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One of the most unsettling things that can happen to any business is to find itself the subject of an IRS audit. You're sorting your mail, and you stop when you see an envelope containing the tell-tale signs that it is a letter from the IRS. With shaking hands, you open the envelope only to find a notice that your business' tax return for a recent year is under examination by the IRS. Yikes! Your day just went from sunny to rain. What's the first thing you should do when you get that dreaded IRS audit notice? Listen to this episode of Business is More Exciting Than Any Game to get some helpful tips on what your next steps should be.

It is imperative that small businesses are both careful and thorough in their tax analysis before they classify their workers as either employees or independent contractors. Because the stakes are exceedingly high, and the IRS is aggressive and proactive when it comes to worker misclassification audits of small businesses. So, today, Einstein's Theory of Taxability focuses on just what steps all small businesses should take to ensure they've done their due diligence in properly classifying their workers--on the front end, before a problem arises. But if a problem does arise, and the IRS comes calling, there may be hope if the business can qualify for what is called "Section 530" relief. The specific requirements for Section 530 eligibility are discussed. If you've enjoyed the podcast, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. You can learn more about DPS Legal Counsel at its website: https://dpslegalcounsel.com Again, thanks for listening!

Taxpayers who seek to claim deductions for ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred in carrying on a trade or business or for the production or collection of income or for the management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for the production of income must show a profit motive. Without a profit motive behind the activity, in general, a taxpayer is barred from claiming deductions for activities not engaged in for profit under Section 183(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The big issue is whether an activity is a trade or business (or one for investment) or is rather merely a hobby. A recent Tax Court case illustrates the difference between a profit motive and a hobby.  

The USPTO's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board issued a decision recently in a case involving a trademark application for the word mark "Purple Rain" in connection with an energy drink, filed by a company unrelated to the late performer, Prince. Prince's estate filed an opposition to the trademark based on the proposed trademark creating a false suggestion of a connection to Prince. In a fascinating decision, the TTAB agreed with Prince's estate and so the opposition to the proposed trademark registration was successful. Today's episode of Business is More Exciting than any Game discusses what business entrepreneurs can learn from this decision.

LLCs are probably the most popular choice for a business entity for small businesses to operate in the U.S. Many LLCs only have a single member, but many more have multiple members. One of the inevitable events in life is death. So, what happens to an LLC when one of the members dies? There are consequences to the LLC itself, to the other members, and the family of the deceased member. This podcast discusses the importance of taking the inevitability of death into account at the beginning of an LLC.

Business deals and transactions often start with what is known as a "letter of intent." Other names for this foundational business document is a "memorandum of understanding" or a "term sheet." But what is a letter of intent really? And more importantly, is it a binding contract? Listen to today's episode of Business is More Exciting Than Any Game to learn more.