Privately-Owned Businesses

Which Vehicles Are the Most Tax-Friendly for Business Owners?
Which Vehicles Are the Most Tax-Friendly for Business Owners? 850 500 smolinlupinco

If your business is preparing to replace a vehicle or buy a new one, you should know that a heavy SUV might provide a more substantial tax break this year than what you’d receive from a smaller vehicle. 

The reason? Larger business vehicles are depreciated differently on your tax returns than smaller ones. 

Depreciation guidelines

Compared to other depreciable assets, business vehicles are subject to more restrictive tax depreciation rules. 

Depreciation deductions are automatically capped under “luxury auto” rules. If a taxpayer decides to use Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code to expense all or part of the cost of a vehicle, these caps can apply here as well, allowing an asset to be written off in the year it’s placed into service. Included in these rules are smaller trucks and vans built on truck chassis. 

For most vehicles that are subject to these caps and begin service in 2023, the expensing deductions or maximum depreciation are as follows:

  • First tax year in recovery period – $22,200
  • Second tax year – $19,500
  • Third tax year – $11,700
  • Every subsequent year – $9,960

Typically, this extends the number of years it takes to depreciate the business vehicle completely. 

Caps on deductions

Caps on expensing deductions and annual depreciation for passenger vehicles don’t apply to trucks or vans that weigh more than 6,000 pounds. This rule also includes large SUVs, which can sometimes cost over $50,000, so from a tax timing perspective, you may be better off replacing your business vehicle with a heavy SUV to avoid the restrictions on smaller cars.

In most instances, you’ll have the ability to write off a substantive amount of the cost of a heavy SUV that’s used for business purposes by taking advantage of the bonus and regular depreciation beginning from the year you put the vehicle into service. Bonus depreciation is currently available at 80% but will be reduced to zero over the coming years.

If you opt to expense all or part of the cost of a heavy SUV using Section 179, it’s essential to be aware that as of 2023, an inflation-adjusted limit of $28,900 (up from $27,000 in 2022) applies separately from the caps listed above. 

Please note that for all assets you elect to expense in a year, there’s an aggregate dollar limit that applies. Once you’ve completed the expensing election, you’ll need to depreciate the rest of the cost under the standard rules without regard to annual caps. 

It’s also important to be aware that the tax benefits listed above are subject to adjustment for non-business use. Additionally, the vehicle won’t be eligible for expensing if the business use of the SUV doesn’t exceed 50% of total use, meaning it would be required to be depreciated on a straight-line method over a period of six tax years.  

Trust your tax questions to Smolin

If you have questions or would like assistance with your tax return, the CPAs at Smolin can help. Contact us for more information about how to get the most tax write-offs from your company vehicle this tax season.

5-ways-to-update-your-accounting-practices

5 Ways to Update Your Accounting Practices
5 Ways to Update Your Accounting Practices 1594 938 smolinlupinco

When you think about the internal workflows and processes of your business, are you able to pinpoint why you do things a certain way? If the answer is “because we’ve always done it that way,” it might be time to make some changes. 

In fact, with all of the new developments in the financial and accounting realm, sticking to those traditional methods may actually be costing your business in terms of efficiency and cash flow alike. 

Here are five ways to keep your accounting processes and systems up-to-date. 

1. Streamline the payables process

When it comes to managing your accounts payable, using traditional paper processes could be costing you valuable time (and money). With automated technology solutions, you can streamline the process to improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance security, and even obtain early payment discounts. 

Automatic payables systems can scan invoices and post them automatically based on the purchase or invoice number. Then, the payables clerk—or whoever is responsible for reviewing the invoice—can cross-reference the invoice and approve it for electronic payment based on terms negotiated with the vendor. 

2. Implement daily reconciliation

Many accounting firms wait until the end of the month to reconcile their bank accounts—but it doesn’t have to be this way. By reconciling accounts on a daily basis using automation software, you can catch in-transit payments that have been cashed but not recorded. And by eliminating that crunch at the end of the month, you can speed up other monthly closings. 

This also keeps you from having to wait for standard monthly entries that remain the same—depreciation, prepaid expenses, and property tax or insurance accruals, for example. By starting your end-of-month closing process sooner, you can improve the accuracy and timeliness of your financial statements while also taking some of the pressure off of your accounting staff. 

3. Use p-cards

Consider issuing corporate purchase cards, or p-cards, to at least one employee in each department to cover travel and entertainment expenses, or small items under $100 or so. This way, your accounting department can make a single payment for multiple purchases, rather than processing multiple small-dollar checks. 

As an added perk, most p-cards offer points and cash-back rewards that your team can take advantage of when paying back expenses. 

4. Digitize your processes

When you go paperless, you can lower expenses, increase efficiency, and maintain compliance—all in a way that’s more environmentally friendly. And when you use an electronic document management system, you can save significant amounts of physical storage space and reduce the time it takes to create and modify documents. 

While you may not be able to go completely paperless, there are plenty of documents and processes that can be digitized: contracts, invoices, payables, payroll documents, and employee records, for example. 

Consider implementing document management software solutions to help you convert your processes from paper to digital. 

5. Make the most of your accounting software

With ever-changing policies and practices, it’s more important than ever to use your accounting software to help you stay compliant and financially sound. This could involve making better use of your current account system or switching over to new software. Keep in mind that, as your firm grows, you will likely need more advanced functionality. 

To optimize your accounting software, start by making a list of your requirements, from types of activities to reporting. Then, cross-reference those needs with your software features to ensure that they’re all being met. You’ll also want to prioritize remote access so that your team can securely access real-time project information from anywhere. 

Look for integrations with other software and platforms, too, such as timecard entry and project management software, or third-party payroll software that can be used with minimal manual data entry.

Ready to upgrade your accounting practices? 

If your accounting firm’s processes and systems have been the same for years, it’s likely time for an upgrade—and our knowledgeable accounting advisers can help. Contact us to learn more.

pros-and-cons-of-c-corporations-for-business-entities

Pros and Cons of C Corporations for Business Entities
Pros and Cons of C Corporations for Business Entities 1275 750 smolinlupinco

If you’re launching a new business venture, you may find yourself wondering which type of company to create—and more specifically, whether a C corporation is the right option for you given your unique situation and goals. There are many advantages and disadvantages of doing business as a C corporation that are important to consider. 

What is a C corporation?

As a C corporation, your business is treated and taxed separately from you as its principal owner (unlike with an LLC). This protects you from the debts of business while also allowing you to control day-to-day operations and corporate acts like redemptions, acquisitions, and liquidations. 

As an added perk, the corporate tax rate is currently 21%—lower than the highest non-corporate tax rate. 

How to ensure your corporation is treated as a separate entity

For your business to be treated and taxed separately from you as an individual, you must follow the legal requirements of your state. For example: 

  • Filing articles of incorporation
  • Adopting bylaws
  • Electing a board of directors
  • Holding organizational meetings
  • Keeping meeting minutes

Compliance with these requirements, along with the maintenance of an adequate capital structure, will keep you from risking personal liability for business debts.

Pros and cons of C corporations 

If you’re unsure whether a C corporation is the right legal structure for your business, it’s important to explore both sides of this model. 

Advantages

On a tax-favored basis, a C corporation can be used to provide fringe benefits and fund qualified pension plans. While subject to certain limitations, the corporation can deduct various benefit costs (such as health insurance and group life insurance) without negative tax consequences. 

When it comes to raising capital from outside investors, a C corporation also offers significant flexibility—it can have multiple classes of stock, each with different rights and preferences that can be tailored to the needs of an individual along with potential investors. For those who decide to raise capital through debt, interest paid by the corporation is deductible. 

Disadvantages

Since it’s taxed as a separate entity, all of the corporation’s items of income, credit, loss, and deduction are calculated at the entity level, arriving at taxable corporate profit or loss. This means that, for new businesses, one potential disadvantage of a C-corp is that losses can be trapped at the entity level and not deducted by owners (unless they expect to generate profits in the first year). 

Another potential disadvantage is that C corporation earnings can be subject to double taxation: once at the corporate level, and again when distributed to you. That said, this risk is minimal, since most corporate earnings will be attributed to your efforts as an employee and the corporation can deduct all reasonable salary paid to you. 

Not sure if a C corporation is the right choice? Contact us.

While a C corporation might be the appropriate choice at this time, you may be able to apply to become an S corporation in the future if it’s more appropriate for your business. 

If you have any questions or would like assistance exploring the best type of legal structure for your business, our knowledgeable advisors can help. Contact us to learn more. 

work-opportunity-tax-credit-how-can-you-benefit-as-an-employer

Work Opportunity Tax Credit: How Can You Benefit as an Employer?
Work Opportunity Tax Credit: How Can You Benefit as an Employer? 1600 941 smolinlupinco

In today’s tough job market, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) may benefit employers—particularly those who hire workers from targeted groups who often face barriers to employment. 

In September, the IRS issued updated information on the WOTC pre-screening and certification process. To meet the pre-screening requirements for job applicants, both applicants and employers must complete a pre-screening notice (Form 8850, Pre-Screening Notice, and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit) on or before the day a job offer is made. 

Which new hires qualify employers for the WOTC? 

To be eligible for the WOTC, an employer must pay qualified wages to members of targeted groups. 

These groups include:

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program recipients
  • Veterans
  • Ex-felons
  • Designated community residents
  • Vocational rehabilitation referrals
  • Summer youth employees
  • Families in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
  • Long-term family assistance recipients
  • Long-term unemployed individuals

Note that the WOTC is generally limited to eligible employees who begin work prior to January 1, 2026. 

Additional WOTC rules and requirements

The WOTC is worth up to $2,400 for each eligible employee, with $4,800, $5,600, and $9,600 for certain veterans and $9,000 for long-term family assistance recipients. 

Additional requirements to qualify for the tax credit include: 

  • Each employee must have completed at least 120 hours of service for the employer
  • Employees must not be related or have previously worked for the same employer
  • Summer youth employees must be paid for services performed in any 90-day period between May 1 and September 15

Work with our tax professionals

There are some cases in which an employer may choose to not claim the WOTC—and some circumstances where the rules may not allow its allocation. Most employers hiring from targeted groups, however, can benefit from the tax credit. 


Contact us to work with an experienced tax advisor and determine the best next steps for your situation.

end-of-year-tax-planning-ideas-for-small-business-owners

End-of-Year Tax Planning Ideas for Small Business Owners
End-of-Year Tax Planning Ideas for Small Business Owners 1600 941 smolinlupinco

As we approach the last few months of the calendar year, it’s time to start thinking about ways to reduce your small business taxes. 

Deferring income and accelerating deductions to minimize taxes—the standard year-end approach—will likely give your business the best results. This also applies to bunching deductible expenses into this year and next to minimize their tax value. 

That said, those expecting to be in a higher tax bracket may get better results with an opposite strategy—for example, pulling income into the current year to be taxed at lower rates, while deferring deductible expenses until next year to offset higher-taxed income. 

Some additional ideas include: 

QBI deduction

Non-corporation taxpayers may be entitled to a qualified business income (QBI) deduction of up to 20%. If taxable income is higher than $340,100 for married couples filing jointly, or half that amount for others, the deduction may be limited (and phased in) based on: 

  • Whether the taxpayer is involved in a service-type business such as law, health, or consulting
  • The amount of W-2 wages paid by the business 
  • The unadjusted basis of qualified property held by the business, such as machinery and equipment

By deferring income, accelerating deductions to keep income under the thresholds, or increasing W-2 wages before the end of the year, taxpayers may be abe to to keep some or all of the QBI deduction. 

Cash vs. accrual accounting

Taxpayers must satisfy a gross receipts test in order to qualify as a small business. For 2022, this means that average annual gross receipts can’t exceed $27 million during a three-year testing period—ot that long ago, that amount was only $5 million. 

Compared to previous years, more small businesses are now able to use the cash accounting method for federal tax purposes, rather than accrual accounting. Cash method taxpayers may find that by holding off billings until next year, paying bills early, or making select prepayments, it is easier to defer income. 

Section 179 deduction

As a small business taxpayer, you may want to consider making expenditures that qualify for the Section 179 expensing option. Expensing is typically available for depreciable property—other than buildings—including equipment, off-the-shelf computer software, interior building improvements, HVAC, and security systems. 

For 2022, the expensing limit is $1.08 million with an investment ceiling of $2.7 million. This means that many small and medium-sized businesses will be able to deduct most or all of their expenditures for machinery and equipment—and that deduction isn’t prorated for the amount of time an asset is in service. If you place eligible property in service by the end of 2022, you can claim a full deduction for the year. 

Bonus depreciation

If qualified improvement property, machinery, and equipment is purchased and placed in service this year, businesses can generally claim a 100% bonus first-year depreciation deduction. 

As with the Section 179 deduction, this full write-off is an option regardless of how long those qualifying assets are in service in 2022. 

Develop a year-end tax plan with us

Tax rules can be complex, so it’s best to consult with a professional before acting. Contact us to work with an experienced tax professional to develop the best tax-saving strategies for your business.

© 2022

lowering-risks-through-stress-testing

Lowering Risks Through Stress Testing: A Smart Consideration
Lowering Risks Through Stress Testing: A Smart Consideration 1600 941 smolinlupinco

The economic rollercoaster that ensued after the pandemic began in early 2020 put many businesses through the wringer. While companies seemed financially stable on the surface, their financial statements revealed significant unpreparedness for the challenges they faced. 

Stress testing your organization can provide a comprehensive look at how well your financial position can withstand a crisis. This is an invaluable insight to avoiding difficult situations in the future. And if the last two years have taught us one thing, it’s to expect the unexpected.

Stress testing focuses on assessing your business’s ability to navigate an economic crisis, and it typically includes these three steps: 

1. Identify What Risks Your Company Faces

In a stress test to evaluate threats your organization might face in the future, the following five risks are examined:

  • Operational
  • Financial
  • Compliance
  • Reputational
  • Strategic

Operational risks that must be stress tested include any liabilities that deal with the inner workings of your company such as how you would deal with natural disaster impacts. It’s important to assess how your company manages its capital to evaluate both financial and fraud risk. Compliance risks are especially worrisome, since they involve issues that could bring regulatory agencies to your doorstep. Strategic risks cover your company’s ability to adjust its market focus to react to changes in consumer markets.  

2. Risk Management Planning

Knowing your business risks is the first step. The next step is meeting with your management team to educate yourselves about these threats, the financial implications, and how well your business can absorb their impact. Be sure to get your team’s perspective on the liabilities you’ve identified, including any others they are concerned about, along with any possible financial consequences.

From that point forward, you and your team can collaborate and develop an effective risk mitigation plan. For example, if your facility is located in a part of California frequently impacted by forest fires, having a disaster recovery plan is essential to making sure that your business can survive such an event. Or, you might consider having a succession strategy in place in case a key stakeholder in your firm becomes disabled or passes away suddenly. This could include taking out additional life insurance and training team members on the duties of other colleagues.

3. Evaluate Your Plan Regularly

Risk management is not a one-and-done process. It involves continuous adaptation to new risks that could emerge and updating your plan when old threats become a non-issue. Try to conduct reviews annually with your team and consider what updates are necessary. You should request feedback on recently implemented risk management plans and any potential changes that are needed based on that review. 

We’re Here to Help

Stress tests help recognize the blind spots that hide threats to your company’s future financial performance. With the marketplace becoming more volatile, we cannot stress enough the importance of this exercise. Indeed, there is always risk in running a business, however, those that take extra steps to prepare often handle the unexpected better than others. Reach out to us if you would like additional assistance in conducting a stress test on your company’s risk preparedness to recognize and protect against any discovered vulnerabilities. 

© 2022

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