10.06.21
The Tax Impacts of Capitalizing Versus Expensing Costs of Real Estate
Individuals with real estate businesses often expect to deduct business-related expenses for tax purposes. But those tax deductions might not be a guarantee. Many real estate development costs are required to be capitalized and added to the cost of the building. In this case, there are additional rules to determine if building costs qualify for […]

09.09.21
2020 Lease Audit Spotlight Gain Clarity on Gross-Up Adjustments
When services were reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic many services, such as cleaning, were reduced by landlords. Is it still fair to gross up the expenses of unoccupied space?  The common area maintenance (CAM) clauses of many commercial office leases allow a landlord to gross up expenses for unoccupied space to amounts that would be […]

08.10.21
What COVID-19 Might Mean for the Multifamily Sector
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on almost every industry, including real estate. Owners, investors and developers are already seeing ripple effects across sectors. It is important to learn how the virus might bring changes to multifamily housing that could endure or, at least heavily influence, the future. Related Read: Consider a Turnaround Strategy […]

08.25.21
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Summer 2021
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Newsletter highlights the Consolidated Appropriations Act's critical provisions relevant to real estate businesses and summarizes the Homeowner Assistance Fund, created by the latest COVID-19 relief package.

06.01.21
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Spring 2021
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Newsletter provides a checklist to measure what stage your organization is at in preparing for the workplace of the future and details the financial and non-financial information that lenders consider when evaluating loan applications.

02.17.21
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Winter 2021
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Winter newsletter reviews coverage audits and their impact on a project’s profitability and covers the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) tax-related provisions for the real estate world.

11.04.21
Real Estate Tax Planning in an Uncertain Tax Environment
The economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with proposed tax legislation, have laid an unstable foundation for professionals in the real estate industry. Join members of ORBA’s Real Estate Group for a complimentary webinar, moderated by Jeffrey Newman, as they discuss the unique tax challenges that are currently top of mind for many professionals in the industry.

11.05.20
Legal, Financial and Tax Issues Affecting Real Estate in a COVID-19 Environment
Join ORBA’s Michael Kovacs, Jeffrey Newman, Thomas Kosinski, Tamara Partridge, Thomas Vance, Justin Sylvan, and guest speakers, John Morse, partner at Patzik Frank & Samotny, Ltd., and Alan Weel, senior vice president at Wintrust Commercial Real Estate, for a complimentary webinar discussing the legal, financial and tax implications of the pandemic on the real estate industry.

06.03.20
What You Need to Know About Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness
Join ORBA’s Frank L. Washelesky on Friday, May 29, for a complimentary webinar that will provide clarity on the PPP Loan Forgiveness rules. 

09.14.21
ORBA Sponsors 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, announces that it is a sponsor of the upcoming 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference: The New Normal in M&A. 

08.02.21
ORBA Appoints Ilissa Sylvan as New Director
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that Ilissa Sylvan, CPA has been elected as a Director, effective July 2021.

07.19.21
INSIDE Public Accounting Recognizes ORBA as a 2021 Top 200 IPA Firm
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been recognized as a 2021 IPA 200 Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA).

10.15.21
Debate Continues in Congress Over Proposed Tax Changes
Negotiations continue in Washington, D.C., over the future of President Biden’s agenda. Tax law changes may be ahead under two proposed laws, the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIB), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The final provisions remain to be seen, but the BBBA and, to a lesser extent, the BIB, contain a wide range of tax proposals that could affect individuals and businesses. It is also unclear when the tax changes would become effective if one or both of the laws are enacted.

08.11.21
IRS Issues ERC Guidance as Congress Mulls Early Termination
The IRS published new guidance last week on the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). The Credit was created in March 2020 to encourage employers to keep their workforces intact during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notice 2021-49 addresses various issues, particularly those related to the extension of the Credit through 2021 by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

07.27.21
Apply for PPP Forgiveness Before Loan Repayment Period Begins
A critical deadline is approaching for many businesses that have received loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If a borrower does not apply for forgiveness within ten months after the last day of the “covered period,” its PPP loan payments will no longer be deferred and it must begin making payments to its lender.

04.08.19
Various Media – ORBA Appoints Chief Financial Officer
ORBA is mentioned in the media for announcing the appointment of Cara Sample, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer of the firm. Reporting media include Yahoo! Finance, Spoke, The Daily Herald, NewsBlaze, Star Tribune and ABC 7. View the official press release.

04.04.19
Various Media – ORBA Ranked Among 2019 ‘Top Firms to Watch’ by Accounting Today
ORBA is mentioned in the media for being ranked among the “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” list for 2019, as well being listed among the top 20 firms in the Great Lakes Region.

01.10.19
Various Media – ORBA Launches ORBA Wealth Advisors
ORBA was mentioned in the media for its announcement of the launch of ORBA Wealth Advisors, LLC. Reporting media include Wealth Adviser, Verdict, Yahoo! Finance, the Daily Herald and Merril Edge. View the official press release.

09.14.21
ORBA Sponsors 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, announces that it is a sponsor of the upcoming 2021 Smart Business Dealmakers Chicago Virtual Conference: The New Normal in M&A. 

08.02.21
ORBA Appoints Ilissa Sylvan as New Director
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that Ilissa Sylvan, CPA has been elected as a Director, effective July 2021.

07.19.21
INSIDE Public Accounting Recognizes ORBA as a 2021 Top 200 IPA Firm
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been recognized as a 2021 IPA 200 Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA).