Contrary to popular beliefs, it doesn’t take much to be a run business. If you want to run a real business, you simply have to follow all the regulations in your state and country, ensure you keep business and personal records separate, and show you are trying to make a profit. Filing Tax Return is just as much a part of this process and must not be overlooked.

Since filing tax returns might be intimidating to a novice, we’ve put together a list of 4 things we believe is important to know to be able to prepare one appropriately.

Who Has to File a Business Tax Return?

A simple answer would be that even the smallest of companies have to file a business tax return . As a rule of thumb, remember that as long as the company has an income, it will have to file an income tax return. Even if the company makes a loss or was inactive, it still has to file a tax report. Failing to do so may even result in the company incurring fines and penalties from the IRS.

When preparing the report, you can take allowable deductions to decrease your taxable income. You might be unaware of this, but even a loss can actually help you, as a business loss can be deducted from your total income on your tax return. Hence, to make sure you take full advantage of business tax benefits, it would be a good idea to hire a tax advisory to walk you through the whole process.

So, Where Do I Start?

Start with determining your net business income. To do that you will need to put together an income statement. This income statement is often known as the “Profit and Loss Statement” or a “P & L”. This statement is prepared before you prepare your business tax return and lists all sources of business income. Then to calculate your net income, show all the expenses. The expenses are important as subtracting the expenses from the income will give you your net income.

You can then include barter income and cost of goods sold on your business tax return. The cost of goods should only be on the tax return of a company that makes or sells products. This calculation is used to show the change in the value of goods over time.

What Are the Business Expenses that Are Deductible and How to Identify Them?

Not all expenses are deductible. But this is mostly because the IRS does not consider them to be legitimate business expenses. Political contributions, membership at a social or sports club, fines and penalties, and commuting costs are all expenses that cannot be deducted.

Excluding the exceptions mentioned in the paragraph above, almost all business expenditures are tax-deductible. The only requirements for deducting expenses include:

1. The company will have to prove that they are a legitimate business and that they are attempting to make a profit.
2. Being able to prove that the expenses were necessary for the good running of the business.
3. Keeping excellent records. If this is not done properly, you will not be able to deduct some of these expenses. Records are the key to deducting business expenses. And the most common error made by business owners is not keeping records for business mileage, for meals and entertainment expenses.

With All the Tax Software on the Market, Shouldn’t Business Tax Return Preparation Be a Breeze?

Well, yes and no. While it is true that tax software can considerably simplify the process, you need to bear in mind that not all tax software is appropriate for your specific needs. While there is tax software that is centered around personal tax returns, others include Schedule C and are designed for sole proprietorships and single-member LLCs. There even others that versions focused on guiding you through the process of preparing partnership and corporation tax returns.

Essentially, what we are saying is that tax software will only be helpful if you find a version that has the form you want. You will, therefore, have to meticulously check the details for each brand of software and version.

Why Is Hiring A Tax Accountant Worthwhile?

As you may have noticed, filing your taxes requires you have an in-depth knowledge of accounting and the tax system. And as your business grows, the accounting part will get even more complex. If you feel unsure about your ability to file your business tax properly and in a timely manner, it would be a good idea to find a company that can do that for you.

If you outsource to a third-party bookkeeping service , you will shift the following responsibility to their experienced team of bookkeepers:

1. Properly categorize expenses
2. Handle payroll duties
3. Prepare financial statements and reports
4. Prepare tax documents and forms Streamline accounting processes to fit your business structure

Hence, leaving you more time to focus on your business.