2015 Tax Tips for Small Business

2015 Tax Tips for Small Business 2015 Tax Tips for Small Business 2015 Tax Tips for Small Business Weltman, author of J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes 2015 (Wiley, 2014) Now that 2014 has closed, it’s time to focus on your small business  tax return for the year. Tax strategies, old and new, can help cut your tax bill. Here are five small business  tax tips to help you. 1. Claim your full write-offs Tax limits, thresholds, and ceilings change from year to year, so don’t assume that deduction limits or tax rules from prior years apply now. Failing to learn what’s new could result in your shortchanging yourself. For example, there is an increased tax credit for paying at least half the cost of health coverage for employees…but check eligibility rules. If you’re self-employed, don’t forget to deduct one-half of your self-employment tax. Although it’s considered a personal (non-business) deduction, you don’t need to itemize to claim it. 2. Make decisions about writing off equipment purchases For 2014, there are three possible ways to deduct the cost of equipment (such as smartphones and tablets) and machinery: Regular depreciation, which spreads deductions for the cost over 5, 7, or other periods fixed by law for the type of property you buy. Bonus depreciation, which allows 50% to be deducted immediately. First-year (Section 179) deduction, which limits the first-year write off to $500,000; it can be combined with regular and bonus depreciations for an even greater deduction in 2014. The deduction rules vary with each option. For example: A bonus depreciation applies only to new property (not to pre-owned items); It applies automatically, but can be waived. First-year expensing is only beneficial if you are profitable If desired, it must be elected. Work with a tax advisor to review not just your 2014 tax picture, but look ahead to determine which write-off is best for your situation. 3. Take post year-end action Even though the tax year has closed, it is not too late to make certain payments that can still reduce your 2014 taxes: Contributions to qualified retirement plans. As long as the paperwork for setting up a plan was signed by December 31, 2014, you can make a tax-deductible contribute up to the extended due date of your return. If you have not already set up a retirement plan, you have until the extended due date of the return to both set up and fund a SEP. Contributions to health savings accounts (HSAs). If you were covered by a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) in 2014, you can contribute to a health savings account for 2014 up to April 15, 2015 (no extra time is allowed, even if you obtain a filing extension). As long as you had HDHP coverage for all of December (typically a bronze plan in marketplace parlance), you can make a full year’s HSA contribution. 4. Get a filing extension if you need it While the IRS may start to accept returns shortly, the filing deadline for 2014 returns is March 16, 2015 (March 15 is on a Sunday this year) for calendar-year corporations, and April 15, 2015, for individuals, partnerships, and limited liability companies (in most cases). If you do not have all the information you need to complete your return or for any other reason, you can request a filing extension. For example, if you are an owner in a limited liability company that has not provided you with a Schedule K-1 by the time you have to file your personal return, simply request a filing extension. Individuals requesting a filing extension should use Form 4868; partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations use Form 7004. The extended due date for filing a 2014 return depends on your return: Corporations (both C and S), partnerships, and limited liability companies: September 15, 2015. This is also the deadline for S corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies to give Schedule K-1s to their owners. Individuals: October 15, 2015. 5. Pay estimated taxes for 2015 If you report your share of business income on your personal return (e.g., you’re a sole proprietor or an owner in a limited liability company), you probably have to pay estimated taxes to cover your anticipated tax bill for 2015. The first estimated tax payment for the year is due on April 15, 2015. This date applies even if you obtain a filing extension for your 2014 income tax return. You can pay electronically using EFTPS or the IRS’ Direct Pay to make a transfer from your bank account to the government. There are no IRS charges for these payment methods. Caution: Don’t wait until you file your return for the year to pay the tax you expect to owe. This will cost you in tax penalties. Even worse, come April 2016, you may not have the lump sum needed at that time to pay your 2015 tax; better to pay in installments, as required. The Last Word Action on your part can minimize your small business  tax bill for 2014 and avoid interest and penalties both this year and next. The sooner you start, the easier it is to complete actions on time. Any questions? Talk with a tax advisor. Reprinted with permission of John Wiley Sons, Inc. Barbara Weltman, J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes 2015.   Legal Disclaimer: None of the information provided herein constitutes legal advice on behalf of Monster.