01.28.20
Historic Tax Credit is Alive and Well
The Historic Tax Credit (HTC) for rehabilitating historic buildings survived the TCJA but is less beneficial than it was for projects completed before 2018.

01.14.20
Valuation Matters: Appraisers Apply Four Tests to Determine Highest and Best Use
An important factor for an appraiser to consider when valuing real property is its “highest and best use.” This article reviews the four tests appraisers typically apply to determine that use.

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.

02.13.20
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Winter 2020
ORBA's Real Estate Group's winter newsletter offers insight into IRR waterfalls and provides information on commercial gross-up provisions.

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.

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.

02.10.20
The SECURE Act Likely to Affect Your Retirement and Estate Plans
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act brings numerous changes to the retirement and estate planning landscape, and some of them should prompt careful review of your existing plans to ensure they’ll accomplish the desired outcomes, including minimizing taxes.

01.27.20
2020 Tax Calendar
To help make sure that you do not miss any important 2020 deadlines, we have provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due.

01.09.20
1099-MISC Reporting Guidelines and Resources
As we tend to receive questions related to Form 1099-MISC, here are general guidelines in order to assist you with the accurate filing of Form 1099-MISC.

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.