February 2012

The Rise of the Non-Traded REITs

The past few years have seen an accelerating number of registration statements being filed for nonexchange-traded real estate investment trusts, or “non-traded REITs.” Just what are non-traded REITs and how do they differ from listed REITs? Read more...

Green Leasing: Top 10 Tips

Landlords and tenants are beginning to realize there are significant benefits from going green. For landlords,  these include savings in operational and maintenance costs, increases in tenant retention rates and a general competitive advantage in today’s challenging real estate market. For any real estate occupier, leasing space in a green building is one aspect of a comprehensive sustainability program designed to reduce energy and resource consumption, carbon emissions and waste. However, the greening of buildings raises unique issues between landlords and their current and future tenants. Read more...

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit: An Employer-Friendly Benefit for Hiring Veterans Most in Need of Employment

Does your company hire veterans? The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) could save you a lot of tax dollars. In this article, we have summarized the filing requirements related to the WOTC credit. Any employer that may hire veterans in targeted groups may qualify for the credit. Read more...

Horse Breeding: Expenses Not Deductible

The U.S. Tax Court ruled that the petitioner was not entitled to deduct various expenses incurred in connection with horse breeding activities even though he acted in good faith, took reasonable efforts to assess his proper tax liability and relied upon his tax advisor. Accordingly, he was not liable under Code Section 6662(a) for penalties. Van Wickler v. C.I.R., T.C. Memo. 2011-196, T.C.M. (RIA) P 2011-196 (2011). Read more...

Leases: Damage and Destruction Clause

Violent storms, floods and tornadoes in recent months caused widespread damage and destruction to buildings around the nation. It is likely that many lessees read – perhaps for the first time – the damage-and destruction (D&D) clause in their leases. Because it is not a “money” clause and deals with a contingency that is often not anticipated, the D&D clause simply may be copied from a standard form (or more likely) be part of the lessor’s printed form. This could turn out to be a serious mistake if the clause fails to reflect the particular circumstances of the parties. Read more...

Fair Housing: Disparate Impact Case Reinstated

A decade-long battle over the redevelopment of a low income neighborhood in Mt. Holly, N.J. will continue now that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a dismissal on summary judgment of the residents’ Fair Housing Act lawsuit: Mt. Holly Gardens Citizens in Action, Inc. v. Township of Mt. Holly, 2011 WL 4035780 (3d. Cir. 2011). Read more...

Somerset Real Estate Team News

Farm Tax Strategies Seminars. At the end of 2012, significant tax benefits are set to expire. There are unprecedented income, estate and inheritance tax planning opportunities that every land owner should understand. Pat Early, Michael Fritton, Dan Dickerson and Larry Dykes are presenting this seminar on several dates at various locations. Read more...

Complimentary Webinar - Permanent vs. Temporary Labor Impact on Bottom Line and Human Resource Strategies. On Thursday, February 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (ET), Ryan Ellis of Professional Labor Support will discuss how the decision to utilize permanent vs. temporary labor impacts your bottom line. Howard Cox and Ken Hedlund of Somerset will present HR strategies that identify common organization "HR sins" and how to avoid and remediate them. Simply This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Tuesday, February 14, and we will send the webinar instructions to you. There is no fee to participate.

The Indiana Construction Networking Event of the Year. On Thursday, February 23, Somerset will be exhibiting at this annual event held at the Indiana Convention Center. If you are attending, please stop by the Somerset booth. Event details and registration...

2012 Livestock Forage & Grain Forum. Somerset will be exhibiting at this event being held at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis on Monday, February 27. If you are attending, please stop by the Somerset booth. Event details and registration...

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