By Patrick JonesOne of the startling aspects of the greater Tri-City economy is the juxtaposition of a large agricultural sector with one formerly called the white-collar sector. In the terminology of labor economists, the latter consists of professional and technical services. It, too, looms large in the two counties.Today,we might...

Each year about 4,000 people reach out to the Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Society for legal assistance.And each year Tri-City area attorneys donate their time to help those they can.The nonprofit society recently held its annual awards luncheon to recognize attorneys who significantly contributed to the organization’s efforts to find pro...

Despite a higher state school tax levy in 2018, families in Eastern Washington may see some relief on their property tax bill this year.That’s because the state collected more than it anticipated, and to alleviate the tax burden for 2019, the state rate of $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed property...

By Alex Johnson Alex Johnson ofJohnson & Johnson Law FirmAs a DUI defense attorney here in the Tri-Cities, I often get questions about this area of law. Here are short answers to frequently asked questions about driving under the influence. What is the “legal limit” for a DUI?When I’m asked...

Although business owners were anxious to see how the tax code overhaul affected their bottom line in 2018, many are scratching their heads as regulations fall into place.“I’ve put in enough hours at this point it feels as though I’m getting ready to take another CPA exam,” said Ty Schatz,...

By Beau RuffAt death, there is a little-known tax benefit that the federal government provides. It is an adjustment to tax basis and it can have a profound effect on the taxation of the assets owned at death. This column discusses two kinds of taxes that apply at death: the...

As 2018 ushers in changes to the United States tax code, many Tri-City business leaders are trying to wrap their head around what it means and how it will affect their companies.The bill was signed by President Trump just before Christmas and is the first major change to the tax...

Tri-City tax professionals are boning up on the new tax code as they prepare for the start of the 2017 tax filing season. Michelle L. BoddySigned into law just before the end of the year, the changes mark the first major reform of the tax code since the mid 1980s....

As the tax filing season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers to start thinking about who will prepare their federal tax returns.In 2017, more than 132 million individual and family tax returns were e-filed, the most accurate, safest and easiest way to file, according to the agency.More than...