By Brian Jacobson, CPAGray, Gray & Gray, LLP “Trust, but verify.” President Ronald Reagan’s sage advice about arms negotiations is also appropriate when lending money or investing capital. If you are a lender or venture capital firm, it is incumbent on you to discover the facts about the ability of a borrower to pay back […]
“Trust, But Verify” When Lending Money Read More »
Many people panic at the thought of interacting with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The thought of an audit or review of tax returns can be worrisome. But there is no need to go to pieces. If you have an encounter with the IRS – such as an audit or letter of inquiry – the
Your Rights as a Taxpayer Read More »
On August 16, after a nearly ten year journey through the courts, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California reversed an earlier decision on a landmark case and ruled that plan fiduciaries continue to have responsibility for employee benefit plans (such as 401(k) plans) even after initial investment decisions have been made.
Landmark Case on Fiduciary Role in 401(k) Plans Read More »
By Michael D. Koppel, CPA, PFS, CITP, MBARetired Partner at Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP People who own multiple businesses are often advised to keep them as separate entities for legal and financial reasons. The same advice applies to companies that set up separate entities for real estate ownership purposes. Separation is an important way
Substantive Consolidation in Bankruptcy Read More »
By Michael D. Koppel, CPA, PFS, CITP, MBARetired Partner at Gray, Gray & Gray As we grow older, many fear being in a nursing home or, even worse, in a locked Alzheimer’s unit. While these situations can be extremely difficult for both the individual and his/her family, there is another major consideration weighing on most
Mitigating the Stress and Risk of Medicaid Costs Read More »
By Michael D. Koppel, CPA, PFS, CITP, MBARetired Partner at Gray, Gray & Gray School’s out! What are your children (or grandchildren) doing during their summer vacation? Going to camp? Hanging around with friends? How about beginning to plan for retirement? Retirement for the younger set may be 50 years or more away. But they
How Soon Can Your Child or Grandchild Start Saving for Retirement? Read More »
If you have taken the step of creating an estate plan to help ensure your financial wishes are carried out, congratulations. You are well ahead of most people in this country. Forbes magazine reports that 51 percent of Americans age 55 to 64 don’t even have wills, much less estate plans. But no estate plan
What is Missing from Your Estate Plan? Read More »
By Michael L. Cecere, CPA, MST If your company offers employees a benefit plan such as a 401(k), 403(b) or other type of pension, and you have 100 or more employees eligible to participate in the plan, you must submit an audited annual plan financial statement along with the annual Form 5500 to the U.S.
Is Your Company Required to Have an Employee Benefit Plan Audit? Read More »
By Karen G. Timmermans, CPA “For the only way in which a durable peace can be created is by world-wide…economic activity and international trade.” – James Forrestal (1892-1949), former U.S. Secretary of Defense Although international trade has been making headlines in recent months, it is not a new occurrence. Cross-border commerce has been taking place
Business Without Borders Read More »
By Derek B. Rawls, CPA, MST My physician has advised me to avoid too much salt in my diet. Studies have shown that excess salt intake can raise blood pressure. The same can happen when a business finds too much SALT – State and Local Taxes – in its diet. While there is much speculation
Putting SALT on the Table Read More »