When you’re dealing with taxes, you want to do everything exactly by the book. So, when you’re implementing accelerated depreciation of your assets, you want to be sure your cost segregation study is done correctly. We’re here to help you get the tax savings you deserve and keep them by helping you choose a cost segregation firm that’s going to do everything right.
Accuracy
Before you choose a firm, research cost segregation studies, and be prepared to ask the firm some questions. We’ve mapped out some things you should ask and be aware of before you decide to hire a firm to conduct this analysis. After all, it is your money; you should be able to take what’s yours and not have to return it because the analysis wasn’t conducted correctly.
Compliance
As you know, U.S. tax code dictates the rules you must follow. Because cost segregation is part of the tax code, there are suggested methods you need to follow if you are to conduct this type of analysis. You need to be sure that the cost segregation firm stays in compliance with all rules specified by U.S. tax code. Why should you be penalized for this third-party firm not following all the rules?
Specialization
You wouldn’t go to a doctor that didn’t know everything there is to know about your ailment; you would likely choose a specialist. So why should the cost segregation firm you hire be any different? You want to go to the firm that eats, breathes, and sleeps everything taxes. They need to know tax codes inside and out, and have researched past court cases on these related topics. Do your research and ask the questions so you can pick the firm that is the most knowledgeable about cost segregation analysis.
Peace of Mind
Finally, when choosing a cost segregation firm, be sure to do your homework. When it comes to your tax savings, this is especially important. You want to go with a firm that has in-depth tax knowledge and a substantial amount of rave reviews from past clients. You want to choose the firm that will defend their study in the event of an audit.
The best advice we can give you when choosing a cost segregation firm is to ask the questions, get answers and get your money back.
For more information, call me today at 770-224-8504, or email me at David.Wiener@cashflowstrategies.us.
Most of us like to spend as little time as possible with our CPA. Our once a year meeting is plenty and we try to keep it as short as possible. Who really likes to talk about how much money the government is going to take from us this year?
Proactive or Reactive?
Your choice of CPA can have a huge financial impact, and I’m not speaking of the fees that your CPA charges you for doing your taxes each year. Many CPAs operate reactively, simply accepting the documentation you send to them and preparing your taxes. But by the time you have put together your receipts, donations, W2s, and 1099s together for the year, you have likely missed out on many great ways to minimize your tax liability and preserve your wealth. You need to check your attitude toward working with your CPA, and both of you must take a proactive approach to your strategy.
The effectiveness of any CPA depends immensely on approach, timing and expertise when it comes to your taxes. It is vital for you to know what to look for when you are choosing a CPA. Failure to carefully choose will cause you to overpay your taxes, sometimes by a massive amount. The optimal CPA, using the correct resources, can potentially save you tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Finding a CPA
When you look for a CPA, here is what you need to look for. The best CPA for you and your business will:
Be in regular contact with you regarding your standings and developments.
Consistently review your tax liability and manage it the best way possible within the tax code.
Have trusted advisors that can handle niche tax benefits and beyond.
Have a full knowledge of the IRS and be able to best represent you to them in case of an audit.
Be proactive in his or her approach, looking at all areas of your business to determine the best way to avoid unnecessary tax burdens.
For example, let’s say that you did your own accounting for last year and end up paying $25,000 in federal and state income taxes. If you had a CPA who simply accepts your information at the end of the year and files your taxes, he might charge you $1,000 and bring your tax liability down to about $22,000. Good deal, right? Hold on … maybe not such a good deal.
The US Tax Code
The good news and the bad news are the same. Our tax system in the United States is immense. It is almost 75,000 pages and growing all the time. As a result, there are thousands of intricacies, exceptions, rules and loopholes. It is far more than the average person could ever fully understand, and they are constantly in motion.
My Best Example
My dad was a CPA, and he always told me that “in order to be a CPA in today’s world, you need to be ‘ten miles wide and a foot deep’. What he meant was, you need to know a little bit about a lot of things, and you need to know people who understand, and can help you with, the things you don’t fully understand. He had a group of trusted advisors that could help him, and his clients, do the things that he couldn’t do well, and he used them. My father was one of the best CPAs I have ever known. His style was was not only proactive; he was relentlessly proactive. He also always told me that “Tax evasion is a crime, but tax avoidance is mandatory.”
It’s Not About The Fee
Your CPAs level of dedication is the crucial element. A CPA cannot possibly understand and execute on the complexities of the tax code. Anyone can have a long list of clients, a beautiful office, and a great personality. The long and short of the matter is the amount of time and effort that your CPA is willing to invest in ensuring that your wealth is managed in the best possible way. The fees that are charged by CPAs vary widely. There are some cases where you get what you pay for, but that isn’t always true.
What Makes The Difference?
A great CPA will bring in those who specialize in things like cost segregation studies for their clients who own, or renovate, commercial or investment property, or to identify R&D tax credits, retraining or other innovative tax credits for which you may qualify. There are unique little-known tax strategies that cover all different markets, so to expect that your CPA will know how to use them for all industries is just not realistic. But if you have a CPA you know who is willing to utilize all the methods at his disposal, you can rest easy knowing that your wealth is in good hands.
With the help of a solid CPA you could, possibly, get that original $25,000 in taxes down to somewhere closer to $10,000 plus a few thousand or so to free yourself of the stress of managing your own taxes. THAT’Sa good deal!!
What you can do
If you don’t feel that your CPA is doing EVERYTHING possible to help you save on taxes, chances are very good that he or she is not. If someone is overseeing your finances, you should feel comfortable, informed, and confident in that relationship. Your taxes, your money, and your future is at stake.
I work with a large network of proactive CPAs across the United States. I am confident in the ways they deal with their clients and the taxes they pay. I’d be happy to introduce you to one or more of these great people to help you. Just give me a call or email me. I’m happy to help.
Debt collection is one of the most heavily regulated activities you will ever undertake.
The debt collection industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the United States. That is precisely why it’s risky to undertake debt collections on your own; there are rules for when and how past due clients can be contacted, what mediums you can use to reach out, what you can say, and how often you can say it.
There are federal rules and industry-specific rules, rules for how data is collected and stored, and even rules for what you should do if a consumer or past due client asks you to stop contacting them. These rules can shift quickly, but failing to stay compliant can promptly get a business into hot water.
We’ve compiled half a dozen rules currently governing the debt collection industry. These rules also apply and those businesses seeking a more DIY approach.
First, let’s start with the rules under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), the federal law that protects consumers from overzealous debt collection agents.
The FDCPA usually does not cover a business debt. If your business is trying to collect a past due mortgage, credit card, medical bill, or personal or household-type debts, your debt collection practices are covered by FDCPA.
The FDCPA regulates time and place of debt collection. For example, your debt collection efforts cannot occur before 8:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. If you attempt debt collection in the workplace and the consumer or client asks you to stop, you may not continue your efforts.
If you’ve been informed that an attorney is representing the client, debt collection must go through them and not the customer.
If the past due client writes to tell you to stop contacting them, you cannot contact them. The exception is that you may tell them there will be no further contact or inform them that other legal action will be taken. It doesn’t mean you can’t pursue other avenues of debt collection, just that you cannot contact them to collect the debt.
A debt collection agent is required to tell you certain things about the debt, specifically who the money is owed to, how much, and how the client can dispute the debt. If this information isn’t provided on initial contact, you have five days to send these details in writing.
If the past due account holder disputes the past due debt within 30-days of receipt of the initial communication, you must stop all collection activityuntil you have verified the past due debt.
There are also rules under the Fair Credit Reporting Act governing how debt collection and past due balances can be documented in credit reports. There are even state laws governing fair practices by anyone conducting debt collection. Keeping compliant with all of these rules is a full-time job. That’s exactly why businesses turn to TSI. Our track record of compliance with all debt collection laws, along with decades of experience in most industries make us the top company in the nation to partner with companies seeking a better bottom line.
The TSI data-driven approach is designed to boost debt recovery while enhancing the relationship with your valuable customers. Contact me directly at 770-224-8504 for more information.
Millennials, those youthful consumers born after 1980, are about to overtake Baby Boomers as the largest living adult population in the U.S., with more than 74 million of them working and accruing debt. Speaking of debt, there is a lot of it; CNBC says the average student loan debt is around $33,000 – and yet that isn’t even the main source of debt for the older millennial.
That’s why the chances are good that your business will often be conducting debt collection from the millennial population. What are some special considerations related to this age group? Are there any communication best practices to follow?
Facts About Millennials and The Debt They Accrue
According to CNBC, Millennials between the ages of 25 and 34 have around $42,000 in debt. The highest level of debt is from credit cards. But CNBC says these young professionals also have other stressors that prior generations didn’t have, such as higher education expenses and student loans as well as the high cost of housing. Almost one-half of Millennials are 90-days past due on at least one bill. In fact, Americans owe more than $1 trillion in debt from student loans. It’s possible that other debts will suffer as these people spend more money on college debt.
While debt is increasing across all age brackets in the United States, these trends are particularly troubling for an age group that is just getting started on a career path. CNBC says that Generation Z, the age bracket that comes behind the Millennials is following in their footsteps with an average debt of $4,343.
Given the high debt ratio for these young people, are there any considerations for handling collecting debt that might be different from older populations?
Best Practices for Collecting Debt from Millennials
Collecting debt from Millennials is actually different from GenX or the Baby Boomers. First, it might be more difficult to reach these young consumers, because most of them have given up a landline for a personal smartphone.
Pursuing debt collection from this youthful population requires a few tricks in order to accommodate their personal preferences and styles:
Use technology to reach Millennials. They are one of the first generations to grow up with the immediacy of the internet and a host of software tools. Debt collection must mine this tech-familiarity to reach these consumers. Tip: Try setting up a web portal so these customers can explore easy online payment.
Make connections with Millennials and use the power of relationships to pursue debt collections. Tip: A compassionate and diplomatic approach to debt collection can go a long way when it comes to collecting what’s owed.
Debt collection for the Millennial population requires some flexibility to handle the special needs of this population. Contact me today at 770-224-8504 for more information.
The first rule of business is to stay in business, and businesses need cash to operate. Every successful business keeps a close eye on cash flow for this reason. There are many tax-saving advantages for those who own or have improved commercial properties through tax law. If you own or lease commercial or income producing property and you are not taking advantage of all that US Tax Code has to offer, you are actually diminishing cash flow.
Let’s look at how your business can easily increase its cash flow by using the cost segregation method of depreciating your building.
Cost segregation is a way for commercial property owners to accelerate their building’s depreciation, saving significantly on income taxes. Within the first five years of building ownership, an owner can save up to $100,000 for every $1 million in building costs. To maximize cash flow, an owner or lessee who has paid for improvements can have a cost segregation study performed.
At CSSI, we perform an engineering-based study to ensure you comply with US Tax Code rules and regulations. Our team of specialists will segregate parts of your building that are deemed non-structural. Non-structural items include carpeting, flooring, cabinets, specialty lighting and electrical, etc. These and other non-structural items are placed in accelerated tax lives. After the analysis, your CPA will adjust your depreciation schedule from the conventional 27.5-/39-year schedule to a 5-, 7-, 15-, and 27.5-/39-year schedule.
A cost segregation study reduces your taxable income and results in lower taxes paid. Using this cash surplus to reinvest in your business or pay down debt is a great way of maximizing the time value of money.
At CSSI, our tax experts will help your business generate more cash flow through an engineering-based study. In some cases, the calculations from our study can be necessary to realize benefits from the 2014 Repair Regulations and the 2017 TCJA. Contact us today, and we can provide you with a no-cost preliminary analysis, and we can facilitate a discussion with you and your CPA or tax professional.
Contact me directly at 770-224-8504, or schedule a conversation with me by clicking here, to see how much you can add to your cash flow this year. There is, as always, no cost or obligation.
Here are some common myths about the debt collection industry:
Debt collection agents are a rough-around-the-edges crew that bullies people. TSI’s interactions with customers are always diplomatic. We work WITH your customers to get them back on track.
Debt collectors will try anything to get money. Debt collection is a strictly regulated industry. Professional debt collection agencies stay current with all applicable laws. TSI’s commitment to compliance means customers are always treated with the utmost respect, while your brand is protected from costly compliance violations.
It’s better to take the tax write-off; hiring a debt collection agency is too expensive, even for large companies. Partnering with a professional debt recovery company is an affordable option. Writing off an unpaid invoice may be helpful, but collecting on the debt is even better. Although collection agencies charge for their services, the amount collected and returned to you will likely be more than the taxes saved if you write-off the debt. TSI offers affordable fixed-fee pricing on early-stage delinquent accounts and contingency-based fees for your more challenging or older accounts.
Debt Collection: Take a Closer Look
If your company has been handling collections in-house, you already know that debt collection is governed by a variety of local, state, and federal rules that prohibit and regulate how customers are approached for past due balances. In fact, debt collection is one of the most regulated industries in the United States. These rules prohibit collectors from behaving aggressively or inappropriately with consumers; they even govern when a debt collection agency can contact the past due client.
According to Inside ARM, the debt collection agency industry is a valuable asset to improve the bottom line for businesses in any industry. Their report shows that the industry regularly returns around $39 billion annually to companies that offer consumer credit.
Debt collections activities help replenish the bottom line of businesses that struggle with a high volume of bad debt. Quite simply, the collections industry reduces the risk for businesses offering consumer credit, something that is imperative for keeping the economy going. Companies that seek a healthier bottom line use debt collection companies to recover some of the most difficult past due balances, which frees up internal teams to focus on the job at hand.
The types of debt collected impacts companies of all sizes in the following industry sectors:
Healthcare
Financial services
Student loans
Government
Retail
Telecom
Utility
Auto
Small- to mid-sized business
When debt is collected businesses can keep a positive cash flow which not only means they can keep prices low, it also helps ensure the overall success of the organization.
How Could a Debt Collection Agency Help your Business?
A reputable debt collection agency like TSI can deliver outstanding results. Our sophisticated collection activities use a data-driven, client-centric approach. Beyond a basic debt collection agency, TSI can also provide end-to-end strategic accounts receivable management.
TSI can maximize recoveries and boost cash flow, streamline your accounts receivable management processes, and reduce internal expenses and administrative responsibilities. And because TSI keeps a focus on the customer experience, our services will not damage your organization’s reputation.
A quality debt collection service like TSI helps improve the bottom line of the businesses we serve. TSI clients recognize this impact, and we’re proud of these partnerships that are a win/win. Contact TSI today to learn more about our services and the value they can offer your business. For more information, contact me today! Always ready to help!
The property market will continue to be volatile in 2019.
The ups and downs of the real estate market could make anyone shudder. Technology has added an interesting influx to the mix, and in both residential and commercial real estate, software has proven to be a big disruptor. Despite the swirling chaos in most markets around the country, there are a number of trends that savvy real estate agents, property management, and homeowners’ association management companies will be able to look toward to improve their business. This article will take a look at a few of them.
Property Management Trends 2018/2019
For investors just looking to get into the property management game, we have a few strategic tips that should govern your expansion into the marketplace.
The first trend is that overall market volatility will continue. In large markets, there is an overwhelming need both for new housing and affordable units. This is always a risky venture, but particularly in light of consumer trends that show consumer debt is expected to increase to $4 trillion in the United States by the end of this year. A corresponding increase in defaults should also be expected. This elevates risk for property management firms.
The second trend to mention is that investors, particularly new entrants into the real estate market, should set clear investment goals with a measurable ROI. This is particularly important in light of increasing market volatility and predicted consumer debt. If 2019 brings higher loan defaults on everything from student loans to housing debt, this will put increasing pressure on investors’ cash flow. Setting long-term investment goals that include a specific market rate of return will be important for anyone capitalizing on the real estate industry in the future. This includes mapping out accounts receivables and a clear process for handling past due collections.
Predictive analytics will play a part in the future of buying and selling properties.
The third trend is, of course, technology. Not only will technology continue to impact real estate marketing, it will change how we collect fees, negotiate, and communicate with our patrons. The Close suggests some tech-centric trends that we’ll see as we near the end of 2018 and move into 2019:
Online platforms like Zillow will leverage new and existing relationships with real estate agents, property managers, and investors.
Mobile-first will be the new strategy for just about everyone in every market niche – not just real estate. It seems new strategies for bill payment, property maintenance requests, and past due collections, are all moving to the smartphone, which is exactly where our customers now live. When you realize that a millennial checks their smartphone an average of 150 times a day, you’ll start to understand why new real estate strategies tied to these devices will impact every area of your business in the future. Enabling smartphone payments as part of your rent and past-due collections process is a necessity for the future.
Big data will impact all areas of our lives. We already use big data algorithms for lead generation, appraisal, and investment purchasing decisions. But what about big data to determine the ability and likelihood of a past-due debtor to bring their account current? Predictive analytics will likely worm its way into the real estate market in new and interesting ways in 2019.
In 2019, digital trends will continue to impact the property market in the United States. The secret sauce to success will continue to be developing new strategies to capitalize on these trends to achieve market success.
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Wanting to maximize your recoveries on past due rent or fees? TSI has made extensive investments in our information security, compliance controls, and data analytics to make sure we stay ahead of the curve and provide the best possible solutions for our clients. CollectX, our proprietary data analytics platform, is a great example of our investments. This unique tool tells us how likely a consumer is to pay off a debt and what it will take to get them to pay it, which in turn, provides our clients with more recovered revenue, faster, and at a lower overall cost.
Contact me today at 888-780-1333 to see how we can improve your business bottom line.
Recently, the regulations for commercial property owners were overhauled in one of the most dramatic changes to the tax law in years. The Tangible Property Regulations in conjunction with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have major economic benefits for building owners as well as some serious compliance issues.
Properly applying these new U.S. tax code standards can help you capture economic opportunities to the tune of millions in tax savings that flow from your business to your personal taxes.
I would be happy to work with you and your tax professional to make sure you are taking the greatest advantage of these new tax laws. CSSI, a company that I represent, can be your calculation experts for the following
COST SEGREGATION – The U.S. tax cost method of identifying and classifying building components that allow you to accelerate depreciation and generate additional cash flow. An engineering-based cost segregation study is the basis for allowing you to capture many of the tax saving opportunities below and it helps you maintain U.S. tax code compliance moving forward with these regulations.
BUILDING SYSTEMS VALUATION – An engineering-based study that will identify building systems and structural components. Going forward every expenditure cannot be expensed. The new regulations give very specific instructions on whether expenditures should be capitalized as an “improvement” or expensed as a repair. We will provide the calculations that your tax professional will need to make these important decisions.
CAPITAL TO EXPENSE “REVERSAL” OPPORTUNITY – Building owners may now expense previously capitalized costs and expense them in the current year by applying the new regulations to prior years. For example, we helped a client receive $1.1 Million in tax savings on one of his properties through this method.
PARTIAL ASSET DISPOSITION (PAD)– Renovate in the current tax year? Thinking of an LED lighting upgrade? A PAD allows you to write down the basis of what you removed and the costs for the removal and disposal of those items. You can receive a tax deduction in the current year but it is a “use it or lose it” opportunity. Fail to capture it in the current tax year and you lose the ability to write it down. Both capital to expense reversals and PADs yield a permanent tax savings at the time of the sale by reducing recapture costs.
Let me provide you and your tax professional a no-cost, no-bligation analysis of the benefits you may receive and the cost for this type of study for your property.
Return the following information, and I will prepare your analysis immediately.
There are very clear rules about what can and can’t be said during debt collections.
The debt collection industry is governed by so many rules and regulations it could make your head spin. That’s why do-it-yourself debt collections can quickly get a company into hot water with state and federal regulators.
What are the rules that govern debt collections? What are debt collection agents never allowed to say and do? This article explores common mistakes businesses make when attempting DIY debt collections.
Debt Collections No No’s
Three things you can never say when attempting debt collection:
Threaten to tell a boss, coworkers, or family about a past due balance. While you can contact work to try to find the customer, never share details about the debt to any third party.
Threaten to arrest the past due customer.
Don’t say, “I’ll just keep calling you.” Legally, you can’t call the person before 8:00 am or after 9:00 pm. If you call the customer at work and they ask you to stop calling there, you have to comply, however, the request must be in writing.
Understanding debt collection rules is important for avoiding federal and state penalties.
If all this seems like a lot of rules for you to keep track of, you would be right. Debt collections are a highly regulated activity that makes it risky to take a DIY approach.
The good news is that there are services like TSI to help ensure debt recovery that complies with all rules and regulations. Our proven system is compliant, effective, and guaranteed.
Bonus Tip:
Various government agencies provide guidelines that help ensure that consumer rights are protected. There are specific practices that collectors must always avoid.
Debt collectors cannot use unfair practices to collect a debt. This means debt collection practice can never include the following [Do not]:
Attempt to collect charges in addition to the debt. That is, unless they are allowed by contract or specific state law.
Deposit a post-dated check early.
Communicate by postcard.
Use language or a symbol on the envelope of a letter that indicates the correspondence is from a debt collector.
Consumers have rights that must be honored, which is why strict guidelines and regulations govern debt recovery practices. Not only is it essential that debt collectors treat consumers with respect, in addition, there are specific practices that collectors must always avoid. For instance, did you know that an individual can send a “cease and desist” correspondence to a debt collector – which means the debt collector is required to stop contacting the customer. The problem stems from an overly aggressive debt collector that goes after the customer over and over again in a short amount of time. Under federal law, this is considered harassment and if the activity continues after the cease and desist letter is received, the customer can report the debt collector to governing agencies.
Want higher recovery of past due accounts? Don’t put your business at risk by using a DIY approach; instead, put TSI’s simple system to work for your business. It’s convenient and designed with small- and mid-sized businesses in mind, AND interfaces directly with most accounting and practice management software.
Before conducting debt collections, make sure you understand the do’s and don’ts of the industry.
The do’s and don’ts of collecting debt are a sticky wicket. If you do it wrong, you can alienate potential customers, ruin your reputation, and maybe even pick up a hefty fine from regulators. Playing by the rules means compliance with all laws, certainly, but also collecting debt in a way that treats every customer with dignity and respect.
Here are five things to avoid when collecting debt from customers.
Do Not Try This at Home – or at the Office
We’ve heard all the horror stories from collections gone awry. Industry publications such as Inside ARM often report on companies fined by regulators for breaking collection regulations. Our biggest complaint, beyond the fact that these techniques are generally not effective, is that conducting yourself in this manner gives the collections industry a bad reputation. Not good!
Don’t stalk your customers. Really! This means you (or the debt collector for that matter) cannot show up at someone’s workplace and demand they pay you. The law also prohibits you from publicizing the debt, too, so even though you want to go on Facebook call out someone that owes you money – don’t. Here is the caveat: You may, respectfully, call the customer at work but you cannot let the other workers know that you’re trying to collect on a debt. Plus, if the customer asks you to not call them at work, you legally must comply.
Don’t harass your customers. See #1. But actions such as repeated calls, threats of violence, and extreme language are not only bad form, they’re illegal too. For a small business owner, it feels personal when someone doesn’t pay. But conducting yourself in a professional way will pay off in the long run.
There are rules about pursuing debt collections – make sure you follow them.
You can’t arrest the debtor. Sorry, we know this may not feel fair, but if a customer is 90-days past due, you cannot call 911 for help. However, there may be legal actions you can take in certain circumstances.
You cannot pursue the debtor for things they don’t owe. This happens a lot when the data you have on the customer is inaccurate. So many times we see that the person already paid the debt but the information wasn’t logged properly. A simple mistake can land you in hot water, so use caution and double-check the facts before pursuing a debt.
You cannot call at odd hours of the day and night. Did you know there are rules that state you can only call a past-due customer between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm? For small business owners that work hard all day, this means just because you’re up at 7:30 am you can’t squeeze in a few collections calls.
If you’re worried about running afoul of the rules of collecting debt, you don’t need to.
Contact me today at 888-780-1333, and I’ll show you how to collect more money, cut costs, and stay 100% compliant with all of the many laws and regulations that relate to debt collection.
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