The past seven years have been horrendous for millions of homeowners who lost their homes. Somewhere between 7 and 8 million homes were lost. The majority of homes lost to foreclosure were around 6 million. These were mostly due from distressed homeowners who suffered hardships ranging from losing their jobs to serious health issues. Around 2 million homes were sold as a short-sale (sold for less than what was owed) and given back to the lender by a deed-in-lieu (DIL) that a

When buying property under any kind of Homeowners Association (HOA) control, buyers tend to overlook or not comprehend the rules in a planned development. Buyers can be attracted to all the amenities such as the pool, gym and recreational areas and think the HOA dues they pay each month are mainly for the upkeep. The HOA can govern and restrict your life in ways you don’t want. The rules of HOA communities are set forth in a Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions

Are you thinking of starting your own business? Congratulations. Owning your own business may require working harder and longer hours but the rewards can be worth it. When starting a business, it is imperative the business is set up correctly and the business structure is made to best fit your type of business and you. The formation of your business entity should be dependent on your tax and liability, ownership rights, capital needs and other business transactions. Each sta

When doing your taxes, one of the deductions most overlooked are charitable contributions. You can deduct a maximum of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) on Line 36 on IRS Form 1040 for the tax year in which the donation was given. If you find yourself with more than 50% in one given year, the excess may be carried over for up to five years. If you don’t think you give large amounts to charity, think again. Throughout the year, all those little donations can add up

Congratulations Denver, Colorado - you were just named America’s top city for business and careers! Forbes magazine declared Denver as number 1 in the U.S. for economic success, Fort Collins made the cut by being the Number 10. More than 200 cities were in the running. There are approximately 2.8 million people living in and around Denver. The area is most attractive for its diverse economy, outdoor activities and a highly educated labor force. Each year more companies are ch

Gantenbein Law Firm is pleased to announce that two of its Denver IRS tax lawyers, Tyler Murray and Michelle McCarthy, were the featured authors this month in the Colorado Tax Bar Association monthly newsletter. The article, The Supreme Court Weighs in on Colorado’s Attempt to Circumvent Quill in Direct Marketing Association v. Brohl, discussed a recent Supreme Court decision that affects whether the Tax Injunction Act barred federal courts from enjoining Colorado’s efforts