Minneapolis Business Lawyer

Law makers are proposing a new tax law for businesses that would change the way certain items are listed for tax purposes.  The bill proposes to remove cell phones and other forms of telecommunications from being “listed property.”Listed property is an piece of equipment used for business that could also be used for personal tasks.  This provision would make it extremely difficult to account for cell phones on the tax return.  In order to depreciate the value of cell phones and other forms of telecommunications, business owners must have detailed information documented for each call.  These include the cost for each call, the time and place of each call, the purpose for each call, and the specific number tha was called. Business advocates believe that the new law is a bit extraneous and does nothing constructive to help businesses do business better.  For companies who give their employees cell phones, they currently are allowed to document the item as income for the employee, however this might also change as new laws are put into place.Business law can be extremely complicated and excessively energy costive.  Sometimes it is simply easier to hire the expert help of an experienced Business law attorney.  If you would like to explore options for your business, call the Minneapolis business law attorneys of the Skjold-Barthel law firm at 612.746.2560. 

Microsoft has annouced that is will sell its Greenfield online Internet survey business to ZM Capital.

The company plans to acquire the consumer shopping site while at the same time hand off the survey business to ZM Capital.  This event should have some time in the 4th quarter.   There aren’t any contingencies expected on this deal. 

The survey business collects information, organizes data and sells it  to market research firms. The reason Microsoft has decided to sell of this part of their business is because it does not fit into their current plan for Live Search.

The deal is worth $500 million dollars and Microsoft hopes that the outcome will be beneficial for all invested parties.  

Sometimes business dealings require the  experienced aid of a business law firm.  If you are planning a large business transaction, contact the Minneapolis business law attorneys by calling 612.746.2560.

Renovo Holdings Company has announced that they will enter into the beverage industry.  This appears to be an exciting move for the company as they have outlined specific goals for future.

The president of the company stated that the business intends to become a dynamic beverage company with product targeting specific Latin American markets and demographics in the United States.  This will in theory increase the company’s size and scope, while also help the organization focus on strengthening customer satisfaction and building relationships. 

More details on the situation will be released over time, as the company is still in the developing stages of implementing the new plan. 

Business transactions can be extremely complicated.  Planning the transactions is an extremely important process.  If you would like to explore your options for business law, call the Minneapolis business law attorneys of the Skjold-Barthel law firm 612.746.2560. 

A class action lawsuit was settled against International Creative Management (ICM) yesterday for $4.5 million dollars over age discrimination. This is the first of 23 class action suits against major TV network and production studios to settle. The remaining suits involve companies such as ABC, CBS, Disney, Fox NBC Universal, Columbia, and Warner Brothers.

The suit named 150 writers that were aged 40 and older by October 22, 1996 were subject to age discrimination as studios refused to hire them. The case alleges it was a systematic failure to hire.

If you business is in need of legal counsel, contact the Minneapolis business lawyers of Skjold  & Barthel by dialing 612-746-2560 today.

UBS, the Swiss banking giant, made an agreement to settle charges that made against them from investor who bought auction-rate securities.  Investors believed that they were misled by UBS investment advisors who claimed that auction-rate securities were safe, cash-equivalent accounts.

The scandal is on-going involving many of the major financial firms from all over the country.  The company has agreed to pay $150 million in fines.  Citigroup, among some of the other banks involved, agreed to pay back $7 billion to investors and close to $100 million in penalties and fees.

Sometimes business matter can become extremely complicated.  Large settlement cases involve many parts that can be very confusing, worse yet overwhelming.  Employing an experienced business attorney to mitigate the process is the very important.  If you have a very important business matter and you would like to explore your options, call the Minneapolis business law attorneys of Skjold-Barthel at 612.746.2560.