07.21.20

Reintroducing Accessory Dwelling Units in Chicago

Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have become popular rental alternatives in urban areas across the U.S. over recent years. Many cities, including Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have already embraced the concept of offering these unconventional homes to offset the rising costs of housing within city limits. Now, more cities are evaluating current […]

07.15.20

Grow Your Business in an Unpredictable Economy
Chris Arndt

Even the best value proposition does not make your business recession-proof. How can a business double-down in times of economic uncertainty? Begin with your data and then focus on growth. Here are six ways to grow your business in an unpredictable economy. Want to Survive a Recession? Start With Your Data Map Your Metrics to […]

07.13.20

PPP Application Deadline Extended — $129 Billion Available
Frank L. Washelesky

In June, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act was signed into law, making it easier for many businesses to benefit from forgivable PPP loans. This was good news for restaurants, many of which had declined to apply for loans because of the Program’s strict requirements regarding rehiring of staff, use of the funds and […]

07.08.20

Paycheck Protection Program Gets a Refresh
Frank L. Washelesky

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has received a partial makeover. The PPP Flexibility Act (“Flexibility Act”), signed into law on June 5 together with new Small Business Administration (SBA) guidance, eases some of the restrictions that made it difficult for many businesses — restaurants in particular — to take full advantage of the program. Among […]

07.07.20

Is it Time to Update Your Company’s Drug Use Policy?
Harry Fox

Given the safety risks involved with many manufacturing jobs, it is a good idea for manufacturers to adopt and consistently enforce a drug and alcohol policy. However, the evolving legal environment — particularly with many states moving toward legalizing marijuana — greatly complicates the process. Alcohol vs. marijuana When marijuana was illegal everywhere, determining how […]

07.01.20

What You Need to Know About the CARES Act and Qualified Improvement Property
Justin L. Sylvan

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 […]

06.30.20

“My Conference Was Cancelled; Now What?” How to Salvage Missing a Networking Opportunity
Craig Brown

Okay, you planned to go to an industry conference to do some much-needed networking. You had high hopes of meeting new people, securing some leads for exciting work and establishing yourself as a thought leader in the industry. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus got in your way. The conference was cancelled, and you missed out on valuable […]

06.24.20

Three Ways to Put Your Financial Reports to Work
Chris Arndt

Our favorite type of client? One that has been growing so fast that they have not had the time to really put their financial reports to work. There is so much room for improvement in a company that is already growing but does not yet know how to glean value from its financial reports. Get […]

06.23.20

Current Conditions are Favorable for Cost-Effective Wealth Transfers
Eileen Cozzi

The ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has taken a terrible toll on the economy. But the current low-interest-rate environment, coupled with depressed asset values, means that now may be a good time to transfer wealth to your children and grandchildren. Consider making gifts For 2020, the federal gift and estate tax exemption is an inflation-adjusted […]

06.18.20

Trending in the Right Direction With the New Electronic Disclosure Rules

The Department of Labor (DOL) issued final electronic disclosure rules on May 27, 2020. These rules provide relief from printing and mailing certain Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) notices to plan participants and beneficiaries. This relief is great news for plan sponsors of retirement plans. It is, however, not all-encompassing because it does not […]