Category Archives: Business Law
Legal Alert: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act
Last year, we informed our readers and clients that small employers and churches that engaged in the popular practice of offering reimbursements for healthcare costs would face a steep penalty for doing so. These are employers that fall below the large employer threshold of 50 employees and therefore are not required to offer health… Read More »
Immigration Changes for Nonprofits and Churches
1. Form I-9 Changes in January 2017 Recently the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a new version of its Form I-9, the Employment Eligibility Verification form and required U.S. employers to begin using the new Form I-9 by January 22, 2017. Currently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conduct thousands of I-9… Read More »
Nonprofit and Church Alert: Court Stalls New FLSA Rule
On November 22, 2016, a federal court enjoined the new FLSA salary rule that was scheduled to take effect December 1, 2016. That start date is postponed indefinitely pending further action of the Courts, Executive branch or Congress or all three. Judge Mazzant of the Eastern District of Texas granted an Emergency Motion for… Read More »
New Fair Labor Standards Act Changes to Take Effect December 1, 2016
The Department of Labor recently issued significant and sweeping salary threshold changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) through its Final Rule, published on May 18, 2016. The Rule is set to go into effect on December 1, 2016. These changes are the result of a Presidential Memorandum issued by President Obama in… Read More »
Radical Changes Coming to Salary & Overtime Regulations in 2016
By July 2016, the Department of Labor is slated to release new regulations that will raise the minimum salary requirement for exempt employees. Currently, in order to be exempt from the overtime requirements of the FLSA, an employee must earn a minimum salary of $23,660 and have specific job responsibilities. Under the proposed rules,… Read More »
Excise Tax Goes Into Effect for Small Employers on June 30, 2015
It was common practice for small churches and nonprofits to allow their employees to purchase insurance on their own, then seek reimbursement for the cost of the premiums from the church or nonprofit. This arrangement had been considered a non-taxable fringe benefit for many years and was a favorable arrangement for all the parties… Read More »
The Affordable Care Act’s Employer Mandate & How It Impacts Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Over the past two years, a recurring theme in legal news has been the current Administration’s changes to, interpretations of, and delays in implementing President Obama’s flagship Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) otherwise known as “Obamacare.” This law has wide-reaching implications for many industries across the United States and impacts each individual American’s private life. Two of… Read More »
“Top Ten Legal Hotspots” for Lawyers Serving on Boards for Churches and Non-Profits
If you are “THE lawyer” on a church or non-profit Board of Directors, then you’re familiar with the unwarranted expectation that, despite your actual area of legal expertise, all potential legal liabilities are now covered by your presence. However, you also know that this is tantamount to expecting that a talented orthopedic surgeon can… Read More »
Going Deeper: Does FLSA Apply to My Church or Nonprofit?
Generally, all employers are subject to the minimum wage requirements and overtime pay requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) if they meet interstate commerce requirements either corporately or individually. Thankfully, non-profits and churches enjoy some special exemptions under FLSA, some of which may help exempt many churches and religious nonprofits. There is… Read More »
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Hiring and Firing
In our tight economy, hearing “You got the job!” may be one of the most thrilling moments a person can have, while hearing “You’re fired!” may consequently be one of the scariest moments. As an employer, you hold in your hand the fate of your employees and the fate of dozens of well-qualified potential… Read More »
