James Dougherty, Partner JLK Rosenberger

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James Dougherty, Partner JLK Rosenberger I’m a CPA and Assurance & Advisory Partner with 40+ years simplifying complex reporting, focused on insurance, captives, nonprofits, and government.

Big Four–trained, longtime AICPA peer reviewer driving audit quality, clarity, and practical solutions.

Which business structure is right for your construction company: LLC, S corporation, or C corporation?The decision can a...
10/07/2026

Which business structure is right for your construction company: LLC, S corporation, or C corporation?

The decision can affect more than your tax bill. It may also influence bonding capacity, personal liability, financing, multistate compliance, ownership changes, and future exit options.

For 2026, contractors should consider:
- The permanent 20% QBI deduction for eligible pass-through entities
- The permanent 21% C corporation tax rate
- Potential payroll tax savings through an S corporation election
- How each structure supports the company’s long-term plans

JLK Rosenberger Partner Ken Kathcart, CPA, explains the advantages of each structure and the contractor-specific factors to consider as your business grows.

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Could your company’s AI development qualify for the R&D tax credit?There is no separate “AI tax credit.” However, AI pro...
10/02/2026

Could your company’s AI development qualify for the R&D tax credit?

There is no separate “AI tax credit.” However, AI projects may qualify under Section 41 when they involve technical uncertainty, testing, and experimentation.

Examples may include:
- Building a custom AI model
- Training models with proprietary data
- Testing AI-generated code
- Comparing models or integrations

Eligible costs may include wages, computing resources, model training, LLM usage, and AI coding tools. JLK Rosenberger’s Kerrie Howes explains what may qualify and what businesses should document before year-end.

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Statutory accounting has another round of updates, and insurers have plenty to review.The NAIC SAPWG met in August durin...
09/30/2026

Statutory accounting has another round of updates, and insurers have plenty to review.

The NAIC SAPWG met in August during the 2026 Summer National Meeting in Columbus, Ohio. JLK Rosenberger’s Michael Goni, Maria Vigul, and Paige Bassoli reviewed the latest decisions and translated the technical details into practical insights for insurers.

Here is what should be on your radar:
1. Updated requirements for insurers carrying net negative IMR balances as admitted assets, including “proof” of reinvestment
2. The implications of net negative IMR for assuming reinsurance entities subject to collateral requirements
3. Clarified definitions for general expense categories across all annual statement blanks
4. Positive developments for insurers using repurchase agreements
5. Updated sale-leaseback guidance that may surprise companies using this type of transaction
6. Evolving reporting and disclosure requirements for funds withheld and Modco-type contracts, aimed at improving transparency around restricted investment assets assigned to these arrangements
7. Actuarial developments involving principle-based reserving (PBR) and newly permitted projection models for non-variable annuities

Our Summer 2026 SAPWG Adoption Matrix presents the full picture, color-coded by priority and accompanied by our plain-English “What’s the Rub” commentary.

Download the full matrix here: https://jlkrosenberger.com/naic-sapwg-accounting-update-matrix-summer-2026-national-meeting/

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45% of borrowers say a student loan benefit would make them more likely to stay with their employer. That number jumps t...
09/09/2026

45% of borrowers say a student loan benefit would make them more likely to stay with their employer. That number jumps to 52% among Gen Z.

SECURE 2.0 gave plan sponsors three new optional tools to address employee financial stress beyond traditional retirement savings. Student loan matching lets employees build retirement savings without pausing their loan payments. Pension-linked emergency savings accounts give non-highly compensated employees a place to save for emergencies within the plan structure. And emergency personal expense distributions offer a simpler, lower-lift option that does not require setting up a new account at all.

None of these features are required. But for employers competing for early-career talent or looking to strengthen financial wellness benefits, they are worth a closer look.

JLK Rosenberger's MartinLuke Galvan breaks down how each provision works, what the administrative considerations are, and how to decide which features fit your workforce.

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Missed the R&D tax credit amendment deadline? Your business may still have options.Businesses can still amend their 2022...
08/28/2026

Missed the R&D tax credit amendment deadline? Your business may still have options.

Businesses can still amend their 2022 through 2024 tax returns to claim the R&D tax credit, but the process comes with important rules and potential tax implications.

Before amending, businesses should consider:
• Whether a Section 280C election was filed
• The applicable statute of limitations
• Options for remaining Section 174 expenses
• Potential NOL and state tax implications
• The expected benefit after taxes and professional fees

JLK Rosenberger’s Kerrie Howes explains the available options and what businesses should evaluate before amending a return.

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Most small businesses want to offer a 401(k). Most never do because of the cost and complexity. A Pooled Employer Plan w...
08/13/2026

Most small businesses want to offer a 401(k). Most never do because of the cost and complexity. A Pooled Employer Plan was built to fix exactly that.

Here is what a PEP actually gives you:
- One shared 401(k) plan across multiple unrelated employers
- A Pooled Plan Provider that handles compliance, admin, and Form 5500 filing
- Lower costs and access to investment options most small businesses cannot afford alone
- A startup tax credit under IRC §45E that covers up to 100% of qualified costs for the first three years

A PEP is not the right fit for every organization, but for employers who have held off on offering a retirement benefit because of the burden, this is the structure worth a serious look. JLK Rosenberger's Jeremiah Bernal breaks down how PEPs work and what to evaluate before joining one.

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A cracked windshield helped spark a legal crisis in Florida.Before 2023, auto glass claims led to rising litigation cost...
08/12/2026

A cracked windshield helped spark a legal crisis in Florida.

Before 2023, auto glass claims led to rising litigation costs that pushed premiums higher across the state. Florida’s HB 837 and SB 1002 changed that by reforming assignment-of-benefits arrangements, attorney fee rules, comparative negligence, and bad-faith claims. Now, USAA is returning nearly $1 billion to Florida members, and other states are watching closely. Learn what changed and what it could mean for insurance markets nationwide.

See what Florida’s model means for your market.

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The NAIC just changed the rules on sale-leasebacks, and if your insurance company pledged collateral on one of those dea...
07/29/2026

The NAIC just changed the rules on sale-leasebacks, and if your insurance company pledged collateral on one of those deals, the surplus benefit may need to be reversed.

Effective March 23, 2026, sale-leaseback agreements involving pledged collateral no longer qualify as true sale-leasebacks under statutory accounting. Assets go back on the books. A liability must be recognized. And there are only two paths forward: exit the arrangement and absorb the surplus hit, or seek a permitted accounting practice from your state of domicile.

JLK Rosenberger's Maria Vigul breaks down what changed and what insurers should be doing right now. See how this affects your surplus

Learn about the NAIC's 2026 sale-leaseback clarification changes and how insurers account for pledged collateral deals - Statutory Accounting.

JLK Rosenberger is proud to announce that Daryl Luna, CPA, has been named Managing Partner of the firm, succeeding Mike ...
07/24/2026

JLK Rosenberger is proud to announce that Daryl Luna, CPA, has been named Managing Partner of the firm, succeeding Mike French, who has led JLK Rosenberger with distinction for 16 years.

Daryl brings more than 34 years of accounting and auditing experience to this role, with deep expertise in assurance services for the construction, not-for-profit, and manufacturing industries. Clients and colleagues know him as more than an auditor. He is a coach who is accessible, timely, and skilled at turning the story behind the numbers into strategic direction.

We are proud of what this firm has built under Mike's leadership, and we are excited about where Daryl will take us next.

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That $90,000 work truck you just bought? You could deduct the entire cost this year.Section 179 is at $2.56 million. Bon...
07/22/2026

That $90,000 work truck you just bought? You could deduct the entire cost this year.
Section 179 is at $2.56 million. Bonus depreciation is back at 100%. And heavy vehicles over 14,000 pounds GVWR can often be fully expensed without even touching bonus depreciation. The 2026 vehicle tax landscape is one of the most favorable in years for construction companies.

But mileage log gaps, dropping below 50% business use, or selling a vehicle without accounting for recapture can turn a major deduction into a major tax bill. JLK Rosenberger's Ken Kathcart, CPA, Partner, has the full breakdown.

How Can Contractors Maximize Vehicle Tax Deductions? Find out how contractors can maximize deductions including through Section 179.

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