Seven Key Tax Deductions for the Self Employed by:Daniel Lamaute
As a sole proprietor, it*s wise to familiarize yourself with the some key deductions that may reduce your tax bill for 2004
. Small-business consultants generally recommend that you hire an accountant to prepare your tax returns, payroll and financial statements. But you should also meet with your accountant well before the year-end rush to discuss such matters as tax planning, and record keeping for tax deductions.Seven common small business tax deductions:
1. Employee Benefit Plans - You may deduct contributions to employee benefit plans (such as health insurance plans and retirement plans). Depending on your circumstances the maximum contribution that you may deduct per employee in a qualified retirement plan can go up to:
$100,000 or more For a Defined Benefit Plan
$44,000 For a 401(k) plan
$41,000 For a SEP-IRA or Keogh
2. Automobile Expenses- You can elect to deduct the actual expenses incurred (including gas, oil, tires, repairs, insurance, depreciation, and rent or lease payments) for the business-related portion of your car or truck expenses, or simply take the 2004 standard mileage rate of 37.5 cents per business mile.
3. Taxes - You may deduct Social Security and Medicaid taxes paid to match required withholdings on employee wages, federal unemployment taxes, sales taxes and real estate or personal property taxes paid on business assets.
4. Home Office - Depending on whether you use your home or other real estate for business purposes, you may deduct some or all of any mortgage interest paid, as well as some or all of the maintenance and repair expenses associated with the property. The cost of utilities and business supplies associated with business use are also deductible.
5. Depreciation - Depreciation may be taken on passenger cars, equipment used for entertainment or recreational purposes (i.e., photographic equipment, cell phones and computers), as long as these items are used solely for the business.
6. Professional Fees - You can deduct professional fees, such as those paid to a lawyer or accountant.
7. Meals and Entertainment - You may deduct 50 percent of meal and entertainment expenses directly associated with the conduct of your business.
Remember to keep on file the records and documentation necessary to substantiate all of your deductions.
About the author
Daniel Lamaute, of Lamaute Capital, Inc. specializes in setting up retirement plans for small business owners.
http://www.InvestSafe.com Is Vacation Rental Ownership Your Business Opportunity? by:David Leonhardt Choosing A Forex Broker by:Geoff Turnbull Move Key Audiences to Actions You Want by:Robert A. Kelly How I built a Site In Just 8 Hours That Makes Between $100 to $150 a Week by:Rob Rawson The Realities Of Market Timing by:Robert van Delden How To Sell A Website Fast by:Manny Avedissian How Can the Average Person Build Wealth in Real Estate? by:Dan Auito Total Cost of Credit vs Monthly Payment by:David Wilding Reducing Debt Before It's Too Late ... How to avoid the pitfalls of creeping debt. by:Debs Seeber The Diamond Cutter by:Janet K. Ilacqua Generosity Is The Seed Of Wealth by:Janet Ilacqua Silicon Valley by:Janet Ilacqua The New Ways To Do The Business: MBA or CIO? by:J.C.Melo