Author: Leah Spielman

Graduate holding a diploma

Do You Need a Master’s in Taxation Degree?

Talk to people who have, or had, your desired position. An advanced degree may not, in fact, be required to get to where they are. After all, professional experience and connections matter as much or more than any degree.  That being said, many who have a master’s in taxation (MST) find that it accelerates their

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PPP Update: SBA Drops PPP Loan Necessity Questionnaire

After numerous trade organizations challenged the legality of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Necessity Questionnaires, the SBA announced this month that it is dropping the requirement for loan necessity review for PPP loans of $2 million or larger. The questionnaires were an additional step to collect supplemental information to evaluate

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Man working from home participating in a Zoom call.

5 Ideas to Start Your Remote Job the Right Way

Between co-workers, managers, projects and a different culture from your previous workplace, the transition to a new job can be difficult—even in the best of times. For employees who start a new job remotely, it can be a daunting task to get up to speed on processes, expectations and collaboration. By communicating and proactively showing

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Modern apartment complex.

IRS Guidance to Change Depreciation Method for RPTOB

On June 17, 2021, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2021-28 and Revenue Procedure 2021-29 that provide guidance for an electing Real Property Trade or Business (RPTOB) to conform to the use of a depreciation recovery period of 30 years under the Alternative Depreciation System (ADS) for residential rental property placed in service before January 1,

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Overcome New Job Nerves

Starting a new job is a big life change! It’s an exciting time in your life, but it can leave you feeling nervous and uncertain about what’s to come. This feeling of nervousness is normal when starting a new job—we’ve all experienced it. It can feel challenging, or maybe even overwhelming to face a new

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Turn Stress into Productivity

As we go through life, stressful situations happen. Starting a new job is one of the most stressful situations we will face, but there are ways to turn that stress or anxiety into productivity. Use these tips to turn this or any stressful situation into a positive one.   Find Balance There is a lot

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PPP Update: Deductibility of Eligible Expenses on California Returns

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 80 (AB 80) on April 29, 2021 to allow certain businesses to deduct their eligible expenses that were paid with forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. Prior to this new legislation, California did not allow a tax deduction of eligible expenses paid with forgiven PPP loan funds. California

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Modern Workplace Etiquette

Modern Workplace Etiquette

Workplaces are becoming casual and employers are eager to showcase their relaxed culture with new or potential hires. Offices have ditched professional attire to allow employees to wear casual clothing all week long, not just on specific days of the week. Leadership teams are also becoming more accepting of varying work schedules, allowing employees to

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IRS Extends 2020 Individual Federal Return Filing Due Date

On March 17, 2021, the IRS announced that the federal individual income tax filing due date for 2020 returns will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021. Formal IRS guidance will be issued shortly. The extended due date also applies to the tax payment due with the individual return. No interest

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How to Use LinkedIn Effectively

When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? It’s important to regularly update your profile and check-in with your followers, not just when you’re looking for a job. An up-to-date profile is a reflection of who you are and the organization you work for, and can also be used as an effective business

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Develop Your Career with Professional Communication

Whether you’re applying for a new job, just starting off in your career or are an established professional, the way you communicate matters. Written communication can become sloppy and unprofessional if we aren’t careful. Here are a few tips to ensure you’re communicating professionally within the work place or when applying for a new position.

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Business Energy Credit Impacted by the Consolidated Appropriations Act

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020, included extenders to extend tax provisions related to various energy credits. One of the extended credits is the business energy credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 48(a) for solar property. Credits for solar property are commonly seen in

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Consolidated Appropriations Act Changes the ADS Depreciable Life

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), signed into law on December 27, 2020 by President Trump, included provisions that shorten the depreciable life under the Alternative Depreciation System (ADS) for pre-2018 residential real estate for an IRC Sec. 163(j)(7)(A)(ii) electing real property trade or business.  For residential real estate placed in service prior to January

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Temporary Relief for Late-leased Units in LIHTC Projects

Notice 2021-12 released by the Internal Revenue Service on January 15, 2021 provided various extensions and modifications to the requirements for low income housing tax credits under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 42. Please refer to our earlier blog, IRS Notice 2021-12 Provides LIHTC Relief and Extends Deadlines.   One modification in Notice 2021-12 that

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IRS Notice 2021-12 Provides LIHTC Relief and Extends Deadlines

The Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2021-12 on January 15, 2021 to grant relief and to extend deadlines for various Low-Income Housing Tax Credit requirements.  Here is a summary of the relief and extensions. Operational relief for the period from April 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021: Building owners are not required to perform income

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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Round 2

On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was signed into law.  It contains extensions and expansions of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a program included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that allows eligible employers to obtain forgivable loans for certain payroll and non-payroll purposes. The PPP loan

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The Importance of Being Organized at Work

A lack of organization can be a real problem in the workplace. It can affect your productivity levels, and hinders your professional appearance to colleagues and clients. It isn’t just about your professional reputation; implementing daily habits to remain organized can have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being. Feeling unorganized can produce

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How to Ace Your Next Interview

Do Your Homework With an interview in place, it’s now time to learn as much about the firm and position as possible. Gathering background information allows you to tie your qualifications back to the firm during your interview. The employer will expect you to know a few things about the firm and if you will

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Employers: Register for the CalSavers Retirement Program

The California State Treasurer’s office has begun sending email reminders to California employers to register for the CalSavers Retirement Savings Program (CalSavers). CalSavers was passed into law in 2016.  California employers with five or more employees, and at least one of whom is age 18 or over, are required by state law to participate in

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COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes 4% Housing Credit Floor Rate

The passage of the new COVID-19 relief bill (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021) by Congress on December 21, 2020, which was signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020, includes legislation that amends Internal Revenue Code Section 42. This new bill sets a minimum 4% housing credit rate for new and existing buildings that

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The capital building in Washington DC at dusk.

COVID-19 Relief Bill Clarifies Deductibility of Expenses Paid with PPP Loans

On December 21, 2020, Congress finally passed a new COVID-19 relief bill (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021) which President Trump signed into law on December 27, 2020. The bill includes clarification of the deductibility of certain eligible expenses paid with forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.  The bill now permits taxpayers who receive PPP loan forgiveness

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How Social Media Impacts your Career

Social media is a widely popular tool for employees and job seekers to post about professional accomplishments, accreditations and even volunteer activities. Unfortunately, an outdated social media account could cost you an interview or hinder your chances of getting a job. Are your social media channels outdated? If so, it’s a good idea to clean

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New IRS Guidance: Non-Deductibility of Expenses Paid with PPP Loans

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides loan funds to small businesses in order to help them pay eligible expenses (payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities).  These covered loans are to be fully forgiven and not to be treated as income to the loan

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Nonprofit Purchasing Policy Considerations

Nonprofits have a multitude of compliance standards to juggle, and constructing a comprehensive nonprofit purchasing policy is no exception. Maintaining tax-exempt status requires adherence to very specific behaviors, and written policy should be reviewed periodically to ensure your organization meets or exceeds standards. Under the new procurement standards, all NPOs receiving federal awards must have

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Big CPA Firm or Local Firm: Which Career Move is Best For You?

After years of late nights, hitting the books to earn your degree while doling out an unfathomable amount of money to pay for that education, you are finally ready for your first career position in accounting. Now what? Perhaps you’ve already passed a couple of parts of your CPA exam and are on your way

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Webinar Round-Up: Risk Identification Matrix Unveiled

S. Scott Seamands, partner at Lindquist von Husen & Joyce, LLP, and Julie Goldfine, COO/CFO at Mutual Housing California, revealed a risk identification matrix currently under development by our firm that serves as an information network for financial learning in the nonprofit affordable housing industry. After years of interviews and discussions with CFOs about their

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The Evolution of a CPA’s Career

The skills a CPA needs at the beginning of their career shifts over the years and depends heavily on the path chosen. Let’s a take a look at that shift as a CPA career progresses. Early Stages of a CPA’s Career In the beginning of a CPA’s career, the skills and expertise are developing and

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Pandemic Heightens Sustainable Affordable Housing Efforts

Since the PATH Act in 2015, no major federal legislation has come about to address massive shortages in affordable housing across the U.S. While the House and Senate introduced many bills   since then, legislation seems to die in committee or across the aisle. Much more legislation is enacted at the state level, but we know

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Five Ways to Add Inspiration to Your Accounting Career

Like anything in life, a career ebbs and flows. You go through stages where you feel invincible and ready to take on the world, but there are also those times where you may feel like you don’t have the same fire as when you started out. These are the times when being creative and proactive

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How Affordable Housing Really Happens: Finance + Community

An article last fall in the New York Times demonstrated what billions can and can’t do to bring about more affordable housing in a large metropolitan area. It can’t, for example, convince community groups to allow development in their neighborhoods or local government leaders to support it. Money alone also can’t ensure that a deal

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