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Tax Provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, enacts a wide range of changes to federal tax law affecting individuals, businesses, international taxation, nonprofit organizations, and clean energy incentives. This summary provides a clear overview of the Act’s key tax provisions. Individual Tax Provisions Income Tax Brackets and Rates The…
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How to Value: HVAC Wholesaling
Industry Description The heating and air conditioning wholesaling industry in the U.S. comprises the procurement, distribution, and sale of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, excluding in-room and in-window air conditioners as well as hydronic systems (NAICS 42373). While installation services are not part of this industry, wholesalers do offer minor repair and maintenance…
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Valuing a Cash Business
Cash-intensive businesses occupy a unique space in the valuation landscape—one marked by financial opacity, undocumented transactions, and a healthy dose of professional skepticism. From corner stores to restaurants to service-based enterprises, these businesses often operate at the margins of formal accounting, leaving valuation professionals to fill in the blanks through a combination of forensic acumen,…
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Forensic Accountants in Class Actions
In class action litigation, forensic accountants serve as indispensable advisors who bridge the gap between abstract legal claims and the concrete financial evidence required to support or challenge them. Their work is at once investigative, analytical, and strategic—often influencing not only the calculation of damages but also the structure and viability of the class itself.…
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How to Value: Chemical Wholesaling
Industry Description The chemical wholesaling industry in the U.S. comprises wholesale distributors of industrial chemicals, compressed gases, chemical additives, and synthetic rubber products to manufacturers, construction firms, and mining operations (NAICS 42469). The industry excludes the wholesale distribution of agricultural chemicals, medicinal compounds, paints, varnishes, fireworks, and plastic materials. The following are some basic…
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Common Pitfalls in Discount Rate Selection
In calculating lost profits and economic damages, selecting an appropriate discount rate is crucial. The discount rate affects how much future value is translated to current value. However, forensic accountants and valuation professionals sometimes fall into common traps that compromise the credibility and accuracy of their analyses. Here’s a deeper exploration of these critical mistakes:…
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The Basics of Alter Ego Claims
Alter ego claims allow courts to look beyond the protective shell of a business entity and hold its owners individually liable when the business is essentially their alter ego. In such cases, the corporate structure becomes a mere façade, shielding misconduct or financial irresponsibility. Corporations are generally treated as separate legal entities from their owners.…
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How to Value: Wireless Telecom Carriers
Industry Description The wireless telecommunications carriers industry in the U.S comprises companies that maintain and operate infrastructure that enables wireless communication services (NAICS 51711). The industry provides voice, data, paging, and internet connectivity services. The following are some basic characteristics of the wireless telecommunications carriers industry: Industry Trends The wireless telecommunications carriers industry is…
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Would Changing the Electoral College Make a Difference? – 2024 Update
In a prior article, we explored how changes to the electoral college would have changed the result of the Presidential election since 2000. Specifically, we explored whether using (i) the Proportional Method, and (ii) the Congressional District Method of splitting electoral college votes would have changed the outcome. It only mattered in two of the…
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The Basics of Insolvency
In the world of corporate bankruptcy, insolvency is more than a financial status—it’s a legal cornerstone. When businesses face litigation related to fraudulent conveyance or preference actions, the determination of insolvency often makes or breaks a case. For professionals across disciplines—litigation, taxation, forensic accounting, and valuation—mastering this concept is critical. This article explores the key…
