Want Some Of The Top Tax Advantages Of a Network Marketing Business? There are many benefits to network marketing but one benefit that is overlooked and not talked about much are the tax advantages. However, a popular belief is that claiming aggressive - and maybe slightly exaggerated - write-offs is a sure-fire way to attract IRS auditors. Well look at some of the more popular home business write-offs as well as some tips on how you can legitimately claim them. #1 Keep a Business Journal: Being audited without the records to back up your deductions can be a nightmare. The simplest way to avoid this unpleasant situation is to keep a daily log of your home business activities. Did you buy paper for the printer in your office? Write it down and either attach the receipt to the page in the case of a hardcopy or scan the receipt in if you are keeping a digital log. The same goes for mileage, phone calls and other costs, as well as payments received by your business. Compiling your daily reports into a monthly tracking sheet will drastically shorten the time it takes you to get your taxes together, and it will have the added benefit of providing a snapshot of your business month-to-month. #2 Write-Off Your Workspace: You can still write off a home office, even if it is part of a shared room; the space is calculated as a percentage of the total house or apartment area. That percentage is applied to all the related costs, including utilities, insurance, rent or mortgage payments and so on. Do not claim unrelated expense like the installation of a bird fountain in the backyard - those types of stretches make IRS auditors a little testy. #3 Update Your Equipment: Office furniture, software, computers and other equipment are all 100% deductible within the year that the cost is incurred - you dont need to depreciate. There is an upper limit and the purchases must be majority-usage (primarily used) and necessary or helpful for business. However, a widescreen TV and La-Z-Boy for the office are going to be a hard sell. #4 Save for Retirement, Stay Healthy: If you are working solely for your home business, you will have to pay the employers share of Social Security and health insurance, but you can deduct half the amount of social security and the total premiums for you and any employees. You can also fund retirement plans designed for the self-employed - SEP-IRA, Keogh plans, etc. - and write the contributions off against your personal income tax. #5 Talk Up A Storm: If chatting with clients is a necessary (or helpful) part of your business, it may be worth getting a second phone line or a dedicated business cell phone, as both of these are 100% deductible. If you only converse with clients occasionally, you can still write off the costs by noting the dates, times and reasons for the calls and then circling the items on your regular phone bill to deduct at tax time. #6 Get Connected: You can deduct part of the cost of your internet if you use it for business. There is no absolute percentage to use, but it will be difficult to write off more than 50% if other members of your family are using it for non-business purposes. Be reasonable and pick a defensible percentage that you wont regret in the case of an audit. #7 Entertain Us: You can wine and dine clients - emphasis on clients (preferably paying or likely to pay clients) - and get a tax break. The tendency for business owners at all levels to abuse this write-off has scared many home business owners away from claiming it. However, it is acceptable for you to take out a client for a meal and some entertainment. #8 Take A Trip, Not A Vacation: On business trips, your travel expenses are 100% deductible and your food expenses can be deducted at 50% of the total. Keep all of your receipts because even things like dry cleaning and tips are considered a necessary expense when youre out pounding the pavement in new markets. Your local day-to-day mileage incurred for business purposes can be written off as well, so give the same attention to tracking your mileage on smaller trips that you would to the expenses of an overnight trip. For many people, the mileage deduction is the more realistic deduction than first class tickets to New York. Remember, you have to be able to justify any trip and preferably show the payoff to your business resulting from it. #9 Employ (Not Just Pay) Your Family: You can use family members as employees and deduct their salaries as long as you account for their work and pay the going rate. If you have a business that lends itself to having a spouse and kids help out, then use that labor pool. Youll likely pay less than market rates for the help, and you can deduct insurance premiums for them as well. #10 Make Justifiable Deductions: Just because you have a home business doesnt mean you can go crazy with deductions. If you dont think you can face down an auditor with detailed proofs justifying the deduction, then perhaps it isnt a deduction you should be taking. Keeping thorough records and knowing the penalties make this experience easier than youd expect. In conclusion - Use The IRS Guidelines It is hard to put a positive spin on paying taxes. It always hurts but we all have to do it. The good news is that by joining any network marketing company there are tax deductions that you would not have been able to deduct if you did not have a home based business. Always consult with a tax professional. We cannot provide any warranty, that you qualify for the information above. (The rules are different all over the world, so always check with your local IRS) Have an amazing week! Sponsors For Change
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 13:00:26 +0000
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