Business Website Expenses: How They're Handled for Tax Purposes

Most businesses have websites today. Despite their widespread use, the IRS hasn’t issued formal guidance on when website costs can be deducted. But there are established rules that generally apply to the deductibility of business expenses and provide business taxpayers launching a website with some guidance about proper treatment. In addition, businesses can turn to IRS guidance on software costs. Here are some answers to questions you may have. What are the tax differences between hardware and software? Let’s start with the hardware you may need to operate a website. The costs fall under the standard rules for depreciable equipment. Specifically, for 2024, once these assets are operating, you can deduct 60% of the cost in the first year they’re placed in service. This favorable treatment is allowed...

Closing a Business Involves a Number of Tax Responsibilities

While many facets of the economy have improved this year, the rising cost of living and other economic factors have caused many businesses to close their doors. If this is your situation, we can help you, including taking care of various tax responsibilities. To start with, a business must file a final federal income tax return and some other related forms for the year it closes its doors. The type of return that must be filed depends on the type of business you have. For example: Sole Proprietors will need to file the usual Schedule C, “Profit or Loss from Business,” with their individual returns for the year they close their businesses. They may also need to report self-employment tax. Partnerships must file Form 1065, “U.S. Return...

IRS Reminds Car Dealers to be Aware of Phishing Scams

(As appearing in IR 2024-186) IRS reminds car dealers and sellers to be aware of phishing scams In light of the CDK ransomware attack, the Internal Revenue Service would like to remind car dealers and sellers to be aware of evolving phishing and smishing scams that could impact day-to-day operations of the business. In light of the recent ransomware attack against CDK, the IRS is warning individuals and businesses to remain vigilant against these attacks. Fraudsters and identity thieves attempt to trick the recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out personal and financial information or downloading a malware file onto their computer. Scammers are relentless in their attempts to obtain sensitive financial and personal information, and impersonating the IRS remains a favorite tactic. The IRS urges car dealerships...

If Your Business has Co-Owners, You Probably Need a Buy-Sell Agreement

Are you buying a business that will have one or more co-owners? Or do you already own one fitting that description? If so, consider installing a buy-sell agreement. A well-drafted agreement can do these valuable things: Transform your business ownership interest into a more liquid asset, Prevent unwanted ownership changes, and Avoid hassles with the IRS. Agreement basics There are two basic types of buy-sell agreements: Cross-purchase agreements and redemption agreements (sometimes called liquidation agreements). A cross-purchase agreement is a contract between you and the other co-owners. Under the agreement, a withdrawing co-owner’s ownership interest must be purchased by the remaining co-owners if a triggering event, such as a death or disability, occurs. A redemption agreement is a contract between the business entity and its co-owners (including you). Under...

Be Aware of the Tax Consequences of Selling Business Property

If you’re selling property used in your trade or business, you should understand the tax implications. There are many complex rules that can potentially apply. To simplify this discussion, let’s assume that the property you want to sell is land or depreciable property used in your business, and has been held by you for more than a year. Note: There are different rules for property held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business, intellectual property, low-income housing, property that involves farming or livestock, and other types of property. Basic rules Under tax law, your gains and losses from sales of business property are netted against each other. The tax treatment is as follows: If the netting of gains and losses results in a net...

Considering Borrowing from your Corporation But Structure the Deal Carefully

If you own a closely held corporation, you can borrow funds from your business at rates that are lower than those charged by a bank. But it’s important to avoid certain risks and charge an adequate interest rate. Basics of this strategy Interest rates have increased over the last couple years. As a result, shareholders may decide to take loans from their corporations rather than pay higher interest rates on bank loans. In general, the IRS expects closely held corporations to charge interest on related-party loans, including loans to shareholders, at rates that at least equal applicable federal rates (AFRs). Otherwise, adverse tax results can be triggered. Fortunately, the AFRs are lower than the rates charged by commercial lenders. It can be advantageous to borrow money from your...

2024 Q3 Tax Calendar: Key Deadlines for Businesses and Other Employers

July 15 Employers should deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for June if the monthly deposit rule applies. They should also deposit non-payroll withheld income tax for June if the monthly deposit rule applies. July 31 Report income tax withholding and FICA taxes for second quarter 2024 (Form 941) and pay any tax due. (See the exception below, under “August 12.”) File a 2023 calendar-year retirement plan report (Form 5500 or Form 5500-EZ) or request an extension. August 12 Report income tax withholding and FICA taxes for second quarter 2024 (Form 941), if you deposited on time and in full all the associated taxes due. September 16 If a calendar-year C corporation, pay the third installment of 2024 estimated income taxes. If a calendar-year S corporation or partnership that...

Hiring Your Child to Work at Your Business This Summer

With school out, you might be hiring your child to work at your company. In addition to giving your son or daughter some business knowledge, you and your child could reap some tax advantages. Benefits for your child There are special tax breaks for hiring your offspring if you operate your business as one of the following: A sole proprietorship, A partnership owned by both spouses, A single-member LLC that’s treated as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes, or An LLC that’s treated as a partnership owned by both spouses. These entities can hire an owner’s under-age-18 children as full- or part-time employees. The children’s wages then will be exempt from the following federal payroll taxes: Social Security tax, Medicare tax, and Federal unemployment (FUTA) tax (until an...

Figuring Corporate Estimated Tax

The next quarterly estimated tax payment deadline is September 16 for individuals and businesses, so it’s a good time to review the rules for computing corporate federal estimated payments. You want your business to pay the minimum amount of estimated tax without triggering the penalty for underpayment of estimated tax. Four possible options The required installment of estimated tax that a corporation must pay to avoid a penalty is the lowest amount determined under one of the following four methods: Current year method. Under this option, a corporation can avoid the estimated tax underpayment penalty by paying 25% of the tax shown on the current tax year’s return (or, if no return is filed, 25% of the tax for the current year) by each of four installment...

IRS Resumes Processing of Employee Retention Tax Credit Claims

As reported in IR-2024-169 IRS enters next stage of Employee Retention Tax Credit work; review indicates vast majority show risk of being improper Highest-risk claims being denied, additional processing to begin on low-risk claims; heightened scrutiny and review continues as compliance work tops $2 billion; IRS will consult with Congress on potential legislative action before making decision on future of moratorium Following a detailed review to protect taxpayers and small businesses, the Internal Revenue Service on June 20, 2024 announced plans to deny tens of thousands of improper high-risk Employee Retention Tax Credit claims while starting a new round of processing lower-risk claims to help eligible taxpayers.  “The completion of this review provided the IRS with new insight into risky Employee Retention Tax Credit activity and confirmed widespread concerns...