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For leaders and organizations, it has been hard to make the right moves amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But during any time of crisis, it's people who are the ultimate differentiator. In this Briefings Magazine issue, it begins with a cover story on Reading the Future and the questions on every CEO’s mind. Other voices in leadership share their ideas, advice, and plans on talent, compensation, the global economy, inclusion, and living a purposeful life.

The ability to perform financial transactions online offers tremendous convenience, but also exposes assets to theft and cyber fraud. In addition, the internet of things (IOT) which connects home security systems and other smart devices, creates another access point to personal information and assets. As new technology surfaces, the need to protect accounts, home networks, and family members from cyber hazards grows exponentially. With these proactive best practices, you can limit your personal cyber exposure risk.

In the age of COVID-19 and when more and more positions require duties to be carried out almost exclusively on computers, many employers are offering the option of working from home. This guide provides you with tips and suggestions to help you remain engaged and stay on track with your new working environment. In response to COVID-19, included is a Telecommuting Policy and Procedure that can be updated as appropriate for your organization.

For employers with less than 500 employees who provided benefits under the leave program of Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), a separate line of identification and reporting is required on the W-2 Form. Guidance is provided in the IRS Notice 2020-54 to help employers properly report 2020 emergency paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave wages paid to employees under the FFCRA.

With the lifting and re-evaluation of the "shelter in place" orders amid the COVID-19 environment, it is critical to have a responsible plan when restarting business operations. Recommended guidelines for the workplace—including worker health and wellness precautions, COVID-19 testing options, office work considerations, and employee benefits eligibility guidance—are outlined to ensure preparations are made to see through the crisis.

While many are still managing the COVID-19 crisis, post-COVID-19 action plans are starting to take shape. Our discussion focuses on unpacking recent tax law changes and the impact on a family office, including key considerations—such as the sale of business goodwill and trust and estate planning—when deciding the entity choice of your operating business.

The CARES Act has brought important tax relief provisions and these, coupled with sophisticated tax planning techniques, are more effective now as asset values and interest rates have dropped. Our discussion focuses on key COVID-19 programs and wealth and tax planning ideas that may benefit your family, including making adjustments to grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) to maximize high-basis assets.

Family offices and their affiliated businesses have gone through a number of transformative changes due to the disruptive nature of COVID-19. Many will qualify for COVID-19 liquidity programs. In this discussion, the RSM team focuses on the program specifics and family office considerations, including compensation options and lending provisions.