03.21.11

For Whom Are You Great?
Peter Nolan

If I could purge one phrase from the lexicon restaurant or small business owners it would be: “Once people try us, they love us.” These seven little words have launched many a bad marketing program. The problem with this sentiment is not just that it lacks humility (although it does). The problem is that the statement assumes that all customers pretty much the same, at least when it comes to their capacity for falling in love with your business.

03.18.11

Don’t Double Down With Event Documentation
Kenneth Tornheim

It’s that time of year when charitable organizations start planning their annual fund raising events, many of which consist of formal sit down dinners, cocktail parties, silent auctions and casino nights. However, the tax deduction allowed by the IRS for these events can vary based on the type of contribution received from your donors. But we would not recommend to doubling down with them.

03.16.11

If It’s Flushable, It May Be Deductible

A place to get away with the kids… a place to get away from the kids… a place to splash in the water… a place to go fast over the water…. HOME on the water… the boat you’ve dreamed of owning for a long, long time…

03.11.11

Do Gooder Risk
Jeff Cline

Serving on the board as a director or officer for a non-profit organization is often an altruistic action that many of us accept because it feels good to passionately support a cause that we believe in; however, it is rare that appropriate consideration is given to the risks associated with these types of affiliations. This is what I like to call the “Do Gooder Risk”.

03.07.11

Your Table is Waiting!
Michael Desko

If you are considering opening a restaurant, there are many ways to leverage the current economic climate and its repercussions on the marketplace to work to your advantage.  Allow me to share with you some of the advantages there are and then a couple of important things to consider. Leveraging the Marketplace Commercial Real Estate […]

03.02.11

Not-for Profit Accounting Solutions: What You Need to Know
Lindy Antonelli

Reducing costs, while increasing operational efficiencies and insights, are key operational goals for not-for profits today. Improving the not-for profit’s accounting software is one way to achieve this.

Until recently, the conventional wisdom was that only software packages designed specifically for the not-for profit market could adequately meet the specialized needs of tax-exempt organizations. Today’s advances in technology provide multiple choices.

03.01.11

Avoiding “The Boot” And Other Tax Surprises
Thomas Kosinski

Many tax rules are designed to be simple and easy to understand, but real estate activities are not always the same. Many of these transactions can create tax surprises if you do not plan ahead to review how taxes apply to your situation. Here are five common tax traps and surprises to avoid that often occur with our real estate clients.

02.28.11

Gift Card Crazy
Brian R. Israel

I recently reviewed the stack of gift cards on my desk. In my case, the gift cards were predominantly from restaurants and I felt compelled to take advantage of using them by making a dinner date with my wife and friends. And of course, because I am an accountant, this got me thinking about the financial benefits for any company that issues a gift card. But for restaurants in particular, gift cards can assist in increasing cash flow and profitability.

02.23.11

Helping Your Donors Help You

If you are a not-for profit organization, you should know that the tax law that was passed in late December 2010, Congress temporarily reinstated a provision allowing taxpayers receiving taxable IRA distributions to make donations of up to $100,000 to their favorite charity. The great thing about this tax provision is that the donor does not have to include the gift as income.

02.22.11

Let Me Look into My Crystal Ball
Jill Coleman Webb

I think many of us may have a snappy little response in mind for professional questions we tend to be asked over and over again. As a real estate practitioner I am often asked(though seems like always) , “When is the market going to recover?” Or, alternatively, “Have we hit bottom?”