20th December 2011
If you're a small business owner or self-employed person, what do you do if you have little or no income this year, along with substantial expenses? Do you have to report and deduct those expenses in the year in which they are paid or incurred? Or can you...
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15th December 2011
Do you have trouble calculating quarterly estimated tax payments? Here are some helpful tips to make the process much easier and less stressful.
If you're newly self-employed and unfamiliar with the IRS' estimated tax payment schedule, here are the due...
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06th December 2011
What is the Number One reason you pay too much tax? Let's brainstorm. We all pay too much tax because:
1) Our elected politicians created the complicated and convoluted monster known as the U.S. Tax Code, and this monster takes our money away.
2) Pu...
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22nd November 2011
Do you understand the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit? This story should clarify the difference.
A self-employed taxpayer (let's call her Debbie) meets with her accountant to discuss her income tax return. She was quite distraught b...
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22nd October 2011
The purpose of this article is to help you prepare Form 8283, Non-cash Charitable Contributions. The rules for reporting charitable contributions on your tax return are a bit tricky, so take your time as you read on. We'll start with some of the basics on...
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14th October 2011
If you want to donate your old stuff instead of having a yard sale, you must make sure that what you want to donate can actually be deducted on your tax return. How do you know? Here's a simple rule to follow: If you're unsure whether your item qualifies ...
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14th October 2011
Before I tell you the biggest obstacle to small business tax reduction, let me tell you a story. One foggy night the captain of a large ship saw what appeared to be another ship's lights approaching in the distance. The two were on a course that would mea...
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06th October 2011
I will never forget the day that a tax client came into my office to pick up his income tax return.
"How's it look?" he asked.
"Well," I said, "It looks like you're getting a refund."
"Great! How much?"
"Oh, it's a big one," I said. "Over $5,0...
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06th October 2011
If you buy equipment for your business such as a computer or a printer, you can deduct those items on your business income tax return. Usually that means tackling Form 4562 and entering one of the most complicated areas of tax law -- the dreaded world kno...
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29th September 2011
For most small business owners and self-employed people, bookkeeping is about as much fun as a root canal. But like it or not, it must be done, otherwise you'll end up overpaying your taxes big time.
Perhaps this article will help you see this tedious ...
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24th August 2011
If you are a Sole Proprietor who purchased business equipment, and you'd like to deduct that purchase on your income tax return without breaking into a sweat, this article is for you. Thanks to a tax rule known as the Section 179 deduction, this article w...
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24th August 2011
It is perfectly legal to deduct your next vacation. Here's how to do it.
To qualify for this deduction, you must meet the following two criteria:
1. You are self-employed or own a small business;
2. On your next trip, you combine business with plea...
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31st July 2011
Here are two valid expenses you can deduct on your small business income tax return, both beginning with the letter "G".
Gifts. You can deduct the cost of gifts to customers and other business associates such as vendors, suppliers and service providers...
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28th July 2011
Do your eyes glaze over at the thought of those mind-numbing depreciation rules? Well, take heart, small business owner. Thanks to a tax law known as Section 179, you can probably kiss those depreciation rules good-bye.
Depreciation is the name we use ...
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