Tax Services

Tax Planning & Preparation

Tax planning and preparation form a winning combination for our successful individual and business clients. Whether you are an individual, corporation, or any other form of business entity, our experienced staff can develop tax strategies that take advantage of new tax laws and legislation. Plus we can prepare your tax returns and help you with any other reporting requirements.

IRS Representation

During our years of experience dealing with many taxing authorities, we have achieved a level of competence that can ensure our clients they are being properly represented before the various federal and state tax agencies.

Sales Tax Services

Many of our clients are responsible for collecting and submitting sales taxes in many different vicinities. We can assist your company in the compilation of information and preparation of sales tax returns in an efficient and timely manner. Plus, we are able to represent you in sales tax matters contested by the state.

International Taxation

Our experience with the taxation of U.S residents working abroad and foreign citizens working in the U.S. has provided us with an extensive base of knowledge in the area of international taxation.

Estate & Trust Tax Preparation

Effective estate and gift planning facilitates the orderly transfer of assets to your beneficiaries, provides security for your surviving spouse, and can reduce or eliminate the tax due on the transfer of your business and other assets. For business owners, providing for business continuity and succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the complex process of getting your financial affairs in order.

Record Retention Guide

We are often asked the question "how long should I keep my tax records?"  There is no simple answer to this question.  

The Federal law requires you to maintain copies of your tax returns and supporting documents for three years. This statute of limitations is somewhat mis-leading.  There are additional statutes of limitations requiring you to have records for a six-year period; and sometimes even longer.

So, the answer may become complicated.  Below are some recommendations as to the length of time you should keep certain documents.  This is just a guide.  If you have specific questions, please call us.

Caution: Identity theft is a serious threat in today's world, and it is important to take every precaution to avoid it. Once you have determined to dispose of certain tax records, make sure you ensure the proper disposal through secure shredding or other secure means to protect your identity from potential misuse.

Business Documents To Keep For One Year

• Correspondence with Customers and Vendors
• Duplicate Deposit Slips
• Purchase Orders (other than Purchasing Department copy)
• Receiving Sheets
• Requisitions
• Stenographer's Notebooks
• Stockroom Withdrawal Forms

Business Documents To Keep For Three Years

• Employee Personnel Records (after termination)
• Employment Applications
• Expired Insurance Policies
• General Correspondence
• Internal Audit Reports
• Internal Reports
• Petty Cash Vouchers
• Physical Inventory Tags
• Savings Bond Registration Records of Employees
• Time Cards For Hourly Employees

Business Documents To Keep For Six Years

• Accident Reports, Claims
• Accounts Payable Ledgers and Schedules
• Accounts Receivable Ledgers and Schedules
• Bank Statements and Reconciliations
• Cancelled Checks
• Cancelled Stock and Bond Certificates
• Employment Tax Records
• Expense Analysis and Expense Distribution Schedules
• Expired Contracts, Leases
• Expired Option Records
• Inventories of Products, Materials, Supplies
• Invoices to Customers
• Notes Receivable Ledgers, Schedules
• Payroll Records and Summaries, including payment to pensioners
• Plant Cost Ledgers
• Purchasing Department Copies of Purchase Orders
• Sales Records
• Subsidiary Ledgers
• Time Books
• Travel and Entertainment Records
• Vouchers for Payments to Vendors, Employees, etc.
• Voucher Register, Schedules

Business Records To Keep Forever

While federal guidelines do not require you to keep tax records "forever," in many cases there will be other reasons you'll want to retain these documents indefinitely.

• Audit Reports from CPAs/Accountants
• Cancelled Checks for Important Payments (especially tax payments)
• Cash Books, Charts of Accounts
• Contracts, Leases Currently in Effect
• Corporate Documents (incorporation, charter, by-laws, etc.)
• Documents substantiating fixed asset additions
• Deeds
• Depreciation Schedules
• Financial Statements (Year End)
• General and Private Ledgers, Year End Trial Balances
• Insurance Records, Current Accident Reports, Claims, Policies
• Investment Trade Confirmations
• IRS Revenue Agents' Reports
• Journals
• Legal Records, Correspondence and Other Important Matters
• Minute Books of Directors and Stockholders
• Mortgages, Bills of Sale
• Property Appraisals by Outside Appraisers
• Property Records
• Retirement and Pension Records
• Tax Returns and Worksheets
• Trademark and Patent Registrations

Personal Documents To Keep For One Year

• Bank Statements
• Paycheck Stubs (reconcile with W-2)
• Canceled checks
• Monthly and quarterly mutual fund and retirement contribution statements (reconcile with year end statement)

Personal Documents To Keep For Three Years

• Credit Card Statements
• Medical Bills (in case of insurance disputes) 
• Utility Records
• Expired Insurance Policies 

Personal Documents To Keep For Six Years

• Supporting Documents For Tax Returns
• Accident Reports and Claims
• Medical Bills (if tax-related)
• Property Records / Improvement Receipts
• Sales Receipts
• Wage Garnishments
• Other Tax-Related Bills

Personal Records To Keep Forever

• CPA Audit Reports
• Legal Records
• Important Correspondence
• Income Tax Returns
• Income Tax Payment Checks
• Investment Trade Confirmations
• Retirement and Pension Records

Special Circumstances

• Car Records (keep until the car is sold)
• Credit Card Receipts (keep with your credit card statement)
• Insurance Policies (keep for the life of the policy)
• Mortgages / Deeds / Leases (keep 6 years beyond the agreement)
• Pay Stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2)
• Property Records / improvement receipts (keep until property sold)
• Sales Receipts (keep for life of the warranty)
• Stock and Bond Records (keep for 6 years beyond selling)
• Warranties and Instructions (keep for the life of the product)
• Other Bills (keep until payment is verified on the next bill)
• Depreciation Schedules and Other Capital Asset Records (keep for 3 years after the tax life of the asset)

Accounting Services

Financial Statements

We can assist you in the preparation of financial statements for your company. The financial statements produced can be a useful tool for managing your company and making financial decisions. We view our role in the financial reporting process as an opportunity to provide constructive solutions for maximizing your company's profitability and efficiency. We provide financial reporting on all three levels of assurance:

*Audit- an intensive examination with the highest level of assurance

*Review - some analytical procedures conducted with limited assurance

*Compilation - based upon client information provided and with minimal procedures applied.

Bookkeeping

Meaningful, well-organized financial records ensure that your business operations will run more efficiently on a daily basis and are the foundation of a successful business. Our qualified staff can assist you with the day-to-day tasks associated with bookkeeping.

Financial Forecasts & Projections

Forecasting is a necessity when trying to effectively manage and lead a business to profitability. From simple projections to complex financial modeling, our experienced staff can assist you in achieving your company's financial goals.

Cash Flow & Budgeting Analysis

A business can be profitable and still run into trouble due to cash flow issues. We can forecast and evaluate your company's financial condition, estimate financing requirements, and track cash-flow sources and uses.

Consulting Services

Business Consulting

We gauge our worth by the personal and business successes of our clients. We can help your business identify areas negatively affecting profitability and growth and develop solutions that are practical and technically sound. In addition to acting as a sounding board for management, we provide comprehensive, flexible strategies that address the issues affecting your business.

Computer Consulting

Whether you are contemplating the addition of new computer hardware or overhauling your network, our experienced staff can assist you with many of the difficult decisions that must be made when designing your business' computer systems.

Accounting Software Selection & Implementation

With the number of computerized accounting software packages available for small businesses and individuals growing every day, selecting one that is right for you has become increasingly difficult. As accounting professionals, we are exposed to most programs through trade journals and actual use. Our experienced staff can help you choose and implement the system that best fits your needs.

Buying & Selling a Business

Structuring the purchase or sale of a business properly is a critical step in the process of buying or selling a business. Our competent staff has experience to guide you through the acquisition/disposition process by addressing such issues as cash flow analysis and tax considerations.

Business Succession Planning

Choosing the form of entity of your business (e.g. "S" corporation, sole proprietor, limited liability company…) is a crucial decision that can have longstanding tax implications, positive or negative. We can assist you in evaluating the pros and cons of each entity type to help you determine the most advantageous form of business for your company.

Estate Planning

Effective estate planning facilitates the orderly transfer of assets to your beneficiaries, provides security for your surviving spouse, and can reduce or eliminate the tax due on the transfer of your business and other assets. For business owners, providing for business continuity and succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the complex process of getting your financial affairs in order.

Financial Planning

A properly structured financial plan enables you to face any financial challenge that may present itself at each stage of your life. Through the financial planning process, we can help you assess your financial needs and develop strategies that will enable you to achieve your goals and strengthen your financial security.

Retirement Planning

Successful implementation and periodic review of your financial plan will ensure financial independence during your working years and through your retirement years.

Pension & Profit Sharing Plans

Qualified retirement plans (e.g. defined-contribution or defined benefit plans, Keoghs, SEPs…) can provide significant tax advantages for closely held businesses and self-employed individuals. Our qualified staff can assist you in evaluating the type of pension plan that will best serve the retirement needs of you and your employees.

Debt & Financing Services

Debt management and the evaluation of financing options are issues that an experienced professional deals with every day. Let us use our experience to assist you in securing financing for your personal or business needs or consolidating your current debt to a more manageable level.

Other Services

Litigation Support

Litigation support involves the quantification of economic damages pursuant to existing or pending litigation using accounting and auditing techniques. We have experienced competent staff who can compile information efficiently to assist in the calculation and documentation of any potential economic loss or damages.

Expert Witness Services

Pending or existing litigation can result in the need for a qualified professional to present his/her opinion to support or oppose evidence submitted to the court. Our level of competence allows us the opportunity to function as expert witnesses in such cases.

Bankruptcies

Filing for bankruptcy is a serious and involved process with many legal and tax issues. Our firm is familiar with the complexities of the bankruptcy filing system and can competently guide you through the process.

Miscellaneous

New Business Start-Ups

Starting a new business presents many challenges and questions. How to get the business going, how to fund the operations, and how to stay in compliance with the many laws that may effect your new business are just some of your concerns. We can assist you in addressing all your questions. We can also assist you in choosing the best form of entity of your business (e.g. "S" corporation, sole proprietor, limited liability company…). This a crucial decision that can have longstanding tax implications, positive or negative. We can assist you in evaluating the pros and cons of each entity type to help you determine the most advantageous form of business for your company.

Construction and Real Estate Consulting

Despite the economic hardships often encountered by the construction and real estate industries, a qualified consultant can mean the difference in the level of success you experience. Proper preparation of financial statements and supporting schedules for your bonding agent is frequently the means to allow for your growth.

Auto Dealer Consulting

After more than 25 years of consulting with auto dealerships, our experienced personnel can help your dealership grow and thrive in a competitive environment.

Patent Royality Audits

The collection of patent royalties from your licensees is often an involved process. The testing of the accuracy of the royalties by an independent third party may resolve many of the issues related to your agreements.