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Showing 8849–8864 of 10245 results
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Dealer Digest
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 464
Abstract: This issue’s “Dealer Digest” spotlights a recent Grant Thornton survey indicating executive concern over the cost of employee benefits; how to use social media to build relationships with customers; and a J.D. Power survey showing increasing use of the Internet for vehicle shopping.
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Accent on foreign accounts
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 615
Abstract: The IRS is offering guidance on how to fill out its annual “Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts,” commonly known as FBAR, as it gears up for 2009 returns. Investigators use FBARs to help identify, or trace, funds used for illicit purposes — or to identify unreported income kept or generated abroad. Teaming up with the U.S. Department of Justice, the agencies say they’re prepared to assess civil and criminal penalties for violations. This article discusses who must file, and when.
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AR management – Step up to the plate
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 756
Abstract: Strong accounts receivable (AR) management can help dealerships hit home runs — and stay in the game. There are a variety of collection techniques dealers can use for vehicle accounts receivable, parts and service receivables, contracts in transit, factory receivables, and warranty claims.
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Dealership financing – It’s hard, but not impossible, to uncover
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Dealer Insights
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1010
Abstract: The auto industry may show signs of recovery, but financing isn’t expected to return to normal anytime soon. And funding a floor plan, other operations and future capital expenditures is likely to remain a challenge. But there are steps dealers can take to convince lenders they’re a worthy risk. It’s important for a dealership to sit down with their accountant and develop a presentation that will help convince the lender of their creditworthiness. If the primary lender is unmoved, there are four additional sources of funding that might be available. A sidebar to this article lists eight questions to ask a lender about loan terms.
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Construction Success Story – Contractor considers supplementary certification
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 449
Abstract: For the owner of a general contracting business in a mostly urban rehab/high-rise market, times were tough. With the economy in gradual recovery mode, work was slowing down and competition was stiff. So, during a visit to his financial advisor, the owner asked for ideas on gaining an edge. She had one that he found quite surprising: supplementary certification. Contractors who seek certification beyond what’s required for licensure, she explained, are in a better position to compete for business and broaden their horizons in areas they wouldn’t normally explore. She mentioned several well-known organizations where he might go for continuing education and certification courses.
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Mind your metrics – Key financial measures can keep you in the game
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 663
Abstract: As the local market picks up or slows down, contractors need to know exactly where they stand financially to reasonably decide whether to move boldly forward or pull conservatively back. And when it comes to determining financial standing, the more accurate and precise one is, the better. That’s where certain key financial measures come into play. This article discusses such measures as return on assets and return on equity, along with a number of important ratios.
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Extended NOL carryback period offers contractors tax relief
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 434
Abstract: This tax season, some construction companies may find welcome relief from an uncertain economy and challenging marketplace because of the recently extended net operating loss (NOL) carryback period. This provision is part of the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009, a bill passed last November that aims to create jobs and offer respite to struggling businesses and the unemployed. The newly renewed NOL rules allow most businesses to carry back their NOLs for up to five years, instead of the previously sanctioned two.
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Better start, better finish – 5 steps for avoiding project delays before work begins
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Contractor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 875
Abstract: Project delays occur for a number of reasons, and can range from small misunderstandings to huge conflicts that may put the financial success of a project on the line. But there are five steps that will help a contractor get to the finish line quicker by getting off to a better start: checking the owner’s financing; having a specific, well-defined contract; collaborating with all parties on a plan of action; creating standardized information management systems and processes; and choosing suppliers wisely. A sidebar to this article lists key questions that a contractor should ask potential vendors when considering a shift to paperless operations.
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Tax Tips – Much ado about NOLs – A 100% tax-free IRA? – Keep a close eye on the estate tax
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 461
Abstract: In this issue’s “Tax Tips,” we briefly look at the 2009 extension of the net operating loss carryback period; an essentially 100% tax-free IRA; and an update on possible estate tax legislation.
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When can you write off bad business debts?
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 481
Abstract: The tax deduction for business bad debts is among the most widely misunderstood provisions in the tax code. Many business owners mistakenly believe that one can take a bad debt deduction any time an account receivable or other obligation becomes uncollectible. This article reviews the circumstances under which it’s possible to write off bad debts.
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Home is where the tax savings are – How joint home purchases can reduce estate taxes
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 918
Abstract: When buying a home, the first financial consideration many people think of are the income tax benefits. But there are other important tax-saving opportunities that should be considered. This article explores one strategy — which is buying a home jointly with a family member — and how it can remove the home’s value from one’s taxable estate.
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Don’t lose out on rental real estate losses
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Tax Impact
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 947
Abstract: If a person owns rental properties, there’s a good chance at least one of them is generating a loss. But the passive activity loss (PAL) rules can make it difficult to deduct those losses. If rental real estate is a significant activity, it pays to review the situation to determine whether one meets the IRS’s definition of “real estate professional.” This article explains some of the circumstances in which one may qualify and how it might be possible to convert passive losses into nonpassive losses, creating substantial tax benefits.
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Tiered valuation discounts: How low can you go?
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 353
Abstract: Valuation discounts can substantially lower the fair market value of gifted business interests. But business interest owners often inquire as to whether additional discounts apply when multiple layers of ownership exist. The answer is, maybe — if each entity exists for a bona fide business purpose. This brief article uses a landmark case, Astleford v. Commissioner, to examine the ramifications of tiered valuation discounts.
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Fine-tuning the value estimate — The importance of valuation adjustments
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 736
Abstract: An appraiser often makes adjustments to normalize companies’ earnings, removing all unusual, nonrecurring events from a company’s financial statements to reveal a clearer picture of the company’s normal operations. But what is normal? It depends. This article looks at the various adjustments an appraiser might make to achieve the appropriate basis of value.
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Rules of thumb are no substitute for the real
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 791
Abstract: Rules of thumb are simplified formulas that may be published in trade journals or passed along by word of mouth. These equations vary from industry to industry, and their simplicity can be appealing to business owners. But it is that very simplicity that can cause problems. This article looks at the potential pitfalls of using rules of thumb to determine the value of a business interest.
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Economic bust, litigation boom
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 902
Abstract: The sluggish economy might not be the only scapegoat for lackluster business performance. Civil wrongdoings, such as breach of contract or negligence, also cause companies to lose money. This article explains how a financial expert uses the evidence to determine the appropriate damages theory to account for loss in a damages case. The article mentions several factors the expert considers, including financial projections, comparable data, and damages duration. It also lists several accepted methods for quantifying economic damages.