◙ Americans with Disabilities Act.

The House of Representatives approved the ADA Amendments Act on 9/25/08 expanding protections against workplace discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The measure is expected to be signed into law by President Bush. It overturns Supreme Court decisions that narrowly construed the original ADA's definition of the term "disability". The new law prohibits consideration of measures taken to overcome the effects of an employee's condition (e.g., medication, prosthetic device, etc.) in the analysis of whether such a person is "substantially limited in a major life activity."  This will now include brain and neurological functions. As before, employers should endeavor to reasonably accommodate employee disabilities, document the attempts to do so, and document performance issues that are independent of the disabilities. If you're seeking to cut an employee because of the economic downturn, these changes are yet another minefield to navigate.

◙ CRT Sales.

You know the old adage about too much of a good thing… While selling your income interest in a CRT to raise money and accelerate the charities interest might be viable, some taxpayers have abused this to the point that the IRS identified such transactions, when the selling taxpayer recognizes little or no gain, as "transactions of interest". If you engage in such a transaction you have to disclose it appropriately, and your tax advisers will have both disclosure and record (list) retention requirements. Notice 2008-99, 2008-47 IRB.