alliantgroup

Products And Services

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  Research and Development Tax Credit

  A Tax Credit is an immediate source of cash, as well as a significant reduction to current and future years' federal and state tax liabilities. Many businesses owners in nearly every industry are unaware that federal and state research and development (R&D) tax credit programs exist that may reward their day-to-day efforts aimed at producing an improved product. The Research and Development Tax Credit is a government-sponsored benefit that provides cash incentives for companies conducting R&D in the U.S. These economic incentives were implemented to stimulate research and development in industries of all sizes, to encourage companies to work together, and to transform the economic landscape. The Research & Development (R&D) tax credit is for businesses of all sizes, not just major corporations with research labs, and many companies are surprised that they qualify. If you think you must have research labs with white-coated scientists to qualify, think again. Are you surprised to hear that barbie qualifies for R&D tax Credit? Any company that designs, develops, or improves products, processes, techniques, formulas, inventions, or software may be eligible. In fact, if a company has simply invested time, money, and resources toward the advancement and improvement of its products and processes, it may qualify. More than $5 billion in federal R&D tax credit benefits are given out annually. Even better, under recently issued government regulations, more industries now qualify for the R&D tax credit than ever before. Plus, the R&D tax credit regulations allow eligible taxpayers to “look back” to all open tax years (typically three years plus the current year) for potential R&D credits that were never claimed. alliantgroup has established a team of senior level specialists whose sole focus is the R&D tax credit, and with each of our studies we provide complete irs audit defense on both the federal and state levels.

  Link: Research and Development Tax Credit

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  Export Incentive

  To encourage a better balance of trade and help keep U.S. products competitive in the world market, the government offers certain tax incentives for exporters. Specifically, these include the Extraterritorial Income Exclusion (EIE) and Interest-Charge Domestic International Sales Corporations (IC-DISC). While the EIE has been phased out for current and future tax years, it is still accessible for prior years. The IC-DISC is more attractive than ever due to the lowered rate of tax dividends created by the Job and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003. An IC-DISC is a separate domestic corporation which must formally elect to be treated as an IC-DISC and is required to maintain a separate bank account and set of accounting books. The IC-DISC must also file an annual U.S. income tax return, even though it pays no U.S. income taxes. alliantgroup's export incentive specialists help clients remain competitive globally by taking advantage of government export incentives, such as the IC-DISC (and EIE if accessible).

  Link: Export Incentive

• Sales & Use Tax - Refund Review

  Do you pay sales tax? If so, then you are a good candidate for a sales tax refund review. Pay Only What You Should While taxing authorities allow for exemptions for many purchases related to manufacturing activities, the maze of laws and the day to day challenges in paying suppliers often result in companies significantly overpaying sales tax. Our refund review is focused on recovering sales and use tax overpayments and most importantly, helping you to improve future compliance. We determine, through our review process, whether or not you have paid more than your fair share. Factors that Contribute to Overpayment Rapid increase in spending and business activities Addition of new manufacturing facilities Turnover in personnel Operating in new states Changes in suppliers Changes in sales tax laws Difficulty identifying all manufacturing activities and purchases allowed within the definition of an exemption Identifying Overpayments, Obtaining Refunds We perform all the field work to recover sales tax overpayments. We review your accounts payable, review your manufacturing processes, and verify business activities to identify all purchases that qualify for a sales tax exemption and refund. We prepare all refund related documents filed with suppliers or tax authorities. We monitor the progress of refunds and minimize the impact of a refund review on your operations. We also provide comprehensive, easy-to-understand refund project reports outlining our findings and recommendations. Improving the Future Our professionals help inform your staff on sales and use tax issues in the areas that are most important to your business. They will help you learn from the sales and use tax refund review by showing you exemptions missed and answering questions important to your business. No Results? No Cost! Because our Refund Reviews are done on a contingent basis, there is no cost to you unless we identify overpayments

  Link: Sales & Use Tax - Refund Review

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  Hiring & Training Credits

  California offers tax incentives to employers to stimulate the local economy through investments and jobs in economically distressed areas called Enterprise Zones. For hiring in an Enterprise Zone, companies may be eligible to receive a significant tax credit, and in some cases refunds. With the maze of laws, regulations, and administrative forms and requirements, companies often miss the opportunity to maximize their credits or overlook the hiring credits entirely. alliantgroup identifies qualified employees in the past, present, and future; secures qualifying documentation; obtains vouchers on qualifying employees; and provides an annual hiring credit schedule with complete back-up to substantiate the credit claimed. We also administer federal hiring credits such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) and Welfare to Work Hiring Credit Programs, Federal Empowerment Zones, and Renewal Communities. These tax credits provide businesses with an incentive to hire individuals who live and work in many economically distressed communities across the United States.

  Link: Hiring & Training Credits

• SALT - State and Local Tax Controversy Services

  alliantgroup TCS attorneys and State and Local Tax (SALT) professionals have been hand-selected based on their backgrounds and experience. Each attorney within alliantgroup TCS has litigation experience. Their years of courtroom experience provide them the foundation necessary to evaluate evidence, develop realistic evaluations of cases and position our clients to prevail on their tax controversy cases. We have SALT professionals who are former agents or auditors with various state departments of revenue. They know the ins and outs of the audit process and taxpayers' administrative remedies. When faced with a controversial audit, our clients deserve the best defense possible. alliantgroup State TCS is poised to serve those needs. The Resources to Serve Your Needs Different tax positions require different resources to optimize your defense. Having access to a multitude of experts helps offset the risk associated with any given potential tax liability and helps you to start sleeping again at night. With approximately 72 attorneys, 35 accountants, 19 graduate-degreed professionals, 12 engineers, 11 software developers, 8 MBAs, 7 biologists, 7 chemists, and 2 certified financial planners, alliantgroup is ready to assist in analyzing your positions. alliantgroup State TCS has the resources to tackle any issue that may arise, whether technical or accounting. The Best Defense is a Good Offense Why wait until the state comes knocking? Do you have questions concerning tax positions taken on your returns? In today's tax environment with the requirements of FAS 109 and FIN 48 disclosures, savvy CPAs and tax directors take a proactive approach to audit defense. Are you concerned about the due diligence that an acquiring company is about to perform? alliantgroup's consulting services are ready to assist you today. alliantgroup TCS services include general consulting, pre-examination analysis, risk analysis, examination planning, audit defense, conference appeals representation, and litigation support. Whatever the situation, alliantgroup State TCS has a proven solution. Supporting Corporate America, CPAs and Their Clients CPAs and tax directors need to know, when seeking assistance outside of their firms, that their issues are being handled by experienced, competent professionals. alliantgroup has aligned itself with thousands of CPA firms across the nation and is a trusted resource for those firms and their clients. alliantgroup is also a preferred alternative choice by many corporate tax directors who prefer a cost-effective, strategic approach to audit controversy. When faced with controversy, you can roll the dice with another provider or call upon alliantgroup, a national firm renowned for serving corporate America, CPAs, and their clients. To Ease the CPA's Burden Today, there is a common complaint echoed nationwide by CPA firms and their clients. They are challenged with the demands of state audits and procedures. There simply aren't enough experienced CPAs to go around. alliantgroup State TCS is part of the solution. Our Audit Defense team can help ease the burden when you find yourself in a crunch from a state audit.

  Link: SALT - State and Local Tax Controversy Services

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  Domestic Production Deduction (Sec. 199)

  Are you taking advantage of all of the manufacturing and production incentives available to your business? Who qualifies? The Sec. 199 Domestic Production Deduction benefit is available to all businesses engaged in domestic manufacturing and production activities. Businesses qualifying for the deduction include traditional manufacturers as well as an expanded class of manufacturers including: Construction firms Engineering and architectural firms Film and video producers Firms in the sound recording industry Computer software development companies Electricity and natural gas producers Food and beverage producers Potable water producers Companies participating in the aforementioned industries and generating income from their operations may be entitled to the benefits of this relatively new tax incentive. alliantgroup's Service alliantgroup consists of a team of attorneys, CPAs, and accounting professionals who are experienced in advising clients with respect to the Sec 199 Domestic Production Deduction. Our DPD services include the following: Individual consultation and assessment of Sec. 199 benefits Qualified expense identification and calculation Turnkey solution Comprehensive product deliverable Tested and proven audit defense

  Link: Domestic Production Deduction (Sec. 199)

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  Energy-Related Tax Incentives

  Federal and state tax laws provide incentives for alternative energy creation and use, and for incorporating “green” technologies into commercial buildings. There are federal alternative fuel credits for alcohol products, propane, kerosene, liquid hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas, and others. Credits are available for using alternative energy sources, such as solar technologies, wind and geothermal-generated electricity, and hydropower-generated electricity. Producers, retailers, and consumers of alternative fuels such as biodiesel may be eligible. Also available are tax benefits that encourage commercial building lessees, owners, and designers to incorporate “green” technologies into commercial buildings. alliantgroup helps clients determine if they qualify for any of these federal and state incentives, assess the benefits, and take full advantage of them.

  Link: Energy-Related Tax Incentives

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  alliantgroup's Tax Controversy Services

  Tax Controversy Services (TCS): Winning the Fight Experienced Attorneys alliantgroup TCS attorneys have been hand-selected based on their backgrounds and experience. Each attorney within alliantgroup TCS has litigation experience. Their years of courtroom experience provide them the foundation necessary to evaluate evidence, develop realistic evaluations of cases, and position our clients to prevail in their tax controversy cases. When faced with a controversial audit, you or your clients deserve the best defense possible. alliantgroup TCS is poised to serve those needs. The Resources to Serve Your Needs Different tax positions require different resources to optimize your defense. Having access to a multitude of experts can help to offset the risk associated with any given potential tax liability. alliantgroup's attorneys, accountants, engineers, software developers, MBAs, biologists, chemists, and various other graduate degreed professionals are ready to assist in analyzing your position. alliantgroup TCS has the resources to tackle any issue which may arise whether technical or accounting. Why wait until the IRS comes knocking? Do you have questions concerning tax positions taken on your returns? Are you concerned about the due diligence that an acquiring company is about to perform? alliantgroup's consulting services are ready to assist you today. alliantgroup TCS services include: General Consulting Pre-examination analysis Risk analysis IRS Service Center Support Examination Planning Audit Defense Conference Appeals Representation Litigation Support FBAR / FATCA Compliance Whatever the situation, alliantgroup TCS has the solution. Supporting CPAs and Their Clients CPAs are their clients' most trusted professional advisor. CPAs need to know when seeking assistance outside of their firms that their clients are being handled by competent professionals. alliantgroup has aligned itself with thousands of CPA firms across the nation. alliantgroup is a trusted resource for CPA firms. When faced with controversy, you can roll the dice with another provider or call upon alliantgroup, a national firm renowned for serving CPAs and their clients. Easing the CPA's Burden Today, there is a common complaint echoed across the CPA world: staffing, staffing, staffing. CPA firms across the nation are understaffed and overworked. There simply are not enough good CPAs to go around. alliantgroup TCS is part of the solution. alliantgroup's TCS audit defense and consulting services can help ease the burden when you find yourself understaffed. alliantgroup TCS specialized skill and experience nicely compliments a CPA's practice, provides an outlet for excess work in the area of tax controversy and allows you to provide the best possible representation to your client – further building the bonds of trust in your relationship.

  Link: alliantgroup's Tax Controversy Services

• Captive Insurance Companies

  Although many think that the concept of captive insurance companies is a relatively new phenomenon, the captive industry can be traced to the 1920s in the formation of mutual and co-insurance companies. However, only during the last 20 years has the captive insurance industry seen exponential growth as sophisticated taxpayers have realized the risk management, insurance savings, wealth transfer, and tax advantages of captive insurance companies. Today, nearly all major corporations utilize captives and take advantage of the numerous benefits they provide. What Is Captive Insurance? Captive insurance companies are insurance companies established for the purpose of financing risks emanating from their parent group or groups, although they sometimes also insure risks of the group's customers as well. Using a captive insurer is a risk management technique in which a business forms its own insurance company subsidiary to finance its retained losses in a formal structure. In other words, instead of the common parent purchasing insurance from a large third-party insurance company, the common parent instead sets up its own insurance company to satisfy its insurance needs. Most insurance needs are thereafter taken care of in-house by the captive. The term “captive” comes from the fact that the policyholder owns the insurance company, i.e., the insurer is captive to the policyholder. Therefore, its business is primarily supplied by and controlled by its owners, which are also normally the principal insureds. How Can a Captive Help? Captive insurance companies can potentially benefit taxpayers in a number of ways: Insurance Savings: The first benefit of a captive insurance company is the potential for insurance savings. If the captive's underwriting is successful, the business owner will gather the underwriting profits. Additionally, the business owner may be able to add coverages that are otherwise unavailable or which are prohibitively expensive if purchased on the open markets. The business owner may also be able to use a captive as a tool to leverage insurance brokers into offering commercial coverages at lower rates. Income Tax Savings: Captive insurance companies can also offer dramatic income tax savings because they allow the business owner to reserve for claims on a pre-tax basis. The use of the captive insurance company essentially creates a tax deduction to the operating business that would otherwise have been unavailable. Small captive insurance companies can accept up to $1.2 million/year in insurance premiums tax exempt! If the risks that are insured against never materialize, the captive insurance company makes a profit and the operating business keeps its deduction. Wealth Transfer: Captive insurance companies also offer the potential for wealth transfer to successive generations without the payment of gift or estate tax. This is because the payment of premiums is considered the purchase and sale of insurance, and not a gift. If the captive is owned outside of the business owner's estate, then all underwriting profits from the captive's insurance activities will be earned outside of the estate. Moreover, the investment growth of the captive's reserves and surplus will also be outside the estate. How to Get Started alliantgroup can assist you in all aspects of your captive insurance needs, from conducting a feasibility analysis, to setting up and establishing a licensed captive insurance company, and to managing your annual maintenance needs of the captive. alliantgroup works closely with renowned captive insurance expert Jay Adkisson to provide these services to our clients. Jay Adkisson is author of Adkisson's Captive Insurance Companies: A Guide to Captives, Closely-Held Insurance Companies and Risk Retention Groups. He is a much sought-after speaker and the premier consultant in the captive insurance industry. Mr. Adkisson is the creator of the website Quatloos.com, an internationally known website that exposes various financial and tax scams. He is an attorney and has twice testified as an expert witness to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee regarding abusive tax schemes.

  Link: Captive Insurance Companies

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  Domestic Production Deduction (Sec. 199)

  Are you taking advantage of all of the manufacturing and production incentives available to your business? Who qualifies? The Sec. 199 Domestic Production Deduction benefit is available to all businesses engaged in domestic manufacturing and production activities. Businesses qualifying for the deduction include traditional manufacturers as well as an expanded class of manufacturers including: Construction firms Engineering and architectural firms Film and video producers Firms in the sound recording industry Computer software development companies Electricity and natural gas producers Food and beverage producers Potable water producers Companies participating in the aforementioned industries and generating income from their operations may be entitled to the benefits of this relatively new tax incentive. alliantgroup's Service alliantgroup consists of a team of attorneys, CPAs, and accounting professionals who are experienced in advising clients with respect to the Sec 199 Domestic Production Deduction. Our DPD services include the following: Individual consultation and assessment of Sec. 199 benefits Qualified expense identification and calculation Turnkey solution Comprehensive product deliverable Tested and proven audit defense

  Link: Domestic Production Deduction (Sec. 199)