Tax Tips for Consultants

Finding the right tax tips for consultants can sometimes be the difference between success and failure. Taxes can be a painful and expensive part of doing business as an entrepreneur. The government will always get its portion, but knowing the rules and making the most of them can help reduce the amount that has to be paid when April rolls around.

Becoming aware of certain tax benefits can give consultants and other entrepreneurs the needed boost to finances. It is always a good idea to take some time to talk to a tax professional to be sure that all possible angles have been covered and all regulations have been meet when it comes to dealing with the tax code.

Top Tax Tips for Consultants

  1. Working from home means a wide range of things to entrepreneurs. To make the most of tax deductions, it is important to set aside a space that is used for the business. Having a designated office space will allow the entrepreneur to deduct a portion of household expenses (including mortgage payments, electric bills, and even housekeeping) that is equal to the portion of the house dedicated to the business. Measure out the office space and get that figure, along with the total square footage of the home, to the accountant.
  2. Technology can do more than help run a business. The cost of doing things in this day and age can also serve as major tax deductions for consultants. Internet service, cell phone connections and even television may all be candidates for tax deductions for consultants. The major issue is always whether or not the service, space or product is used mainly or in its entirety for the business. Personal use of an item or space will decrease the amount of the value that can be used towards a tax deduction.
  3. Many work from home consultants choose the path in order to care for their children in the home. It can still be a benefit to deduct some expenses that might be associated with childcare. When a business person hires someone to work in the home to help care for the children in order to free up time to work, that employment can usually be deducted as a business expense. Even day camps, that go on while the parent is working, can be deducted in the same percentage as traditional childcare.
  4. Equipment deductions and credits are still available for many businesses. Special exemptions have been made to allow small businesses to expand. The cost of expansion can be calculated into a tax credit when taxes are filed in the New Year. Equipment can also be deducted in full, or may have to be deducted over the life of the equipment (usually five to ten years). Keep in mind that the income from sales of equipment that has been used for deductions will count into the gross income of the business for the year that it sold.
  5. Mileage costs can add up for consultants. Driving to meeting or even just to the post office can drive up the cost of doing business. Investing in a log that helps keep track of ever trip and any additional costs associated with the trip (like meals) will make it possible to use the mileage on tax forms that could result in large deductions for the business.

The more funding that a business can save through credits and deductions then the more potential earnings that may be discovered. Changing a few techniques can save big money for entrepreneurs. The right tax tips for consultants can be the difference between financial success and monetary ruin for a business.

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p class=”MsoNormal”>Mark has been in personal finance for 4 years, he currently blogs about the best places to find an online insurance quotes.

Back Taxes and the Move to Settle Them

It is very much normal for people to move into the process to settle tax debt to make their records straight. With a good standing history of paying taxes, you get better chances of higher loan approvals. To settle IRS tax debt, you need to get an installment agreement with the local government unit. This contract is to act as a process of paying monthly returns to the concerned agency to pay the liabilities. Basically, the agreement is defined as an arrangement between the government and the taxpayer over a certain period of time.

The creation of this method to settle tax debt will prevent the agency from going into enforced collection actions. If the concerned taxpayer is unable to construct such an agreement plan between the agency and the taxpayer, the IRS will have the grounds to hold the accounts of the person. In some cases, the persons’ wages will also be levied until the debts are paid in full. As a matter of fact, the records of the taxpayer remain in current and updated histories. When the person is unable to meet it, then most probably, his records and bank accounts will be placed on hold. The installment agreement signifies the intent of the person concerned to pay the obligations. Interests and penalties that have been accrued will still be forced as part of the obligations to be paid.

People who want to settle tax debt can have this option as a method of making their records current. In fact, with the recent conditions of the American economy being in turmoil, the IRS will ensure that you get the best deal possible. In a sense, if you are someone who is more than willing to pay the obligations, then most likely the IRS will be a little lenient on you. The IRS is also offering taxpayers, who miss out on a payment for the installment, an opportunity to make up for it. If you want to be part of the installment program, then you would have to declare the returns that are past due. Defaults on payments will eventually be pardoned but will still be part of the total obligations of the payer.