The IRS has announced the 2013 cost-of-living adjustments for retirement plan related limitations, and almost all of the most watched figures have increased from 2012.  The 401(k) deferral limitation has increased from $17,000 to $17,500 (the additional catch-up contribution limit for those over 50 remains at $5,500), the annual defined contribution plan maximum limit has increased from [...]

The new Michigan Corporate Income Tax (CIT), which replaced the previous Michigan Business Tax (which replaced the Michigan Single Business Tax) was applauded by the business community in Michigan as drastically simplifying the corporate tax system.  The CIT taxes C corporations at a rate of 6%, while federal pass-through entities (LLCs, S corporations, etc.) are [...]

9.15.12 Parmenter O’Toole is proud to announce that John C. Schrier has been selected for inclusion in the 2012 Michigan Super Lawyers list in the practice area of Public Sector Government/Cities/Municipalities. Only five percent of Michigan attorneys are chosen each year. Super Lawyers selects attorneys based on three distinct phases. The first step includes a [...]

The issue of classifying an individual worker asan “employee” or an “independent contractor” is an important one in many contexts.  In the context of unemployment insurance, this distinction determines whether an individual is entitled to unemployment insurance and whether an employer is responsible for paying into that fund. The test used to make that classification [...]

Are You an Employee or Independent Contractor? The issue of classifying an individual worker as an “employee” or an “independent contractor” is an important one in many contexts.  In the context of unemployment insurance, this distinction determines whether an individual is entitled to unemployment insurance and whether an employer is responsible for paying into that [...]

Your website most likely has pictures and possibly video on it as part of the design or to help in the sale of products.  The use of these items is necessary to show your customers what the product looks like or the product’s functions.  However, all too often the source of the pictures or video [...]

On June 21, 2011, Governor Rick Snyder signed into law House Bill 4231, partially overturning a longstanding public policy and giving parents the ability to release a party from liability if his or her child is injured during a recreational activity.  The new law allows a parent, before their child participates in a recreational activity, [...]

In Hall v. Stark Reagan, P.C. et al. 2011 Mich. App. LEXIS 1560, decided September 13, 2011, the Michigan Court of Appeals has clarified that employers in Michigan may be liable for claims of discrimination under the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) even against non-employees, so long as a plaintiff establishes that the employer [...]

The Municipal Legal Briefs, a publication of the Michigan Municipal League, recently published an article written by Parmenter O’Toole attorney John Schrier, with assistance of summer clerk Colleen Healy, concerning a municipality’s ability to indemnify another party.  The article, “Municipal Indemnification:  The Evolving Case Law,” outlines how the courts have expanded a municipality’s legal ability [...]

The No. 1 question we hear from people who need to obtain Medicaid assistance in order for their spouse to stay in a nursing home is: How can we preserve some of our life savings and still pay for the nursing home?  Most people do not know that Michigan Law allows a married couple to [...]