Alerts Archive

The Wealth Transfer team released a Wealth Transfer alert on December 22, 2010 regarding President Obama signing into law the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the "2010 Bill").

The MVA Global Immigration team released an Immigration alert entitled, "New H-1B visas still available, but for how long?" on December 16, 2010.

MVA's Global Immigration Team released an Immigration Update on 11/18 entitled, " CIS Announces Important Changes to Form I-129."

In this edition of our Newsletter, we reflect on various matters including - current developments in tax and estate planning, transfers to GST exempt trusts in 2010, and planning opportunities in a favorable interest rate environment.

On Nov. 5th, MVA's Global Immigration Team released an Immigration Update entitled "New USCIS Fees Take Effect on Nov. 23, 2010."

The Taxation Team has released its inaugural state and local tax ("SALT") newsletter. This newsletter highlights recent developments in North Carolina and South Carolina tax law.

MVA's Global Immigration team released an Immigration Update entitled "FY-2011 H-1B Cap Still Available - CAP NOT REACHED YET" on 7/19/2010.

Moore & Van Allen's Global Immigration Team released an Immigration Update entitled "E-Verify Redesign Requires New Tutorial Completion to Continue Program Use."

In this edition of our Newsletter, we reflect on various matters including - Roth IRA conversion, legislation updates, and gifts and GRATs.

MVA's Global Immigration Team released an Immigration Update entitled "USCIS still accepting cap-subject H-1B filings."

The Global Immigration Team released its newest Immigration alert entitled "April 1st Filing Window for New H-1B visas is Quickly Approaching" on February 17th.

In this edition of our Newsletter, we reflect on various matters including- the latest on Estate Tax Legislation and planning opportunities with IRAs.

On December 22, 2009, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had received a sufficient number of H-IB petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2010.

Yesterday, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) reported that as of October 25, 2009, it had received approximately 52,800 petitions against the 58,200 H-1B standard cap numbers available.

In this edition of our Newsletter, we reflect on various matters including: pending legislation, important income tax considerations, and the continued viability GRATs.

The Treasury Secretary and the Internal Revenue Service announced the establishment of the qualifying advanced energy project program to implement the new investment credit under Section 48C of the Internal Revenue Code.

FTC Again Postpones Red Flags Rules Enforcement

The Treasury Department and the Department of Energy announced that they are now accepting applications for grants in lieu of production tax credits (“PTCs”) and investment credits for specified energy properties.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is launching a new audit initiative by issuing Notices of Inspection (NOIs) to 652 businesses nationwide – which is more than ICE issued throughout all of last fiscal year.

USCIS announced today that effective June 29, 2009, it will resume Premium Processing Service for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(f)(2).

On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the land and sea requirements of The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

Effective as of May 15, 2009, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will fully implement a new portal system, called iCERT, for the submission of the new ETA Form 9035E - Labor Condition Application (LCA).

President Obama has signed one of the most significant pieces of legislation to have been passed by Congress, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Stimulus Act”). In this edition of the Newsletter, we will highlight for you portions of the Stimulus Act that we believe would be most relevant to the wealth transfer planning area.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today (April 8, 2009) that it continues to accept H-1B nonimmigrant visa petitions subject to the fiscal year 2010 (FY 2010) cap.

As of April 3, 2009 a new Form I-9 is required. The new form and handbook are available.

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. A portion of the Act, known as the Health Technology and Economic and Clinical Health Act (the “HITECH Act”), relates to investments in health information technology and contains a number of changes to HIPAA’s Privacy and Security Rule requirements.

With a new President in office and an economic stimulus package allocating billions of dollars for healthcare and related activities, 2009 promises to be a very exciting year for the healthcare industry.

As a reminder, April 1, 2009 will be the first day USCIS will accept new petitions for H-1B Professional Worker Visas. USCIS has a cap of 65,000 H-1B visas(as well as an additional 20,000 for U.S. Masters degree holders), available per CIS fiscal year which runs from October 1 to September 30.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("ARRA"), enacted February 17, 2009, includes COBRA provisions that will affect employers who laid off or otherwise involuntarily terminated employees since September 1, 2008 or who will involuntarily terminate employees during the rest of 2009.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has delayed the effective date of its interim final rule ``Documents Acceptable for Employment Eligibility Verification,'' for 60 days, from February 2, 2009 to April 3, 2009.

With a new President in office and an economic stimulus package allocating billions of dollars for healthcare and related activities, 2009 promises to be a very exciting year for the healthcare industry.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently revised Form I-9 in an effort to streamline the Employment Eligibility Verification process.

Switzerland has recently become part of the Schengen visa scheme and therefore the requirements for U.S. permanent residents (aka "green card holders") and non-immigrant visa holders living in the U.S. traveling to Switzerland has changed.

MVA has identified a recent trend in U.S. Consulates abroad subjecting larger numbers of nonimmigrant visa applicants to extensive security clearances.

As a reminder, April 1, 2009 will be the first day USCIS will accept new petitions for H-1B Professional Worker Visas.

CMS Finalizes Anti-Mark Up and IDTF Requirements for Mobile Entitles; Defers Stark Exception for Incentive Payment/Shared Savings Programs

On October 20, 2008, President George Bush announced that seven countries will be added to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

On 10/22/08, the FTC announced "Red Flag Rules" enforcement delayed by six months, a reprieve for many healthcare providers who did not know the rules applied to their industry.

The economy and our financial institutions have seen unprecedented losses and hardships and those just elected face monumental challenges. Our team remains committed to providing you with pertinent information and guidance as you navigate through these times. This Newsletter marks our first regularly scheduled update giving you highlights relevant to estate and tax planning matters, current information on the latest strategies and techniques that may be helpful as you evaluate your own estate situation, and the latest on the ever-changing tax laws.

On October 15th, USCIS announced by publication in the Federal Register that they are extending the maximum period of admission for Canadian and Mexican nationals in TN status from one year to three years.

The United States Customs and Border Protection ("CBP") has launched a new online travel authorization program that will become mandatory for any visa waiver travel that will occur on or after January 12, 2009.

On June 9, 2008, the White House issued an Executive Order amending Executive Order 12989, to state that contracting agencies may not enter into contracts with employers that do not use an electronic employment eligibility verification system designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) has recently announced "Cap Gap" provisions for F-1 students who are beneficiaries of H-1B petitions selected in the fiscal year 2009 H-1B lottery process.

Citizenship and Immigration Services (“CIS”) published a new interim final regulation, effective immediately.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received enough H-1B petitions to meet the congressionally mandated cap for fiscal year 2009.

On March 5, 2008, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued revised instructions for filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Document for Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) requesting re-entry permits.

As a reminder, April 1, 2008 will be the first day USCIS will accept new petitions for H-1B Professional Worker Visas.