Category: small business

  • Know the Ins and Outs of “Reasonable Compensation” for a Corporate Business Owner

    Owners of incorporated businesses know that there’s a tax advantage to taking money out of a C corporation as compensation rather than as dividends. The reason: A corporation can deduct the salaries and bonuses that it pays executives, but not dividend payments. Thus, if funds are paid as dividends, they’re taxed twice, once to the…

  • Need a New Business Vehicle? Consider a Heavy SUV

    Are you considering buying or replacing a vehicle that you’ll use in your business? If you choose a heavy sport utility vehicle (SUV), you may be able to benefit from lucrative tax rules for those vehicles. Bonus depreciation  Under current law, 100% first-year bonus depreciation is available for qualified new and used property that’s acquired…

  • Tax Advantages of Hiring Your Child at Your Small Business

    As a business owner, you should be aware that you can save family income and payroll taxes by putting your child on the payroll. Here are some considerations.  Shifting business earnings You can turn some of your high-taxed income into tax-free or low-taxed income by shifting some business earnings to a child as wages for…

  • Is an S Corporation the Best Choice of Entity for Your Business?

    Are you thinking about launching a business with some partners and wondering what type of entity to form? An S corporation may be the most suitable form of business for your new venture. Here’s an explanation of the reasons why. The biggest advantage of an S corporation over a partnership is that as S corporation…

  • Work Opportunity Tax Credit Extended Through 2025

    Are you a business owner thinking about hiring? Be aware that a recent law extended a credit for hiring individuals from one or more targeted groups. Employers can qualify for a tax credit known as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) that’s worth as much as $2,400 for each eligible employee ($4,800, $5,600 and $9,600…

  • Launching a Small Business? Here are Some Tax Considerations

    While many businesses have been forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some entrepreneurs have started new small businesses. Many of these people start out operating as sole proprietors. Here are some tax rules and considerations involved in operating with that entity. The pass-through deduction To the extent your business generates qualified business income…

  • Many Tax Amounts Affecting Businesses Have Increased for 2021

    A number of tax-related limits that affect businesses are annually indexed for inflation, and many have increased for 2021. Some stayed the same due to low inflation. And the deduction for business meals has doubled for this year after a new law was enacted at the end of 2020. Here’s a rundown of those that…

  • New Law Doubles Business Meal Deductions and Makes Favorable PPP Loan Changes

    The COVID-19 relief bill, signed into law on December 27, 2020, provides a further response from the federal government to the pandemic. It also contains numerous tax breaks for businesses. Here are some highlights of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA), which also includes other laws within it. Business meal deduction increased The new law…

  • Can Your Business Benefit from the Enhanced Employee Retention Tax Credit?

    COVID-19 has shut down many businesses, causing widespread furloughs and layoffs. Fortunately, employers that keep workers on their payrolls are eligible for a refundable Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), which was extended and enhanced in the latest law. Background on the credit The CARES Act, enacted in March of 2020, created the ERTC. The credit:…

  • The QBI Deduction Basics and a Year-End Tax Tip that Might Help you Qualify

    If you own a business, you may wonder if you’re eligible to take the qualified business income (QBI) deduction. Sometimes this is referred to as the pass-through deduction or the Section 199A deduction. The QBI deduction: Is available to owners of sole proprietorships, single member limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and S corporations, as well…