"Making Strides is a powerful event - so many people coming out for the cause and the unfortunate bond that ties us all together," said Mrs. Zincone. "Beating breast cancer is empowering - and my appreciation of life is greater and those that fill my life more special."

Since 1993, 8 million walkers across the country have raised more than $460 million through Making Strides events to help fight breast cancer. Last year alone, dedicated supporters raised more than $60 million nationwide to help the American Cancer Society save lives.

Zincone, who has been participating in the Making Strides event for eight years, has raised $20,000 for the cause. "Jones beach is a beautiful spot - spiritual in a sense - being close to nature and walking with other survivors or friends and families who lost loved ones," she said. Continue reading

You can help support her cause by visiting her team site or contacting Donna at dzincone@mayermeinberg.com for more infomation.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the legislation amending the severely restrictive deduction from wages prohibitions in the recently amended section 193. The amendment expands an employer's ability to deduct from its employees' wages in a number of cases in which the New York State Department of Labor had previously not permitted. For example, section 193 previously only allowed employers to deduct items such as wages for insurance premiums, bonds, pensions, and union dues. Under this amendment, employees can authorize wage deductions for the purchase of discounted parking passes, gym memberships, child care expenses, and a number of other exceptions as long as it is voluntary.

New regulations will go into effect on November 6th, 2012 and will expire on November 5th, 2015. Employers cannot change their practices prior to this date, however they can start to set up policies in which they can make deductions and modify them to remain consistent with the Labor Department rules.

New York State Businesses that are currently expanding can use the checklist provided by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to help comply with New York State tax law. Included are links, forms and information that might save your business time and money.  View checklist

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has updated their Sales Tax Web File to make it more user-friendly and help taxpayers comply with the law and pay the appropriate tax. Improvements made will allow you to file late and amended returns, credit request applications, and save bank account information for future payments. Additional information that will be asked to be reported includes sales, credit and income information.

Some of the new reporting requirements may require you to change your recordkeeping or reporting systems so there will be a phase-in period during September 2012 through May 2013, in which returns that don't report the newly required information will be accepted. The new reporting requirements will be mandatory beginning with returns for filing periods beginning on or after June 1st, 2013.

Please visit NYS Department of Taxation & Finance for more detailed information or contact us to discuss this update.