Small Business Tax Return Preparation
The legal structure of a business determines the tax status and the liability of the owners. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and S corporation are the most common forms of business ownership
Business structures offer certain benefits and require certain responsibilities, depending on which structure you choose. Accountegrity Tax will be able to guide you in the right direction, as well as create the legal documents required to form whatever structure you choose.
As a business owner, it’s important to understand your federal, state, and local tax requirements. This will help you file your taxes accurately and make payments on time. The business structure you choose when starting a business will determine what taxes you’ll pay and how you pay them.
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Most businesses need an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Your EIN is your federal tax ID number. You should get one right after you register your new business.
Find out from the IRS if you need an EIN, how to get one, what to do if you’ve lost or misplaced yours, and more.
Income Tax
Most businesses must file and pay federal taxes on any income earned or received during the year. Partnerships, however, file an annual information return but don’t pay income taxes. Instead, each partner reports their share of the partnership’s profits or loss on their individual tax return.
Almost every state imposes a business or corporate income tax. However, each state and locality has its own tax laws. Find out the business income tax requirements in your state or territory.
Self-Employment Tax
If you have your own business, you must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. Otherwise, you won’t be covered under the Social Security system. Questions? Contact us and we can help learn about who must pay self-employment tax and how to pay it.
Employment Taxes
If you have employees, there are federal tax requirements for what you must pay and the forms you have to file.These employment taxes include:
Social Security and Medicare taxes
Federal income tax withholding
Federal unemployment (FUTA) tax
FUTA ensures that people can receive unemployment benefits after losing a job.
Businesses in all states pay state workers’ compensation insurance and unemployment insurance taxes.
Excise Tax
The federal government taxes businesses that manufacture or sell certain products. If your business uses various types of equipment, facilities, or other products, you may need to pay an excise tax. Learn about federal excise tax requirements and the forms you must file.
Property Tax
Each state has a different definition of what property is taxable. Some states collect property tax from businesses in commercial real estate locations. Others collect property tax for vehicles, computer equipment, and other business assets. The amount of tax you pay is calculated by the total value of the property or on a certain percentage of the value.
Sales and Use Tax
States may tax the sale of goods and services. Check whether your business has to register to pay and/or collect sales tax in your state. Exclusions in sales tax often include food, clothing, medicine, newspapers, and utilities.
States may also tax your business on the use of goods and services when sales tax has not been collected. This typically applies to goods and services purchased outside of the state where you conduct business.
Estimated Tax
You must pay federal tax on income that is not subject to withholding. Or, if the amount of your federal income tax being withheld is not enough to cover the taxes you owe, you must pay an estimated tax. We can help you find out if your business has to pay estimated taxes and the steps to follow.
Estimated Taxes
Estimated tax is the method used to pay taxes on income that is not subject to withholding. This includes income from self-employment, interest, and dividends. You may also have to pay estimated tax if the amount of income tax being withheld from your salary, pension, or other income is not enough.
Who Has to Pay Estimated Taxes?
Individuals who run their own business typically have to make estimated tax payments. If you don’t pay enough income tax through withholding or estimated taxes, you may be charged a penalty.
We can help find out if you have to make estimated tax payments and how to pay.
When Are Estimated Taxes Due?
The year is divided into four periods to pay estimated tax. Each period has a specific payment deadline.
These are the Estimated Federal Tax due dates in 2021:
April 15
(Even though the tax filing deadline has been extended to May 17, 2021, estimated taxes are still due on April 15.)
June 15
Sept. 15
Jan. 15 of the next year
Tax Planning for Small Businesses
Planning is the key to successfully and legally reducing your tax liability. We go beyond tax compliance and proactively recommend tax saving strategies to maximize your after-tax income.
We make it a priority to enhance our mastery of the current tax law, complex tax code, and new tax regulations by attending frequent tax seminars.
Businesses and individuals pay the lowest amount of taxes allowable by law because we continually look for ways to minimize your taxes throughout the year, not just at the end of the year.
We recommend Tax Saving Strategies that help you…
grow and preserve assets by keeping Uncle Sam out of your pockets.
defer income so you can keep your money now and pay less taxes later.
reduce taxes on your income so you keep more of what you make.
reduce taxes on your estate so your family keeps more of what you’ve made.
reduce taxes on your gifts so you can give more.
reduce taxes on your investments so you can grow your wealth faster.
reduce taxes on your retirement distributions so you can retire in style.
Tax planning and preparation should never be just a once-a-year activity. Maximize the financial resources available to your business as it grows. Accountegrity Tax can guide you to reduce the tax you pay.