For most new businesses and business owners, keeping it simple is key. After all, launching a new business requires attention to detail and doing many things right.  For that reason, most new businesses start out simply as a sole proprietorship or a Limited Liability Company (LLC).  As a successful business matures, however, the savvy owner should call time out to consider the S Corporation form of business.

The owners of an active business operating as a S Corporation enjoy a distinct tax advantage over other types of tax entities, particularly sole proprietors, partnerships and LLCs.  For the owner of a profitable sole proprietorship, partnership or LLC, the earnings are subject to both income tax and the 15.3% self-employment (SE) tax, which funds Social Security benefits and the Medicare health system.  This SE tax is often unanticipated, particularly for new entrepreneurs, and can cause havoc with cash flow at tax time. Read More

New business owners often ask, “How do I set up my business For Tax Purposes?” One of the choices you make when starting a business is the type of legal organization you select. This decision can affect how much you pay in taxes, the amount of bookkeeping and paperwork required, the personal liability you might be responsibility for, and your ability of borrow money.

For-profit businesses fall under one of four structures for tax purposes:

1. Sole Proprietor – An individual who owns an unincorporated business by themselves. Most small and home based businesses are sole proprietorships. For tax purposes, the business activity of a sole proprietor is reported on Schedule C of Form 1040. This is Read More

If you start a business, one key to success is to know about your federal tax obligations. You may need to know not only about income taxes but also about payroll taxes. Here are five basic tax tips that can help get your business off to a good start.

1. Business Structure. Prior to start up, you’ll need to choose the structure of your business. Some common types include sole proprietorship (Form 1040), partnership (Form 1065) and corporation (Form 1120). You may also choose to be an S corporation (Form 1120-S) or Limited Liability Company. You’ll report your business activity using the IRS forms which are right for your business type. A Limited Liability Company (created by state statute) may be taxed as a sole proprietorship (single member), a partnership (multiple members), or other taxable entity. Read More