Starting Your Own Business?

Here are a few quick tips to help you reduce taxes

Open a separate business checking account. Many small business owners don't realize the complications that can arise from using their personal checking account to pay for business expenses. If business expenses are mixed in with personal expenses, the IRS may disallow them.

When you set up a business checking account at the bank, be prepared to submit either your social security number (SSN) or an employer identification number (EIN). Your SSN will do if you plan on establishing a sole proprietorship and do not have employees or a retirement plan. If you plan on operating a partnership or corporation, you'll need to submit an EIN.

Keep track of expenses you incur before you start your business. Expenses incurred once you decide to start a business, but before business operations actually begin, are deductible up to $5,000 in the first year of business. The rest is deductible over 180-month period after your business opens its doors.

Tax Tips Small Business

  • Reimbursing Your Employees for Business Expenses

    What method should you choose?

    Attracting and keeping good employees is a goal in any business. One way to make life easier for your employees is to have an easy to use reimbursement plan. Travel, transportation, moving, and educational expenses are common reimbursable expenses. As the employer, you have the option to set up an accountable or nonaccountable reimbursement plan. Under either plan, you can deduct many of the business expenses paid to or for employees. However, the plan you choose can make a big difference to your employees.

    Read more ...

Small Business Quick Tip

  • Business Mileage Rate 2

    The optional standard mileage rate for the business use of an automobile is 54 cents per mile in 2016.
Wednesday, 20th June 2018
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Tax Tips Personal

  • Interest on Summer Recreation May Be Deductible

    Your motor home or boat could yield a deduction

    If you own a boat or motor home that is fully equipped with kitchen and sanitary facilities and you use it as a "second" home, the interest you pay on it is probably deductible on your tax return. Although a fishing boat without facilities won't qualify, most motor homes and campers do. If you're looking to buy a boat that doesn't qualify as a second home, you may want to consider paying for it with a home equity loan. That way, the interest is generally deductible. As with most tax rules, there are exceptions and limits so check with a tax expert before you sign on the dotted line.

Personal Quick Tip

  • Adjusting Withholding

    If your tax refund was too high or too low, adjust your withholding so it doesn't happen again next year. You can file a revised W-4 with your employer at any time to increase or decrease the number of exemptions you claim. The more exemptions you claim, the less tax your employer withholds from your wages, resulting in a smaller refund. Decreasing the number of exemptions results in more withholding and a larger refund.