04.29.25
Prepare and Plan for the Tax Benefits of Real Estate
In recent years, the tax law has focused on real estate as both a great investment and a tax benefit for saving taxes from its use as a business or investment asset.  For example, the use of real estate in an operating business can create many tax benefits, including the ability to claim tax depreciation […]

02.25.25
Converting Your Residence into a Rental: What You Need to Know
Homeowners may consider converting their personal residence into a rental property for several reasons. They might, for example, want to diversify their investment portfolio, or the value of the home could have fallen below their purchase price. Whatever the reason, if you are thinking about making the move, you need to first weigh some tax […]

01.28.25
Real Estate Investor or Dealer? Your Tax Treatment Turns on It
In a perfect world, taxpayers who own real estate would receive capital gains treatment when they sell the property at a gain and ordinary loss treatment when they incur a loss on the sale. In the real world, though, the tax treatment will turn on the determination of whether a taxpayer is a dealer or […]

03.11.25
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Winter 2025
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Winter Newsletter explains the new regulations regarding proper allocation of recourse debt among partners and advises U.S. citizens acquiring non-U.S. real estate on the potential taxes and deductions they should be aware of.

11.27.24
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Fall 2024
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Fall Newsletter weighs the pros and cons of short-term rentals (STRs), which are typically more profitable than a standard 12-month lease. However, they involve complex tax rules.

09.12.24
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Summer 2024
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Spring Newsletter discusses the various legal and tax considerations of owning various types of real estate, including out of state residential rentals.

05.18.22
The Financial Reporting Framework for Small- and Medium-Sized Entities: The GAAP Alternative for the Back Bone of America
As a banking professional, you’ve undoubtedly noticed that accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) has become increasingly complex in recent years, especially for the middle market companies who comprise the back bone of the US economy. With limited resources available to devote to the accounting function, software that does […]

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.

05.09.25
ORBA Recognized with Workplace Culture Excellence Award at BDO Alliance USA EVOLVE 2025 Conference
CHICAGO – ORBA, one of Chicago’s premier public accounting firms, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Workplace Culture Excellence Award for 2025, presented by the BDO Alliance USA. The BDO Alliance Workplace Culture Award is an honor that celebrates firms that cultivate exceptional employee engagement, provide meaningful growth opportunities and prioritize well-being across the board.

03.11.25
ORBA Named to Accounting Today’s 2025 “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch”; Firm also Recognized as a Great Lakes Region Leader
CHICAGO –  ORBA, one of Chicago’s premier public accounting firms, has been recognized once again by Accounting Today in their “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch”, securing the 132nd spot. Additionally, ORBA is ranked among the top 25 firms in the Great Lakes Region, marking its 15th consecutive year on the “Top Firms: The Great Lakes” list.

03.06.25
ORBA Welcomes New Hires to Tax, Audit and Cloud CFO Services Groups
CHICAGO — ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that several experienced individuals have joined the firm’s Audit, Tax and Cloud CFO Services Groups.

05.13.25
IRS Clarifies Theft and Fraud Loss Deductions
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly limited the types of theft losses that are deductible on federal income taxes. However, a recent “advice memo” (CCA 202511015) from the IRS’s Office of Chief Counsel suggests more victims of fraudulent scams may be able to claim a theft loss deduction than previously understood.

03.21.25
Disaster Victims of the 2025 California Wildfires may Qualify for Tax Relief
The 2025 California wildfires, declared as a major disaster on January 7, 2025, do not fall within FDTRA's definition of a "qualified disaster." However, other potential opportunities are available for those affected by this disaster.

02.11.25
President Trump’s Tax Plan: What Proposals are Being Discussed in Washington?
President Trump and the Republican Congress plan to act swiftly to make broad changes to the United States — including its federal tax system. Congress is already working on legislation that would extend and expand provisions of the sweeping Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), as well as incorporate some of Trump’s tax-related campaign promises. To that end, GOP lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives have compiled a 50-page document that identifies potential avenues they may take, as well as how much these tax and other fiscal changes would cost or save. This Client Alert is a preview of potential changes that might be on the horizon.

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.

05.09.25
ORBA Recognized with Workplace Culture Excellence Award at BDO Alliance USA EVOLVE 2025 Conference
CHICAGO – ORBA, one of Chicago’s premier public accounting firms, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Workplace Culture Excellence Award for 2025, presented by the BDO Alliance USA. The BDO Alliance Workplace Culture Award is an honor that celebrates firms that cultivate exceptional employee engagement, provide meaningful growth opportunities and prioritize well-being across the board.

03.11.25
ORBA Named to Accounting Today’s 2025 “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch”; Firm also Recognized as a Great Lakes Region Leader
CHICAGO –  ORBA, one of Chicago’s premier public accounting firms, has been recognized once again by Accounting Today in their “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch”, securing the 132nd spot. Additionally, ORBA is ranked among the top 25 firms in the Great Lakes Region, marking its 15th consecutive year on the “Top Firms: The Great Lakes” list.

03.06.25
ORBA Welcomes New Hires to Tax, Audit and Cloud CFO Services Groups
CHICAGO — ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce that several experienced individuals have joined the firm’s Audit, Tax and Cloud CFO Services Groups.