Tax Services Overview: Businesses
Planning – We take a proactive approach by working with our clients to reduce
taxes and develop creative ideas and solutions, which minimize surprises for tax
purposes. We communicate on a regular basis and prepare tax projections as needed.
Preparation – We prepare and review an accurate return with the appropriate
documentation by using the most highly qualified personnel. We work with clients
to provide the relevant information on a timely basis. We work with many different
industries and provide expertise in the multi-state and international tax areas.
Research – There are many gray areas of the tax law that depending on the
facts and circumstances will have many different answers. Our team of experienced
tax professionals will research the particular tax area with the intent of resolving
the issues and backing up the stated position that will stand up against a governmental
objection.
Audit Assistance – We can assist clients in dealing with various tax authorities
at the federal, state and local levels, including all kinds of taxes. We will provide
only the records requested by the auditor and encourage the client to have the auditor
meet with us in our office so that they do not interrupt the business.
Entity Selection, Formation and Structure Planning – We evaluate the different
types of entities available and how they should be formed. We evaluate any changes
and develop ideas on how to structure the business as it grows to meet client needs,
both now and for the future.
Accounting Method/Period Changes – We help our clients adopt changes in their
accounting method or period for tax purposes. We advise them of the facts and circumstances
the IRS considers to allow the change, prepare the required elections and forms,
and get IRS consent to change the method. We also fully explain the tax consequences
of making the change, so that any issues can be addressed and planned for proactively.
Inventory Method Planning (FIFO, LIFO, etc.) – Inventory issues can have
significant consequences to your business. We can help evaluate the best inventory
cost method for your business and the industry, for book and tax purposes.
Inventory Uniform Capitalization Planning – We can help determine the best
method for capitalizing additional inventory related costs for tax purposes.
Depreciation Method Planning – We help determine the best depreciation method
and incentives that will suit your business. We consider your industry and look
at various scenarios to get the most tax savings possible. We work with extensive
depreciation software that allows us to evaluate book, federal, state and Alternative
Minimum Tax (AMT) depreciation considerations.
Like-Kind Exchanges – The tax-deferred exchange remains the most important
tool in planning for non-personal real estate transactions. We work with clients
to navigate the many rules and regulations that affect these transactions. We also
will act on our clients’ behalf to arrange and act as a liaison between the various
other professionals required to complete the transaction according to strict IRS
rules.
Buy vs. Lease – There are a number of factors that must be considered in
making a buy vs. lease decision. The risk of obsolescence, capital needs, accounting
treatment, and the useful life of an asset are all factors that must be taken into
account when this decision comes up. We can help analyze the situation and give
insight into what will make sense for the business needs.
Manufacturing Deduction (Section 199) – If your business produces goods,
develops software or constructs property in the United States, regardless if they
are exported, Congress has provided a means to significantly reduce your tax bill.
The manufacturer’s deduction replaced the extraterritorial income exclusion as a
way for domestic manufacturers to reduce their income tax liability for producing
their products within the United States.
Organizational Costs/Start Up Costs – We assist clients in identifying organizational
and start up costs, determine if the costs should be capitalized, expensed or amortized
for tax purposes, and make the appropriate elections.
Net Operating Losses – We assist clients in planning for losses, realizing
their maximum tax benefit and determine if the loss should be carried back or forward.
We will also prepare the loss carry back claim or make the carry forward election.
Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) – This tax runs parallel to the regular tax
and is very complex. We provide comprehensive and creative planning, to the extent
possible, to minimize this tax. We prepare extensive projections that may involve
several years and many different scenarios.
S-Election – The S-Corporation classification is a valuable tool for eligible
taxpayers to take advantage of the corporate structure while still maintaining control
over the direction of your business and its cash flow. We can determine whether
the business is eligible and file the necessary paperwork to make this election.
Mergers/Reorganizations – We provide assistance in planning for tax free
mergers and reorganizations, split ups, acquisitions, ownership changes, when clients
are changing their structure for various efficiencies and many other situations.
We research and analyze these complex transactions, as well as prepare the tax return.
Acquisition of a Business – We work with clients and their advisors to plan
for acquisitions and structure them in the best possible way for tax purposes. Our
services range from ideas on the structure of the transaction to assistance with
negotiating the purchase price to allocation of the purchase price. This involves
research, analysis, due diligence and preparation for tax purposes.
Sale of a Business – We work with clients and their advisors to plan for
the sale and structure it in the best possible way for tax purposes. Our services
range from ideas on the structure of the transaction to assistance
with negotiating the purchase price to allocation of the purchase price. This involves
research, analysis, due diligence and preparation for tax purposes.
Real Estate Transactions – We provide tax planning advice to real estate
related entities as well as their partners, shareholders and members. We tackle
numerous tax issues, including the structure of the transaction, various allocations,
like-kind exchanges and low-income housing projects.
Renewal Community Tax Credit - The Renewal Community Employment Credit is
a credit for 15 percent of the first $10,000 of wages for qualified workers who
work and live in the “zone.” The area has been expanded retroactive to 2002 in many
cities and can have a tremendous impact on a business and the labor that is hired.
We will help you determine which employees are eligible and whether or not the business
qualifies.
Research and Development Credit – We will define research and development
for your business, identify qualifying research and development projects, quantify
the applicable expenses, calculate and claim the credit, and can help develop a
system for tracking the expenses.
State Tax Credits – We can help you identify what credits or incentives your
business is entitled to in order to minimize state taxes.
Related Party Transactions – There are special rules in place for transactions
between related parties, most commonly loans or sales and purchases. The IRS has
more strict rules in place for these kinds of transactions to discourage the structuring
of them in an abusive manner. We help our clients understand the correct way to
set up such transactions, so that they will withstand the scrutiny of the IRS.
Stock Incentive Planning – We work with clients to determine the best stock
incentive plan for company and the employees and the best structure for the plan.
We work with stock option plans, stock appreciation right (SARS) plans, phantom
stock plans, stock award plans, etc.
Executive Compensation – We work closely with businesses to determine appropriate
executive compensation including incentives, options and benefits. We help tailor
a plan to meet and balance the objectives of the business as well as the executive.
Employee Benefits – In order to attract the best employees possible in a
competitive market, often it comes down to what the company offers in employee benefits
that drive the decision to accept the offer or take a competitor’s. Our experienced
professionals can help implement benefit programs that make sense for the company
and the employees.
Succession Planning – We work with closely held/family businesses to transition
the business by providing innovative planning, valuations, restructuring, evaluate
tax consequences, retirement, tax, and cash flow projections.
Consolidated Tax Returns – We prepare and review an accurate return for multi-entity
consolidated groups in accordance with the complex tax laws by using the most highly
qualified personnel. We stay abreast of new developments in tax law so that
any requirements or beneficial planning techniques are made available to our clients.
New Markets Tax Credit – The new markets tax credit (NMTC) program was established
to entice new business capital to low income communities, to facilitate economic
development in these communities and encourage investments in high-risk areas. The
credits are earned over a seven-year period based on qualified, low-income community
investments being made to a qualified, active, low-income community business.
Energy Credits - We work with clients to be certified and claim any energy
tax credits that are available for their respective business.
Fuel Tax Credit – We help identify and file refund claims for fuel used by
business for off-road purposes where fuel taxes were paid.