Specialized services to help you navigate business & life.

We leverage our financial expertise and industry-specific knowledge to help our clients and their businesses succeed.

Often, that means going beyond the traditional role of a CPA firm to provide specialized services for your unique situation. From identifying and capitalizing on tax-credit opportunities to providing personalized wealth-management services, our team has the capabilities to help you make critical decisions with confidence and navigate nearly any financial situation. Keep scrolling to learn more about our key specialized services.

  • Research & Experimentation Tax Credit

    Take advantage of a tax credit that most businesses miss.

    Research & Experimentation Tax Credit

    If your company has spent time and resources to improve your product, then you probably have research and experimentation costs that qualify for the Federal Research and Development Tax Credit. Most do.

    Unfortunately, many businesses miss out on this credit because they are either unaware of it or—frustratingly—unable to obtain the data that would help them qualify. The qualifying expenses are often buried deep within the company. They can’t be found within the surface-level accounting data, and they’re often missed by accountants.

    That’s why our team goes beyond the numbers, conducting thorough research into your processes and procedures, interviewing key personnel, uncovering “hidden” expenses, and identifying qualifying expenditures. We dig deeper into your operations, so you can capture the credit you deserve.

  • 179D ENERGY-EFFICIENT TAX DEDUCTION

    Most businesses miss out on this deduction. We make sure you don’t.
    179D ENERGY-EFFICIENT TAX DEDUCTION

    Qualifying property owners and leaseholders can receive a tax deduction by installing energy-efficient technologies, such as interior lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water systems.

    Unfortunately, most don’t. Nearly 80% of qualifying businesses miss out on this deduction—because they either aren’t familiar with the opportunity or are unable to apply.

    We help you capitalize on the deductions you deserve. Our team of financial experts collaborates with experienced engineers to help you assess past, current and future projects for tax benefits like 179D Energy. Once we have identified potential opportunities, we guide you through the certification process and help you obtain tax savings wherever possible.

    Potential candidates for 179D include:

    • Upgrades, Renovations and Retrofits
    • New Construction
    • Private or Public Commercial
    • Commercial Residential (4+ stories)
    • LEED-Certified Buildings
    • Green/Energy-Efficient Buildings
    • Types: Schools, Government, Office, Retail, Hospitality, Industrial, Manufacturing, Health Care, Parking Garages
    • Architects, Engineers and Contractors
    • Buildings placed in service since January 1, 2006
  • Real Estate Cost Segregation

    There are savings buried in your real estate. We help you find them.

    Real estate cost segregation

    Using a real-estate cost segregation study—a federal income tax tool that increases your near-term cash flow—we help you uncover savings buried in your real estate assets.

    These savings opportunities may be found in:

    • New buildings presently under construction.
    • Existing buildings undergoing renovation, remodeling, restoration, or expansion.
    • Prior purchases of existing property.
    • Office/facility leasehold improvements and build outs.
    • Post-1986 real estate construction, building acquisitions, or improvements where no cost segregation study was performed (even though the statute of limitations previously closed on the property construction/acquisition year).
  • Insurance Policy Review

    We evaluate your current policy and determine if it’s still the best option for you.

    Insurance Policy Review

    Choosing the right insurance policy often comes down to recognizing how the provider and the industry have changed—and how you have changed—since the last time you purchased a policy.

    Recently, there have been dramatic changes in the insurance world, with plummeting interest rates and new products. Chances are, things have changed in your personal life, too. Now, there are new opportunities out there, and the policy you purchased yesterday might not be the right policy for today.

    Our team can review your current policies and compare them to other options on the market. Then, we help you identify the best policy for you—a cost-effective solution that fits into your financial planning strategy and helps you capitalize on possible gains.

  • State and Local Taxes

    We handle the taxes, so you can focus on your business.

    With more than 9,000 state and local jurisdictions imposing their own (often fluctuating) tax rules on businesses – while numerous businesses cross state lines with online sales, remote work and virtual offices – staying in compliance is more challenging than ever. At the same time, there are a number of opportunities to save money and get ahead… but only if you have the right expertise and know where to look.

    At Dugan + Lopatka, our team brings together our knowledge of various state and local tax codes with our understanding of your business goals to help you stay in compliance, minimize your tax burden, and identify savings opportunities. We take a holistic, proactive approach to help you plan ahead and strategize for your cashflow management.

    Some of our tax-related services include:

    • Preparation of state income and franchise tax returns for all states.
    • Income and sales tax nexus reviews
    • Income tax allocation and apportionment reviews
    • State tax credit eligibility
  • Fiduciary Income Tax

    Save time, save money & plan ahead.

    With shifting regulations and a complex tax code, meeting your fiduciary income tax requirements is a challenging, time-consuming process. But it doesn’t have to be. Using a proactive and holistic approach, our team leverages our knowledge of the tax code and our understanding of your finances to help you stay in compliance and minimize your tax burden.

    As your partner, we:

    • Prepare income tax returns for estates and trusts
    • Prepare federal gift tax returns
    • Work closely with estate planning attorneys to maximize income tax savings as part of your overall estate plan
  • Wealth Management Services


    Live for today & take the mystery out of tomorrow.

    Wealth Management

    At Dugan + Lopatka Wealth Management, our mission is simple: To learn more about you, understand your needs, wants, and goals, and help you identify the personal finance strategies that may improve your lifestyle today and provide the foundation for a sound retirement in the years ahead.

    We understand today’s financial environment. We understand that individuals face unique challenges as they prepare for retirement. And we can help take the mystery out of preparing for today and tomorrow.

    Whether you are investing to build wealth, protect your family, or preserve your assets, our personalized service focuses on your needs, your wants, and your long-term goals.

Key Contacts
accounting career pete zich
Pete Zich Principal, Tax Department Contact Pete
Leo M. Misdom Principal Contact Leo