Affiliations
a member of the AICPA

"I would rather be able to appreciate things I cannot have, than have things I cannot appreciate."
Elbert Hubbard


 

HCVT Ranked 6th largest in Los Angeles
HCVT is proud to announce that the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) has ranked our firm the 6th largest in the Los Angeles area. We also wanted to share both the tax article "Going Green Yields Big Tax Breaks" by Blake Christian and our ad that was featured in this week's LABJ issue.

 

Forbes "Insult to Injury" Article quoted by: Andy Torosyan

 

Two recent AICPA articles by Blake Christian addressing the Presidential Candidates’ Tax Platforms and the heavy economic burden (and tax reduction opportunities) associated with State and Local Taxes (SALT).

 

10 minute California Restaurant Association Hiring & Equipment Credit Podcast including interview of HCVT Tax Partner, Blake Christian

 

CNN "Don't miss out on overlooked tax credits" Article quoted by: Shawn Marchant
Are you missing out on R&D credits?

 

WebCPA "A Humongous Win-Win" Article quoted by: Blake Christian & Shawn Marchant
Specialized tax savings engagements have incredible appeal because clients can achieve immediate financial benefits greater than the fees charged.

 

LA Times "L.A. Unified tells teachers to refund overpayments" Article quoted by: Patty O'Connell
The district paid about $53 million too much to 36,000 workers. They are given until Dec. 10 to decide whether to pay or fight.

 

HCVT Named as One of the Top 25 Best Managed CPA Firms in the U.S.
The HCVT partners are very proud to share the fact that HCVT has been named as one of the best managed CPA firms in the country – for a second year in a row.

 

The Wall Street Journal "Collecting Bills? Put Your People Skills to Work
Featured in Article: Carol Frischer

 

Eco-Friendly Tax Benefits
AICPA/ CPA2BIZ "Tax Insider" Article by: Blake Christian
The Green Movement is now firmly entrenched in the majority of business plans.

 

LA Times "Look out for tax hit after home loss" Article quoted by: Philip J. Holthouse
The tax complexities of the foreclosure process are analyzed.

 

AICPA Taking a Tax Bite Out of Meal Article by: Blake Christian
One frustration encountered annually (and possibly quarterly) by CFOs and shareholders involves the realization that 50 percent to 100 percent of certain meals, entertainment and other related expenses are non-deductible and will increase taxable income, decrease cash flow and increase their effective tax rates.

 

AICPA Incentive Tax Credits Article by: Blake Christian and Chuck Swenson
Over 80 percent of location-based tax credits are overlooked by taxpayers, tax preparers and CPAs. Some of these credits are large enough to eliminate your clients' tax liabilities.

 

HCVT Ranked Top Firm in Southern California and Number 42 in the Nation
Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP (HCVT), a full service CPA firm with offices in Santa Monica, Westlake Village, Encino, Pasadena, Long Beach and Irvine has again been ranked as the top CPA firm headquartered in Southern California by Accounting Today, a national trade journal focused on the CPA industry. Accounting Today annually ranks the Top 100 CPA firms in the country based on annual revenue, growth rates and other factors.

 

HCVT Adds Four New Partners
Santa Monica-based Certified Public Accounting Firm, Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP (HCVT), the largest CPA firm headquartered in Southern California, has recently added four new partners to its staff.

 

HCVT Receives National and Local Awards While Adding a Sixth Office
Santa Monica-based Certified Public Accounting Firm, Holthouse Carlin & Van Trigt LLP (HCVT), received two significant awards this month. On a national level, HCVT was bestowed a "Best of the Best" award as one of the Top 25 "Best Managed CPA Firms" in the United States by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA), a national trade publication.

 

Enterprise Zone Credits Offer Businesses Tax Breaks That Make a Difference
Location-based incentive credits (LBICs) offer many advantages, including current and prior year refund potential and favorable financial statement impact. According to the Franchise Tax Board, only 3,199 companies claimed hiring credits in 2003 (the most recent statistics available), representing less than 10 percent of potential eligible businesses.

 


HCVT is listed on Accounting Today's 2007 list of Top 100 Firms(2.9MB) and 2007 list of Top 25 Best Managed Firms(753KB).

Tax Update Articles

  Top lessons to learn from the 2008 tax filing season
Now that the 2008 filing season is over, it's a good time to take a look back and learn some lessons from this filing season that can help you next year. Many of this year's lessons arise each year, while others are unique to 2008. The following is a list of 10 top lessons individuals should learn from this just-completed tax season:

More employers offer financial counseling, tax preparation and retirement planning as employee benefits
A financially secure employee is a productive one. Employee benefits play a key role in attracting and retaining employees. Financial counseling, tax preparation and retirement planning services are increasingly popular benefits offered by employers to their employees. However, not all of these result in a tax-free perk to employees. If you are considering offering your employees financial, tax or retirement planning services, you need to understand the tax consequences to both you and your workforce.

FAQ: When does a gift require a gift tax return?
If you've made, or are planning to make, a big gift this year, you may be wondering what your gift tax liability, if any, may be. You may have to file a federal tax return even if you do not owe any gift tax. Read on to learn more about when to file a federal gift tax return.

How do I? Compute bonus depreciation
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 has revived bonus depreciation, providing a generous boost for many businesses in 2008. Under the Act, all businesses, large or small, can immediately depreciate an additional 50-percent of the cost of certain qualifying property purchased and placed in service in 2008, from computer software to plants and equipment. Moreover, the 50-percent bonus depreciation allowance can be taken together with any Code Sec. 179 expensing, which also increased for 2008.

May tax compliance calendar
As an individual or business, it is your responsibility to be aware of and to meet your tax filing/reporting deadlines. This calendar summarizes important tax reporting and filing data for individuals, businesses and other taxpayers for the month of May 2008.


HCVT clients are able to access the worldwide resources of Moore Stephens International Limited. More Info
HCVT is a member of the following: California Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Year-end Tax Planning Guide
Download a free on-line tax planning guide for individuals, investors, and businesses.

Federal Alerts

IRS will distribute economic stimulus payments sooner than expected

IRS to publish guidance on special 50-percent bonus depreciation allowance

IRS Small Business Campaign offers tips on avoiding pitfalls

IRS renews Political Activities Compliance Initiative for 2008 election year

Reasonable notice procedure clarified for third-party employee wages and withholding investigations

California Alerts

CA - Entire share of partnership income included in taxable income

 


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