Foreward by Andrew Chilvers When the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive was introduced into law by the UK and EU in January 2020, for many professionals it was a much needed addition to legislation that would significantly help business transparency and combat money laundering. In essence, it was good for business and for public and professional […]
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) recently issued news releases announcing judgments against five companies investigated for various violations of laws and regulations. Here are the details. Case Number 1: Child Labor Laws A grocery store employed several minors in violation of federal child labor laws by allowing them to operate trash […]
When one door closes, another opens. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many small businesses to permanently shutter. But it has also provided new opportunities, especially for gig economy workers and other sole proprietors who were laid off or furloughed during the pandemic. (See “Start-Up Hot Spots,” at right.) In fact, the Wall Street Journal recently reported […]
Foreward by Andrew Chilvers When the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive was introduced into law by the UK and EU in January 2020, for many professionals it was a much needed addition to legislation that would significantly help business transparency and combat money laundering. In essence, it was good for business and for public and professional […]
In the wake of a 1993 Supreme Court case, challenges against expert witnesses have found greater success. In that case, two minor children and their parents alleged in a lawsuit that the children’s serious birth defects had been caused by the mothers’ prenatal ingestion of Bendectin, an antinausea prescription drug marketed by Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals. A lower […]
American law has long granted trademark protection to the shapes of products and containers. Perhaps the most famous example is the instantly recognizable Coca-Cola bottle, which is almost as important a trademark as the soft drink company’s stylized name logo (Trademark protection for the product shapes and containers should not be confused with the safeguards afforded by design […]
Foreward by Andrew Chilvers When the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive was introduced into law by the UK and EU in January 2020, for many professionals it was a much needed addition to legislation that would significantly help business transparency and combat money laundering. In essence, it was good for business and for public and professional […]
Vietnam’s growing economy, increasing population, and rapid urbanization have increased pressure on its natural resources. The country’s enormous coastline makes it vulnerable to the effects of climate change and rising sea levels. Thus, its government has realized the need to transition towards making its urban development smarter and more sustainable. Sustainable construction As per the Vietnam […]
Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has estimated that in 2020 average disbursement rates for public investment exceeded 90 percent. This compares to 67 percent in 2019 and 66 percent in 2018. The 2020 target for public investment was set at US$27 billion. Over the next four years, Vietnam has set a public investment budget of US$119 billion. […]
Good news! Business taxpayers may still be able to take actions to lower their federal income tax liabilities for 2020, as well as for future years. Consider these ideas before you file last year’s return. Claim 100% First-Year Bonus Depreciation — Or Maybe Not For qualifying assets placed in service in 2020, business taxpayers can deduct […]
Despite the negative socio-economic consequences of COVID-19, Vietnam is one of the few countries that recorded positive economic growth in 2020. As per the General Statistics Office (GSO) Vietnam’s GDP increased by 2.91 percent in 2020. This reflects two key factors: the relative success in containing the health and business risks of the pandemic, and the ability of […]
Goodbye, 2020. Hello, tax season. Individual taxpayers have until April 15, 2021, to pay Uncle Sam for taxes owed for 2020. (Remember, you can extend the deadline for filing your return until October 15, but you can’t extend the deadline for paying what you owe without penalty.) Unfortunately, many people are struggling to make ends meet […]