The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates tax refund fraud will near $21 billion in 2016. To counteract rising threat, the IRS has put on a full court press to stop identity theft, using a combination of prevention, detection and victim assistance. The “Taxes. Security. Together.” awareness campaign is an effort to better inform taxpayers about […]
IRS Offers Tips on Avoiding Tax Identity Theft Read More »
by Bobby Garrett, IT DirectorGray, Gray & Gray, LLP A growing issue beleaguering the technology world is “phishing,” a tactic used by cybercriminals as they attempt to obtain financial data and other confidential information from unsuspecting individuals. Phishing uses “spoofed” emails, fake websites and deceptive phone calls to lure people to voluntarily hand over sensitive
10 Ways to Avoid Phishing Read More »
First-time business sellers often must negotiate an M&A deal with far more experienced buyers. If your buyer already has several acquisitions under its belt, you could be at a competitive disadvantage. Experienced M&A advisors, who can fight on your behalf for the best price and deal terms, are essential to overcoming this strategic disadvantage. Survey
What is the "Seller Disadvantage" and How Do I Overcome It? Read More »
Business sellers who aren’t ready for retirement may wish to retain a management role in their companies after they’ve been sold. Such arrangements can offer buyers advantages, including a smoother integration process and higher customer and employee retention. For these reasons, a buyer may even require its seller to remain with the company for a
Staying Power: Buyers can benefit when sellers take a postsale role Read More »
By Derek B. Rawls, CPA, MSTGray, Gray & Gray, LLP American companies exporting goods – and certain services – may be able to enjoy significant federal income tax savings through a little-known instrument known as an interest charge domestic international sales corporation (IC-DISC). You do not need to be a huge exporter to take advantage
What is an IC-DISC and How Could It Save You Tax Dollars? Read More »
The period immediately following the close of an M&A deal is a fragile one for customer relations. If you don’t address misgivings and fears, you could face substantial customer attrition — and imperil the value of your acquisition. Learn why customers depart following a merger and how you can create a plan to prevent it.
Retaining Customers After Your Acquisition Read More »
By Michael Cecere, CPAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP Do you know how your money is being invested? Or, if you are the one responsible for managing an investment portfolio, what assurance are you giving your clients that their money is being invested as they would wish? If you can’t answer these questions, you probably do
Having an Investment Policy Statement is… a Good Policy! Read More »
Before starting M&A negotiations, both buyers and sellers can benefit from setting a “walk-away price.” Consider it a safeguard measure. An amount below (for sellers) or above (for buyers) the walk-away price signals the end of merger negotiations. For sellers, anything below the walk-away price grossly undervalues the company’s assets and earnings, and suggests that
What’s the "Walk-Away" Price and How Do I Determine It? Read More »
Employee benefits can be critical to the success of an M&A deal’s integration phase. If handled poorly, the process of transferring and restructuring benefits might alienate key employees — and even expose buyers to legal claims. To avoid such consequences, review your target company’s current benefits package before the deal closes. In particular, keep an
Why Buyers Need to Pay Attention to Employee Benefits Read More »
How quickly can you sell or acquire a business? As with most major transactions, it depends. Once parties agree to merge, deals typically take six to 18 months to conclude. The selling company’s size and industry, the complexity of the transaction, and the buyer’s ability to get financing, among other factors, can all affect timing.
It’s About Time: Keep Your Deal Moving — But Not Too Quickly Read More »