Dividend Growth Investing as a Long-Term Strategy

There is no one best way to invest. Every investment strategy offers potential rewards and poses certain risks. The appropriate strategy or strategies for you depends on your personal goals, financial circumstances and risk tolerance. However, one strategy worth considering is dividend growth investing — or investing in companies with a solid record of paying […]

Your Investment Strategy: Active, Passive or Both?

Stock market volatility during the last couple of years has reignited a long-running debate over active versus passive investing. Both strategies have supporters and critics and many experts advocate combining both approaches in a portfolio. As with most investment choices, the right strategy for you will depend on several factors, including your financial goals, investment […]

Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Another Option on the Financial Relief Menu

There are a variety of relief programs available for restaurants that have suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, including grants from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Related Read: Paycheck Protection Program Gets a Refresh If your restaurant business was unable to obtain this relief — or if your funding has […]

Approaching Retirement? How to Deal With Market Volatility

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on financial markets and the general economy, providing swings in both directions. If you are approaching retirement, or are already retired, you may be worried about the effects of market volatility on your retirement portfolio. Here is how to adjust your investments — and possibly, some of your expectations. […]

Playing Your Cards Right: Can You Defer Taxes on Gift Card Sales?

Many restaurants sell gift cards that can be redeemed for meals or for merchandise. For tax purposes, these sales are considered “advance payments,” which generally are included in taxable income when they are received. But there may be an opportunity to defer some or all of this income into the following tax year. Are you […]

Section 529 versus Roth IRA Plans: Choosing a College Savings Tool

Many people assume that a Section 529 plan is the ideal college savings tool. But the Roth IRA can also help parents save for college expenses. This article reviews the strengths of each. For example, Sec. 529 plans allow participants to make substantial non-deductible contributions. Owners of Roth IRAs can withdraw contributions anytime, tax and penalty-free, for any purpose.

A New Recipe for Lease Accounting: How Will It Affect Your Restaurant?

Many restaurants rely on leasing to acquire essential assets, from physical space and furniture to kitchen and bar equipment to point-of-sale (POS) systems. If your business has a substantial number of leases, be aware that new accounting rules — which bring most leases onto the balance sheet — may have a significant impact on your […]

Pass-Through Deduction Regulations are Good News for Restaurant Owners

Recently, the IRS issued final regulations on the new pass-through deduction. In general, the regulations are taxpayer friendly and will make it easier for restaurants to claim the deduction.

Sugar Tax Set to End While Federal Tax Reform Looms

Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Ordinance This past summer, the Cook County Sweetened Beverage Tax Ordinance went into effect after challenges and attempts to halt the tax’s implementation. The tax impacted retail sales of sweetened beverages by charging a rate of $0.01 per ounce on such purchases. However, the tax lasted only a few months […]

Whipping Up a Social Media Strategy for Your Restaurant

Social media is a great way to connect with current and potential customers. The active user base certainly shows a world of opportunity. According to its 2015 Annual Reports (Form 10-K) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Facebook and Twitter boast an impressive 1.04 billion daily active users in December 2015, and 302 million monthly active users in the three months ending December 2015, respectively. In our latest Restaurant Group blog, discover ways you can take advantage of various social media tools to help promote your restaurant.

Chicago Sales Tax on the Rise

Consumers in Chicago will see costs increase in 2016 as a result of a recent vote by the Cook County Board. The tax rate will jump from 9.25% to 10.25%, bringing Chicago’s rate to the highest among the nation’s most populated cities.

Wealth Management Group Newsletter – Spring 2021

ORBA’s Wealth Management Group Newsletter details how the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) affects the child tax credit (CTC) and the child and dependent care credit (CDCC) and describes the benefits and restrictions of a Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account (SEP IRA) and a solo 401(k) plan.

Wealth Management Group Newsletter – Spring 2019

Our Wealth Management Group’s Spring 2019 Newsletters offers three options to consider if your term life insurance is expiring, as well as insights on the difference between investing and speculating.

ORBA Appoints Christopher I. Georgiou As New Director

ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is proud to announce that Christopher I. Georgiou, CPA, MACC, MST has been elected as a Director, effective November 1, 2020.

ORBA Announces New Hires

CHICAGO — Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest accounting firms, announces that four new hires have recently joined the firm.