Construction

Organizations across every sector are asked to provide financial statements at one point or another. A bank needs them for a loan renewal. A foundation wants to see them before releasing a grant. These requests often come with deadlines, but not always with clear instructions. Many leaders hear the terms compilation, review, and audit and wonder what the differences mean for the organization. This often depends on how the financial statements will be used and what level of assurance outside parties need. Understanding these distinctions helps organizations avoid delays, reduce costs, and meet compliance obligations.

It’s been several weeks since the federal government shut down on October 1, 2025. Since then, many agencies have closed or are operating with only partial staff. Economists estimate that each week of the shutdown could trim about 0.1 percentage point from quarterly GDP growth, roughly $6-7 billion in lost activity across the economy.

The federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, after lawmakers couldn’t agree on a plan to fund operations for the new fiscal year. It’s the first shutdown since 2018-2019 and comes at a busy time for both taxpayers and businesses. It’s just two weeks before the October 15 filing deadline for extended individual returns. Concurrently, many Atlanta businesses are undergoing year-end tax planning.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law earlier this year, contains provisions that will directly affect construction companies. It offers new ways to lower taxable income, improve cash flow, and invest in equipment and property. Some benefits are already in place, and others take effect in later years. A number of popular energy-related incentives have short deadlines, which means companies will need to act quickly to take advantage of them.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, makes major changes to federal clean energy tax policy. The law accelerates the expiration of more than a dozen energy-related tax credits, many of which were previously set to remain in effect through 2032. Several credits will now expire as early as September 2025. In other cases, new restrictions may limit who qualifies or how the credit can be used.

New tariffs are pushing up the cost of key materials used in construction and real estate development. A 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum is already in effect, and additional tariffs may take effect in early April. With construction costs already high and supply chains still recovering from past disruptions, these trade policies are introducing more uncertainty into project planning and budgets. For businesses that rely on imported materials, the coming months could bring higher costs, potential delays, and sourcing challenges

Businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations investing in renewable energy may qualify for two key federal tax incentives that significantly reduce project costs. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a percentage-based credit for the upfront costs of installing renewable energy systems, while the Production Tax Credit (PTC) offers a per-kilowatt-hour credit for electricity generated by qualifying systems over time.

Millions of Americans leave behind retirement accounts every year due to job changes, incomplete records, or failing to roll over funds. An estimated 29.2 million forgotten 401(k) accounts hold approximately $1.65 trillion in assets. In response to this growing issue, the Department of Labor (DOL) created the Retirement Savings Lost and Found (RSLF) database under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. 

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently appealed a federal ruling that overturned the previously established overtime rules on salary thresholds. This has set the limits for the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) back to levels set in 2019. While we wait to see what might happen with the appeal during a period of changing Presidential administrations, there are several important considerations companies should make.

With the election results finalized, business leaders are preparing for potential shifts in tax policy under the new administration. President-elect Trump’s focus on making the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent has sparked interest in many Atlanta business owners. However, the details of the tax agenda remain unclear. As the fiscal debate unfolds, businesses will need to stay alert to the possible changes that could shape tax planning, optimization, and financial strategies in the years ahead.