The focus of this presentation is how owners of eligible businesses can take full advantage of the new 20 percent Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. This new section of the code, 199A, was created under what is known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed on December 15, 2017 and applies to taxpayers for the 2018 year. This new 20 percent deduction is unprecedented and since many construction firms operate under some form of pass-through structure this deduction will benefit many in the industry. However, this new deduction is highly complicated and taxpayers will need to know how to navigate through the various phase outs and limitations known as “safeguards” that Congress laden this new code section with.

Objectives:

1. Understand which type of businesses and what types of income qualify for the deduction
   
2. Understand the various limitations and phase outs that could limit the deduction
   
3. Learn what strategies are available that can be used to potentially maximize the deduction

After this session you will understand the changes in the definition of a business and implications for real estate companies. 

We will:

1. Discuss the updated guidance and specific impacts and considerations for the real estate industry with regards to the change of the definition of a business.
   
2. Discuss various examples and case studies that highlight the changes and application of the guidance.
   

This session will discuss the recently enacted Interest Expense Limitation rules as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We will discuss how these rules apply in the partnership context and delve into the decision points to consider when engaged in a real property trade or business. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Determine whether entity is subject to interest expenses limitation rules
   
2. Analyze whether to elect real property trade or business treatment

This session will cover what a contractor needs to know when considering an ESOP as part of a succession/continuity and ownership transfer strategy. This session will provide an analysis from beginning to end so that there are no surprises, and will assist the contractor in knowing what questions to ask and how to analyze an ESOP alternative in a construction environment.

1. Learn what an ESOP is and how it works
   
2. Explore the myths, transaction structures, and tax efficiencies of ESOPs as well as how to communicate to the bonding company
   
3. Review ESOPs for S and C corporations, ESOP trustees, ESOP valuation, and ESOP as an exit strategy, as well as what questions to ask
   
4. Understand how to hold your advisors accountable and how to analyze a Phase 1 ESOP feasibility report

In this session, presenters will discuss and review audit innovation ideas to help increase efficiency and overall timing of an audit of a contractor. The session will touch on use of technology, strategies around timing of audit procedures and best practices to audit coordination with the contractor client.

1. Understand strategies on how to use technology to increase audit efficiency
   
2. Learn how to strategically perform audit procedures to maximize staffing capacity
   
3. Learn about methods to efficiently coordinate audit process with the contractor client

This session will focus on compliance with state and local laws is a challenge for contractors when entering a new state. This session will highlight some of the challenges and ways to meet those challenges

1. Attendee will learn some of the issues involved with SALT compliance.
   
2. Attendee will learn how to find the resources for compliance with SALT challenges.

While you may have an understanding of the basic concepts of ASC 606, during this session we will discuss some of the implementation challenges of this new standard. Such as potential impacts to internal control process, additional required information needed for new disclosure requirements and potential impacts of the financial reporting process. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify areas of complexity that will require significant judgments upon adoption of ASC 606.
   
2. Outline areas of concern for changes in accounting policies and procedures and internal control changes needed to ensure compliance with ASC 606.

This session will:

1. Cover the bonus depreciation, section 179, cost recovery, and other related topics impacted by tax reform.
   
2. You will understand how bonus depreciation and cost recovery were changed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

CPA firms are normally operating at a slow pace when it comes to building and implementing successful digital marketing strategies. Join us to learn what is working in digital, where it’s heading and how your firm can manage the process. We will discuss digital trends, such as micro-storytelling, influencer marketing and chat bots, build a framework for a digital marketing plan and address issues related to action planning that firm’s face which hinders their results.

Attendees will walk away with:

1. A framework for digital strategy and how to evaluate their current initiatives.
   
2. A clear understanding what Google wants.
   
3. How to build pillar pages and topic clusters. 
   
4. Essential tools for efficient management of digital initiatives.