Alpine Mar

This Women's History Month, we're spotlighting someone who's been quietly doing extraordinary things in an industry that wasn't built for her. Veronica Querales is the President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Kohtler Elevator Industries, a Miami-based manufacturer that exports elevator products across the U.S., Caribbean, and Virgin Islands. She got her start in the elevator industry in high school, working for her family's business. Decades later, she built her own company in a country that wasn't hers, in an industry dominated by men, driven by a promise she made to herself and the memory of her father. The growth has been real. Kohtler sold out of production capacity three months before the end of 2025. They're now moving into a larger facility, investing in new heavy machinery, and expanding aggressively. That kind of growth is exciting. It also demands serious financial discipline. Alpine Mar has been working alongside Veronica and the Kohtler team improving accounting processes, handling taxes, and providing Fractional CFO support to help leadership stay close to their cash flow as they scale. When you're making big investments in space and equipment, knowing exactly where you stand financially isn't optional. #WomensMonth #WomensHistoryMonth

Meet Ashley, a Tax Director at Alpine Mar! ​ Ashley brings over a decade of experience to the team, with a career that started at Cherry Bekaert in 2014 and grew into a deep specialization in some of the more complex areas of tax. Her expertise spans real estate investment and pass-through entities, closely-held businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and US compliance for outbound international investments. ​ She holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Florida and an MS in Accounting with a specialization in Taxation from Florida International University. Safe to say, tax is kind of her thing. ​ Outside of work, Ashley is a true Florida Gator through and through. During her time at UF, she made it to every single home football game and stayed until the final whistle. Every. Single. One. 🐊🏈 ​ We're thrilled to have her help leading the tax practice at Alpine Mar.

If you bought a new car in 2025, there's a deduction you should know about. Starting this year, eligible taxpayers can deduct up to $10,000 in car loan interest. What makes this one interesting is that it's available whether you itemize your taxes or not, which isn't always the case. To qualify, the vehicle needs to be new, assembled in the U.S., and used for personal purposes. Your loan also needs to have started after December 31, 2024. The deduction phases out if your modified adjusted gross income is over $100,000 (or $200,000 if you file jointly), and it applies through the 2028 tax year. Not sure if it applies to you? That's what we're here for.

If you’ve got a capital gain and you’re thinking long-term, Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) are one of the most impactful tools in the tax code. What is an Opportunity Zone? Opportunity Zones are designated economically distressed communities meant to spur investment, economic growth, and job creation, with tax benefits offered to investors.  How the incentive works (in plain English): When you roll eligible capital gains into a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) that invests in Opportunity Zones, you can unlock two major advantages: ​ ✅ Now: Temporary tax deferral on the capital gains you reinvest. In general, the deferred gain is recognized when you sell the QOF investment. ✅ Later: Potential tax-free appreciation on the QOF investment itself. If you hold the QOF investment long enough (often 10 years), you may be able to exclude the capital gains on the investment’s growth when you sell.  Why it matters: It’s one of the rare strategies where you can defer taxes today and potentially wipe out taxes on future growth, but the rules are technical and the timeline matters. If you’re a business owner or investor sitting on a gain, this is worth a conversation before you make your next move.

Roses are red. Violets are blue. Your finances deserve attention too. 💘 Here are 5 habits that make money feel less stressful and a lot more intentional, whether you’re running a business, managing a household, or both. ​ Save this for your next “money date.” And if you want help tightening up your budget, building a cash flow routine, or setting up a tax-smart system, Alpine Mar’s got you. ​ Which habit are you starting this month: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5?

Charitable giving is still a win. The tax rules around it are shifting in 2026. Here are three changes to know before you map out your giving strategy: 1) A new $1,000 charitable deduction for standard-deduction filers If you don’t itemize, you may be able to deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash donations ($2,000 if married filing jointly) starting in 2026. 2) A new 0.5% AGI “floor” for itemizers If you do itemize, charitable deductions generally only apply to the portion of donations that exceeds 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). 3) A new 35% cap for high-income donors For higher-income taxpayers, the tax value of certain charitable deductions is expected to be capped at 35% starting in 2026 (even if your marginal rate is higher). 💡 Why it matters: the “best” way to give for taxes may look different depending on whether you itemize, your income, and how you donate. Want help pressure-testing your 2026 giving plan (personal or business)? That’s what we do.

At Alpine Mar, we believe great advisory work is built on shared judgment, clear thinking, and aligned leadership. Last week, we hosted our first Leadership & Development Workshop, led by Juliana Faus. We came down to South Florida to bring team members together from across the firm. The session wasn’t about “culture” as a buzzword. It was about the real stuff: • Clear communication • Self-awareness in decision-making • Understanding how we react in different situations and why Exactly the kind of foundation that matters as we head into one of our busiest seasons. Growth doesn’t happen by accident. Scale requires systems. And systems require aligned leaders. That alignment is what allows us to think clearly, communicate directly, and show up as better advisors for our clients, especially when things move fast and decisions matter most. Grateful for the time, the conversations, and the people who continue to raise the bar for the businesses we serve.

Join us for a quick, live webinar with our team where we’ll walk through exactly what you need to know this filing season: key dates, what to send (and when), FAQs we hear every year, and updates from the OBBA you don’t want to miss. ​ 🗓 Tuesday, February 3, 2025 🕛 12:00 PM ET | ~20 min + Q&A 📍 Zoom Webinar us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regist… ​ ✅ It’s short, helpful, and actually worth your time.

Another important January deadline to keep on your radar. Employee W-2s must be provided by January 31. That includes mailed copies or digital delivery, depending on how you distribute them. If payroll, filings, or year-end reporting still feels unfinished, now is the time to wrap it up before it becomes a problem. On-time, accurate, and compliant beats last-minute every time.

A client closed out the year with eye-popping income on paper, but nowhere near that much cash in the bank. The issue wasn’t revenue. It was timing. Because they were on the accrual method, income was being recognized the moment invoices went out, even though a large portion hadn’t been collected yet. Our move: complete an accounting method change so income for tax purposes is recognized when cash is actually received. The result? ✔ More than $500K removed from taxable income ✔ A structure that better matched how the business truly operates ✔ No scrambling. No guessing. Just smart planning. Sometimes the biggest tax wins come from asking the right question at the right time. That’s WWAD.

Here’s a fun money tip from AM Partner, Brian Fine. If you’re looking for an easy way to save on taxes while planning for future medical costs, an HSA is tough to beat. Triple tax benefits, long-term flexibility, and more room in your pocket. That’s a win all around.

Friendly reminder before the scramble starts. Q4 2025 estimated tax payments are due January 15. If you’re required to make quarterly payments, missing this deadline can mean penalties and interest. If you’re not sure what you owe, haven’t paid yet, or want help planning ahead instead of reacting later, that’s where we come in. Better a reminder now than a surprise later.

Before 2026 gets busy, take the time to lock in the financial basics that set you up for smarter decisions all year long. This checklist covers the unsexy but essential stuff: clean books, clear budgets, proactive tax planning, better systems, and yes, finally separating business and personal finances. Strong money habits don’t happen by accident. They’re built early and maintained consistently. If you want help checking these boxes or building a plan that fits your business and your life, Alpine Mar is here to help.

Wrapping up the year with our team in the Philippines the best way we know how. Together. Their year-end party was a chance to pause, celebrate the work behind us, and enjoy time as a team outside of the day-to-day. Lots of laughter, good food, and well-earned joy. We are incredibly grateful for this group and the energy they bring to Alpine Mar all year long. Here’s to closing out the year with the people who make the work matter.

Alpine Mar has had another record year for the books. Our growth this year was driven by something we value more than anything else: You. Client referrals accounted for a huge part of our momentum, and we could not be more grateful for the trust you continue to place in our team. This year we also welcomed the incredible team from Melamed & Karp PA. Their addition expanded our capabilities with a new service line in Assurance Services and brought in a group that fit into our culture from day one. We kept growing in other ways too. Alpine Mar opened a new office in the Philippines and added 15 talented team members who bring skill, dedication, and heart to everything they do. On top of that, our team pushed the limits of what modern accounting can look like. We strengthened our tech stack, stayed ahead of the AI curve, and ended the year deploying AI agents into several of our accounting workflows to create smarter, faster, and more accurate systems. To everyone who has supported us, trusted us, and worked alongside us this year, thank you. We are proud of where we are and even more excited for what is coming next. This is only the beginning.

Earlier this month, part of the Alpine Mar team spent the day on the course at the ANF Charitable Fund Golf Tournament in Plantation. It was a great excuse to step outside the office, connect with others in the community, and support organizations doing meaningful work across education, health, employment, and the environment. We’re grateful to be part of events like this and proud to support causes that make a real impact close to home.

This holiday season, we wanted to share a small moment from our team in the Philippines. The team organized a simple outreach in their local barangay. Some bread, chocolates for kids, and support for families and elders. A small act of care led by the people who know the community best. At Alpine Mar, this is what showing up looks like. Trusting our teams, listening first, and letting good things start locally. We are grateful for our PH team and the heart they bring to their work every day.

Here’s a pro tip from Founder & CEO, Pablo Martell. If you’re still on desktop accounting software, it might be time to switch to QuickBooks Online. We recently helped a major client make the move, and the difference in efficiency and visibility was huge.

Nothing like a Panthers game to bring the team together. Good plays, good company, great night.

Stop chasing bills across apps and screenshots. QBO gives every business a custom Intuit email you can use to send in receipts and invoices. QuickBooks does the heavy lifting by reading the docs and matching them to your transactions. ​ Head to the Bills section under My Apps to find your unique email and your organized bill list.