Is there something about your taxes that have you confused? Join the club.
You have some options - search endlessly through IRS documentations, tips, etc. or you can do it the smart way and that is by contacting Neikirk, Mahoney and Smith CPAs.
at 502-896-2999.
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Friday, March 25, 2016
Tips for Claiming Home Office Deduction
The Internal Revenue Service today reminded people with home-based businesses filling out their 2015 federal income tax returns that they can choose a simplified method for claiming the deduction for business use of a home.
In tax year 2013, the most recent year for which figures are available, more than 3.4 million taxpayers claimed deductions totaling just over $9.6 billion for business use of a home, commonly referred to as the home office deduction.
Introduced in tax year 2013, the optional deduction is designed to reduce the paperwork and record keeping burden for small businesses. The optional deduction is capped at $1,500 per year, based on $5 a square foot for up to 300 square feet.
Normally, home-based businesses are required to fill out a 43-line form (Form 8829) often with complex calculations of allocated expenses, depreciation and carryovers of unused deductions. Instead, taxpayers choosing the simplified method need only complete a short worksheet in the tax instructions and enter the result on their tax return. Self-employed individuals claim the home office deduction on Schedule C, Line 30; farmers claim it on Schedule F, Line 32 and eligible employees claim it on Schedule A, Line 21.
Though homeowners using the simplified method cannot depreciate the portion of their home used in a trade or business, they can claim allowable mortgage interest, real estate taxes and casualty losses on the home as itemized deductions on Schedule A. These deductions need not be allocated between personal and business use, as is required under the regular method.
Business expenses unrelated to the home, such as advertising, supplies and wages paid to employees, are still fully deductible. Long-standing restrictions on the home office deduction, such as the requirement that a home office be used regularly and exclusively for business and the limit tied to the income derived from the particular business, still apply under the simplified method.
If you'd like to discuss home office deductions with an income tax professional, contact Neikirk, Mahoney and Smith today.
In tax year 2013, the most recent year for which figures are available, more than 3.4 million taxpayers claimed deductions totaling just over $9.6 billion for business use of a home, commonly referred to as the home office deduction.
Introduced in tax year 2013, the optional deduction is designed to reduce the paperwork and record keeping burden for small businesses. The optional deduction is capped at $1,500 per year, based on $5 a square foot for up to 300 square feet.
Normally, home-based businesses are required to fill out a 43-line form (Form 8829) often with complex calculations of allocated expenses, depreciation and carryovers of unused deductions. Instead, taxpayers choosing the simplified method need only complete a short worksheet in the tax instructions and enter the result on their tax return. Self-employed individuals claim the home office deduction on Schedule C, Line 30; farmers claim it on Schedule F, Line 32 and eligible employees claim it on Schedule A, Line 21.
Though homeowners using the simplified method cannot depreciate the portion of their home used in a trade or business, they can claim allowable mortgage interest, real estate taxes and casualty losses on the home as itemized deductions on Schedule A. These deductions need not be allocated between personal and business use, as is required under the regular method.
Business expenses unrelated to the home, such as advertising, supplies and wages paid to employees, are still fully deductible. Long-standing restrictions on the home office deduction, such as the requirement that a home office be used regularly and exclusively for business and the limit tied to the income derived from the particular business, still apply under the simplified method.
If you'd like to discuss home office deductions with an income tax professional, contact Neikirk, Mahoney and Smith today.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Are You Ready for Tax Season?
According to the Internal Revenue Service, nearly a third of Americans wait until the last minute to file their taxes. And once again this year, with the April 15 deadline looming, millions of Americans still aren't ready to file their tax returns.
Business taxpayers are no different. The process for filing business taxes can always be counted on to add a little bit of a dark cloud to even the prettiest spring morning! And no matter how carefully you documented expenses and reported earnings, every business owner secretly frets over the liklihood of an IRS Audit!
The tax professionals at Neikirk, Mahoney & Smith, understand what you're going through and they stand ready to help you get through the process intact!
Need some help filing your business taxes? Give us a call today at 502-896-2999. Visit our website to learn more and we look forward to being of service!
Need some help filing your business taxes? Give us a call today at 502-896-2999. Visit our website to learn more and we look forward to being of service!
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