12.30.22
Restructuring Mortgage Debt? Watch Out for COD Income
In tough economic times, real estate owners and investors often work with their lenders to restructure mortgage debt. Lenders may be willing to reduce the interest rate, extend the repayment term or even forgive a portion of the debt. These modifications can provide welcome financial relief, but it is important to understand the tax implications. […]

12.01.22
Deferring a Tax Hit With a Section 1031 Exchange
Do you own commercial or investment real estate that has substantially increased in value? If you sell the property, you may be hit with a huge capital gain tax liability. A possible solution: Consider a Section 1031 exchange (also known as a like-kind exchange) in which you swap qualifying properties while paying zero or little […]

10.28.22
First-Year Bonus Depreciation and Section 179 Expensing: Watch Out for the Downsides
Many companies are eligible for tax write-offs for certain equipment purchases and building improvements. These write-offs can do wonders for a business’s cash flow, but whether to claim them is not always an easy decision. In some cases, there are advantages to following the regular depreciation rules. So it is critical to look at the […]

12.27.22
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Fall 2022
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Newsletter covers the non-financial factors that investors use as part of their analysis to screen potential investments and the recent legislation regarding like-kind exchanges.

09.09.22
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Summer 2022
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Newsletter covers the basics of offering free lodging to property managers and provides guidance on the Internal Revenue Code Section 163(j).

05.27.22
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Spring 2022
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Newsletter examines how developers in urban markets with an oversupply of multifamily housing and/or an undersupply of hotel rooms can benefit from an attractive revenue opportunity and covers the tax rules for short-term 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.

12.15.22
ORBA Named on America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023 List by Forbes
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been named on the Forbes list of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023. This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

12.15.22
ORBA Honored by the Chicago Tribune as a 2022 Top Workplace
CHICAGO — ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been awarded a 2022 Top Workplaces honor by the Chicago Tribune. The award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey that is administered by employee engagement technology partner, Energage, LLC.

11.17.22
ORBA Ranks Among 2022 Largest Accounting Firms by Crain’s Chicago Business
ORBA, a full-service accounting, tax and business consulting firm, has been ranked as one of the largest accounting firms in Chicago, according to an annual survey published by Crain’s Chicago Business.

01.12.23
2023 Tax Calendar
To help you make sure that you do not miss any important 2023 deadlines, we have provided this summary of when various tax-related forms, payments and other actions are due. Please review the calendar and let us know if you have any questions about the deadlines or would like assistance in meeting them.

01.10.23
Year-End Spending Package Tackles Retirement Planning, Conservation Easements
Recently, the year-end spending “omnibus” package was signed into law by President Biden. It includes two important new laws that could affect your financial planning: The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) 2.0 Act and the Conservation Easement Program Integrity Act.

01.06.23
1099-MISC vs. 1099-NEC
In 2020, the IRS released a new form – Form 1099-NEC. This form is still in use for 2022. While it might not have affected you last year, it may this year. This Client Alert will provide you with some general guidelines and resources to help you determine which form you need to file. It will also address questions that we often receive from clients.

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.

12.15.22
ORBA Named on America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023 List by Forbes
ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been named on the Forbes list of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2023. This award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

12.15.22
ORBA Honored by the Chicago Tribune as a 2022 Top Workplace
CHICAGO — ORBA, one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been awarded a 2022 Top Workplaces honor by the Chicago Tribune. The award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey that is administered by employee engagement technology partner, Energage, LLC.

11.17.22
ORBA Ranks Among 2022 Largest Accounting Firms by Crain’s Chicago Business
ORBA, a full-service accounting, tax and business consulting firm, has been ranked as one of the largest accounting firms in Chicago, according to an annual survey published by Crain’s Chicago Business.