Articles
Many of the taxpayer-friendly provisions of the tax code introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2017 are set to expire at the end of 2025, exposing individuals and businesses to the prospect of significantly higher tax liabilities beginning in 2026. While it is possible lawmakers will intervene and extend some provisions […]
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, it is easier for individuals to claim federal tax credits for the purchase of new electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell electric vehicles, but there are fewer cars and trucks that qualify for the full $7,500 credit this year. The clean vehicle tax credit was amended in 2022 as part of the […]
The SECURE Act 2.0, passed into law in 2022, aims to reform the nation’s retirement savings system, making it easier for workers to save for their golden years and simplifying the rules employers must follow to administer retirement benefit plans for their employees. Following are some of the law’s provisions that take effect on Jan. […]
The passage of the Secure Act 2.0 at the end of 2022 ushered in significant changes for employers and how they must administer and annually report information about their employee benefit plans. These new provisions apply to employers’ 401(k) and 403(b) plans for tax years beginning in 2023. Although plans have until the last day […]
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in 2022 ushered in enhanced tax credits for consumers who purchase new and used electric, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. However, it has become more difficult to qualify for the full value of the tax credit when you buy a new clean-energy vehicle that you place in service on or […]
The pandemic and subsequent months of economic uncertainty have proven that change is the one constant business leaders must accept and continually prepare for, not only to survive, but also to thrive over the long term. While changes may involve modifications to specific segments of a business, such as narrowing or expanding geographic distribution, products […]
In the aftermath of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian and with Hurricane Nicole taking aim at Florida, we are reminded once again of the importance of preparing for and responding to natural disasters in order to minimize business losses and ensure long-term viability. The actions a business takes during the first few days following a loss […]
Under recent guidance issued by the IRS, retirement plans, including 401(k)s, certain 403(b) plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs), have additional time to adopt required amendments incorporating new legislation introduced in 2019 and 2020. The new deadline for non-governmental calendar-year plans to adopt these amendments has been postponed from December 31, 2022, to December 31, […]
The July 31 deadline for businesses to file annual employee benefit plan returns (or request a two and a half month filing extension) is right around the corner. While all employers offering defined contribution plans will find a few changes to the information reporting requirements found on IRS Form 5500, those with 100 or more […]
Time is up for private companies to comply with the new lease accounting standards (ASC 842), which require businesses to begin recording the assets and liabilities of all leases, including operating leases, on their balance sheets. For calendar-year companies, the new lease accounting standard is effective on January 1, 2022. Private companies that have already […]
Business owners already struggling with the continued uncertainty surrounding the pandemic are also facing the prospect of higher taxes and a resulting negative impact on company cash flow, profitability and valuations. For some, this environment will accelerate business sales or mergers and require significant alterations to existing estate plans – all of which will require […]
The federal research and development (R&D) tax credit is one of the most valuable tax incentives while also being one of the most misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, eligibility is not limited to businesses that employ scientists, develop cutting-edge products or make groundbreaking discoveries. Rather, it may apply to businesses, large and small, in a […]
Even as New York prepares to join a growing number of U.S. states to legalize the sales of marijuana for recreational purposes, cannabis continues to be treated on the federal level as an illegal Schedule I substance. As a result, taxpayers involved in the cannabis industry, either as investors or business operators, face a landmine of […]
The Consolidations Appropriations Act of 2021, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, provides 401(k) sponsors with welcome relief from partial plan terminations that may have otherwise occurred in the wake of COVID-19-related workforce reductions. Background Under longstanding IRS rules, businesses that lay off 20 percent or more of employees covered by a defined-contribution plan in a […]
On Sept. 21, 2020, the IRS released the last set of final regulations regarding the 100 percent first-year bonus-depreciation deduction on qualifying business assets, which Congress introduced at the end of 2017 as a part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The final regulations clarify and amend previous guidance relating to the definition […]
People
Michael Greenwald has more than 40 years of experience in public accounting. He provides consulting expertise to clients in the financial services, technology and media, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, private equity, real estate, construction and professional services industries. By approaching client challenges with a long-range view, he brings a unique perspective and identifies opportunities. His guidance […]
Lian Brandt has more than 15 years of experience providing audit, accounting and investment banking consulting services to organizations in a wide range of industries, including start-ups, financial services, distribution and manufacturing. Brandt has specialized experience working with SEC clients. She is fluent in Mandarin and Shanghai dialect.
Mark B. Leaheey has more than 15 years of professional experience providing tax and consulting services to clients in the U.S. and abroad. He focuses on self-procurement tax, as well as state and local income franchise tax compliance and consulting. A focus area is research and development credits for a wide range of industries. Leaheey […]
Dylan Stone has nearly 15 years of accounting experience providing business valuation services for estate and gift taxation, minority oppression, divorce and litigation-related matters. Stone also specializes in forensic accounting services for family law disputes. His clients have major holdings in a wide range of industries, including construction, consumer products, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, private […]
Tal Aviv provides tax compliance and consulting services to closely held businesses and publicly traded entities with domestic and international operations. His skill and previous work with a Big Four accounting firm also contributes to his specialization in managing complex transactions involving taxation of operating partnerships, corporate entities and high-net-worth individuals in the U.S. and […]
Joseph Leocata has more than 10 years of experience representing and advising clients in federal, state and local tax controversy matters. Leocata works closely with high-net-worth individuals, partnerships, corporations and not-for-profit organizations on tax matters involving income, sales and use, payroll, estate and gift, tax-exempt and residency tax issues.
For nearly 15 years Michael Brennan has provided tax consulting and outsourced CFO services to clients in a wide range of industries, including professional services firms, hedge funds and manufacturers. He has an added focus on the complex needs of high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and families. In 2023 Brennan was recognized by Crain’s New York Business […]
Steven Rubin provides tax compliance and consulting services to corporations, closely held businesses and high-net-worth families. A member of the firm’s State and Local Tax (SALT) services group, he also helps clients across the country navigate complex tax issues that vary from one jurisdiction to another.
Christian Oliva provides accounting, auditing and business consulting services to companies in a wide range of industries. He has specialized experience auditing homebuilders, commercial rental real estate and distributors. Oliva has experience providing audit and accounting services to companies in the construction, manufacturing, employee benefit plans, not-for-profit and real estate sectors.
Mike Conkey has more than 25 years of experience in CFO and controller roles, primarily focusing on real estate and construction-related entities. He has strong operations acumen coupled with a deep knowledge of accounting, finance and process protocols that help clients avoid unexpected results. His design of controls and processes allow executives and decisionmakers to […]
Luke Lucas focuses his practice on state and local tax compliance and consulting services for individuals and businesses across various industries. His experience as a state and local tax (SALT) specialist helps clients across the country navigate the entire spectrum of direct and indirect taxes imposed by state and local jurisdictions.
Savannah Cabrera Snow provides federal, state and international tax consulting and compliance services to entrepreneurial business owners, corporations and their subsidiaries, and high-net-worth families in the U.S. and around the world. Cabrera Snow focuses on tax strategies for closely held businesses and families as they grow within the U.S. and abroad.
Sasha Massagardi has more than 10 years of experience auditing financial statements, reviewing internal controls and providing advisory services to businesses in a wide range of industries. Her expertise helps clients assess their financial and operational positions and make decisions to improve future performance and enhance third-party confidence in their financial statements.
Michael Vegueria has nearly 10 years of experience providing auditing, accounting and business consulting services to closely held businesses in the private sector. Vegueria serves clients in the manufacturing and distribution, real estate, construction, media and entertainment and hospitality sectors.
Mikel Gastaminsa has more than ten years of experience providing auditing, accounting and business consulting services to private company and public company clients in a wide range of industries. In addition, he has served clients through reporting to foreign-based parent companies and converting US GAAP statements to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Press Releases
July 15, 2022 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced the promotion of eight professionals to associate directors within the firm’s Tax Services and Assurance and Advisory Services practices. “Our firm was founded on the principle of creating a life-long learning environment, where every firm member receives the tools to cultivate knowledge, enhance […]
BOCA RATON, FL – May 15, 2022 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced that Jeff Stamm, CPA, has joined the firm as director of the Transaction Advisory Services practice. Stamm is joined by a team that will assist business owners, entrepreneurs and private equity firms with mergers and acquisitions. They primarily focus […]
Miami, February 2022– Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs today announced the addition of five new associate directors to the firm. The new associate directors are Oleg Beloglazov, ASA, CFA, ACCA; Gary L. Curtis, CPA; Liz McGrath, Laura Schulte, JD; and Jason Soman, CPA/ABV, CFE,ASA, CDFA®. Chief Executive Officer Joseph L. Saka commented, “The addition […]
Berkowitz Pollack Brant director promotions
MIAMI, FL, August 10, 2017 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted three firm members to the associate director level. Guillermo Campos, CPA, associate director of International Tax Services, focuses on matters involving foreign earned income exclusion, U.S. inbound and outbound investments, pre-immigration planning, and foreign and domestic trusts. Campos is a graduate […]
MIAMI, FL, July 15, 2017 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted two firm members to director. Hector Aguililla, CPA, is a director in the Audit and Attest practice and Anthony Gutierrez, CPA, is a director in the Tax Services practice. Berkowitz Pollack Brant CEO Joseph L. Saka commented, “We are proud to […]
MIAMI, FL, August 24, 2016 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted six firm members to associate director level. Angie Adames, associate director of Tax Services, provides tax and consulting services to high-net-worth individuals, pass-through entities and businesses in the real estate and manufacturing industries. Laurence Bernstein, associate director of Tax Services, spearheads […]
MIAMI – March 1, 2016 – Four new members, ranging in industry specialization from financial services to business incubation and the nonprofit sector, have been appointed to The Miami Foundation’s Board of Trustees: Richard A. Berkowitz, J.D., CPA, CEO of Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants and chairman of Provenance Wealth Advisors; Annette Franqui, co-founding […]
MIAMI, FL, Nov. 6, 2015 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted Cherry Laufenberg, CPA, to associate director in the Tax Services practice. Laufenberg has nearly 15 years of experience providing tax and consulting services to corporations, trusts and foreign entities. With diversified skills and a focus on helping her clients operate more […]
MIAMI, FL, July 15, 2015 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants CEO Richard Berkowitz today announced that David E Kolan, CPA, has been promoted to director-in-charge of the firm’s Audit and Attest Services practice. Kolan has more than 30 years of experience in audit and attest services and firm leadership. He focuses his practice […]
MIAMI, FL, Aug. 15, 2014 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has promoted Robert C. Aldir, CPA, to associate director in the Audit and Attest Services practice. Aldir has more than 10 years of public accounting experience in the financial services, retail, casinos and gaming, manufacturing and construction industries. A Certified Public Accountant in […]
MIAMI, FL, Nov. 19, 2012 – Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants has hired Robert Aldir CPA as a senior manager in its Audit and Attest practice. Aldir most recently served as a senior manager in the Audit and Enterprise Risk Services group of the Miami office of Deloitte. He brings more than 10 years […]