Misclassification of employees is a hot enforcement topic for the IRS. Determining whether a worker should be classified as an independent contractor or an employee is not always clear. The IRS has 20 factors that they consider when determining whether one is an employee or an independent contractor. The factors focus on the ability of [...]
In a move that will likely help employers, the Michigan Legislature recently amended the youth employment law, MCL 409.111. The amendment clarifies the number of hours that minors between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, who are also enrolled in school, may work. The law now states that minors between those ages may work no [...]
One of the existing rules under HARP is about to get a major rewrite during 2012. Currently homeowners whose loans are owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac can refinance their underwater home if the loan to value (LTV) is less than 125% of the appraised value. During 2012 as the major changes to this [...]
The Michigan Supreme Court this afternoon issued a short (two page) Order that reversed the Court of Appeals opinion in Residential Funding Co. v Saurman, which I discussed previously. The Saurman opinion in the Court of Appeals had ruled that Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”) could not foreclose by advertisement in the State of [...]
Demorest Law Firm, PLLC, welcomes Michael K. Hayes as an associate attorney. Michael originally joined the firm in 2010 as a law clerk and was recently made an associate after being admitted to practice in both Michigan and Wisconsin. Michael graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in [...]
In zoning parlance, a non-conforming use is a property use that would violate the current zoning regulations, but which existed before the current zoning regulations were in place. One might also say that the existing use of the property is “grandfathered.” In order to be recognized as a non-conforming use, the property owner must show [...]
Mark Demorest, John Holmquist, and Dave Nykanen from Demorest Law Firm, PLLC were recently named “Michigan Super Lawyers” for 2011. Melissa Demorest has been named a “Rising Star”. The selection of “Super Lawyers” is based on a survey of thousands of fellow lawyers in the state of Michigan. Michigan Super Lawyers identifies the top 5 [...]
Unless you operate on a cash basis, a common problem is getting paid within a reasonable time. Many reports by credit organizations confirm not only that the problem is widespread, but it seems to get worse every year and bad debts are the number one reason businesses fail! While many small business owners gauge their [...]
The Michigan State Tax Commission has, by way of Bulletin 14 of 2011, issued notification of the 2012 inflation rate multiplier, to be used for calculating 2012 taxable values. The multiplier is 1.027, or a 2.7% increase. Therefore, pursuant to Michigan statute enacting Proposal A of 1994, the 2012 taxable value for your property, absent [...]
The IRS just recently issued some revised tax numbers for 2012. Here are a few highlights: Standard Deduction: $11,900 for married couples filing a joint return. Personal Exemption: $3,800 Annual Gift Exclusion: $13,000 The full list of adjusted numbers can be found in IRS Revenue Procedure 2011-52 or copy the following link from the IRS [...]
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