Focus on S Corporations, Part 3: Tax Implications and Special Considerations in S Corp Acquisitions
Acquiring a business can be a strategic move to grow, diversify, or compete in the market. Acquisition also involves significant tax implications that can affect the value and structure of the deal. Therefore, it is crucial for buyers and sellers to understand the tax consequences of different types of acquisitions and plan accordingly. In Part 3 of PilieroMazza’s blog series “Focus on S Corporations,” we highlight key elements of an S Corp acquisition that buyers and sellers should address to . . . Read More
Federal Judge Orders Minority Business Development Agency to Serve All Business Owners Regardless of Race
On March 5, 2024, a federal judge ordered the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to immediately stop considering a business owner’s race or ethnicity in determining whether an applicant may receive business-related benefits and services from MBDA Business Centers nationwide, including assistance with accessing capital and pursuing government contracting opportunities. [1] Judge Mark T. Pittman, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas, ruled that MBDA’s use of the presumption that certain individuals—including African Americans, Latinos, American . . . Read More
Decoding the 2024 NDAA: Implications for Defense Contractors Small and Large
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), signed into law on December 22, 2023, signals significant changes across the defense acquisition and contracting landscape. These changes are poised to reshape how the Department of Defense (DOD) engages with contractors, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and fairness. PilieroMazza examines key themes and provisions in the NDAA that DOD government contractors (small and large) should know to take advantage of contract opportunities and maintain compliance requirements. Background The NDAA is annual . . . Read More
Focus on S Corporations, Part 2: Inadvertent Termination of S Corporation Elections
The IRS recently provided guidance addressing inadvertent terminations of S Corporation (S Corp) status based on existing provisions in corporate documents that remain after a company makes an S Corp election. This can be a complex legal task that aims to harmonize documents for clarity and consistency in their interpretation and application. In this Part 2 of the blog series “Focus on S Corporations,” PilieroMazza offers guidance to businesses on how to make corrections after an S Corp election to . . . Read More
Focus on S Corporations, Part 1: Choosing the Right Entity to Meet Your Small Business Goals
Most business owners understand the need to create an entity to operate their business. However, beyond general knowledge, many owners are unsure of when is the right time to create an entity and which type of entity makes sense for their business goals. These choices are complex and vary for each type of business. This is the first in a series of blogs focused on S Corporations (S Corps) where attorneys in PilieroMazza ’s Corporate & Organizational Governance Team explore different S Corp entity types, their . . . Read More
Settlements and Judgments from FCA and Fraud Matters Top $2.68 Billion in 2023
On February 22, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released its annual statistical report (Annual Report) regarding settlements and judgments obtained in the False Claims Act (FCA) and fraud matters for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. Over the course of the fiscal year, which ended on September 30, 2023, the government recouped $2,689,447,914, a 20% increase compared to FY 2022 but well below the average annual recoveries over the last 15 years (approximately $3.6 Billion). Below are key takeaways from the Annual Report and . . . Read More
The Corporate Transparency Act: Updates, Requirements, and Enforcement for Small Businesses
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) has been a hot topic for small business owners since its inception. As we approach its effective date on January 1, 2024, it’s crucial to understand CTA’s implications for small businesses. Below, attorneys in PilieroMazza ’s Business & Transactions Group offer guidance to small business owners and their senior officers on CTA compliance and potential criminal and monetary penalties for failure to report information required by the CTA. PilieroMazza attorneys will also present “Understanding the Corporate Transparency Act: Implications and . . . Read More
Turning $1.6 Million Into $53 Million: Key Takeaways from Eyebrow-Raising FCA Ruling
On January 20, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered a judgment in the amount of $1,679,450.16 in favor of the U.S. (the government ) in a False Claims Act (FCA) litigation against Gen Digital, Inc. (formerly known as Symantec Corporation and NortonLifeLock Inc.). Although any adverse judgment in an FCA matter might be seen as a disappointment, the government requested a total judgment in the case of over $1 Billion. Accordingly, the defendants could treat . . . Read More
Rule of Two Changes: OMB Memo Aims to Make Rule of Two Apply to Task and Delivery Orders and SBA’s Proposed Rules, Coming Soon, Will Shape the Future Procurement Landscape
On January 25, 2024, the White House Office of Management and Budget issued a memo, Increasing Small Business Participation on Multiple-Award Contracts, calling for executive agencies to apply the FAR’s Rule of Two to task and delivery orders competed under multiple-award contracts. Contractors should take note that this change has the potential to significantly increase the number of small business set-asides, and in turn, it could mean millions more dollars in contract opportunities for small businesses. In this blog, we . . . Read More
New Wave of Pay Transparency Requirements Affects Employers and Federal Contractors
A growing patchwork of state pay transparency laws is placing additional requirements on employers’ hiring practices. As of the date of this blog, five states, as well as the District of Columbia, enacted pay transparency laws requiring employers to disclose salary ranges in job postings, among other things. Furthermore, these general obligations will soon apply to certain federal contractors. On January 30, 2024, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (the FAR Council) issued a proposed rule requiring federal contractors to disclose . . . Read More