How to keep a good tenant

Posted by: Denny Murphy, CPA
Wednesday, November 4, 2009

In today’s economy, it is crucial to keep good tenants. The following nine points will help you maintain maximum occupancy in an uncertain environment:

 

  1. Understand the tenant’s business. Research their industry so you can credibly talk about their business, and make them feel that you understand their concerns in today's economic conditions. 
  2. Respond reasonably to rent relief or downsizing. This entails a two-step process consisting of listening to the request, and then formulating a personal...
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Normalizing Adjustments in Business Valuation

Posted by: Sean Saari, CPA/ABV, CVA, MBA
Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Many of us probably remember Harvey Dent, aka “Two-Face,” from our childhoods as one of Batman’s arch enemies. He looked like a normal guy from one perspective, but from the other side, he was a bizarre-looking villain. While normalizing adjustments in business valuation may not be quite as exciting as watching Batman battle Two-Face, they bear a similarity to this comic book character.

 

The results of many companies as reported in financial statements or tax returns do not always reflect...

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International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for Privately-Held Companies

Posted by: Sean Saari, CPA/ABV, CVA, MBA
Monday, September 21, 2009

While the likely adoption International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is a hot topic for accountants, many privately-held small and medium-sized business owners may not be aware of the potential changes on the horizon for financial reporting. The general consensus is that in the coming years, the U.S. will move to adopt IFRS in place of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as the governing standards for financial reporting, although no official date for conversion has been set...

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Use Tax and Contractors: Are You Affected?

Posted by: Amy Gibson, CPA
Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Many companies are unaware of their obligation to obtain a use tax account and self remit use tax on a regular basis.  Companies should review their purchases for potential risk to use tax.  Reviewing a company's use-tax exposure is a specialized service tax we are able to offer to our clients.

Who does use tax affect?

Purchasers of tangible personal property or taxable services that are consumed, used or stored in Ohio can be subject to use tax when a vendor does not charge sales tax.   However,...

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Calculation of Value vs. Conclusion of Value: What’s the Difference?

Posted by: Sean Saari, CPA/ABV, CVA, MBA
Thursday, July 9, 2009

A business valuation is a just a business valuation – isn’t it? This would be akin to saying that a steak is just a steak when, in fact, there are ribeyes, strips, sirloins, and filets (just to name a few). Likewise, business valuations come in two distinct “flavors” – conclusions of value and calculations of value.

 

As of January 1, 2008, valuation analysts who hold either the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential supported by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts or...

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IOU for Tax Refunds? And What it Means for Ohio Taxpayers

Posted by: Jim Forbes, CPA
Tuesday, June 30, 2009

That’s right. State officials now say that California’s financial situation is so serious that many taxpayers may receive IOUs instead of refunds for state taxes. Warnings of delayed tax refunds and warrants started as early as January, 2009. 

 

The State of California is planning on issuing warrants instead of refund checks. A warrant is issued by a government agency when they are unable to pay currently and are redeemable at some point in the future, usually with interest. Only once since the...

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Employee Benefit Plan Audit Update – Part 5

Posted by: Dani Gisondo, CPA
Thursday, June 25, 2009

This week is our final update in our series on the changing rules and regulations and their impact on employee benefit plan audits.

 

This week’s topic:

2009 Cost of Living Adjustments for Qualified Retirement Plans

The Internal Revenue Service announced cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for pension plans and other items for tax year 2009.

Click here for more of this article.

For more information on employee benefit plan audits, please leave a comment below, or contact Dani...

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Recovery Zone Bonds

Posted by: Nick Delguyd, CPA
Thursday, May 28, 2009

Looking for a low-cost construction financing option? The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 created a new category of bonds - Recovery Zone Bonds (RZB). These bonds are intended to stimulate economic recovery in designated “recovery zones”. There are two categories of RZBs – Recovery Economic Development Bonds ($10 billion allocated) and Recovery Zone Facility Bonds ($15 billion allocated).

 

Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds – These are governmental bonds to be used for...

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Construction Industry Tax Provisions to Consider

Posted by: Roger Gingerich, CPA/ABV, CVA
Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The CPAs, business and financial advisors in Skoda Minotti's Real Estate and Construction Group recently authored an article for Builders Exchange Magazine.

The article summarizes some important accounting and tax provisions that construction professionals need to keep in mind. The article highlights the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, qualified rehabilitation and low income housing tax credits.

To view this helpful article, click here.

Looking for a...

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Marketing in a Down Economy

Posted by: Jonathan Ebenstein
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Before I get to our first marketing blog entry, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. I’m Jonathan Ebenstein and I’ll be your author for the next ten or so paragraphs. I invite you to sit back, relax and open your mind.

 

If you’ve sifted at all through our Firm’s web site, you’d know that we are a CPA, Business and Financial Advisory firm.  We help our clients, mostly companies, grow their business through a myriad of professional services (i.e., Tax, Accounting & Auditing, IT, Financial ...

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To be a C or not to be a C - That is the question

Posted by: Bob Goricki
Monday, October 13, 2008

When forming an entity, do you know the pros and cons of a C corporation versus an S corporation? What about the advantages and disadvantages of a partnership, LLC or sole proprietorship?

These classifications may not seem important now, but they can have significant tax and liability consequences depending on your future plans for your business, especially if you are looking to sell.

For an overview of how entity type can affect your business, we invite you to view the August issue of Smart...

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Ohio to no Longer Accept Paper Monthly Sales Tax Forms

Posted by: Bob Goricki
Thursday, October 9, 2008

Please note that Ohio’s sales tax filing requirements have changed. Starting with January 2009 sales tax (due 2/23/09), the state will no longer accept paper monthly sales tax forms. You will now need to file electronically using Ohio Business Gateway. To view the complete notice, click here.

You can find more information about electronic filing methods at www.tax.ohio.gov.

Looking for Cleveland or Akron tax accountant? Contact Skoda Minotti at 440-449-6800.


Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

Posted by: Bob Goricki
Tuesday, October 7, 2008

On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Along with the much publicized financial markets rescue plan, the bill also contains $150 billion in tax relief. 

Other highlights of the Act include:

  • Over 290 Changes to the Tax Code
  • 2008 AMT Patch
  • Tax Extenders
  • Disaster Relief
  • Energy Incentives
  • Revised Preparer Penalty Standard
  • Enhanced Child Tax Credit
  • Broker Basis Reporting 

For a complete summary of all of these highlights, we recommend that you...

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The American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008

Posted by: Bob Goricki
Friday, August 22, 2008

As you may have heard, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 became law on July 30, 2008. What does this mean to you?

The three changes most likely to affect taxpayers include:

  • Temporary tax credits for first-time homebuyers
  • Temporary property tax deductions for non-itemizers
  • Unfavorable new rule for properties converted into principal residences

There were also a number of other important changes, including:

  • Corporations can use R&D and MTC carryovers instead of claiming...
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