07.01.20
What You Need to Know About the CARES Act and Qualified Improvement Property
Earlier this year, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act corrected a drafting error related to real estate qualified improvement property (QIP). This retroactive correction, which accelerates the tax depreciation deduction for certain improvements to real estate, is of particular benefit to: Landlords and tenants who make improvements to leased space; restaurant, hotel […]

06.09.20
Is Adaptive Reuse Right for You?
Adaptive reuse is more than refreshing a dated mall or finding new tenants for an office building. It involves adapting an existing building for an entirely different purpose than for which it was originally intended. For example, think of converting an industrial building to mixed use, an office building to a hotel, a meatpacking facility […]

04.30.20
Did You Repair Your Real Estate Property or Improve it?
Repairs to tangible property, such as buildings, machinery, equipment or vehicles, can provide businesses a valuable current tax deduction — as long as the so-called repairs were not actually “improvements.” The costs of incidental repairs and maintenance can be immediately expensed and deducted on the current year’s income tax return. But costs incurred to improve […]

06.02.20
Real Estate Group Newsletter – Spring 2020
ORBA's Real Estate Group's Spring newsletter offers insight into cost segregation studies and explains how the “retail glitch” was corrected with passing of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

02.20.20
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.

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. 

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 […]

04.13.20
ORBA Named to Accounting Today’s 2020 “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch”
Ostrow Reisin Berk & Abrams, Ltd. (ORBA), one of Chicago’s largest public accounting firms, has been named as one of Accounting Today’s “Beyond the Top 100: Firms to Watch” for 2020.  

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.

06.24.20
Paycheck Protection Program New Guidance Clarifies When to Apply for Forgiveness and Owner-Employee Limits
Borrowers that received PPP funds prior to June 5, 2020 have the option to use either a 24-week forgiveness period or an 8-week forgiveness period. On June 22, 2020, the SBA issued updated guidance that provides an additional option allowing a borrower to apply for forgiveness before the 24-week period ends.

06.19.20
Paycheck Protection Program Revised Forgiveness Applications
On June 17, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued updated guidance to reflect the Payroll Protection Flexibility Act.  The SBA also provided a revised PPP loan forgiveness application, Form 3508 and instructions, along with a simplified Form 3508 EZ and instructions for qualified borrowers.

06.08.20
Message from Managing Director Mark Thomson
Over the past two weeks, I have watched the many peaceful protests across the City of Chicago, our local communities and across the nation. People of all backgrounds are speaking out against the continuing injustice against people of color, specifically Black people.

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.

06.08.20
Message from Managing Director Mark Thomson
Over the past two weeks, I have watched the many peaceful protests across the City of Chicago, our local communities and across the nation. People of all backgrounds are speaking out against the continuing injustice against people of color, specifically Black people.

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.