Blog

After so many days of rain it was wonderful to join with friends in their sukkah last Friday evening for shabbat dinner which coincided with the first night of Sukkot 2023.  It is also pretty cool to be able join in  daily ritual of shaking the lulav and etrog.  The first 2 and last 2 days of the holiday are the most strict, so I waited until yesterday for photos. It was really nice to understand the meaning…  Read more

Our office is still going crazy as our “final” tax deadline of October 15th approaches.  We have given up on sending out repeated emails for “that last missing piece of information” which can help our clients minimize their tax liability and are just working with the information we have “in house”.  I have checked with other tax professionals who are experiencing the same behavior from some of their clients.  I…  Read more

Today is a perfect tax storm day with many 2022 extended tax returns and estimate #3 for 2023  due.  As we brace for this major deadline many of us are also watching the weather reports as Hurricane Lee moves up the atlantic coast; it looks like a perfect storm is heading our way too.  Remember that safety should always be the top priority, so take precautions to protect yourself and your loved…  Read more

This morning I was feeling a bit frustrated as I worked on my weekly take away so I “popped” it into ChatGPT.  I wasn’t asking for advice and didn’t give it any parameters, but it totally picked up on my mood.  “It sounds like you and your team are facing a challenging situation as you approach the tax filing deadline, and I can understand how stressful it must be to…  Read more

It been another crazy busy summer week starting with a Town Hall panel web presentation on IRS/NYS tax collections mitigation.  Even through we had the framework set from prior presentations a lot of time and energy went into preparing for this one and I love participating. I had a great time yet again presenting with Karen Tenenbaum, esq, CPA, Moshe Zupnick, esq, and Marisa Friedrich, esq, of Tenenbaum Law, P.C.. Town…  Read more

We see many news reports, blog posts and webinars discussing AI, Bots, and ChatGPT.  Most highlight the benefits of having AI assist in the repetitive data entry and review, while others point out the concerns staff members have about being replaced by evolving technology.  This week I attended a webinar hosted by my professional group and we were once again reminded that this type of technology is a tool that…  Read more

Some of us may have great bosses who have closed their offices on Monday allowing their staff to enjoy a four day weekend.  No matter what our work plans are I look forward to the weekend and maybe a bar-b-que or 2 and expect/hope many are of you are planning, picnics and outings with family and friends. I hear the weather will be a bit iffy here in NYC with some scattered…  Read more

This week I attended the amazing CASCPA annual symposium in person.  What a great surprise to see good friends presenting and to meet colleagues of others.  I left home at around 7 AM and was worried about the traffic and parking, and snuck in a bug battle that morning so I forgot one of my prior take-aways “bring business cards to all in person events…”; no problem, I was able to connect via social…  Read more

This has been a week of “attack of the killer CPA”.  I have been on the warpath against the spotted lantern fly nymphs that appeared on my fig tree Saturday afternoon and the green/white aphids which showed up on my tomato plants Wednesday morning.  I am so grateful for the many garden blogs and articles I have accessed this week. I started with a spray bottle of white vinegar and graduated to a pump…  Read more

Much of my and other’s focus this week has been taken up by the Canadian brush fires, the broader implications and the effect of the smoke on the air quality on the north east coast of the United States.  While I, as well as most of us have considered news reports and the families affected by wild fires all over, we have only rarely experienced the effects.  With the winds…  Read more

Many really nice bosses (hint, hint) are wrapping up a week of work with a short Friday so we can enjoy this 3 day weekend honoring our Veterans and spending time with friends and family at the beach, park or attending bar-b-ques. I am happy to share some cool construction photos as the beach conservation continues, these cranes are just on the next block… New beach preservation jetty construction Jetty…  Read more

I am thrilled that the nice weather is finally here and the sand is warm enough to walk on it barefoot.   I am glad I am following my April 21st Take Away with a twist, we now take “barefoot breaks”… Beach Break Get ready for the fig reports, I am not sure if we will have a “crazy” crop like last year but…. It’s Spring & it looks like we will have…  Read more

We met our tax season 2023 deadlines by filing tax returns and extensions as needed; it’s time to focus on new tax laws, tax plans, and regular monthly and quarterly filing deadlines.  As a tax nerd I love joining panels and speaking with small business owners highlighting rules, trends, and situations to beware of.  Just this week I was thrilled to be included on a panel with Karen Tenenbaum, esq and…  Read more

Today, Cinco de Mayo actually marks the anniversary of the 1862 victory by Mexican troops over invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla. The triumph over the better equipped and more numerous French troops was an enormous emotional boost for the Mexican soldiers led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. Today Mexican American’s  get together with friends and family to celebrate. Enjoy! Home sweet home! No matter how great a time we have, …  Read more

As much as I love non-stop work, deadline pressures and stress, a week of vacation first skiing in amazing conditions with my kids and longtime friends then on to southern California for a long weekend is just what I needed. On Tuesday morning we carved “first tracks” yes, fresh powder in April at Snowbird mountain in Utah.  I followed my pre-weekly take away and didn’t “overdo it”.  I even joined morning yoga…  Read more

A huge thanks to my brilliant, loyal. hard working, amazing staff, thanks to your efforts and support we successfully navigated yet another tough tax season.  Now it’s time for a vacation, a few days off, and some relaxing “me and family time”.  I am heading out to Salt Lake City Utah for a short ski week.  Snow in April? Yes this year they recorded over 900 inches this season (approximately…  Read more

Taking cues from my prior blog posts I have kept up my daily walks on the beach at sunrise followed (most day’s) by a high intensity indoor workout.  This week I increased my walk by 1 jetty which added to my miles and photo ops.  Just a few more days to go as I look forward to our “after tax season ski trip” to Snowbird Utah and then a visit to my…  Read more

We had some crazy weather this week here by the beach we received a dusting of snow which melted right away.  I was hoping to see a bit more as someone who doesn’t have to shovel or brave icey roads to get to work.  For me a nice tax season 15 minute break would be a cup of hot chocolate as I watch the snow fall.  So thanks for sending…  Read more

Sometimes my only incentive for getting up at 6AM is to walk on the beach at sunrise.  Even when I know the clouds will block the sun like this week on President’s Day, when many people celebrated with an extra day off and some extra sleep.  Even with no sun I was able to take some cool photos and my phone showed them as black and white…   No sun…  Read more

I am excited to be writing and posting this week from my AirBnB in Brickell Florida, with a beautiful view of the bridge to Key Biscane; I am here for a special family friend’s wedding… Rickenbacker Bridge, Miami, FL My daughter Emily is in the weeding party, she and my son-in law Jeff extened their trip and have been down on the West coast for a few days, thank you Jeff…  Read more