Five Tax Tips if You are Starting a Business

 

   

If you plan to start a new business, or you've just opened your doors, it is important for you to know your federal tax responsibilities. Here are five tips to help you get started.

 

1. Type of Business. Early on, you will need to decide the type of business entity you are going to establish. The most common types are sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S corporation and Limited Liability Company. Each type reports its business activity on a different federal tax form.

2. Types of Taxes. The type of business you run usually determines the type of taxes you pay. The four general types of business taxes are income tax, self-employment tax, employment tax and excise tax.

3. Employer Identification Number. A business often needs to get a federal EIN for tax purposes. Check with us to find out whether you need this number. If you do, we can help you apply for one.

4. Recordkeeping. Keeping good records helps you when it's time to file your business tax forms at the end of the year. They help track deductible expenses and support all the items you report on your tax return. Good records also help you monitor your business' progress and prepare your financial statements. You may choose any recordkeeping system that clearly shows your income and expenses. Call us if you need assistance setting up your recordkeeping system.

5. Accounting Method. Each taxpayer must also use a consistent accounting method, which is a set of rules that determine when to report income and expenses. The most common are the cash method and accrual method. Under the cash method, you normally report income in the year you receive it and deduct expenses in the year you pay them. Under the accrual method, you generally report income in the year you earn it and deduct expenses in the year you incur them. This is true even if you receive the income or pay the expenses in a future year. We can help you figure out which accounting method is best for your business.

If you're a new business owner or are thinking about starting a business, don't hesitate to call us today. We're here to help new business owners like you understand the tax aspects of running a business.

 

Barry Eisenberg, SCORE Counselor, email: barrye003@aol.com

 

Visit us at: www.scoresouthflorida.net