As the year begins, business owners should intensify their efforts to use every available tax deduction. Documentation is crucial, so keeping all relevant receipts will help. You also should maintain a log, explaining why certain items are business related and thus tax deductible. Our office can help you set up a system to increase your tax deductions in 2014 and future years.
Auto expenses
If you use your own car on business, you can use either the standard mileage or the actual expense method for tracking deductions. Using the standard cents per mile rate is simpler, but tracking actual expenses, including depreciation, can result in more tax savings. The actual expense method may be especially helpful after purchasing a new vehicle you’ll use for business. Be sure to track business versus personal use because the IRS tends to be skeptical with reports of 100% business use.
Educational materials
You can deduct the cost of any books that you purchase to improve your company’s profitability. Again, keeping records can help to support your deductions. It’s not likely you can deduct a James Patterson thriller, but nonfiction books may be a different story. A book that helps you negotiate with vendors, for example, or one that shows you how to hold down legal fees for your company may justify a tax deduction. Similarly, the cost of audiotapes and videotapes may be deductible. If you drive to work listening to a tape about improving your employee management skills, that might be considered a reasonable business expense. Likewise, you can deduct the costs of publications such as magazines and newsletters that can help you in your business. Taking a broader look at education, you can deduct the cost of any courses you take if you enroll to maintain or improve skills that are valuable in running your business.
Advertising and marketing
You probably realize that the costs of traditional advertising in magazines or on the radio are tax deductible. In addition, other efforts to get your name out to potential customers and enhance your company’s reputation also may be deductible. That includes the cost of business card preparation, for example. If you participate in trade shows or send out samples, you probably can deduct your outlays. Even the costs of sponsoring a local soccer league might be deductible, as long as your company’s name is displayed and may reach people who can favorably affect your business prospects. Some of these items might be small, but you can wind up with substantial tax savings by keeping careful track throughout the year.