No one likes to think about taxes, but they are a necessary evil for most businesses. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to make the process easier, says Aron Govil. One of those things is to ask yourself some key questions before you file your business taxes.
Aron Govil: In this article, we will discuss 12 questions you should ask yourself before filing your business taxes.
By answering these questions, you can ensure that you are doing everything possible to minimize your tax liability.
1. Are my business expenses deductible?
There are many business expenses that are deductible, including advertising, office supplies, and travel expenses. To learn more about what deductions are available to you, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website, explains Aron Govil.
2. Did I earn income from multiple sources?
If you earned income from multiple sources, you will need to file a separate tax return for each source. This can be complicated, so it is important to consult a tax professional to ensure that you are filing correctly.
3. Did I make any profits in my business?
Even if your business did not generate a lot of income, you may still be required to pay taxes on its profits. To learn more about how your business is taxed, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
4. Do I have to pay self-employment taxes?
Self-employment taxes are polices that are designed to help cover social security and medicare costs for individuals who are self-employed. If you are self-employed, you will likely be required to pay self-employment taxes. To learn more about these taxes, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
5. Do I need to file a corporate tax return?
If your business is a corporation, you will need to file a corporate tax return. This return is different than the returns filed by individuals and partnerships. To learn more about corporate tax returns, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
6. Do I need to file an income tax return?
Even if your business did not generate any income, you may still be required to file an income tax return. This return will report any income that was generated from other sources, such as investments or wages. To learn more about income tax returns, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
7. What is my business’s tax identification number?
Your business’s tax identification number is a unique number that is used to identify your business for tax purposes. This number can be found on your business tax return, and you will need it to file your taxes. If you do not have this number, contact the IRS for more information.
8. What expenses can I write off?
There are many expenses that you can write off when filing your business taxes. To learn more about what deductions are available to you, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
9. What is the difference between a deduction and a credit?
A deduction is a reduction in your taxable income. A credit is a payment that is made to the government to reduce your tax liability. To learn more about the difference between deductions and credits, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
10. What is my business’s basis?
The basis of your business is the amount of money that you invested in the business. This number can be used to determine how much profit you have earned from the business. To learn more about the basis of your business, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
11. What is the difference between a loss and a write-off?
A loss is when your business generates less income than it expenses. A write-off is an expense that can be deducted from your business income. To learn more about the difference between losses and write-offs, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
12. What is the difference between a corporation and a sole proprietorship?
A corporation is a legal entity that is separate from its owners. A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business owned by one individual. To learn more about the differences between corporations and sole proprietorships, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.
Conclusion:
Taxes can be complicated, and it is important to consult a professional to ensure that you are filing correctly. There are many things to consider when filing business taxes, such as deductions, credits, and basis. To learn more about these concepts and how they apply to your business, consult a tax professional or visit the IRS website.