Beginning your business journey here in the U.S. can be an exciting yet complicated time. You’ve got a great idea that you’re eager to share with the masses, and yet you must somehow navigate the intricate world of business taxes.
The best way to get your business off to a sound start, is to work with a company experienced in tax preparation in Coral Gables right from the get-go; they can help make sure that every legal process is followed, and that you never pay more for your business taxes than you should.
Here’s a brief guide of what to expect when starting a business here:
Selecting a business structure
The type of structure you choose for your business can be critical towards helping you minimize your tax liability, and a tax specialist can help you select the optimal structure for your needs.
Whether you choose a partnership, LLC, sole proprietorship, or corporation, each has its own unique tax considerations that will have an impact on your overall taxes.
Federal income tax
Forming the very foundation of all your business tax obligations, federal income tax must be reported either on your own, personal tax return, or as a separate business return. How this is filed is dependent upon the entity structure you have chosen for your business.
Sole proprietor and self-employment tax
If you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietor, you must deal with self-employment tax. Encompassing Medicare and Social Security contributions, these taxes must be paid on time and in full to avoid costly IRS penalties and non-compliance.
Estimated tax payments
If you’re without tax withholding in the traditional sense, you must make estimated tax payments every quarter. These cover self-employment and income tax, and estimating them carefully is key to avoiding penalties for underpayment.
Deductible business expenses
Mastering these expenses can significantly reduce your tax liability as a small business owner, and by keeping careful track of all expenses, you can benefit from eligible deductions.
Using depreciation as a tool for saving taxes
Guidance from a tax specialist can help you reap hefty rewards from depreciation, a tactic that involves the cost of some assets being spread over their useful lives, to lower taxable income and boost your bottom line.
Employee taxes and payroll
Income tax, Medicare and Social Security must be withheld from your employees’ wages – along with employer contributions – as part of your payroll tax responsibilities.
Sales tax dynamics
Understanding the regulations surrounding sales tax is imperative if your small business sells things, and differing sales tax requirements are implemented according to each state.
State and local taxes
As well as federal taxes, every state has its own tax rules and regulations, and it’s best to familiarize yourself with these early on if you want to reduce your tax burden as much as possible. They can include such taxes as, income, gross receipts, franchise and local business.
Tax credits and incentives
With the help of Coral Gables accountants, look into what tax credits you might be eligible for that can help bolster your business, such as incentives for hiring people from a certain demographic, or credits for research and development.
Retirement and healthcare plans
If you’re trying to hire employees, offering retirement plans like 401(k)s and healthcare plans like HSAs, can be an attractive incentive. It’s worth knowing that these can also offer you and your employees tax benefits, too.
If you want to give your business the best chance of success, choosing to invest in professional tax guidance is one of the best decisions you can make, and doing this early on in your business journey, will yield the best results.