IRS’ One-Time Special Filing Relief Program for Small Charities
By: Theodore F. Claypoole Tax-exempt organizations that do not satisfy annual filing requirements for three (3) consecutive years automatically lose their tax-exempt status. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has published a list at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/pa.pdf, which identifies those Pennsylvania organizations for which the IRS does not …
Unclaimed Property Holder Amnesty Program
By: Theodore F. Claypoole The Pennsylvania Department of Treasury is offering amnesty from penalties and interest to unclaimed property holders who voluntarily come into compliance with Pennsylvania’s Disposition of Abandoned and Unclaimed Property Law before October 31, 2010. Businesses and tax-exempt entities, which hold unclaimed property, are required to file an unclaimed property report …
Attorney General Announces Legal Action Against Home Improvement Contractors
By: Theodore F. Claypoole On July 22, 2010, Attorney General Tom Corbett announced legal action against various home improvement contractors for violations of Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act. The Press Release can be found on the Attorney General’s website. For information on how to comply with Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, …
Do You Sell Prepaid Gift Cards?
If your business offers gift certificates or prepaid gift cards you need to be aware of a new law affecting those cards. In March 2009, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 was enacted setting out certain restrictions on gift certificates, store gift cards and general-use prepaid-cards. That law requires the …
The Fight Over Sprinklers Continues
As a follow up to my March 26, 2010 post on the new Uniform Construction Code provisions in Pennsylvania that mandate sprinkler systems in new homes, the Pennsylvania Builders Association has set up a “Roll Back the Code” website. The issue appears not to be with sprinklers themselves, but the requirement and associated cost …
New Lead Paint Certification Required for Renovation Contractors
Today, April 22, 2010, the final portion of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule takes effect. All contracting firms performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must now be certified, use individuals with accredited training and must …
Real Estate “Offer” vs. Contract
Read my recent blog about real estate on “offer” vs. contract. For more information, contact UTBF.
How to Navigate removal of a Residential Tenant that has filed Bankruptcy
By: Transactional Department No matter what the lease says, the mere filing of a bankruptcy by a tenant does not terminate the lease or entitle a landlord to evict the tenant. That being said, if a residential tenant files bankruptcy they are always required to continue paying rent. If they stop paying rent the landlord …
New PAR Agreement of Sale Form Available
After some delay, the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors has released its new 2010 form Agreement of Sale. You can find a sample of the PAR Standard Agreement for the Sale of Real Estate on the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors website. If you have questions on the new form, please contact us in our …
Sprinklers Required in PA New Homes
In early 2010, the Pennsylvania Builders Association, among others, filed a lawsuit to stop the implementation of a new and updated Uniform Construction Code in Pennsylvania. Copies of the filing are available on the Builders Association website. Among the provisions objectionable to the Builders Association was a provision requiring new single family and townhomes …