A hobby is any activity that a person pursues because they enjoy it and with no intention of making a profit. In contrast, people operate a business with the intention of making a profit. However, many people engage in hobby activities that turn into a source of income, and determining if that hobby has grown into a business can be confusing. For instance, many people may have started making handmade items and selling them for a profit during the pandemic.
Common Small Business Budgeting Errors to Avoid
When creating a budget, it’s essential to estimate your spending as realistically as possible. Here are five budget-related errors commonly made by small businesses and some tips for avoiding them.
Five Things to know before Starting a Business
Starting a new business is an exciting, but busy time with so much to be done and so little time to do it in. Also, if you expect to have employees, there are a variety of federal and state forms and applications that will need to be completed to get your business up and running. That’s where a tax professional can help.
Tips for Getting Paid on Time
For many business owners, collecting on your accounts receivables can be challenging especially as more people switch from established collection procedures to online payment methods. The good news is that you can take positive action to improve collection rates, shorten the aging days of your accounts receivable, help your business improve its cash flow and tighten up its credit and collections policies. While some of the tips discussed here may not be suitable for every business most can serve as general guidelines to give your company more financial stability.
The Tax Consequences of Crowdfunding
With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, crowdfunding websites such as Kickstarter and GoFundMe have become an increasingly popular way for small business owners to stay afloat. The upside is that it’s often possible to raise the cash you need; the downside is that the IRS considers that money taxable income. Let’s take a closer look at how crowdfunding works and how it could affect your tax situation.
Three Tips for Getting an Accurate Business Valuation
If you’re conscientious about financial reporting, you may already have a sense of your company’s worth, but in some instances, you might need a formal business valuation, such as:
- Certain transactions: Are you selling your business? Planning an IPO? Need financing?
- Tax purposes: This includes estate planning, stock option distribution, and S Corporation conversions.
- Litigation: Often needed in cases like bankruptcy, divorce, and damage determinations.
Per Diem Rates Updated for FY 2021-22
Per diem rates have been updated for FY 2021-22 and are effective October 1, 2021. These allowances substantiate the amount of ordinary and necessary business expenses paid or incurred while traveling away from home and include lodging, meal, and incidental expenses, as well as meal and incidental expenses only.
Small Business: Tips for Ensuring Financial Success
Can you point your company in the direction of financial success, step on the gas, and then sit back and wait to arrive at your destination? Probably not.
While you may wish it was that easy, the truth is that you can’t let your business run on autopilot and expect good results. Every business owner knows you need to make numerous adjustments along the way. So, how do you handle the array of questions facing you? One way is through cost accounting.
Closing Your Business: A Tax Checklist
Many small businesses have closed due to COVID-19. If yours is one of them, you should be aware that there is more to closing a business than laying off employees, selling office furniture, and closing the doors — you must also take certain actions as required by the IRS to fulfill your tax obligations.
Tax Considerations When Selling Your Small Business
Selling a small to medium-sized business is a complex venture, and many business owners are not aware of the tax consequences.