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Top Common Small Business Tax Mistakes To Avoid

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Small businesses, just like large-scale businesses, have the responsibility of filing and paying taxes. When taxes are not paid in full or on time, businesses can face underpayment penalties from the IRS. It is essential for businesses to pay their taxes on time and in full in order to avoid any additional costs or penalties. In addition to the penalties, underpayment of taxes can cause a variety of issues for a small business. Not paying taxes on time can result in cash flow problems, which can then have a negative effect on daily operations. Furthermore, not paying all due taxes can also slow down the process of refunds, as payments will be distributed only once the IRS receives all required documents and payments. In order to ensure a small business stays compliant, it is essential to pay all taxes on time and in full. It is also important to plan ahead and budget for future taxes to ensure there is ample money to pay this important bill.

Other common tax mistakes that small businesses make are below:

  • Failing to separate personal and business expenses: It is important to keep your personal and business expenses separate to make it easier to claim tax deductions and credits.
  • Not keeping accurate records: Accurate record-keeping is essential for small businesses. It is important to keep track of all your income and expenses to ensure you are paying the correct amount of tax.
  • Claiming ineligible deductions: It is important to be aware of what deductions and credits you are eligible for as a small business owner. Claiming ineligible deductions can result in an audit and potentially owing additional taxes.

If you have any other questions about filing taxes, visit our contact page to connect with us. We are excited to help you with your tax needs this holiday.

2022 Year-End Tax Strategies: Planning For A Successful Future

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As the end of the year approaches, it’s important to start thinking about your tax strategy for the coming year. There have been a number of changes to the tax law in recent years, so it’s important to be aware of how these changes will affect you and your business.

With careful planning, you can minimize your taxes and maximize your deductions. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you start planning for your 2022 taxes:

By following these tips, you can ensure that you are in the best possible position come tax time.

1. Know the changes to the tax law

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) made a number of changes to the tax code that went into effect in 2018. While many of these changes are set to expire in 2025, there are a few that will affect taxpayers in 2022. The biggest change for 2022 is the return of the personal exemption. The personal exemption allows taxpayers to deduct a certain amount from their taxable income for each person in their household. The personal exemption was phased out under the TCJA, but it will return in 2022 with a few changes. The personal exemption will now be capped at $4,000 and will phase out for higher-income taxpayers. Another change that will affect taxpayers in 2022 is the return of the itemized deduction for state and local taxes. The TCJA capped the deduction for state and local taxes at $10,000, but it will return to its pre-TCJA level in 2022. This deduction is especially important for taxpayers in high-tax states like New York and California. 

2. Maximize your deductions

There are a number of deductions and credits available to taxpayers, and it’s important to take advantage of them whenever possible. Some of the most popular deductions include the mortgage interest deduction, the charitable giving deduction, and the home office deduction. The mortgage interest deduction allows taxpayers to deduct the interest paid on their mortgage from their taxable income. This deduction is capped at $1 million, but it can save taxpayers thousands of dollars each year. The charitable giving deduction allows taxpayers to deduct the money they donate to charity from their taxable income. This deduction is capped at 50% of your adjusted gross income, but it can still save you a significant amount of money if you donate regularly to charity. The home office deduction allows taxpayers to deduct the expenses associated with their home office from their taxable income. This deduction is available to taxpayers who use a portion of their home exclusively for business purposes. The deduction is capped at $1,500, but it can save you a significant amount of money if you have a home office.

3. Plan for business expenses

If you’re self-employed or have a small business, it’s important to plan for your business expenses. This includes things like office supplies, travel expenses, and marketing costs. Self-employed taxpayers can deduct their business expenses from their taxable income. This deduction is capped at $5,000, but it can save you a significant amount of money if you have a lot of business expenses.

4. Prepare for success in 2023

The changes to the tax code that were made in 2018 are set to expire in 2025. This means that taxes will go up in 2026 unless Congress takes action to extend the changes. Now is the time to start planning for the future and preparing for the possibility of higher taxes. There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the most important is to max out your retirement accounts. 401(k)s and IRAs are a great way to save for retirement and minimize your taxes. These accounts allow you to contribute pre-tax dollars, which can save you a significant amount of money on your taxes. You should also consider saving money in a taxable account. This account won’t offer the same tax benefits as a retirement account, but it will give you access to your money without penalty.

Conclusion

The end of the year is a great time to start planning for your taxes. By taking the time to understand the changes to the tax code and maximize your deductions, you can save yourself a lot of money come tax time. If you have more questions or want to connect with us, visit our contact page.

Tax Tips for Self-Employed Consultants

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Independent work is popular. People who are independent workers are often referred to as “Direct Sellers” by the IRS because they often sell a product or service to people they know from personal connections or even networking events. Since Direct Sellers work for themselves, their tax filing rules are different from those who work a W-2 full-time corporate job. Follow these tips from ETax Service to learn about how to be prepared for potential tax auditing as a Direct Seller.

  1. File the Tax Return

Any income of $400 or more over one year must be reported. For example, people who only made $155 throughout a year will not owe any taxes. It is important to file because that is how people are issued tax refunds.

  •  File Business Income

Many independent workers make various kinds of income (product purchases, prices, commissions, gifts, and many more). Direct sellers often receive a Form 1099 if they made over $600 or invested more than $5,000 in inventory.

  •  Pay Self-Employment Taxes

The IRS requires the self-employed to pay their own taxes. This is because companies are not automatically deducting expenses such as Social Security, Medicare, and other income taxes. The tax rate for direct sellers is 15.3% of net earnings (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare).

  •  Understand Expenses You Can Deduct

A great way to lower your taxable income is by deducting business expenses. Self-employed workers can normally deduct various kinds of expenses. These expenses include home office, marketing, startup costs, inventory (value, not sales), and more.

  •  Separate Business and Hobby Incomes

Some people have a skill and do not intend to make an LLC or other business out of the skill. If you are providing a skill and are not concerned about money, you are considered a Hobbyist. Hobbyists still must report all income though no expenses may be deducted.

For more questions about tax rates for the self-employed, visit www.etaxservice.com to connect with our expert tax staff.