Tax Deductions for Businesses

TAX TIME IS HERE

Tax time is right around the corner for individuals, small business ownersHome_Business_Tax_Deductions and corporations.  All are looking for any type of tax break they can deduct out of the thousands of pages of the federal tax codes.  Many are going through their income and expenses to see where their bottom line will end up. 

Some individuals file their own taxes online but many business owners hire a professional accountant to perform that dreadful task.  You need to provide your accountant with any major equipment purchases, changes that occured during the tax year and possibility staff hiring or firing during the year.

10 Common Business Tax Deductions

SMALL BUSINESS TAX BREAKS

Employees – If you are operating as a sole proprietorship or S-Corp and have your spouse employeed in a flow-through entity this can lower your taxes by deducting the wages and contribute the funds to some sort of retirement plan, speak with your accountant.  If you hire a person under 18 in some states, dependents of the self-employed that qualify may be exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. 

Tangible Property/Equipment – Most business equipment is tangible property and is known as an asset.  Assets mainly are depreciated over aSmall_Business_Tax_Deduction period of time, depending on the type of equipment, could be 7 years.  Some accountants may elect to deduct the entire purchase price in the same year.  These write offs must pertain to your business and be resonable.  When the economic stimulus package was signed section 179 set new, higher limits (and bonus 50% depreciation) that were first introduced in 2008 have been extended for 2009. This means the limits are almost double from previous (pre 2008) years.

When you purchase an asset and take the tax deduction you must also report when the asset was sold and the selling price.  Some assets may be sold for more than the purchase price and the difference is taxable income, which must be reported and taxes paid.  Most equipment purchases will depreciate and won’t be sold for a profit.  Speak with your accountant on this issue before selling any asset.

If you finance equipment, any finance charges that you incur may also be deducted.

Outside Sales – If you use a vehicle for your business and want to deduct mileage of your trips, it is required you keep a mileage log.  The government may change the current mileage rate allowed from year to year.  For the 2009 tax year the mileage rate is $ .55 per mile.  I believe this rate will change for the 2010 tax year to $ .50 per mile.

Home Office – When working from your home office, make sure the office space contains only items to operate your business.  Computers, business phone lines, faxes and office furniture if fully allowed for a write off.  You may also deduct a portion of the other expenses you incur in your home if they are necessary to operate your business like utilities, homeowners insurance, property taxes and mortgage interest.  This is usually calculated by taking your square footage of your office divide that by the total square footage of your home.  This percentage is what is allowed to be deducted as operating expenses.

Travel and entertainment – When traveling keep all receipts pertaining to hotel room, tolls and bridges and flights. If traveling for a coporate meeting these expenses are allowed if you keep records of the business activity that is conducted. Also note the reason for any employee that needed to attend.   As far as meals are concerned the government has standard deductions for this.  Employee or client meals are at 50% but if you are working past your normal working hours and buy dinner for your working employees this is 100%.

Health Insurance – A few years ago a small business owner could not deduct 100% of their health insurance cost.  This has finally changed where the small business owners can deduct the same cost like the big corporations have done for years. 

Let’s get something started together at landrpromotionalitems.com

Drew Miles on Maximizing Business Tax Deductions and Tax Write-offs 

Share

48 comments

  1. •Couldnt be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  2. ecards says:

    Thanks for posting this. I am fairly new to social media and my blog traffic is slowly increasing. I am fairly confident it’s due to me spending a good deal of time commenting on other blogs. Not only does it get my blog out there, but more importantly, I can keep up with what bloggers and readers are talking about! I also spend a great deal of time on Facebook and Twitter… But I really want to reach out to other bloggers in my same arena.
    free ecards

  3. If you enjoyed this post you’ll almost certainly like this site too: http://www.winfreegiftcardsonline.com . It is a great site for earning gift vouchers on the web.

  4. callcenter says:

    very cool site thanx… this stuff is right up my alley!

  5. e-cigarette says:

    Stumbled into this site by chance but I’m sure glad I clicked on that link. You definitely answered all the questions I’ve been dying to answer for some time now. Will definitely come back for more of this. Thank you so much

  6. iCollegeInfo says:

    well, Thanks for posting! I really enjoyed the report. I’ve already bookmark this article.

  7. I have borwse a lot of blog, but no one as good as your blog.

  8. I have met some really neat people through the comments, I certainly want to encourage more me to comment. Thanks for the tips!

  9. I agree with your point of view and I feel very attracted to it.

  10. I agree with your point of view and I feel very attracted to it.

  11. Now and then I am going to stumble across a article like this and I’ll recall that there really are nonetheless useful pages on the web. ^_^. Thanks.

  12. Easily, the story is actually the best on this deserving topic. I harmonize with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your other updates. Just saying thanks will not just be enough, for the great clearly in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay abreast of any updates. Solid work and much success in your working!

  13. Great article, i hope can know much information About it.

  14. Comfortably, the article is in reality the greatest on this noteworthy topic. I concur with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your upcoming updates. Saying thanks will not just be enough, for the extraordinary lucidity in your writing. I will immediately grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Genuine work and much success in your business efforts!

  15. Considerably, the blog post is actually the greatest on this worthy topic. I concur with your decisions and will thirstily look forward to see your approaching updates. Saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the phenomenal lucidity in your writing. I will at once grab your feeds to stay informed of any updates. Delightful work and much success in your business endeavors! Have a nice day

  16. I have been visiting variousblogs for my dissertation study. I have found your blog to be fairlybeneficial. Keep updating your blog with usefulinformation… Regards

  17. mbt shoes says:

    Great article Thank

    you so much!

  18. great information you write it very clean. I’m very lucky to get

    this details from you.

  19. A thoughtful opinion and ideas I will use on my website. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Well done!

  20. A genuinely very good article by you my friend. We have bookmarked this page and will occur back following several days to examine for any new posts which you make.

  21. Fantastic blog! I actually love how it’s quick on my eyes as well as the details is well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your rss feed which really should do the trick! Have a nice day!

  22. very well information you write it very

    clean. I’m very lucky to get this information from you.

  23. Thanks very good for report, I follow your blog. this is a great article!

  24. Legalsounds says:

    I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your web site to check out the latest stuff you post.

  25. Great post and website! I have bookmarked it and will check back ofter. I also linked you to my site.

  26. Annunaki says:

    I like the writing structure of your site and it does a pretty good job of presenting the material.

  27. bmx pads says:

    thanks, nice post.

  28. This is very intresting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post.

  29. Brilliant blog posting. I found your post very interesting, I think you are a brilliant writer. I added your blog to my bookmarks and will return in the future.

  30. Pretty impressive article. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your opinions. Any way I’ll be coming back and I hope you post again soon.

  31. Legalsounds says:

    We are a group of volunteers and starting a new project in our neighborhood. Your post provided us with valuable information to help us get started|.You have done a great job!

  32. This is good, helps me a lot, thanks.

  33. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to see how you work and learn so much!

  34. disney plush says:

    Excellent article and easy to understand explanation. How do I go about getting permission to post part of the article in my upcoming news letter? Giving proper credit to you the author and link to the site would not be a problem.

  35. sell beats says:

    This one took me good minute to get through all the comments, but I really enjoyed the information. It proved to be very helpful . It’s always neet when you can be informed and entertained by lots of these unique replies.

  36. Kredyty says:

    I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

  37. Kredyty says:

    I just book marked your blog on Digg and StumbleUpon.I enjoy reading your commentaries.

  38. I can see you’re an expert at your field! I am launching a internet site soon, and your facts will be quite interesting for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all of the success.

  39. This is a good blog. Keep up all the work. I too love to blog. This is great everyone sharing opinions

  40. Fantastic blog mate! Do you have an RSS feed I can subscribe to?

  41. I always inspired by you, your opinion and attitude, again, appreciate for this nice post.

    - Norman

  42. I congratulate, very good idea

  43. Freeasecret says:

    Thanks for this, I found it really interesting and enjoyed reading it. I found your site on google, you should advertise it more

  44. Lizzy says:

    The informal article assited me very much! Saved your site, very great categories just about everywhere that I see here! I like the information, thanks.

Trackbacks / Pingbacks

  1. bluegrass instruments

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.
Tinkerbell Personal Checks |Garden Planters | Jewellery For Women | Best Dog Foods | Budget Wedding Gowns | Shop For Jewellery | Vintage Jewellery| Diamante Jewellery | Car Finance Credit | DoorStep Loans