New Car Purchases Qualify For A Year End Tax Credit/Deduction

Those who have or will buy new passenger vehicles between Feb. 17 and Dec. 31 of this year may be able to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price. The deduction applies only to 2009 tax returns and is available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions on his or her return, according to the I.R.S. site.

The amount of the new vehicle deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is $125,000 to $135,000 for individual filers and $250,000 to $260,000 for joint filers.

Elsewhere, legislation passed earlier this year created a special tax credit of up to $2,500 for certain low-speed plug-in electric vehicles and two- or three-wheel vehicles (think the smaller vehicles that resemble golf carts). According to the I.R.S. site, the amount of the credit is 10 percent of the cost of the vehicle, up to $2,500, for a purchase made after Feb. 17, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2012.

Another credit, of anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000 depending on battery capacity and gross vehicle weight rating, is available for plug-in and hybrid vehicles designed for the highway and bought this year, according to Erik Lammert, a tax researcher at the National Association of Tax Professionals. For vehicles purchased next year, the credit tops out at $7,500.

BDPB Director Ken Strauss Tapes A TV Segment For Broward Kids

BDPB Tax Director, Ken Strauss, once again demonstrates his dedication to Broward County youth.

Ken recently filmed a segment for an episode of the television series Hall Pass, a 10-part series designed to get middle and high school students ready for life. Hall Pass airs on the BECON network, which is owned and operated by the Broward County School board and is viewed all the way from the Florida Keys to Palm Beach County. The series was recently nominated for an EMMY award and has many positive messages for teens.

The episode in which Ken will be featured is set to air in July 2010 and will focus on goal setting and the importance of being organized. Ken was interviewed to provide kids with tips and advice on money management.

If you are interested in viewing Ken's appearance on the show, you can find a full episode schedule at www2.becon.tv/becon-tv-schedules.

Click here to contact Ken Strauss.

State And Local Tax Authority Karen Lake, CPA Joins Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP

MIAMI—Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP is pleased to announce that Karen Lake, CPA has joined the Firm.

A manager in the Miami office Tax Department, Karen Lake will be responsible for leading the Firm’s state and local tax consulting services. Ms. Lake advises corporate clients on state and local taxes, with an emphasis on income/franchise and sales/use taxes for multi-state entities. She conducts nexus reviews and structural planning related to acquisitions dispositions, audit defense, tax compliance, and the application of technology for state and local tax purposes. With more than 15 years of state and local tax experience, Ms. Lake has advised companies in a variety of industries.

Ms. Lake’s prior professional opportunities enable her to bring a 360 degree perspective to her position. With experience as a senior advisor in Big 4 public accounting firm, a member of corporate tax department, and finally as a state auditor, she understands the full range of tax issues most businesses face, and is able to bring practical, real-world solutions to complex business environments.

A former senior tax manager at Deloitte for 9 years, Ms. Lake holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Florida Atlantic University.

Joanie B. Stein Re-Joins Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP

MIAMI—Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP is pleased to announce that Joanie B. Stein, CPA has re-joined the Firm as a Supervisor in the Tax Department. She will be resident in the Miami office.

Joanie Stein has more than 10 years experience providing tax and accounting services. She concentrates her practice on high net worth individuals, their closely owned businesses, real estate and international tax issues. Her experience includes the review and approval of federal and state income, property, intangible and other tax returns for corporations, partnerships and individuals. Ms. Stein holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Tulane University and a Master of Science in Taxation from the University of Florida.

South Florida Auditor Shea Smith, CPA Named “Young Leader Of The Year” By United Way Of Broward County

MIAMI—Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP is pleased to announce that Shea Smith, CPA, has been named Young Leader of the Year by United Way of Broward County.

A supervisor in the Attest and Accounting Department of the Ft. Lauderdale office of Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant, Shea has provided auditing and consulting work for privately held enterprises in the areas of real estate, manufacturing, construction and not for profit since 2001.

Shea is an active member of the South Florida community. He is a founding member of the United Way of Broward County Young Leaders Society as well as its incoming Chairman. In addition, he is the Chairman for the Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant, LLP United Way Campaign Committee.

Shea graduated from the University of Florida Fisher School of Accounting with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and as well as a Master of Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida.

Scott M. Bouchner, CMA, AVA, CIRA, Receives The Zolfo Cooper Silver Medal Award

MIAMI—October, 2009—Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP is pleased to announce that Scott M. Bouchner, Director of Forensic and Business Valuation Services, has been awarded the 2009 Zolfo Cooper Award (Silver Medal) from the Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors for obtaining one of the highest score on the CIRA examination.

Mr. Bouchner focuses his practice in business valuation, forensic accounting and management consulting. His experience includes providing litigation support services in such areas as bankruptcy, lost profit and damage analysis, securities litigation, marital dissolution, employment litigation, post merger/acquisition disputes, forensic accounting investigations, product liability claims, intellectual property disputes and preparation of pro-forma financial information and financial forecasts.

Mr. Bouchner also performs business valuations and conducts due-diligence investigations of potential merger and acquisition candidates. In addition, he has considerable experience in strategic consulting and business advisory services.

Mr. Bouchner recently co-authored the AICPA Practice Aid entitled, "Calculating Lost Profits", a publication which discusses roles the CPA may be asked to take in a lost profits damage analysis, the professional standards applicable to those services, and the basic principles and guidelines for preparing lost profit damages analysis.

BDPB Named In Accounting Today Magazine's 2009 Top 100 Firms List

MIAMI—March 2009— Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP is pleased to announce that it has been included in Accounting Today magazine’s 2009 Top 100 Firms list.

Accounting Today is a business and finance magazine that offers news and analysis of the accounting industry. The Top 100 list is one of the publication’s most read and anticipated report. Inclusion on the list is a strong indication of a firm’s continued growth and success.

The list ranks the largest U.S. Accounting firms by revenue, offering insight on each firm’s plans for the future as well as recruiting and retention strategies.