Trust the Leaders

Issue 8 / Summer 2004

• Kicking the Habit: Responding to Employee Substance Abuse Substance abuse by employees — it’s one of the most difficult issues an employer can face. A 2002 national survey on drug use and health conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicated that of 16.6 million adult current illicit drug users, 74.6% (12.4 million users) are in the workforce.
• Securing Your Family’s Future: Perspectives on Estate Planning Perhaps the most frequently asked question of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP’s Estate Planning and Wealth Protection Group is — “Will the federal estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes be repealed during my lifetime?” Our short answer is — “Don’t count on it. Permanent repeal is highly unlikely.”
• Parking the Plane: Deferring Taxes on Corporate Jet Sales Sooner or later, most owners of pricey corporate jets and turboprops realize they cannot sell their aircraft without incurring a substantial income tax liability. As one client recently put it: “Buying an airplane is like getting married - once you’re in, you’re in. If you want out, it will cost you dearly.”
• Preferential Treatment: How Textile Trade Agreements Limit or Benefit “Free” Trade When was the last time you bought or wore clothing made in the U.S.? How about clothing made in Europe (besides specialty items such as suits or leather)? If you have bought clothes recently, you are likely aware that most of the items are imported from a developing country, and it is difficult to find clothing made in the West.