05.19.21

Small Business (and All Other Plan Sponsors) Oversight of Retirement Plan Investments

Prudence dictates that qualified plan sponsors periodically re-examine compliance with the fiduciary obligations of their retirement plans. A major area to consider is your fiduciary responsibilities over plan investments. This is essential for all plan sponsors, and in particular, plan sponsors of small businesses that do not have the resources or the time to oversee […]

05.18.21

The Real Estate Industry Awaits a Return to Normalcy and Focuses on Tenants, not Valuations
Stephanie Zaleski-Braatz

One thing that the real estate industry has had to learn from the economic cycles of the past three decades and from crises like the savings and loan collapse is patience. On the surface, the global pandemic seems to have had a uniform impact on the global economy — the tendency is to look at […]

05.12.21

What Is the Latest on Business Meal and Entertainment Expenses?

The deductibility of business meals and entertainment for federal income tax purposes has received renewed attention in recent months. The IRS’ final regulations on the deductibility of such expenses under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and a provision in December 2020’s Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) change the rules of the game. Here is […]

05.11.21

Remote Auditing: Is It Here to Stay?
Harry Fox

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the way companies conduct business and audit firms are no exception. Restrictions on the ability of auditors to physically visit business premises have, in many cases, forced them to adopt remote auditing techniques. Remote auditing is not new. For years, auditors have taken advantage of technology […]

04.30.21

2021 Legal Market: Why This Year Could Mark an Inflection Point
Justin L. Sylvan

It is safe to say that the legal industry has never seen a year like 2020. But, a recent study of the legal market suggests that disruptions to law firm operations could end up being the impetus that the industry needs to finally adapt to the market’s competitive realities.   The 2021 Report on the State […]

04.29.21

Using Data Analytics to Gain a Competitive Edge and Boost Tenant Satisfaction
Joy A. Long

In today’s digital world, individuals and businesses are constantly generating massive amounts of data, providing valuable opportunities to those who understand and can harness it for their benefit. For example, commercial real estate businesses can tap a wide variety of data sources to increase tenant satisfaction and, in turn, improve lease renewals, occupancy rates and […]

04.28.21

Is Your Restaurant Eligible for Employee Retention Credits?

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) is a valuable tax credit designed to encourage employers to keep employees on the payroll despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their businesses. The ERC was originally established by the CARES Act, which was enacted in March 2020. A refundable payroll credit, the ERC provides eligible employers with a tax […]

04.27.21

Businesses Provided a Lifeline: CAA Enhances PPP Loans and Extends Employee Retention Credit

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), that was passed late last year, provides the much-needed stimulus and tax relief for businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Two of the provisions that business owners are most likely interested in are the $284 billion in funding for forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), for both […]

04.22.21

Prevent the UBIT Trap of Corporate Sponsorships
Kenneth Tornheim

Landing a corporate sponsorship is an accomplishment, especially in today’s economy. If you do get lucky, you will want to prevent unrelated business income tax (UBIT) from cutting into your new income. If you meet the requirements for a qualified sponsorship payment exception, you should be in good shape. What are the exceptions? Generally, “qualified […]

04.20.21

Is Your Cybersecurity Policy Up to the Task?
James Quaid

Do you have a robust cybersecurity policy to keep your retirement plan safe from cybercriminals? The 2020 Cyber Security Risk Report by Aon finds that, “organizations often have a false sense of confidence regarding data security, particularly when it comes to risks potentially posed by third-party service providers.” The ever-growing magnitude of the threat and […]