Part two of our two-part series on fraud tackles why establishing an anti-fraud program is so critical for entertainment businesses. Whether your company is an agency, business management firm, law firm, production company, distribution company or other service company, one key question to ask yourself is whether you have any kind of an anti-fraud program. If not, con [...]

Great news, you received an offer to work in the U.S. and advance your career. While you are preparing for your relocation to the U.S., here are some key tax areas to consider prior to your move. Tax Consultations It is extremely valuable to have a discussion with a qualified U.S. tax advisor prior to your move. We recommend asking your new U.S. employer if they cove [...]

The recent Hollywood Reporter column “Sorry, I Stole from my Clients,” by a former partner of a business management firm convicted of embezzling over $7 million from his clients, should serve as a wake-up call to entertainment industry professionals on the mounting risk of fraud. I reflect back to previous life as a Chief Audit Executive, where I was responsible for [...]

GHJ held its inaugural Women’s Empowerment Speaker Series’ focusing on influence, persuasion and negotiation on May 11. Guest speaker Natasha Case of Coolhaus: Awesome Ice Cream spoke to attendees about her entrepreneurial spirit, drive for success and the upside of taking risks. The firm launched the series to further women’s equality in the workplace and to help wo [...]

Co-authors: Ilan Haimoff and Peter Klass Whether you are an individual, company stakeholder or the beneficiary of a trust or estate with profit participation rights to movies and television shows, you may be at risk for underpayment or delayed payment of your participation profits by a studio or other distribution company. At a minimum, we recommend that you review y [...]

What is sales and use tax, and how is it applied California? California's sales tax generally applies to the sale of merchandise, including vehicles, in the state. California's use tax applies to the use, storage, or other consumption of those same kinds of items in the state. Generally, if sales tax would apply when you buy physical merchandise in California, use t [...]

I went on vacation in early April for a week. There, I said it. It had been a secret I had been carrying around the office for months. I even felt guilty about it. The few people I even mentioned it to looked at me with bewilderment. But that’s not where it ends. I had the gall to not work in the office a single weekend in February, March and April. Have I gone crazy? [...]

On the heels of statements made earlier this year regarding the repeal of the Johnson Amendment, President Donald Trump today signed an executive order that allows churches and other religious organizations to become more active politically. It also provides regulatory relief for organizations that object, on religious grounds, to a provision of Affordable Care Act th [...]

We are all familiar with the letter ratings: G, PG, R & X; we have all seen the screen shot just before previews and opening credits at the movies stating “The following preview has been approved by…”; and we have all seen the warning screen that says we may go to jail for 5 years and pay a fine of $250,000 for reproducing or distributing the movie we are about to [...]

Overview: One area where complexities of U.S. taxation is clearly demonstrated is the Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) rules. These PFIC rules generally apply to U.S. investors in a foreign corporation where U.S. ownership is 50% or less. A PFIC is any foreign corporation if – 75 percent or more of the gross income of such corporation for the taxable year [...]