Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If you are a business that promotes itself by giving holiday gifts to clients or vendors, the tax law has some very Grinch-like rules about deducting the cost of the gifts you give during the holidays, or at any other time of year. The IRS publication 463 explains
Ho, Ho, Hold it! Be Careful How You Deduct those Holiday Gifts 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 »
By Richard A. Hirschen, CPA, CGMAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP The federal government recently announced that the nationwide unemployment rate dropped to 5% in October, the lowest it has been since 2008. Professions like architecture, engineering and design are not immune to the effects of the tightening pool of workers. Not only is it more
Protecting Your Firm’s Most Valuable Asset: Its People Read More »
By Richard Hirschen, CPA, CGMAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP Every year architectural and engineering firms spend money – lots of money – trying to generate new business and new projects. Your firm’s investment in marketing can run the gamut from advertising and direct mail, to a website and public relations, to entering design competitions in
Accounting for Marketing Expenses in Overhead Rate Calculations Read More »
By C. Joseph Ciccarello, CPA, MSTGray, Gray & Gray, LLP If you have built a flourishing chain of businesses over the years, your life has no doubt been focused on operational and financial issues related to the business. But it is essential that you also pay attention to your personal finances. In particular, you need
Has Your Succession Plan Kept Up With Your Success? Read More »
By Karen Timmermans, CPAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP “Should I buy my new car, or lease it?” Of the thousands of inquiries we get every year about corporate and personal finances, this question is among the most common, and is usually delivered with great passion and concern. The personal nature of choosing a new vehicle,
A Final Answer to the Buy vs. Lease Dilemma Read More »
The IRS 1099-MISC form could be the single most important – and annoying – piece of paper you’ll have to deal with this year. Payments totaling $600 or more to an independent contractor or landlord during the year, for such items as compensation for non-employees or rent, require that you provide the recipient with a
All About 1099 Forms Read More »
by Dana Fortini, SupervisorGray, Gray & Gray, LLP Banks are bending over backward to make life easier for their customers. Extended hours, branches open on weekends, and a host of online banking services all help to save customers time. Among the most innovative and convenient of these new services is the ability to deposit checks
How Convenient Banking Can Lead to Fraud Read More »
Nothing sends a chill up the spine like the words “IRS audit.” That’s why every year we hear from clients who want to know what the odds are that they will be audited. The IRS uses a variety of criteria to decide which returns will receive further scrutiny. Among the most common “red flag” is
Will Your Itemized Deductions Raise a Red Flag with the IRS? Read More »
Using financial statements to better manage your architectural practiceBy Richard Hirschen, CPAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP There are many ways to measure success in an architectural or engineering practice. Winning important and highly visible projects. Generating a steady flow of RFPs. Working on interesting and exciting designs. Being honored with awards and accolades. But none
The Numbers Don’t Lie Read More »