When launching a small business, many entrepreneurs start out as sole proprietors. If you’re launching a venture as a sole proprietorship, you need to understand the tax issues involved. Here are nine considerations:
Tax Tips for Growing Your Business with a New Partner
There are several financial and legal implications when adding a new partner to a partnership. Here’s an example to illustrate: You and your partners are planning to admit a new partner. The new partner will acquire a one-third interest in the partnership by making a cash contribution to the business. Assume that your basis in your partnership interests is sufficient so that the decrease in your portions of the partnership’s liabilities because of the new partner’s entry won’t reduce your basis to zero.
Help Prevent Financial Scams Aimed at Older People
In any season, scam artists are seeking new ways to steal financial data and money from vulnerable people. Such fraudulent activities often target older adults. Here are three ways to help prevent elder financial abuse and fraud, whether you’re in this age bracket or you share them with senior loved ones:
2024 Depreciation Limits for Business Vehicles
IRS guidance provides the 2024 depreciation limits for “luxury” business vehicles. For vehicles placed in service in 2024, depreciation limits (including first-year bonus depreciation) are $20,400 for year one, $19,800 for year two, $11,900 for year three, and $7,160 for each year after that. This includes passenger cars and SUVs, trucks, and vans if their gross vehicle weight (GVW) is 6,000 pounds or less. The IRS also announced lease inclusion amounts for lessees of passenger vehicles first leased in 2024. Read Rev. Proc. 2024-13 on irs.gov for more details (PDF).
Tax Records: What Can You Toss, and What Should You Keep?
Generally, the IRS has three years to audit a tax return, from the later of the due date or the date you file. If you overlooked something, you can also file an amended return within this time frame.
Here’s what you need to know about keeping financial records involved in your tax returns.
3 Strategies for Estimated Tax Payments
Many individuals today are self-employed or generate income from interest, rent, dividends, and other sources. If you’re in this situation, you could be risking penalties if you don’t pay enough taxes during the year through estimated tax payments and withholding. (The due date for the final estimated payment for 2023 is January 16, 2024.)
Business Savings: Acquiring & Placing Assets in Service by Year-End
Under Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code, companies can “expense” the full cost of qualifying fixed assets to reduce their taxable income. This means they can deduct the purchase amount currently rather than having to depreciate the asset over many years. Both new and used fixed assets can qualify. The election is available for qualified property placed in service anytime during the tax year.
Make 2023 Annual Exclusion Gifts by December 31
”One of the most effective estate-tax-saving techniques is also one of the simplest: making use of the gift tax annual exclusion. It allows you to give to an unlimited number of family or friends cash or property valued up to a “specified” amount each year without owing gift tax or using up any of your lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. For 2023, the annual exclusion amount is $17,000.“One of the most effective estate-tax-saving techniques is also one of the simplest: making use of the gift tax annual exclusion. It allows you to give to an unlimited number of family or friends cash or property valued up to a “specified” amount each year without owing gift tax or using up any of your lifetime gift and estate tax exemption. For 2023, the annual exclusion amount is $17,000.
Withdrawing ERC Claims
Halted Employee Retention Credit Claim Withdrawals
Recently, the IRS halted the processing of claims for the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) due to a high volume of fraudulent claims. The moratorium is through at least the end of 2023. ERC claims that were already filed are now subject to longer processing, including heightened scrutiny to weed out fraud.
Follow IRS Rules to Nail Down a Charitable Tax Deduction
Donating cash and property to your favorite charity is beneficial to the charity but also to you in the form of a tax deduction if you itemize. However, to be deductible, your donation must meet certain IRS criteria.