News

As part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”), Congress created the Qualified Opportunity Zone (“QOZ”) tax benefits.  Owing in part to confusion over the provisions, the QOZ tax benefits were not initially as widely publicized and discussed as most of the other provisions of the TCJA.  However, with the proposed regulations issued by the IRS in October and high-profile funds being created, Qualified Opportunity Funds have been increasingly in the news. [...]

Whiteman Osterman & Hanna tax partner Scott Shimick recently participated in the Albany Business Review's Table of Experts on Tax Reform. Scott joined representatives from UHY, Teal Becker & Chiaramonte, The Bonadio Group, Wojeski & Company, and Staff Ciampino at the Business Review's offices to discuss the impact of the new tax changes and regulations. Click here for a full recap.

Immigration partner L.J. D'Arrigo is quoted in this Albany Times Union article on H2-B visas, and the need for foreign workers for positions American workers do not want. This year, local business owners like landscapers and horse trainers who depend on the H-2B visa program fear how they will fill jobs as the government caps visas and implements a new processing system that has increased a backlog.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018 FCC DECLARATORY RULING PROMOTING DEPLOYMENT OF SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES5G IS COMING BE PREPAREDSmall wireless facilities are defined as facilities that meet each of the following conditions: The facilities—(i) Are mounted on structures 50 feet or less in height including their antennas as defined in § 1.1320(d); or (ii) Are mounted on structures no more than 10 percent taller than other adjacent structures; or (iii) Do not extend existing structures [...]

In November 2018, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) determined that their proposed changes to the Division of Environmental Permits Policy DEP-00-2 - Assessing and Mitigating Visual Impacts will not have a significant adverse impact.  NYSDEC determined to accept comments on proposed changes through December 28, 2018. The Program Policy revises its 19-year old policy and provides improved guidance to staff when evaluating visual and aesthetic impacts. The [...]