2014

Showing 561–576 of 740 results

  • Ask the Advisor – When should I update my leases?

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 429

    Abstract: With the day-to-day activity involved in property management, it’s not surprising that commercial landlords often pay little attention to the terms of their long-term leases unless problems arise or renewal is on the horizon. But this article looks at other circumstances that might make it advisable to review and update leases: for example, a change in lenders or the tenant mix, or new developments in certain areas of the law.

    Read More

  • How to protect your LLC investments

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 601

    Abstract: Real estate owners and developers often form limited liability companies (LLCs) to hold title to property. One key reason for making the switch is that LLCs limit personal liability. While these entities do offer protection from personal liability for the debts and liabilities of the entity itself, some exceptions exist that could drain an owner’s or developer’s personal finances. This article discusses some of the ways that personal liability can exist and how it can be minimized.

    Read More

  • Tips for turning a profit on your properties

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 721

    Abstract: The U.S. real estate market has seen many ups and downs over the years. But this article looks at ways to help ensure that properties turn a profit. It offers a variety of suggestions for reducing expenses and vacancy rates and maintaining close communication with tenants.

    Read More

  • New regs tackle property transfers from C corps to REITs and RICs

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Real Estate Advisor

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 846

    Abstract: Last fall, the IRS issued long-awaited final regulations providing guidance on the recognition of built-in gains when the appreciated property of a C corporation becomes the property of a real estate investment trust (REIT) or regulated investment company (RIC). Such a situation can arise when a C corp becomes a REIT or RIC or because it transfers its property to a REIT or RIC in a “conversion transaction.” The regs include two important exceptions to the general rule on gain recognition. This article discusses that rule and the exceptions, while a sidebar looks at one exception that was rejected.

    Read More

  • Estate Planning Red Flag – You haven’t planned for long-term care

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 285

    Abstract: The high cost of long-term care (LTC) — which may include an assisted living facility, nursing home or home health care — can quickly devour resources needed to maintain one’s lifestyle during retirement and provide for children or other heirs. This issue’s “Estate Planning Red Flag” discusses what to consider in an LTC insurance policy.

    Read More

  • A successful family business requires strong governance

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 628

    Abstract: For a family business to provide financial security for current family members and future generations, the company must have strong governance. It starts with the initial organization (or reorganization) of a business into a corporation, partnership or LLC. This article focuses on the corporation, which is required by law to have a board of directors and officers and to observe certain other formalities. The article also looks at estate planning strategies, including having a well-designed buy-sell agreement.

    Read More

  • 5 tips for donating artwork

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 607

    Abstract: Valuable works of art may be ideal candidates for charitable donation. Generally, it’s advantageous to donate appreciated property to avoid capital gains taxes. Because the top capital gains rate for art and other “collectibles” is 28%, donating art is particularly effective. This article offers five tips to keep in mind, including getting an appraisal, being cognizant of the related-use rule, and considering a fractional donation.

    Read More

  • Private annuities can offer big tax savings

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Estate Planner

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 953

    Abstract: A private annuity can be a powerful strategy for passing assets to heirs in a tax-efficient manner. It involves transferring property to children or others in exchange for their unsecured promise to make annual payments to the transferor for the rest of his or her life. This article examines both the benefits and risks of private annuities, while a sidebar looks at a case in which the U.S. Tax Court approved a deferred private annuity, which, under the right circumstances, can minimize the risk.

    Read More

  • A little bit of growth is a big deal

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 413

    Abstract: When valuators use the income approach, long-term sustainable growth is an important assumption. That’s because a small difference in the projected growth rate can have a big impact on business value. This brief article uses an example to look at why long-term sustainable growth rates matter, and notes that, whenever a valuator makes assumptions about expected growth, it’s important to ask whether the assumptions make sense compared with other economic indicators.

    Read More

  • The early bird wins the case – Get appraisers involved in litigation sooner rather than later

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 595

    Abstract: Appraisers can be invaluable and essential expert witnesses, but they can help a case even more if engaged from the beginning — as soon as deposition questioning starts. This article offers some advice on how to ensure attorneys and others get the most out of their valuation experts. The article explains the importance of business valuation credentials, valuation experience and familiarity with the industry. It goes on to list some of the most pertinent questions to ask a potential valuation expert witness — or the opposing expert — to determine whether any weaknesses might exist. Areas to address include knowledge of valuation basics and the steps in the valuation process.

    Read More

  • Taking a closer look at financial statement adjustments

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 677

    Abstract: Often, an appraiser needs to make adjustments to get a clearer picture of an investment’s future economic benefits and to determine an objective value for the subject interest. This article uses a hypothetical divorce case to illustrate the fact that taking financial statements at face value can be misleading and inaccurate. The article points out that an appraiser may need to make adjustments to the financial statements to account for a particular business’s situation and circumstances, including the business interest size and the valuation purpose.

    Read More

  • Strategic investments – How valuators facilitate decision making

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Viewpoint on Value

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 866

    Abstract: Some private business owners make major decisions by relying on gut instinct, rather than financial metrics. But investments made on a “hunch” often fall short of management’s expectations. This article describes several forms of financial analysis that valuators may conduct to systematically probe companies’ finances and introduce objectivity to the decision-making process. This can help management rein in unrealistic projections and make optimal choices in today’s volatile marketplace.

    Read More

  • Business interruption cases – 6 ways financial experts can help

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 375

    Abstract: The purpose of business interruption insurance is to place an insured in the same position as if the interruption hadn’t occurred. This article discusses six ways financial experts can help with insurance claims, including estimating losses, mitigating the loss, and proving damages.

    Read More

  • The ins and outs of business contingencies

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 586

    Abstract: Financial managers generally attempt to identify and plan for contingencies that they feel are reasonably likely to occur. This article examines how professional valuators adjust for risk-reduction strategies, noting that the accounting treatment of contingent losses differs somewhat from that of contingent gains, and how the treatment of contingencies gets a bit more complicated when valuing a business.

    Read More

  • Why it’s critical to show that opinions are reliable

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 636

    Abstract: In a recent case involving securities fraud and breach of contract claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit found that the lower court’s standard for reliability on Daubert grounds was too high; a plaintiff need not demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the expert’s opinions are correct — just reliable. This article explains the court’s distinction between “typical” and “nontypical” securities fraud cases and how it made a difference in this case.

    Read More

  • Valuing an S corporation – Should you tax-affect or not?

    March / April 2014
    Newsletter: Valuation & Litigation Briefing / Litigation & Valuation Report

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1009

    Abstract: The issue of whether valuators should “tax-affect” an S corporation’s earnings — that is, reduce earnings by an assumed corporate tax rate — continues to be controversial. The U.S. Tax Court rejected the practice in 1999, claiming that tax-affecting was inappropriate in valuing an S corporation. But in recent years several courts have embraced the concept, choosing a middle ground that better reflects an S corporation’s value. This article looks at a couple of recent cases, while a sidebar indicates that the Tax Court might revisit tax-affecting if the right case comes along.

    Read More