11.13.19
Eminent Domain and the “Project Influence” Rule in Property Valuation
Eminent domain refers to the power of the government to take private property for public use. Under the Fifth Amendment, the government exercising this power must provide the property owner “just compensation,” which is generally the property’s fair market value (FMV). However, the valuation of the property may be influenced by the government’s plans for the acquisition, which can increase or decrease the FMV of the property. This is where the project influence rule comes into play.

10.24.19
Five Immediate Factors to Consider Before Buying That Real Estate “Bargain”
With the real estate industry’s steady growth over the past several years and property values holding reasonably constant, investors are eager to jump on a perceived bargain. While securing the lowest price is not a bad idea, investors need to be careful about doing their research before closing on an apparent deal. That so-called “bargain” can quickly turn into a problem if you fail to consider more than just the purchase price. Before taking the plunge and buying a seemingly good parcel, here are five other factors to consider.

09.25.19
Using Cost Segregation Studies for Like-Kind Exchanges
Cost segregation studies have been utilized by many property owners to take advantage of accelerated depreciation methods, including bonus depreciation and Internal Revenue Code Section 179 expense deductions. Accelerated first-year deductions do not change the total amount of deductions over an asset’s useful life, but they do change the timing of deductions. This lowers taxes and generates extra cash flow in the year an asset is placed in service.

02.06.19
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Winter 2019
Our Real Estate Group's Winter 2019 Newsletter discusses seller financing and if it's a viable option for investors, as well as insight on the Opportunity Zone tax incentive.

12.07.18
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Fall 2018
Our Real Estate Group's Fall 2018 Newsletter offers insight on the new lease accounting standards, and well as the adjustments to like-kind exchanges under the new tax law.

09.05.18
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Summer 2018
How to opt out of the new partnership audit rules Anita Wescott, CPA Many real estate businesses are formed as partnerships. Beginning this year, the IRS is applying new procedures to its partnership audits. Under the procedures, any adjustments and penalties after an audit generally will be assessed against the partnership itself, rather than against […]

11.13.19
Tax Planning Strategies and Emerging Opportunities for Real Estate Professionals
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has paved the way to several significant tax-planning strategies that investors, owners, operators and other professionals in the real estate industry should know about. Between like-kind exchanges to the emerging popularity of qualified opportunity zones, there are many beneficial strategies to consider.

11.15.18
Tax Planning Trends and Tips for the Real Estate Industry
The cyclical nature of the real estate industry, coupled with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, presents a new set of challenges for real estate investors, owners, operators and other professionals in the industry. But with these challenges come various opportunities for growth through creative tax-planning strategies. Join ORBA for […]

04.17.19
ORBA Announces Cloud CFO and Accounting Service Hires
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to welcome Carissa Coppola as an Associate in the Accounting Services Department, and Emily Cohen, Jason Dion and Joshua Trezek as Associates in the Cloud CFO Services Department

04.08.19
ORBA Appoints Chief Financial Officer
CHICAGO — Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cara Sample, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer.

04.04.19
ORBA Ranked Among 2019 ‘Top Firms to Watch’ by Accounting Today
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is named as one of the “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” for 2019 by Accounting Today. ORBA is also ranked among the top 20 firms in the Great Lakes Area.

02.11.19
Supreme Court to Address the Power of States to Tax Trusts
More than $120 billion of our nation’s income flows through trusts, and the Supreme Court will hear a case that may clarify how much states are able to tax.

01.31.19
2019 Tax Calendar
To help make sure that you do not miss any important 2019 deadlines, we have provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due.

01.29.19
IRS Provides QBI Deduction Changes Just in Time for Filing
The tax law signed in December 2017 included a dramatic cut in corporate tax rates and also a generous deduction for the qualified businesses income (QBI) of businesses that operate as pass-through entities (PTE)— sole proprietors, S corporations and partnerships (including LLC electing to be S corporations or partnerships).

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. Click here to 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.

01.02.19
Various Media – Crain’s Business Ranks ORBA Among Chicago’s Largest Accounting Firms
ORBA was recently mentioned in the media for being ranked 18th out of the 25 largest accounting firms in Chicago, listed by Crain’s Chicago Business. Reporting media include MarketWatch, Pittsburgh Business Times, the Daily Herald, Daily Penny Alerts and Chicago City Room. Click here to view the official press release.

04.17.19
ORBA Announces Cloud CFO and Accounting Service Hires
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to welcome Carissa Coppola as an Associate in the Accounting Services Department, and Emily Cohen, Jason Dion and Joshua Trezek as Associates in the Cloud CFO Services Department

04.08.19
ORBA Appoints Chief Financial Officer
CHICAGO — Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cara Sample, CPA, as Chief Financial Officer.

04.04.19
ORBA Ranked Among 2019 ‘Top Firms to Watch’ by Accounting Today
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, is named as one of the “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” for 2019 by Accounting Today. ORBA is also ranked among the top 20 firms in the Great Lakes Area.