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Are Scholarships Tax-Free?


“I’m delighted to announce that your child has been awarded a scholarship.”  Music to your ears! Now some reality: Scholarships (and fellowships) are generally tax-free, whether for elementary or high school students, for college or graduate students, or for students at accredited vocational schools. It makes no difference whether the scholarship takes the form of

Massachusetts Child Labor Laws: Is Your Company in Compliance?


Two prominent franchises were recently found in violation of the child labor laws by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Burger King was found to have more than 800 child labor violations at stores across the state. Among the violations uncovered were minors working shifts that exceeded the total maximum daily hours allowed or shifts that

How To Prevent Elder Financial Abuse


Massachusetts General Laws define financial exploitation as the substantial monetary or property loss of an elderly person due to an act or omission of another person.  Financial exploitation occurs in the form of internet (or darknet) scams, forging signatures on checks, the illicit use of credit cards and the misuse of a power of attorney. 

Private Medical Insurance Liens Against Your Personal Injury Settlement


You may be surprised to learn that your health insurance provider has the right to assert a lien for the repayment of benefits paid on your behalf with regard to your personal injury case. This is what’s called demand for subrogation.   Subrogation is premised upon the concept that a person should not have their medical

SBA Small Business Loans in a Nutshell


Many business owners have heard the term “SBA”, particularly in relation to SBA loans, but are unsure of exactly what the SBA is, how it can help small businesses owners and the types of loan programs that the SBA offers. This article will provide an overview of the SBA, an explanation of typical SBA loans,

Minimize the Pain of Capital Gain


Many people are vaguely aware that if they sell their primary residence they will get some sort of tax break, however many are not sure what the tax break is, how it is calculated or when it applies.  Given the frequent changes to the rules regarding the taxation of capital gain, particularly in regard to

Massachusetts Private Employees are Not Entitled to Paid Vacation Time, But If It Is A Benefit Offered By An Employer, Accrued Unused Time Must Be Paid Out Upon Separation


Although Massachusetts private employers are not required to grant vacation time to their employees, many do as benefit to employment. When an employer decides to offer paid vacation time they must be aware that the vacation time accrued or earned under an oral or written agreement with the employee is treated the same as an