The straight line

In recent years, the IRS has offered “green” tax credits to individuals who purchase qualifying residential energy-efficient equipment and certain electric vehicles. Some of these breaks expired at the end of 2016. But others are still ripe for the taking in 2017 and beyond. Here’s what you need to know to take advantage. Residential Solar Energy...

It may seem ironic that companies encourage innovation and brilliance while employees are on the payroll, but pull the plug on that ambition if they dare to leave. But non-compete agreements attempt to do just that to control damage. Whether signed when staff members come on board, or as part of a ream of paper presented...

If an employee accuses your company of discrimination and takes you to court, the ensuing battle could take years and cost thousands of dollars. When it’s all over, neither side may have much to show for it. That’s why it’s a good idea to ask employees to agree in advance to binding arbitration if such a...

It’s already starting to feel like summer in many parts of the country. But the forecast for Washington remains unclear as officials continue to discuss various tax-related issues. No matter what happens in Washington, don’t get stuck in a holding pattern yourself. Give some attention to business and personal tax planning this summer. Here are 10...

Even the most efficiently run business occasionally encounters some delinquent accounts – those bills that aren’t paid on time. As a result, you may face the unpleasant task of trying to collect on past-due accounts. Your company probably has its own internal debt collection process, but when additional help is needed, you may need to turn...

Today’s labor market gives workers more opportunity to move from one company to another looking for increased job satisfaction. As a result, many companies are scrambling to find benefits to keep their employees satisfied. The cost of replacing an employee is high — estimated at 25 to 50 percent of the person’s annual salary. Balance the...