BW INSIGHTS

End of LIBOR is Here

The London Interbank Offering Rate (commonly known as LIBOR) has been a key benchmark for setting the interest rates charged on adjustable rate loans, mortgages and corporate debt for the last 40 years. Due to concerns that the benchmark was being manipulated, LIBOR has been phased out over the last few years. Effective June 30, 2023, the... Read More

Iowa Workforce Development Expands Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Governor Reynolds continues to work towards creating new and expanding current opportunities for apprenticeships throughout the state. At the beginning of the 2023 Legislative Session, Governor Reynolds gave her Condition of the State address where she announced new funding that would be focused on growing Iowa’s Registered Apprenticeship (RA)... Read More

New Iowa Law Establishes Optional Workaround for Pass-through Businesses to the $10K Federal SALT Limitation

Late last week, Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 352, which establishes an IRS-approved workaround to the federal limitation of deducting only up to $10,000 of state and local tax (SALT) for individuals who itemize their deductions effective retroactively to January 1, 2022. Under this new law, which will remain in effect for the duration... Read More

How Business Entities Held In Trusts are Treated Under the Corporate Transparency Act

The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) is a new law coming into effect January 1, 2024, that implements reporting requirements for limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, and other business entities that have never had to report such information previously. BrownWinick attorney Brennan Block outlines the main components of the CTA in... Read More

The Corporate Transparency Act is Here: What You Need to Know

Much to the dismay of many corporate/transactional law practitioners like me, the burdensome business entity reporting requirements of the recently enacted Corporate Transparency Act (the “CTA”) are here, and it would appear they are here to stay. Under the CTA, which became effective as of January 1, 2024, most business owners will face... Read More

How Your M&A Escrow Can Go Wrong

In the world of M&A transactions, there is always a large debate between buyer and seller on proper security for certain liabilities that the buyer may experience after the closing. A solution very commonly used is to place a certain percentage of the purchase price into escrow with an escrow agent, such as a bank, to hold the money post-closing... Read More

International Investment Considerations: CFIUS

When a foreign party is involved in the potential acquisition of or investment in a U.S. business, they are doing much more than just investing in the U.S. Transactions in which a foreign party is involved, may also bring along CIFUS compliance considerations. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) is a federal... Read More

Annual Minutes - Are They Worth It? YES.

As we head into the end of the year, you are likely being bombarded with reminders of house-cleaning items you should address before the calendar turns over. Reviewing your insurance coverage, evaluating your healthcare options for next year, reviewing your retirement accounts, and scheduling time with your tax preparer are all important, and... Read More

New FinCEN BOI Reporting Rule Requires Ownership and Control Disclosures that Previously Allowed for Complete Anonymity in Entity Formation

On September 30, 2022, the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a final rule (the “Rule”) implementing the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The purpose of the rule is to assist FinCEN and other agencies in protecting national security and enhancing... Read More