Guide to Tax Implications of Financing Options (2024)

If your business needs money, you have different ways to raise it. You can take in investors (equity financing), borrow it (debt financing), win contests or grants, or simply have people give you money (gifts). Each of these options presents different practicalities for your business; they also have different tax consequences. Here’s a guide on how to treat your funding from a tax perspective.

Equity financing

Raising capital by seeking new investors—family, friends, strangers, other businesses—does not present any immediate tax consequences. The cash and/or property is a contribution to the capital of the business.

Payments by corporations to investors in the form of dividends, based on earnings and profits (E&P), are not deductible by the corporation. Investors pay tax on dividends, usually with favorable tax rates (e.g., zero, 15%, or 20%). Investors in other types of entities, such as limited liability companies, are also usually taxed on distributions.

Debt financing

Borrowing money generally obligates you to repay the funds, plus interest. In some cases, there may be deferment for repayment. Interest rates may be low, such as through various SBA loan programs, or high, such as credit card repayment.

  • Repayment of principal is never tax deductible.
  • Payment of interest is tax deductible. However, there is a limit on deducting business interestthat may cap your annual write-off. If a lender gives more time to make payments, interest does not become deductible until it’s actually paid. (The SBA had allowed some SBA loans obtained prior to the pandemic to delay repayment but did not provide any special tax relief here.)
  • Cancellation of debt, such as a reduction in principal, usually is taxable income (but see exceptions under COVID-19 programs below).

COVID-19 programs

The federal government has an array of financing programs to assist small businesses suffering as a result of closures, cutbacks, and other adverse actions because of COVID-19. The tax treatment varies with the financing program.

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. The receipt proceeds from the original program or “second draw” loans is not taxable. Loan forgiveness is tax free and you can still deduct expenses covered by this under usual tax rules. Amounts not forgiven that are repaid have the same tax treatment as other debt financing discussed above (i.e., deduction for interest payments but not principal).
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). The receipt of loan proceeds is not taxable. There is no loan forgiveness under this program, so repayments follow usual debt-financing rules. However, the $10,000 advance under the initial program (Spring 2020) as well as the $10,000 advance under the new Targeted EIDLs for small businesses in underserved areas are tax free.
  • Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOGs). These are nontaxable grants. They do not have to be repaid and are tax free. Applications for these grants can begin in early April 2021.
  • Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants. These are also nontaxable grants to small and independent restaurants.

Most of the programs are handled through the SBA; check for details.

There may also be state and local programs to help your business. What they are, and what tax treatment results, depends on the terms of the program and your location.

Crowdfunding

If you raise money through a crowdfunding platform such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo, the tax implications depend on how you solicit funds. The funds are not taxableif you solicit them with no quid pro quo (people just give you money with no expectation of receiving anything in return), as is typical on GoFundMe; this is a gift. But if there are other motives or actions, then other tax results ensue:

  • If they are funds from investors, they are contributions to capital (see equity financing above). This is referred to as equity crowdfunding.
  • If you promise to repay the funds, this is a loan (see debt financing, above). It’s not taxable to the business.
  • If the money is received in exchange for services rendered, this creates taxable income.

Contests and grants

There are numerous contests and grant programs annually for the benefit of small businesses (e.g., FedEx). What’s received does not have to be repaid. But the money or other property and value of services received usually is taxable. In addition to prizes and grants from the private sector, most state and local grants to businesses are includible in gross income.

But there are exceptions for certain federal grants programs, such as:

  • COVID-19-related grants explained earlier.
  • Indian financing grants, which are made under title IV of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 to Native Americans to expand “profit-making Indian-owned economic enterprises on or near reservations.”

Final thought

The content here reflects federal tax rules. Be sure to check the applicable rules in your state, which may differ from federal tax treatment. When in doubt, consult with a tax professional.

Image: Depositphotos

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Guide to Tax Implications of Financing Options (2024)

FAQs

Does the US tax Code favor debt financing over equity financing explain your answer )? ›

Debt financing is treated favorably under U.S. tax law. Businesses can deduct the interest payments they make on their loans or bonds, which lowers the overall cost of financing. Businesses can sometimes even take interest deductions when they haven't made any interest payments.

What are the tax implications of accepting stock options? ›

The receipt of these options is immediately taxable only if their fair market value can be readily determined (e.g., the option is actively traded on an exchange). In most cases, however, there is no readily ascertainable value, so the granting of the options does not result in any tax.

Is everyone in NJ getting a $500 dollar check? ›

Who is eligible to receive a tax rebate? Married couples in New Jersey with income below $150,000 and at least one dependent child qualify for a rebate check.

How are option payments treated for tax purposes? ›

Statutory stock options

You have taxable income or deductible loss when you sell the stock you bought by exercising the option. You generally treat this amount as a capital gain or loss. However, if you don't meet special holding period requirements, you'll have to treat income from the sale as ordinary income.

What are the pros and cons of debt financing versus equity financing? ›

Because equity financing is a greater risk to the investor than debt financing is to the lender, debt financing is often less costly than equity financing. The main disadvantage of debt financing is that interest must be paid to lenders, which means that the amount paid will exceed the amount borrowed.

What are the tax implications of equity financing? ›

From a tax perspective, the benefits of equity financing are that the proceeds are not taxable as income. However, the downside is that the shareholders will be taxed on any dividends they receive, and if they sell their shares, they will be subject to capital gains tax.

What are the tax implications of option trading? ›

How Are Options Taxed? If an equity option is a short-term capital gain or loss, it is taxed as income. If it is long-term, gains and losses are taxed as capital gains.

How to calculate income tax on options trading? ›

If you are trading in Futures and Options, you should get your accounts audited if your turnover is more than ₹10 crore. You can also apply a presumptive taxation scheme if your turnover does not exceed ₹2 crore and declare that your taxable income is at 6% of the total Futures and Options turnover.

How to avoid paying double tax on employee stock options? ›

They can only report the unadjusted basis, or what the employee paid for the stock. To avoid double taxation, the employee must make an adjustment on Form 8949. Warning: Do not use the box labeled “1g Adjustments” on Form 1099-B to make this adjustment; that is for something else entirely.

What is the Golden State stimulus 2024? ›

More than $1,200 California Stimulus Checks 2024 will be provided to eligible individuals in the Golden State. There are still certain tax breaks available to working individuals and families in California, despite the fact that it is among the most costly states to live in.

Is New Jersey getting a stimulus check in 2024? ›

The payment of $1500 New Jersey Stimulus checks 2024 is beneficial for citizens who want to use them to pay taxes, rent, groceries, and other requirements. This financial assistance will provide much relief to homeowners and renters who want to have an affordable community in New Jersey.

Why did I get $1000 from NJ? ›

NJ homeowners with income of more than $150,000 and up to $250,000 will receive $1,000. Residential renters with income of $150,000 or less will receive $450.

What are the tax implications of options? ›

Taxation here is relatively straightforward. The IRS applies what is known as the 60/40 rule to all non-equity options, meaning that all gains and losses are treated as: Long-Term: 60% of the trade is taxed as a long-term capital gain or loss. Short-Term: 40% of the trade is taxed as a short-term capital gain or loss.

How are options reported on tax return? ›

However, when you sell an option—or the stock you acquired by exercising the option—you must report the profit or loss on Schedule D of your Form 1040. If you've held the stock or option for one year or less, your sale will result in a short-term gain or loss, which will either add to or reduce your ordinary income.

How do option payments work? ›

An option or payment-option ARM is an adjustable rate mortgage with several possible payment choices. Some of the payment choices do not cover the full amount needed to pay down the loan. The payment “options” usually include: Paying an amount that covers both your principal and interest.

Does the US tax structure encourages more debt? ›

Final answer: The US tax structure encourages firms to finance with debt, as the interest on such debt is tax-deductible. However, government policies, changes in interest rates, and business risk and return considerations can influence firms' preference between debt and other forms of financial investments.

How do taxes affect the choice of debt versus equity? ›

While debt is taxed once, equity funding is taxed twice: once at the business level, and once at the shareholder level through dividend and capital gains taxes. Successfully classifying funding as debt as opposed to equity produces tax advantages for the corporation.

What are the tax advantages of debt financing? ›

A strong advantage of debt financing is the tax deductions. Classified as a business expense, the principal and interest payment on that debt may be deducted from your business income taxes.

Is the US tax code is based on the idea that everyone should help finance the government according to one's ability to pay? ›

The U.S. tax code is based on the idea that everyone should help finance the government according to one's ability to pay. Changes in how “everyone” is defined and how “ability to pay” is measured have led to tax law changes that keep the system evolving.

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