. Estimates from the IRS and his estate managers differed by more than $700 million. His estate finally had its day in court, and the […]
Estate Planning Lessons from the Queen of Soul
You gotta give estate planning a little respect for the sake of your heirs. When Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018, the singer’s legacy followed a path trod by all too many iconic musicians before her, including Prince and Tom Petty. That legacy includes courtrooms, IRS debts, and plenty of confusion on who will inherit […]
Divorce Gets Costly for Business Owners in 2021
The pandemic has complicated divorces. The number of official splits declined in 2020, likely for practical reasons. By now we’re seeing a sharp increase, and these divorces are among couples with conflict simmering much longer than usual. Entrepreneurs (and their legal representation) beware: these types of divorces can be disastrous for a small business. Bill […]