We are proud to support the ACEC Deep South Summer Conference at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, July 21-24, 2011.  Please review the agenda as we will be presenting the following session on Saturday morning:

“The Buy/Sell Agreement –More Important Than Ever”
Arthur Dana and Brad Whitfield
What is a buy/sell agreement? Why is it more important now? Under what circumstances should the buy/sell agreement come into play? What is the value of my firm? Need answers or advice on these questions? This presentation will outline the questions and discuss the answers you need to know.

Make sure to stop by our booth and say hello!
We look forward to a productive and informative convention. Make sure to download the agenda by visiting ACEC TriState’s website.

DDF was thrilled to support “Suits On A Mission,’” a collaborative effort of the Savannah Chapter of the Georgia Society of CPAs and the Savannah Young Lawyers Division, who joined forces to help the Old Savannah City Mission.

Savannah CPA & law firms were asked to take up a collection of lightly used business attire (men’s & women’s) to be donated and used for Mission residents re-entering the workforce. States the Director of Development at the Mission, “You’d be surprised with the numbers of individuals who come to us looking for clothing to wear to job interviews.  And then there are those who have found jobs but need the appropriate attire.”

The outpouring of donations was phenomenal from all firms that participated. South Magazine was there to document the donations and the fun at the Collection Celebration held May 3, 2011 at Loco’s downtown location.

 Click  here to view the “Scenes of the South.”

In today’s competitive leasing market, tenant build-outs or other capital improvements are good ways for property owners to retain current tenants or attract new ones. Changes such as creating more open floor plans or providing additional capacity for new technologies can enhance older office buildings or adapt them to fit the changing needs of the occupants. The same is true for retail and industrial properties where new build-outs can attract a new type of tenant to the space.

After deciding to make improvements, property owners must figure out how to fund the construction costs. Three common methods provide funding for tenant improvements: a direct investment in the improvements by the property owner, a cash payment to the tenant to then make improvements, or a rent holiday for the tenant.

For landlords and tenants, the tax consequences vary based on the method, or combination of methods, used to fund improvements.

To continue reading, click here.  This article, written by Daniel Rowe & John Vandaveer, was recently published in the March/April 2011 edition of Commercial Investment Real Estate, the magazine of CCIM Institute.

The law requiring businesses to issue 1099s to certain vendors has been expanded in 2011 to include owners of rental real estate.  Such owners are now required to report total payments of $600 or more to certain payees by issuing Form 1099 to the payees and reporting the payment to the IRS.  In 2012 the law expands further, requiring payments for goods to be reported, as well as payments made to corporations.  This article will explain the changes in more detail and provide steps that you can take now to prepare for the additional reporting requirements.

Changes to 1099 Rules article

In the throes of economic uncertainty, most business owners are so focused on staying afloat that tax planning becomes an afterthought. It seems less practical to plan for the future when the present is so bleak. However, it is times like these when informed tax planning can be even more critical. Looming tax changes could deliver another blow to unprepared business owners, but an awareness of these changes may enable owners to identify opportunities that may not have existed in better economic times.

S Corporations – Facing the 15% Sunset

It’s that time again….time to start looking though all of your paperwork and sorting through piles to get ready to file your individual 2010 tax returns. Our own Corrine Wooden, C.P.A., has written a guide to help make your life – and tax filing – easier this year. Click the below link to download the article featuring 7 tips to help make your filing stress-free.

7 Tax Tips for Individuals