Approaches, Standards, and Terms Although machinery and equipment appraisals differ from business valuations as a distinct branch of the appraisal practice, many overlapping concepts reinforce and support the key factors needed to establish a reliable and defensible opinion of value for the subject assets. This article provides a primer on the subject matter.   "In the world of valuation, the most important ...

On Business Valuations The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changes many aspects of how business analysts perform valuations. Upon passing of the TCJA, Jim Hitchner moved quickly to gather and disseminate information about the TCJA and its effect on business valuation. He has written two comprehensive articles in Issues 72 and 73 of Financial Valuation and Litigation Expert. The information in this article summ ...

Boosted by solid consumer spending and improving international trade, the expansion of the U.S. economy rose to 2.9% in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said. Nelson Schwarts reports that economists said the biggest quarterly gain in two years will probably be enough to persuade the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in December. Charles Paikert discusses several avenues to take advantage of ...

A closer look at real estate appraisal and government contracts A wife sells her portion of interest in a law firm in an arm’s length transaction and the timing and circumstances are questioned with regard to marital property. Adhering to cost accounting standards within government contracts and real estate valuation issues are reviewed in the latest Case Law Update. ...

Although 2013 Rates Are Still Unclear, Smart Planners Are Making These Moves Today Laura Sanders at the Wall Street Journal reports that the annual scramble to make smart tax moves before December 31 is proving especially vexing this year, since Congress still hasn’t settled 2013 tax rates on income, investments, large gifts, and estates. Deductions and other breaks are in doubt.  And some questions—such as ...