BW INSIGHTS

Wind Farm  Assessments for Repowers Have Changed

During the most recent legislative session, the Iowa legislature passed a new law affecting the assessment of wind turbines that could have a big impact on operators planning to repower their turbines. If the county adopts the special wind farm assessment ordinance, the wind turbines are each assessed based upon the value of the turbines,... Read More

Fourth Circuit Rules Gender Dysphoria is Covered by the ADA

On August 16, 2022, a federal circuit court ruled that the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers gender dysphoria. The case, Williams v. Kincaid, was not an employment case – but it will most likely have significant implications in the employment context (as well as other cases involving government services and public accommodations), as the... Read More

Employee Retention During the Great Resignation

In late 2020 and early 2021, employees began voluntarily exiting their jobs at unprecedented numbers in what has been coined “The Great Resignation,” “The Big Quit,” and “The Great Reshuffle.” In 2021, a record average of 4 million workers quit their job each month, surpassing the 3.5 million record set in 2019. This phenomenon has left employers... Read More

What Questions Should I Ask Before Dry Leasing an Aircraft?

I am contacted routinely by individuals that are interested in dry leasing an aircraft for either business or personal use (or both). These individuals have made the decision that they are willing to accept the risks of a dry lease of an aircraft (as opposed to a charter), which includes the party leasing the jet (the “dry lessee”) assuming full... Read More

Considerations for Selling to an ESOP

An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan that allows employees to share in the ownership of the company they work for. The shares are held in a trust, established by the company, for the benefit of participating employees. Generally, a company forms an ESOP which then purchases stock from the existing owner(s) at fair... Read More

Changes to Federal Tax Provisions– Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

In a somewhat surprising turn of events over the last few weeks, on Sunday, August 7th, the Senate passed as part of the budget reconciliation process the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (H.R. 5376) (the Act). As expected, the House proceeded to pass the Act on Friday, August 12th, thereby sending it to President Biden for his signature, which he... Read More

IRS Issues Revised Revenue Procedure for Late Portability Elections

On July 8, 2022, the IRS issued a revised Revenue Procedure, Rev. Proc. 2022-32, providing for a late portability election to qualifying estates. The new procedure extends the time period in which the simplified method to make a late portability election can be filed. Rev. Proc. 2022-32 allows the simplified method to be used on or before the... Read More

Addressing Burnout in the Workplace

Workplace burnout has become a significant concern in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the working world’s expectations on how to prevent and address workplace burnout. The flexibility of working from home and employees reassessing their idea of a work-life balance has left employers that are unwilling to adapt, in the dust. The... Read More

Estate Planning With Pets

Who will care for your pet after you die? Can you appoint a guardian for your pet? Who will pay for your pet’s care? If you have a pet, these are questions you may have thought about. Fortunately, you can develop a plan for your pets in your estate plan. In Iowa, pets are treated as property under the law. This means that you cannot leave money... Read More