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 Adds Three 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 three new partners to its staff.

 

HCVT OC Office has moved!
Our Orange County office has moved to our new Costa Mesa location. Click the arrow for their new address and phone numbers.

 

HCVT Business Management Department has moved!
Our Business Management Department has moved to our new Los Angeles location. Click the arrow for their new address and phone numbers.

 

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 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

  Jumpstarting the 2009 tax year
Happy New Year! As 2009 gets underway, and you prepare for the 2008 filing season, it's important not to overlook a number of valuable tax planning opportunities that apply right away to the 2009 tax year. Here are 10 considerations for tax planning as 2009 starts.

January 2009 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 January 2009.

What's new this tax season on 2008 returns?
While 2009 holds great promise for new tax relief to help individuals and businesses recover from the current economic crisis, one of the first orders of business for all taxpayers in the New Year is to look back at the tax relief already on the books. Doing so will help you file your 2008 tax return with the lowest bottom-line tax liability possible. One effective tool in making sure you maximize your tax savings on your 2008 return is to look at what's new on federal tax forms for 2008.

FAQ: Does filing my tax return early make sense?
Although individual income tax returns don't have to be filed until April 15, taxpayers who file early get their refunds a lot sooner. The IRS begins accepting returns in January but does not starting processing returns until February. Determining whether to file early depends on various personal and financial considerations. Filing early to somehow fly under the IRS's audit radar, however, has been ruled out long ago by experts as a viable strategy.

How do I? Calculate 'luxury auto' depreciation?
The term "luxury auto" for federal tax purposes is somewhat of a misnomer. The IRS's definition of "luxury auto" is likely not the same as your definition.


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

Congress passes pension funding relief, RMD suspension and more

IRS shortens tax lien subordination/discharge process to help distressed homeowners

IRS issues year-end 409A nonqualified deferred compensation guidanceb

Court of Appeals rules tuition and fees paid to religious schools are not deductible

Congress predicted to pass early stimulus bill for Obama to sign

California Alerts

CA - Mortgage interest deduction, mortgage forgiveness and more discussed

 


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