5 Tax Planning Strategies For New Business

Starting a new business can be fun and profitable only if the company can unearth the advantages of tax planning and save dollars for future growth. 

The truth is every company is obligated to pay taxes. Yes, it's counterintuitive and reduces the actual figure of the amount you earned. 

No matter how big or small the business is, in order to maintain your profits, a company needs to strategise judiciously of the ways to save and plan better taxes.  

In this article, we will dive deeper into the strategic moves that can help save tons of money to put you to an advantage to save taxes while you minimise the amount you need to pay to the government. 

‍

Decoding Tax Planning Tips For Startups

Imagine having to shell out huge amounts of taxes to the government just because you did not plan it efficiently. 

Understanding taxes is integral to your business, as it is crucial to decode the financial health of your company to evaluate the eligibility of saving taxes at the right juncture. 

In order to eliminate unpleasant surprises that may come your way as the tax-paying season nears, it's better to keep the strategies at hand well-prepared. 

‍

Tax Planning: Understanding the Types of Startups

Evaluating your business structure is the first step to climbing the tax planning ladder. It is not uncommon that small businesses start from sole proprietorship that’s kept under a ‘pass through’ category. 

Talking about the most common business structures that exist in the US are: 

1. Sole Proprietorship: This structure is suitable for single-owner businesses. Income and expenses are reported on your personal tax return, and you are responsible for self-employment taxes.
2. LLC (Limited Liability Company): LLCs offer flexibility and limited liability for owners. Profits and losses can be passed through to the individual owners' tax returns.
3. S Corporation: S corps are pass-through entities that allow you to avoid double taxation. They are subject to specific eligibility criteria and have certain restrictions on the number and types of shareholders.
4. C Corporation: C corps are subject to double taxation, but they offer various tax advantages, such as deductible employee benefits and the ability to retain earnings within the company.

‍

Accurate Financial Records For Reaping Benefits 

Once the right business structure is evaluated, the next comes the accuracy of the financial records.

Maintaining error-free financial records is integral to the growth of startups. This practice helps keep in check the tracking of income, expenses, and investments, simplifying the process of claiming deductions and credits. 

Whether utilizing accounting software or hiring a professional accountant, the benefits are dual: accurate financial records not only ensure compliance with tax regulations but also enable effective tax planning, helping startups reduce their tax liabilities and allocate resources more efficiently. These records act as a financial compass, guiding businesses toward sound fiscal decisions and optimal tax management.

‍

Leveraging Tax Credits And Deductions 

No matter how well you have established the business and how profitably you are running it, the deductions and credits you accumulate over time can help mitigate the tax value. 

Popular choices amongst the founders encompass the following:

1. Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit, allowing tax benefits for innovation in business. 
2. Section 179 Deduction, facilitating the write-off of equipment and property costs
3. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is designed to provide incentives for employing individuals from specific demographics. 

‍

These strategies not only can help you save taxes but also get assistance in innovation in setting up new technologies for your business for the tax that's waved off. 

‍

Review Your Finances by Tracking Expenses  

Keeping a detailed analogy of all the expenses that you spend in the day/month/year can help you keep a tab on how the money is splurging. 

This will help you stay attuned in claiming the right deductions.  

‍

Planning For Strategic Employee Benefits 

Employees are the pillars of your company, and benefiting them leads to better performance. Providing a comprehensive list of employee benefits serves as an effective means to bolster employee morale and enhance retention rates. It is noteworthy that a considerable number of both conventional and non-traditional employee benefits qualify for tax deductions. 

Beyond the standard retirement plans and health savings accounts, possibilities of offerings such as group-term life insurance, parking subsidies, dependent care assistance, and employee stock options. 

Furthering down, additional tax-deductible employee benefits may encompass the expenses incurred in the establishment of workplace accessibility enhancements for differently-abled personnel or the implementation of tuition reimbursement programs. Strategically structuring these benefits can yield financial advantages for the organization while simultaneously promoting employee well-being.

‍

Conclusion

The tax vertical in the US is constantly evolving and changing for the better. New regulations and tax laws emerge every year. Staying informed about these changes is crucial for effective small business tax planning. 

You can also subscribe to IRS updates or hire us to help you manage finances optimally. 

We at Inkle can help you automate your taxes, and our experts can assist you with good tax planning advice. 

Meet us on LinkedIn.