Whether you’ve just started or have been operating your business for several years, managing taxes – such as GST, payroll, and income taxes – can be cumbersome.
You must have organization, preparation, and knowledge to declare your income correctly and make all your payments on time.
Here are some steps to help you effectively manage your company’s tax obligations.
Keep Accounts Separately
The accounts from the business and personal accounts must be separate. Keeping separate accounts helps avoid confusion when making tax payments and other legal obligations. It also helps render reports for the money that belongs to the business and enables you to keep track of the spending. Two separate accounts protect personal resources against debts and business expenses, should this not succeed.
Put Enough Money Aside
Many business owners, especially those just starting, do not know all their income tax obligations. To avoid blunders (or provide a cushion in the event of a miscalculation), it is always best to take a conservative approach to the percentage you set aside when receiving a payment.
You also need to know all the types of payments you will need to make. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Know when payments are due.
- Postponing a payment can be strenuous for some homeowners whose business income fluctuates. Therefore, It is vital to be aware of deadlines and have a safety cushion.
- Businesses must file their tax returns by June 15 of each calendar year, but any amounts owing are due by April 30 or the next business day.
- Report the company’s revenue, not the payments received. The income declaration must be based on the invoiced amounts, not the costs received. For example, you must report the amount you billed for your services, even if your client has not yet paid you. That is why it is wise to set aside a sufficiently large percentage of the payments received to compensate for any discrepancy caused by receivables.
Estimate Tax Deductions to Which You Are Entitled
Many business owners forget they can deduct some of the expenses incurred for their home and car if they use them for work.
Calculate the percentage of the area of your home that you use for the job. Then apply this percentage to your electricity and gas bills, property taxes, and mortgage payments as business expenses. The same rule applies to your car: determine the rate of trips you make for work and deduct this percentage of your monthly loan or lease payments, maintenance costs, and gas bills from your income.
The ability to deduct a portion of the cost of housing and travel is a huge benefit for small business owners, but do not overdo it. Make sure the deductions you request are reasonable. For example, you may be suspicious if you say you spend 80% of your home area on your business and are an independent graphic designer or consultant.
Be Well Organized
When you receive a receipt, write the reason for the expense on the back. Thus, you will not have to appeal to your memories when accounting for your costs. Categorizing your receipts as you go is also a good idea. You will lose less time in the spring.
A great way to manage your business expenses is to use a corporate credit card: it allows you to keep your business expenses separate from your costs. Some software has options for importing your business credit card transactions and categorizing them automatically. For example, the Wave accounting software allows you to scan receipts to simplify the management of your business expenses.
Managing your taxes may seem complex, but if you maintain good records, budget for contingencies, and make reasonable use of the tax deductions you are entitled to, you will feel more confident and ready to deal with the time of the tax returns.
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