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Tax Tips Small Business

Do You Know How Much Your Business Is Worth?

Tips for placing a value on your business

There are several reasons why you should know the value of your business. if you are planning to sell your business, the general rule is that you should sell it for fair market value. In many instances the term "fair market value" is somewhat ambiguous. In the simplest sense, fair market value is what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller, with each party knowing all the pertinent facts.

Small Business Quick Tip

The Social Security wage base increases to $102,000 in 2008, up from $97,500 for 2007. This means that you are no longer required to withhold social security tax for employees after meeting this threshold. However, you are required to withhold Medicare taxes regardless of the amount of wages paid.

Starting Your Own Business?

Here are a few quick tips to help you reduce taxes

Open a separate business checking account. Many small business owners don't realize the complications that can arise from using their personal checking account to pay for business expenses. If business expenses are mixed in with personal expenses, the IRS may disallow them.

When you set up a business checking account at the bank, be prepared to submit either your social security number (SSN) or an employer identification number (EIN). Your SSN will do if you plan on establishing a sole proprietorship and do not have employees or a retirement plan. If you plan on operating a partnership or corporation, you'll need to submit an EIN.

Keep track of expenses you incur before you start your business. Expenses incurred once you decide to start a business, but before business operations actually begin, are deductible up to $5,000 in the first year of business. The rest is deductible over 180-month period after your business opens its doors.

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Wednesday, 03 December 2008

What is an Enrolled Agent and why should I care?

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Tax Tips Personal

HSA Funding Options

For a limited time only, there are more options

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a great tax vehicle for making the most of your medical expenses. However, it's not always easy to come up with the money to fund an HSA. Well, now there are more options available to HSA owners. At any time before 2012, you can make a one-time only tax-free rollover from an IRA to an HSA. This rollover amount may not be more than your HSA maximum contribution for your type of coverage, whether individual or family.

Personal Quick Tip

If you tax refund was too high or too low, adjust your withholding so it doesn't happen again next year. You can file a revised W-4 with your employer at any time to increase or decrease the number of exemptions you claim. The more exemptions you claim, the less tax your employer withholds from your wages, resulting in a smaller refund. Decreasing the number of exemptions results in more withholding and a larger refund.