Section 179 expensing can be a very powerful tax-planning tool for small- and medium-sized businesses acquiring capital assets. While it doesn't change the amount of depreciation you can take over the life of capital purchase, it can change the timing by allowing you to deduct your purchase in the first year you place it in [...]
If you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) rather than a Social Security number (SSN) you may need to take action or you'll be unable to file a tax return for 2017. What to know about ITINs ITINs are identification numbers issued by the U.S. government for individuals who do not qualify to receive an SSN. An ITIN [...]
Is a worker an independent contractor or employee? This seemingly simple question is often the contentious subject of numerous IRS audits. As an employer, getting this wrong could cost you plenty in the way of Social Security, Medicare and other employment-related taxes. Here is what you need to know. As the worker If you are [...]
When it comes to annual business planning, businesses often spend too much time on the planning process or too little because they are busy with day-to-day operations. There's simple method called the "Hourglass Approach" that can help you efficiently focus on your goals and create a plan to achieve them. Top of the glass In [...]
Google, Facebook and Southwest Airlines are among the top five companies on job search site Indeed's "Best Places to Work for 2017" list. You may not have the resources of these large companies, but you can incorporate some of their ideas into your company's culture. Respect The best companies cultivate a culture of respect, according [...]
Hiring your child to work in your business can be a win-win situation for everyone. Your kids will earn money, gain real-life experience in the workplace, and learn what you do every day. And, you will reap a few tax benefits in the process. Before you decide if hiring your child is the right thing [...]
Most new businesses start with no thought about legal structure. In the eyes of the IRS, the default structure is a "sole proprietor," in which your business profits are taxed on your personal tax return. This can serve you well to start, but there are several reasons you may want to consider incorporating as your [...]
The word “audit” makes most of us uncomfortable. But by using auditing principles within your own business, you may quickly discover ways you can enhance your firm’s full-year performance. Here are some factors to consider. Prepare with a pre-audit. Perhaps the most obvious use of a self-audit comes to play as you prepare for a [...]
For handwritten taxpayers, preparing their tax return isn't the problem. It's the fear of an audit. Audits are fairly uncommon, but the IRS may notice your tax return if certain red flags are present. Here are some of the common audit red flags to help you prepare for the possibility of your return being reviewed. [...]
This past month at least 55 companies reported they had fallen victim to a new type of small business scam. The specialized phishing scheme involves a criminal masquerading as a real employee, often a key executive, and then duping unwitting employees to provide payment or secure files. The scam takes many forms. Here are a [...]
