Your appointment with your tax preparation services is the next day, and you don't have any idea where your files are. You find yourself scrambling around to secure your records as you prepare for the meeting. You look on your computer, in drawers, and in countless files. You finally find some of your records and hope you have enough to get the job done. Sound familiar?
Does it seem like you’re always paying more in taxes than other small business owners do? If so, it’s likely because you’re missing out on deductions that help you offset your income and pay less in taxes. If you fail to claim enough deductions, you will end up swimming in tax debt.
The end of the year is a busy time. You have the holidays to plan for, family to see, and gifts to buy. You also have to take care of some important business duties so you will have a successful year when the calendar flips over. Year-end tax planning is one of the most important tasks you can take on at the end of the year.
When you are starting a new business, the structure or business entity that you choose makes a difference. Many new entrepreneurs have to decide between an LLC (limited liability company) and a sole proprietorship. The truth is that there isn’t one single answer to the question of LLC vs. sole proprietor, and you should obtain the help of a qualified business advisor to make this decision.
If you own a small business, you know what it is like to feel overwhelmed. It seems like you are constantly pulled in different directions, and you don’t know what to do. You don’t want to bring in additional partners and lose control of your company, but something has to change, and fast. Fortunately, you can retain control of your business while eliminating some responsibilities by getting a small business financial advisor.
If you’re a small business owner who is considering hiring a business advisor, you probably want to learn more about what advisors do before moving forward. Business advisors, or business consultants, take care of several tasks, making it easier for you to run a successful business. Check out some of the top tasks that small business consultants handle.
As a real estate investor, accounting is part of your daily life. You have to monitor the cash flow in, and make sure you’re managing your outflow in a profitable manner. For many investors, a paper accounting system is the one they know and use. However, paper may be holding you back; for many, it’s past time to switch your accounting system from paper to software.
If you're an officer or on the board of a community organization, you may wonder about the tax requirements that apply to your group.
Generally, an organization will not owe taxes if two things are true:
* It has registered as an exempt nonprofit organization with the IRS, and
* It has no business income from activities unrelated to its exempt purpose.
As a small business owner, you may have learned the hard way how important it is to stay on top of cash flow management. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where payments are due, but the money is not available? It can be difficult to manage the cash flow on your own. An alternative is to contract out your bookkeeping services to a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
When you are starting a new business, it is important to determine the structure that makes the most sense for the needs of your company. Many entrepreneurs start as a sole proprietorship. If you are considering the sole proprietorship, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. Before you make a decision, you should obtain the help of a qualified CPA.