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Rodman & Rodman

Rodman & Rodman CPAs Outline 2011 Sales Tax Holiday for Consumers and Retailers

Thomas Astore CPA JD, Tax Director, Rodman & Rodman
Massachusetts residents will be able to enjoy a Sales Tax Holiday weekend on August 13th and 14th.

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts will not be collecting the 6.25 percent sales tax on tangible purchases of $2,500 or less that are for personal use,” explains Thomas Astore, Tax Director at Rodman & Rodman, P.C. “Business purchases and purchases made by corporations remain taxable. All Massachusetts businesses normally open during this weekend and selling taxable items of tangible personal property are required to participate in this sales tax holiday.”

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., is a CPA firm offering specializing in tax expertise and business strategy for small and medium sized companies throughout New England and beyond.

According to Rodman, consumers will be able to enjoy tax savings in compliance with the following rules that will be in effect for the weekend:

Business purchases are excluded, which also means any purchase made with a business check or business credit card.

All services are excluded. Only tangible purchases are eligible. Airline tickets and sporting events are considered services.

Motor vehicles (which include ATVs and small motorcycles), motorized boats, telecommunications services (including prepaid calling arrangements and cards), gas, steam, electricity, tobacco products and meals are excluded from the sales tax holiday. But, telecommunications equipment (cell phones and related items for personal use) are eligible.

Any single item with a price that is in excess of $2,500 is excluded. If the single item’s price exceeds $2,500, it will be taxed in full. For example a $3,000 plasma TV will be taxed on the entire $3,000 sale price.

When more than one item is purchased at the same time, and each item has a price of $2,500 or less, then all of the items may be rung up on one receipt and all the items are tax-free.

There is no sales tax on clothing unless the sale price exceeds $175. For an article of clothing exceeding this amount, the $175 will be deducted from the price and the remaining amount will be taxed.

If a store coupon or discount provided by a retailer or manufacturer reduces the sales price of the item, the discounted sales price determines whether the sales price is within the sales tax holiday price threshold of $2,500 or less.

Prior sales and lay-a-ways do not qualify for the tax-free status under any circumstances.

Special order items such as furniture are eligible so long as they are ordered and paid in full on the sales tax holiday weekend, and the cost of each item is $2,500 or less, even if delivery is made at a later date.

Internet purchases are exempt from sales tax as long as they do not exceed $2,500 (and meet other criteria) and are made and paid for on August 13th or 14th, Eastern Standard Time.

For more information, visit the Massachusetts Department of Revenue at www.mass.gov or for tax questions contact Rodman & Rodman, P.C. At (617) 965-5959.

About Rodman & Rodman P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today and is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. The Rodman & Rodman Green Team is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

The company’s offices are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Rodman & Rodman CPAs Outline 2011 Sales Tax Holiday for Consumers and RetailersRead More

Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Appoints Thomas Astore to Lead “Green Team” Clean Energy Practice

Rodman & Rodman, P.C., Certified Public Accountants and business strategists catering to small and medium sized companies throughout New England and beyond, has announced that Thomas Astore, CPA, JD, will lead the “Green Team” Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Practice.

Rodman & Rodman’s Green Team, assists alternative energy producers and investors with expert green energy tax advisory, accounting services, and business strategy through all stages of their project and business lifecycle.

Astore, who also serves a Rodman & Rodman’s Tax Director, will lead the Green Team in helping alternative energy and clean technology businesses determine the financial viability of their renewable energy projects and assist with the complexities of the various federal and state tax credits and incentives. The Green Team also provides accounting and compliance support with regulatory agencies. Astore is a graduate of Hofstra University and Fordham Law School, where he also was a member of the law review.

Steve Rodman, president of Rodman & Rodman explained, “We have invested a significant amount of time and energy in the clean technology business and have a comprehensive understanding of the various business models, their particular needs and the complex tax laws. Tom is highly experienced in these areas and is the ideal leader for our ‘Green Team’.”

He continued, “Over the past few years many states have enacted Renewable Portfolio Energy Standards (RPS) requiring a percentage of energy consumed in the state to come from renewable sources. To date, just over half of the states have enacted this kind of legislation. Massachusetts added the Green Communities Act which establishes an RPS standard that will increase over the next several years with the goal of achieving 25% by 2030. Because of this increasing standard, electric utilities will be looking to add renewable sources to their portfolios, either by direct investment or by purchasing the electricity from outside suppliers. The demand for renewable energy is only going to increase and our Green Team will help position clean energy companies and projects for success.”

Rodman & Rodman’s Green Team offers its services for companies in the biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, landfill gasses, municipal solid waste, hydroelectric and hydrokinetic sectors of the renewable energy industry. They also assist startup projects (which typically do not earn taxable income in their first years and benefit from a tax credit) with the Section 1603 program.

About Rodman & Rodman, CPAs “Green Team”

The Rodman & Rodman Green Team is a specialized green energy and clean technology accounting and tax services practice within Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today and is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. Rodman & Rodman, P.C. are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, email greenteam@rodmancpa.com, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Thomas Astore, CPA, JD

Rodman & Rodman, P.C. Appoints Thomas Astore to Lead “Green Team” Clean Energy PracticeRead More

Ann Reading Joins Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Ann Reading, a resident of Wayland, has joined Rodman & Rodman P.C., a firm of Certified Public Accountants and business strategists catering to clients throughout New England. Ms. Reading has been appointed as Administrative Assistant and will work at Rodman & Rodman’s Newton office.

In her new position, Ms. Reading will be responsible for office administration as well as billing, tax return assembly, deposits, ordering and more. Previous to Rodman & Rodman, Ms. Reading spent nine years working in the Service Department at Lee Imported Cars of Wellesley. She is a graduate of Dover-Sherborn High School.

For more information about Rodman & Rodman, visit rodmancpa.com.

About Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today and is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. Rodman & Rodman, P.C. are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Ann Reading

Ann Reading Joins Rodman & Rodman, P.C.Read More

Bobby Newcomb Joins Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Rodman & Rodman P.C., a firm of Certified Public Accountants and business strategists catering to clients throughout New England, recently appointed Bobby Newcomb, a native and resident of Quincy, as Staff Accountant.

Mr. Newcomb will work out of Rodman & Rodman’s Newton office and provide accounting and tax services to corporate and individual clients. Prior to joining the Rodman & Rodman team, Mr. Newcomb served as a Financial Analyst in Accounts Payable at Boston Scientific Corporation.

Mr. Newcomb holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI and is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA). He will take the CPA exam later this year.

In his spare time, Mr. Newcomb is the assistant coach of Johnson & Wales golf team and is very active in the university’s community.

For more information about Rodman & Rodman, visit rodmancpa.com.

Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today and is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. Rodman & Rodman, P.C. are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Bobby Newcomb

Bobby Newcomb Joins Rodman & Rodman, P.C.Read More

Larry Rice, CPA of Rodman & Rodman Speaks to Town of Barnstable Employees & Boston Students

Larry Rice, CPA, Director of Strategic Consulting of Rodman & Rodman P.C., a firm of Certified Public Accountants and business strategists catering to clients throughout New England, recently spoke to Barnstable government employees including town employees, teachers and administrators, in a day-long seminar held at the town library.

Rice, an expert speaker whose most recent appearances include segments on New England Cable News (NECN), spoke about individual taxes, new laws, opportunities regarding deductions and the tax benefits of saving for college with Cape Cod employees.

Last week, Rice spoke to students at North Bennet Street School in Boston about starting their own business and the tax ramifications.

As a knowledgeable and “easy to understand” source, Rice has served small business for 25 years and appeared on NECN, Bloomberg TV’s Small Business Program, CN8 Money Matters, WBZ Radio, WROL’s “About the House” and countless other programs and publications.

Rice is available for speaking engagements. Dedicated to helping businesses and individuals achieve their short and long term goals, Rice can share his knowledge on a variety of topics including:

Individual Tax Strategies

New Tax Laws & their Impact on You and Your Business

10 Successful Business Strategies

Diagnosis of a Sales Call

Competing in your Market – Do you base it on Price?

Creating a Turnkey Business

Perceived Indifference – Are your customers really buying based on price?

Managing Your Cash Flow

Small Businesses Need To Be Strategic Too

Internal Controls and The Small Business

Why Every Business Should Know Its Conversions

Business Is Like Football

Referrals – The Easiest Way To Grow Business

To schedule Larry Rice, CPA as a speaker, contact Jen Reading at Rodman & Rodman, (617) 965-5959.

Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth. The company has been named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today and is listed in the Boston Business Journal’s “Top 50 Firms”.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. Rodman & Rodman, P.C. are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, MA. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Larry Rice CPA

Larry Rice, CPA of Rodman & Rodman Speaks to Town of Barnstable Employees & Boston StudentsRead More

Thomas Astore, CPA, JD, Tax Director of Rodman & Rodman on WATD-FM

Tune in – Thomas Astore, CPA, JD, tax director of Rodman & Rodman will discuss employee benefits and taxes as a special guest of Patrick J. Haraden, principal of Longfellow Benefits,
on “McNamara On Money” on WATD 95.9 FM in Marshfield, Mass., on Saturday, Feb. 19, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. The show also will be broadcast live on the Web at www.959watd.com.

Thomas Astore, CPA, JD, Tax Director of Rodman & Rodman on WATD-FMRead More

Rodman & Rodman shares “Top 10 Things Your Accountant Wants to Tell You”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Larry Rice, CPA

CONTACT: Steven V. Dubin, PR Works, (781) 582-1061, sdubin@prworkzone.com

Local CPAs Share the “Top 10 Things Your Accountant Wants to Tell You”

DATELINE: BRAINTREE AND NEWTON, MASS… As tax season commences, Rodman & Rodman P.C., CPAs and Business Strategists with offices in Braintree and Newton, shares the “Top 10 Things Your Accountant Wants to Tell You” to make filing taxes easier on both the tax payer and the CPA.

Take heed:

1)If your accountant sends you a tax organizer to complete and send in, don’t concern yourself so much with filling in the numbers. Just be sure to answer the questions in the organizer and provide the necessary documents. Answering the questions may raise an issue of importance that needs addressing.

2)Send in your information when you have MOST of it, not all of it. Indicate what is missing and get it in when you have it. Waiting until the last document is received puts more time pressure on your CPA to get more done in less time.

3)Notes are helpful. Anything which helps clarify an issue or that may be a question about an issue, helps.

4)Please be sure to confirm any estimated taxes you paid during the year. This is probably the area where the most misunderstandings occur and mistakes are made.

5)Don’t overvalue your clothing donations. There are guides available to help you value these items. Just because a sweater cost you $100, it doesn’t mean it is worth $50 or more to the homeless gentleman who is grateful to wear it. This is an issue of IRS interest. If you get audited, they’ll be looking at these donations, so be conservative.

6)Extending your return does not make it more likely to be audited. If you know you won’t have it together before April 15th, let your CPA know as soon as possible so an extension can be prepared well ahead of the deadline. Extending early takes significant pressure off everyone involved.

7)Make sure your CPA is aware of major events that could affect your taxes as far ahead of that event as possible. In many cases, once that event passes, the ability to take best tax advantage of it passes with it.

8)Missing documents cost time and money. Keep a folder, envelope or file for documents of a tax nature. When in doubt, put it in this folder and send it. While accountants aren’t crazy about shoe boxes full of receipts, having 30 percent of your information missing is a time killer.

9)If you buy and sell stock during the year, be sure to include a gain or loss schedule on these stocks sold. You may have to ask your broker for that information or oftentimes a schedule is available online.

10)The IRS almost never communicates with taxpayers except through official, mailed correspondence. Never respond to a phone inquiry or email inquiry without contacting your CPA first. You could be at risk for identity theft as theives posing as the IRS will try to obtain your social security number by phone or email.

According to Larry Rice, CPA, Director of Strategic Consulting at Rodman & Rodman, “Many of these tips may seem too simple to make a difference, but essentially, they do. A lot of time is wasted when your accountant has to double back and hound you for additional detail or receipts. Decent record-keeping and good communication are key for smoother and more efficient tax filing all around.”

Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to individuals anbd small to medium-sized companies throughout New England. From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education.

Rodman & Rodman has achieved the designation of “Green Certified Business” from the Institute for Green Business Certification, Inc. (IGBC), demonstrating their outstanding commitment to the environmental health and well-being of the communities they serve. The company has taken the lead in Recycling,Water Conservation, Energy Conservation, Waste Reduction, and Environmentally Friendly Purchasing as well as the environmental elements of the EPA and OSHA regulations.

Additionally, Rodman & Rodman has been listed in the Top 50 Firms by the Boston Business Journal and named one of the “Best Accounting Firms to Work For” in Accounting Today.

Rodman & Rodman Certified Public Accountants are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, Mass. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

Rodman & Rodman shares “Top 10 Things Your Accountant Wants to Tell You”Read More