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Prof. William H. Byrnes

Robert Bloink, J.D., LL.M.

We don’t normally cover a lot from the EEOC here at Tax Facts, but this week has some relevant guidance pertaining to ending telework options. Right now companies are sending mixed signals about returning the office work, and it looks like the EEOC is recognizing that the situation may be different for different employers. We also have updates on using 401(k) funds for adoption expenses and Roth IRA conversions in the COVID era.

EEOC Confirms: Employers Are Not Required to Permit Telework Forever

The EEOC released guidance last week clarifying that employers who have permitted employees to work remotely during the pandemic are not required to continue to permit telework indefinitely. The EEOC guidance clarifies that the rules haven’t changed, so that employers are not required to continue to permit telework as a “reasonable accommodation” under the law. However, an employee’s ability to successfully complete all essential job requirements remotely may be a factor in considering whether a request for remote work is reasonable. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

IRS Provides Guidance on Exception for 401(k) Withdrawals for Qualified Birth or Adoption

The SECURE Act amended the IRC to allow qualified plan participants to withdraw up to $5,000 for a qualified birth or adoption without becoming subject to the 10% penalty on early distributions. The distribution must be taken within the one-year period following the birth or adoption. For more information, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

Enhanced Benefits of Roth Conversions in the COVID-19 Era

Clients who have been considering a Roth conversion might want to take a second look, as 2020 has created a unique opportunity for clients to maximize the value of the Roth conversion strategy. The combination of relatively low tax rates and the potential for future tax hikes might make 2020 the ideal time to convert. Clients who convert traditional retirement funds to a Roth opt to pay income taxes on retirement funds now in exchange for a source of tax-free income in the future. With the federal deficit skyrocketing and the election just around the corner, it’s widely expected that tax rates will be higher in the near future than they are today. Clients might consider taking action to “lock in” 2020 tax rates by converting to a Roth. For more information about the details of a Roth conversion strategy, visit Tax Facts Online. Read More

Texas A&M University School of Law’s online wealth and international tax risk management graduate curricula for industry professionals has attracted over 160 enrollment this fall semester. Apply now for courses that begin January 11 spring semester. See the international tax course list by > weekly topic here. <

Texas A&M, annual budget of $6.3 billion (FY2020), is the largest U.S. public university, one of only 60 accredited U.S. universities of the American Association of Universities (R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity) and one of only 17 U.S. universities that hold the triple U.S. federal grant of Land, Sea, and Space!

• Ranked in top 20 public universities by Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education (2020)
• #1 endowment for U.S. public universities, #7 overall
• #1 of U.S. public universities for a superior education at an affordable cost
• #1 for most CEOs employed by Fortune 500
• Rank 11th “Best Public Colleges” Money’s Best Colleges Report, 2019
• Texas A&M ranks #1 in Texas, #1 in the SEC, and #12 in the U.S. in Washington Monthly’s 2020 overall college rankings based on the quality of education, accessibility, graduation rates, student involvement, and research: see tx.ag/WashMonth20