Insights

Governments have responded with drastic containment measures that have brought about abrupt changes to everyday life. Quarantines and social distancing have replaced our daily routines of school, work, and leisure activity. Times Square is empty and in Paris, cafés are closed. Main Street USA is no different, with shuttered storefronts, business closures, and restaurants resorting to “take-out only” to try to stay afloat. The immediate economic impact is evident in the initial claims for unemployment.

To our Valued Clients and Trustees: In a cooperative effort to keep our clients, employees, vendors (and families) safe, we have transitioned all of our employees to a fully remote workforce, effective immediately.  This means that our Portfolio Managers, Administrative Staff, and Trading/Operations Team are now working outside the office, but are fully reachable by phone and email.  Our Tax Professionals continue to prepare returns as we work towards the April 15th filing deadline. We have taken these steps as a precaution in accordance with best practices designed to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

COVID 19 – Latest Data

By definition, disasters are unpredictable and take many forms, with COVID-19 being the most recent example. Our Business Continuity Plan allows employees to work remotely and effectively. We are moving forward with plans to have approximately half of the firm work from home for two weeks at a time on a rolling schedule. We believe this action will reduce the risk that our employees will come into contact with the virus so that we can continue to deliver uninterrupted service to our clients.

Having joined the firm about the same time everybody was worried about Y2K, she has been a consistent and upbeat presence at the firm, as well for the clients with whom she works. She has balanced her dedication to her profession with her family commitments which includes raising two delightful twin girls. She is our “go to” person for all things retirement and we look forward to at least another 20 years with her in our midst. Congratulations Lexi!

One in particular addresses important retirement security measures (the SECURE Act) mentioned in our fall edition of Taxing Matters.

Howland Capital’s dedicated investment offering designed to be customized to individual clients’ Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) interests. Our clients have responded favorably to this offering, and we are happy to report ESG assets under management are more than $75 million.

As we enter the new year, Congress is still deliberating on legislation that could impact the 2022 tax year. The Build Back Better plan was passed by the House in late 2021 but ultimately was not signed into law by the end of the year. The bill has gone through several revisions and could be passed in early 2022. While the act was not passed before the start of 2022, it could still have retroactive tax implications this year.