Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Oct 9, 2020 | October - November 2020, Wisdoms
You may be tempted to treat a caregiver as a “private contractor” in order to avoid the humbug of tax withholding and buying the right insurance policies. You would do so at your peril. The IRS and the state will take the position that the caregiver is an employee, that you are an employer and that all of the legal obligations that attach to those labels apply to your situation.
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Sep 27, 2018 | October - November 2018, Wisdoms
When hiring a caregiver, you may be tempted to try to make the process as simple as possible by treating the caregiver as a “private contractor.” You tell the person “I will pay you so much an hour, and you deal with the IRS and the State when it comes time to pay taxes.” After all, taking on the responsibilities of withholding taxes (and then paying the taxing authorities), buying Workers’ Compensation insurance, paying Social Security and Medicare tax, and all the rest, can be a real pain. However, the IRS and the State will take the position that the caregiver is an “employee,” that you are an “employer,” and that all the legal obligations that attach to those labels are applicable to your situation.
Scott Spallina, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney | Oct 1, 2015 | Articles, October - November 2015, Wisdoms
With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart. Earlier this year...
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Apr 1, 2013 | April - May 2013, Articles, Wisdoms
Charitable giving can be complicated, especially when it moves beyond cash or writing a check. A recent Forbes article provides some advice you may not have considered. The article is titled “Five Ways To Be Charitable Even If You Aren’t Bill Gates.” Take heart in...
Jane Burigsay, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Hawai‘i | Dec 1, 2012 | Articles, December - January 2013, Programs & Services
If you need to change your name due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason, you will want to report the change to Social Security. There are several reasons to report the change. One, is that the IRS and Social Security match computer records. If your name on your...
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Feb 1, 2012 | Articles, February - March 2012, Wisdoms
This year, many of us will be focusing on two things - the shrinking federal estate and gift tax “coupon” and the radical jump in transfer tax rates. The “coupon” is the amount that the Internal Revenue Code allows you to give away without having to pay gift taxes...
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Oct 1, 2011 | Articles, October - November 2011, Wisdoms
You have spent a lifetime of earning, saving and investing — and paying income and capital gains taxes all the way along. So you may wonder why our government feels entitled to tax the value of everything that’s left when you die. The sad fact is, however, that...
Scott A. Makuakane, Counselor at Law, Est8Planning Counsel LLLC | Jun 1, 2011 | Articles, June - July 2011, Wisdoms
If you are hiring a caregiver for yourself or another loved one, you may be tempted to try to make the process as simple as possible by treating the caregiver as a “private contractor.” You tell the person, “I will pay you so much an hour, and you deal with the IRS...
