Three Little known Small BUsiness Tax Breaks

Ten Forty + Quality Tax Preparation & Financial Services 281-397-7777 Fax 281-397-7443 Tax Tips 3 little-known tax breaks for small businesses Some tax planning moves for small businesses are more common, like acquiring property that qualifies for the generous Section 179 expensing allowance. But other strategies may fly under the radar. Here are three little-known ways to save: Building improvements: Generally, amounts paid to improve tangible property must be capitalized and depreciated over time, but recent regulations provide a unique tax break. Under a safe harbor election, a qualified small business may deduct certain building costs above the maximum Section 179 allowance. The election is limited to $2,500 per invoice or item or $5,000 if you have an applicable financial statement (AFA) audited by a CPA. Employee bonuses: Normally, employee bonuses are deducted in the year they are paid. However, for an accrual-basis company, bonuses are currently deductible if fixed by year-end and paid within 2.5 months of the close of the tax year. Thus, your small business may deduct year-end bonuses on its 2017 return if they are paid by March 15, 2018 (other than bonuses paid to majority shareholders of a C corporation, certain owners of an S corporation or a personal service corporation). Start-up expenses: The tax law allows a small-business owner to claim a first-year deduction of up to $5,000 for qualified start-up costs. Any remainder must be deducted over 180 months. However, the $5,000 write-off is phased out on a dollar-for-dollar basis for start-up costs exceeding $50,000. Some typical start-up expenses are: An analysis of potential markets, products and costs Advertisements for the opening of the business Wages paid to train employees Travel for securing prospective distributors, suppliers, customers or clients Fees paid to outside consultants for professional services There is one catch: You must be open for business before the end of the year if you want to claim this for 2017. So make sure that the public has access to your goods or services before Jan. 1. Give us a call and we can help you determine what types of small business tax breaks might be applicable to your specific situation. 2016 Tax Extension Deadlines are approaching. Go to www.tenfortyplus.com and complete your online organizer (under forms and documents). Make your appointment using our online appointment system. Call 281-397-7777 and get a user id with password set up so you can send us all your information through our online secure portal and do your taxes from the comfort of your home or office or come see us at our office. 1040 + Quality Tax Preparation & Financial Services Joseph C Becker EA www.tenfortyplus.com 281-397-7777, Fax 281-397-7443 joeb@tenfortyplus.com Contact Us There are many events that occur during the year that can affect your tax situation. Preparation of your tax return involves summarizing transactions and events that occurred during the prior year. In most situations, treatment is firmly established at the time the transaction occurs. However, negative tax effects can be avoided by proper planning. Please contact us in advance if you have questions about the tax effects of a transaction or event, including the following: • Pension or IRA distributions. • Retirement. • Significant change in income or • Notice from IRS or other deductions. Revenue department. • Job change. • Divorce or separation. • Marriage. • Self-employment. • Attainment of age 59½ or 70½. • Charitable contributions • Sale or purchase of a business property in excess of $5,000. • Sale or purchase of a residence or other real estate.