The Tax Deduction Checklist

FinanceTax

  • Author Stuart Brown
  • Published April 12, 2007
  • Word count 573

Tax Deductions

Tax Deductions are one of the few areas of the tax system that EVERYONE really should like! Because they are all about saving you money, rather then costing you money. Hence, as a small business owner, it's wise to familiarize yourself with some key deductions that may reduce your tax bill for the tax year ahead.

Each business is a different though so be sure to mention your expenses in detail to your tax advisor or accountant to see if your business can qualify for these deductions. As a home business owner who has been keeping track of every dollar spent, you can make a killing on your tax deductions with some of the thoughts I will outline here. And hopefully, you can maximise your tax deductions in the year ahead with this information and see all that cash that would otherwise have gone to the taxman flow back into your business.

Small business tax deductions are usually implemented on the expenses involved in the business and largely depend on the type of business and the expenses that are involved. But where you can help out is by keeping accurate, dated records of your expenses, so that when you do chat with your accountant about possible tax deductions, he has the full picture available to him.

It is a fact that that most people just don't have the time to search the long list of overlooked tax deductions. But if you have been keeping good records throughout the year then you will find it much easier to do your taxes and find the tax deductions that are right for you and your situation. And with the many items that most business (even individuals) have to think about on a daily basis, it is even more important that you have the most recent and accurate information about small tax credit and deductions. This is where a good accountant is indispensable.

Big Brother Is Watching You....

It is a fact that small business owners are three times more likely to be audited by the IRS than a non-owner. So it is very important to have accurate information, and to make sure you qualify for the credits and deductions you are claiming. Whether you are looking to maximize deductions, reduce taxes, or increase your returns, you should take the time to learn as much as possible about the IRS per diem tax rules. (Or at least make sure your account is!)

Frequently overlooked tax deductions include the amount of money spent on sales tax, tax preparation, gambling losses, property taxes, and more. And pursuant to relevant provisions of the tax code, you can take significant deductions if you donate money or goods to a qualified charity.

An individual wishing to take advantage of the federal tax deductions may choose from standard deduction or itemized deductions. Claiming more tax deductions is the key to paying less taxes and getting a larger tax refund. Other tax deductions that you might want to look into (depending on your cirumstances) are - Home mortgage interest, real estate taxes, property taxes earned, income credit, child tax credit, child care credit, energy tax credits, state and local income taxes, charitable contributions, home office deductions and medical and dental expenses... Phew! Quite a list! But the good news is that there are many more tax deductions and credits available, if you know how to find and use them to your advantage.

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