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Guide to Business Tax Deductions

Maximize your tax savings by deducting all eligible business expenses

By John Riddle


Small business owners generally loathe tax time. But if you take all of the business deductions allowable, you can usually lower your tax bill significantly. Recording and reporting deductions doesn't have to be drudge work. With a solid grasp of the expenses you can legally deduct and with a little help from tax software or a tax professional, you can:
  1. Reduce the time spent calculating deductions
  2. Be certain you're saving the proper receipts
  3. Be certain you're filing the proper forms
  4. Minimize the chances of an audit

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Check with the IRS

Go straight to the ultimate source for information on deductions you can claim on your federal business taxes.
I recommend: The IRS Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource includes an overview of business expenses you can deduct. IRS Publication 535, updated each year, provides a detailed overview of deductions.

Use the proper forms

The forms on which you report your deductions depend on your company's legal structure: sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation. For instance, sole proprietors must file Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ of Form 1040; partnerships must file Form 1065; corporations must file Form 1120-A, 1120 or 1120-S; and home-based businesses must file Form 8829.
I recommend: Find the proper forms for filing your business deductions at IRS.gov.

Know your home-based tax deductions

Businesses run from the home are eligible for a variety of deductions, including deductions for a home-office, cars, furniture, equipment, supplies, business travel and more.
I recommend: Download an e-book on Home Business Tax Deductions or take a look at SmallBusinessBrief.com for 10 deductions home-based businesses can claim.

Stay within the law

Don't tempt fate by overstating deductions or attempting to claim a deduction for expenses that aren't allowable.
I recommend: Complete Tax provides a list of common business deductions as well as a list of nondeductible expenses. Bankrate.com offers a list of a dozen deductions you might forget about.

Get tech help

Business tax software programs can help guide you through the process of recording and reporting deductions.
I recommend: Ask which software program your accountant or CPA recommends or check out one of the leading software programs, Turbo Tax, which also features a Deduction Finder to help you zero in on deductions you may have forgot.

Hire a professional

Running a business 24/7 doesn't leave a lot of downtime for learning about tax deductions. To make sure you're taking advantage of all the deductions you're entitled to and that you're reporting them correctly, get help from a CPA or an accountant.
I recommend: Find seven tips for hiring a tax pro from Microsoft Small Business Center and search for a qualified professional at Accountants World or the CPA Directory.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Keep accurate records of all purchases and expenditures throughout the year; when it's time to file your tax return, you'll be ready.
  • Be careful not to spend limited resources just because it's deductible. You don't want to end up with stuff you don't really need. Keep the cash instead.
  • Make sure you file all of your tax forms on time.

The official source of Business Tax Deductions is the Tax Advice page at Business.com

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Tax Advisors
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Recommended Solution Providers

MyTaxResolution.com: IRS Tax Problems & Relief
A leading provider of online tax consultation for small businesses and individuals.

My Cyber Accountant.Com: MCA Small Business Live Chat
This site allows small business owners to chat online with an accountant who charge in 20 minute increments.

Ameritax
This company provides free presentations online for common tax problems, and phone consultations for personal and small business questions.

Best Sites to Learn More

IRS: Small Business and Self-Employed One-Stop Resource
A well organized site with articles and announcements for small business owners, from the ultimate authority on taxes.

Business.Gov: Taxes
Great directory type site that covers all aspects of tax law and links to dozens of authoritative sites.

Smbiz.Com: Small Business Taxes & Management
This site has features such as daily tax law updates, tips, resource links & legislation briefs.

NFIB.Com: 2006 Tax Resources
The National Federation of Independent Business (a lobbying group) maintains this site with a large array of tax topics.

Inc: Tax Strategies
A small business guide to tax planning and deductions.

Small Business Administration: Taxes
An informative site that explains different aspects of small business taxes in an easy to understand manner.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Tax Toolkit
This site is full of informational articles, resources and government links that relate specifically to small businesses.

Small Business Advisor
Offers tax hints and advice to help small business owners save on their taxes.

AllBusiness: Taxes
Small business tax articles.

Business Town: Small Business Tax Advice
This site has generalized topics explained in layman terms.

SmallBusinessNotes.com: Tax Resources for Small Businesses
A site with a well organized table of contents that covers some of the more general tax topics.

Microsoft: Small Business Tax Advice
This page has quite a few articles on tax advice meant specifically for small business owners.

ManagementHelp.org: U.S. Business Taxes for Small For-Profit Businesses
The site is broken into basic information and useful resources for small business tax help.

Best Blogs and Forums

Small Business Community Forums: The Taxman
A forum site that discusses general tax questions that people have relating to small business taxation topics

TaxProf Blog
Updated daily, this blog discusses many business tax issues. The author of the site is a law professor.

Tax Guru-Ker$tetter Letter
This site is maintained by a world-renowned tax expert who dispenses advice targeted for small business owners and investors.

AskTaxMama Newsletter
Tax advice & news is offered on a host of topics. The blog writer will also answer some questions that are emailed to her.

Our Taxing Times
A blog on US taxes and the implications for businesses and individuals.

Ameritax
This company provides free presentations online for common tax problems, and phone consultations for personal and small business questions.



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