By Steve Carter, CPA, Audit Partner
ASL Renewable Energy Group
The focus on transitioning the nation’s energy needs from existing to renewable sources is the shared mission and passion of most renewable energy companies. The process of transforming natural resources into usable energy is a confluence of science, technology, and even user behavior. However, many challenges remain to achieving the objective. One issue which has been preventing broader adoption of this energy source is the inconsistency of weather. While technology allows for very accurate forecasting, it’s not always correct, and this can create “spikes” in the availability of energy. That’s why companies are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to help facilitate solutions. AI can help with better micro-grid management, improved reliability, and optimized energy storage. To help clients, prospects and others understand the impact of AI, ASL has provided a summary of key solutions below. (more…)
By Deepa Bhat, CPA, Audit Principal
ASL Construction Group
As we were wrapping up the reviewed financials for my General Contractor client, I asked the Controller, “what are some of the issues often overlooked by contractors as it relates to accounting?” And she was happy to oblige me with her top three issues for contractors to consider for better reporting: (more…)
By Jeff Faust, CVA, Director of Valuation Services
ASL Business Valuation Services
Recently, the IRS began pushing back on discounts used within estate and gift valuations, specifically the discount for lack of control (DLOC) and the discount for lack of marketability (DLOM), calling for lower discounts to be applied. Valuation discounts have always been critical in estate and gift valuations because they measure the restrictions on the ownership interest being valued. These discounts also can be used as a planning tool to help lower overall estate and gift taxes. As a result, the IRS reviews these discounts carefully and can push back on them. The DLOC is typically applied when the non-controlling interest is being valued and the DLOM is applied to account for the limited liquidity of the ownership interest. (more…)
By Jerry Quintos, CPA, Director
ASL Construction Group
Are you a construction industry company utilizing all your local resources here in Silicon Valley? Most of you probably are, but some of you… perhaps not. I’m thinking about the Construction Financial Management Association of Silicon Valley (CFMA), Builders’ Exchange of Santa Clara County (Builders’ Exchange), and the Construction Group here at Abbott, Stringham & Lynch (ASL). (more…)
By Rachel Gillespie, CPA, Tax Principal
ASL Real Estate Group
In December of 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted by Congress, which gave us the most sweeping and dramatic changes to the Internal Revenue Code in more than 30 years. The Act created the Internal Revenue Code Section 199A deduction which has the potential to help taxpayers reduce their liabilities with a 20% deduction against their “qualified business income”. Section 199A provides individual taxpayers and certain trusts and estates a deduction for qualified business income from a partnership, limited liability company, S-corporation, sole proprietorship, trust or estate. The deduction applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 and before January 1, 2026. (more…)
By Deepa Bhat, CPA, Audit Principal
ASL Construction Group
As we head into another busy tax season, I am mentally preparing myself to answer questions from my contractor clients on how they stack up within their industry and against their peers. Lucky for me, I have access to industry benchmarking data that makes my client conversations productive and informative. In addition, as a bonus, the benchmarking reports provide a deep insight into the Company’s present and, often, their future. (more…)
With all of the changes to the meals and entertainment deduction under the new tax law, we thought we would summarize the rules in this handy table. Please reach out to us if you have questions. (more…)
By Abe Livchitz, CPA, Senior Tax Manager & Tingting Zhang, CPA, Tax Senior
Tax deferral, gain exclusions, tax free appreciation. These seven words are very exciting as they offer potentially significant tax savings for our clients. All three of these benefits are possible by investing in a “Qualified Opportunity Fund” (QOF). The creation of these funds and their related tax benefits were authorized by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed by Congress in December 2017. The Internal Revenue Service recently issued guidance to clarify questions unanswered by the TCJA, so QOFs should gain in popularity in the coming months. However, additional guidance is expected in the future, as many questions remain unanswered. (more…)
By Steve Carter, CPA, Principal
ASL Construction Group
When you see a cement mixer going down the street, or at a site getting ready to pour, do you think immediately of the effects upon our environment? I must confess, I have not. Until recently.
Cement is a major component of concrete. Cement is often referred to as the glue that holds concrete together. But cement is very harmful to our environment. One ton of cement production releases one ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. With cement production currently at 2.8 billion tons per year, and expected to only increase, that is a lot of CO2 released into our already fragile atmosphere. (more…)
