Comparing Tax Treatment of Investment Real Estate vs. Real Estate Dealer Property (“Flips”)
May 8th, 2025 Jessica I. Marschall CPA In recent years, our practice has seen a marked increase in clients either holding real estate for long-term investment or diving headfirst into the world of house flipping. This trend is fueled not only by rising home values, but also by the desire to create alternative income streams […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS): Tax Requirements, Limitations, and Long-Term Benefits
Jessica I. Marschall, CPA May 1st, 2025 The Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) provision under Internal Revenue Code §1202 provides one of the most powerful tax benefits available to founders, early employees, and investors in eligible startup companies. For taxpayers who meet specific requirements, gains from the sale of QSBS may be excluded from federal […]
Read MoreInstallment Sales of Small Businesses: A Practical Guide for Sellers
By Jessica I. Marschall, CPA April 26th, 2025 Selling a small business can be one of the most significant financial transactions a business owner will experience. When the buyer is unable to pay the full purchase price upfront, installment sales can serve as a viable solution, allowing the seller to spread the gain over multiple […]
Read MoreBuilding Middle-Class Wealth Through Strategic Ownership, Tax Planning, and Sound Investment Principles
Jessica I. Marschall, CPA, ISA AM President: MAS LLC, Probity Appraisal Group, and The Green Mission Inc. April 23rd, 2025 While the most straightforward path to wealth is through inheritance—particularly in the form of appreciating real estate or investment income—not everyone has the advantage of generational financial support. For those without a billionaire relative, or […]
Read MoreBrand Valuation: Measurement of Value Indicators
Jessica I. Marschall, CPA, MAS LLC March 15th, 2025 Valuing a brand is a complex process that business valuators approach with both qualitative and quantitative tools. The value of a brand is typically captured as an intangible asset and can be appraised independently or as part of a broader business valuation under a fair market […]
Read MoreForeign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) vs. Foreign Tax Credit (FTC)
Jessica I. Marschall, CPA, ISA AM March 19th, 2025 U.S. citizens and resident aliens who earn income abroad may be able to exclude foreign income or claim foreign tax credits to reduce double taxation. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and the Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) serve different purposes and can sometimes be strategically used […]
Read MoreWhen the IRS Reclassifies Your Business as a Hobby: The Costly Consequences of Retroactive Tax Adjustments
By Jessica I. Marschall, CPA, ISA AM March 16th, 2025 The distinction between a business and a hobby under IRS rules can have profound financial implications. Many taxpayers assume that if they operate an activity with revenue, they qualify as a business. However, the IRS has the authority to retroactively reclassify an activity as a […]
Read MoreUnderstanding the Distribution of the U.S. Tax Burden: Federal Income Taxes vs. Payroll Taxes
Jessica I. Marschall, CPA March 12th, 2025 One of the most widely cited statistics in tax policy debates is that a relatively small percentage of high-income earners pay the vast majority of federal income taxes. While this is true, it is essential to recognize that the federal income tax system is highly progressive, meaning that […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Section 351: Asset Transfers and Requirements for Tax-Free Treatment
By Jessica I. Marschall, CPA February 9th, 2025 Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) provides a tax benefit for certain transfers of property to a corporation. When property is transferred to a corporation in exchange for stock, Section 351 allows the transaction to be treated as tax-free under specific conditions. This article will […]
Read MoreThe MLM Mirage: Financial Realities for Women and the Stay-at-Home Mom Trap
By Jessica I. Marschall, CPA February 9th, 2025 For 25 years, I have worked as a CPA, reviewing tax returns and financial statements for clients in a wide range of industries. One recurring theme I have noticed is the financial failure of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) participants—particularly among women, including stay-at-home moms. While MLMs promise financial […]
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