Media Coverage
D’Amico Presents on an Expert Panel at NAPFA Conference
May 11, 2012
Dave D’Amico, President of Braver Wealth Management, Discusses the utilization of Tactical Investment Strategies within the Alternative Asset Classes at the NAPFA Annual Conference in Chicago
W-2 or 1099: What’s the Big Deal?
March 14, 2012
It is a well-proven fact that jobs are a cornerstone of economic stability, whether on the national, state or local level. In addition, many metrics that measure the success of your business focus on employment levels; looking at job creation numbers, full-time equivalent staffing, and growth in payroll dollars, among other statistics. However, recent experience with Rhode Island small businesses has shown that uncertainty surrounding our local economy is causing business owners great reluctance in adding employees to their payroll. This is especially true amongst start-up ventures, where the ancillary costs of payroll taxes, workers compensation insurance, and other employee benefits cause significant impact beyond the level of wages paid. We are seeing more and more examples where potential employers are deciding to classify new “hires” as independent contractors, where the business can attempt to escape the burden of payroll taxes and benefits. This classification decision is one that comes with significant risks; one where incorrect reporting of these positions can quickly sink your venture.
by James D. Wilkinson, CPA/CITP
Posted on: March 14, 2012
Source: Published in RISBJ Volume 1 Issue 2, 2012
Choice of Entity
February 1, 2012
You’ve researched for hours, brainstormed for months, bounced ideas off family and friends and ran the numbers. You’re excited. You’re ready to launch your own business. Now what? Start with your plan, add advice from professionals, and sprinkle in some collaboration with your peers to lay the proper foundation for success your first year and many more to come. We hope that our monthly contributions in these pages will help you navigate your venture through its infancy and position yourself to realize the satisfaction and rewards of business ownership.
One decision you will face as a business owner is selecting the form of legal entity in which to conduct operations. While we’ll focus primarily on tax treatment in the discussion below, you’ll want input from a variety of perspectives – legal differences, insurance matters, investors and financing, etc. – so, be sure to get your team of advisors together when making this evaluation. Also, while this is an important decision, keep in mind that there is no one perfect entity type; so, if and when conditions change, your entity choice can be amended. Your goal is to make the most appropriate choice based on what you know today and conditions you expect over the next three to five years.
by James D. Wilkinson, CPA/CITP
Posted on: February 1, 2012
Source: Published in RISBJ Premier Issue 2012
Seller Beware – States Expand Nexus Standard for Online Sellers
January 12, 2012
We’ve all read that state treasuries continue to be hit hard by decreasing tax collections and pressure from increasing costs of services. Meanwhile, Internet sales continue to take a larger slice of the total retail sales market. Forrester Research predicts that online retail sales will grow to almost $250 billion in 2014, or 8 percent of total U.S. retail sales. In 2009 online sales amounted to $155 billion, or 6 percent of total U.S. retail sales.
With these two trends in place, none of us should be surprised that taxation of online sales is getting more and more attention in state legislatures around the country. What began in New York in 2008 has now escalated to half a dozen more states enacting laws to treat certain online sellers as taxable vendors. And at least another nine states have or will consider such legislation in 2011. This article will review the business arrangement that states are attacking, outline the provisions of the statues that most states are adopting, highlight new developments around this topic, and offer suggestions for how to advise clients that sell products online.
by Peter Harris, CPA
Posted on: January 12, 2012
Source: Published in SumNews Winter I 2011
Why You Should Take Another Look at Your 1040
June 10, 2011
By: Debra A. Mitchell, CPA, MBA, MST
Debbie Mitchell, principal at Braver PC, talks about common errors in 1040 preparation and how to prevent them for the future in an article published in the American Institute for CPA’s newsletter publication, cpa2biz.
During the course of reviewing 1040s, reviewers are most likely finding common errors in the 1040 preparation. These issues should be noted for purposes of future training sessions. In addition, there are numerous areas in which tax planning comes into play. A few of these 1040 issues are briefly described in the article below.
Read the full article: Why You Should Take Another Look at Your Client’s 1040
Published on: June 10, 2011
Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums Credit
April 15, 2011
By: Debra A. Mitchell, CPA, MBA, MST
Debbie Mitchell, principal at Braver PC, talks about Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums Credit in an article published in the American Institute for CPA’s newsletter publication, cpa2biz.
Limitations divulged! The credit for health insurance premiums is a welcome relief for small employers because of the high costs of these premiums. However, there are limitations.
Read the full article: Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums Credit
Published on: April 15, 2011
What is the Kiddie Tax?
March 15, 2011
By: Debra A. Mitchell, CPA, MBA, MST
Debbie Mitchell, principal at Braver PC, talks about the Kiddie Tax in an article published in the American Institute for CPA’s newsletter publication, cpa2biz.
“What constitutes a “Kiddie”? Is it a five-year old, a 10-year old or even a 15-year old? Actually, a full-time student can be considered a kiddie until the age of 23.”
Posted on: March 15, 2011
No More Tapes, Now What?
January 19, 2011
By: Kenny Rounds, Braver Technology Solutions
“For years the tape drive has been the mainstream in backup solutions. Tapes were always the least expensive and most portable solution for transferring large amounts of data.”
Posted on: January 19, 2011
Source: Business TechEdge
Read Article
SumNews Member Spotlight: Dennis Pellecchia
January 10, 2011
Dennis Pellecchia, Chairman of the Board, featured as the “Member Spotlight” in MSCPA’s SumNews – Winter issue.
Posted on: January 10, 2010
