Steps to Prepare Your Business for Tax Season: 4 Key Steps (2024)

Having your financial records in order will make filing taxes much easier, so it’s important to stay organized. Proper and early preparation can save you a big headache down the road.

Here are four steps to get your business ready for tax season.

Gather All the Necessary Documents

You will need records of your income and expenses throughout the year, as well as any receipts or invoices you may have received from suppliers or customers. Make sure you have a copy of last year’s tax return handy so that you can compare them when you file this year’s return.

Some documents you might need include:

  1. Income statements
  2. Balance sheets
  3. Bank statements
  4. Expense receipts and invoices
  5. Last year’s tax return
  6. Deadlines for filing taxes
  7. Corporation identification numbers
  8. Business licenses or permits
  9. Payroll records, including W-2 forms and 1099s
  10. Property ownership documents

Organize Your Documents Into Folders or Binders

This will make it easier to find what you need when it comes time to file your taxes. It is also helpful to keep track of deadlines for filing as well as any other important dates related to your taxes.

Proper preparation for business tax planning is crucial. There are many organizational tools available for purchase, or you can DIY something to save a few bucks. This is also a great place to save receipts for business purchases

A well-organized binder will make it easier to find the necessary documents when you need them, and ensure that all of the information you need is available at hand.

To make sure everything is organized, create labeled folders or dividers for each type of document, such as income statements, balance sheets, expense receipts, and invoices. Additionally, use colored tabs to separate different types of documents within each folder.

Finally, label any deadlines or other important dates on the inside cover so they’re easy to find when needed. With this system in place, you’ll be able to quickly reference any document you may need during tax season.

Take Advantage of Available Software and Tools

There are plenty of online resources that can help simplify the process of filing taxes and ensure that everything is done correctly and on time. From free online calculators and spreadsheets to sophisticated accounting programs, these tools can assist with filing taxes quickly and accurately.

Many of these software packages are user-friendly and have useful features such as automatic calculations and forms filled out for you. Additionally, some packages offer additional services such as data security measures or advice from certified tax professionals.

With so many options available, small business owners can easily find a tool that fits their needs and budget.

Meet With an Accountant or Financial Advisor

While there are plenty of DIY options available for filing your taxes, often it pays off to consult with a professional who can provide advice tailored specifically to your business needs and goals.

other related articles of interest:

Tax Questions to Expect When Acquiring New Income Sources

How Legal Help Minimizes Tax Complications

Not only can they answer questions about specific deductions or credits that may be applicable to your situation, but they can also provide advice on how best to manage finances going forward in order to minimize tax liabilities in future years.Tax season doesn’t have to be a stressful time for business owners if they stay organized and take advantage of the many resources available today!

By gathering all necessary documents, organizing them into folders or binders, utilizing software and tools designed specifically for businesses, and consulting with an accountant or financial advisor when needed—you’ll be ready come tax day.

Don’t wait until the last minute; start preparing now so that this tax season isn’t a burden on you or your business.

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Steps to Prepare Your Business for Tax Season: 4 Key Steps (2024)

FAQs

Steps to Prepare Your Business for Tax Season: 4 Key Steps? ›

My suggestion is to use tax comparison worksheets for the client data, with spot checks on some larger items, and then have the reviewer think about the return and how to make the client richer. This is the real professional service the client is paying you for.

How to prepare for tax season as a small business? ›

9 best practices for small business taxes
  1. Hire the right accountant. ...
  2. Claim all income that is reported to the IRS. ...
  3. Keep adequate records. ...
  4. Separate business from personal expenses. ...
  5. Understand the difference between net and gross income. ...
  6. Correctly classify your business. ...
  7. Manage payroll.

What are the 5 simple steps for filing taxes? ›

How to file your taxes: A step-by-step guide
  1. Determine if you need to file taxes.
  2. Take note of tax deadlines and dates.
  3. Understand how your taxes are determined.
  4. Decide how to file your taxes.
  5. Gather tax filing information.
  6. File and settle up with the IRS.
Apr 19, 2024

How to set up a business for tax purposes? ›

Here are a few things any entrepreneur needs to do when starting their business.
  1. Choose a business structure. The form of business determines which income tax return a business needs to file. ...
  2. Choose a tax year. ...
  3. Apply for an Employer Identification Number. ...
  4. Pay business taxes. ...
  5. Visit the state's website.
Sep 6, 2023

How to review tax return best practices? ›

My suggestion is to use tax comparison worksheets for the client data, with spot checks on some larger items, and then have the reviewer think about the return and how to make the client richer. This is the real professional service the client is paying you for.

What is the best month to start a business for tax purposes? ›

Whether you're already operating a business or simply launching a new venture, there are a few key benefits to officially starting your company in January. In addition to the legal protection that registering as an LLC or corporation provides, filing in January can help to simplify your taxes for the coming year.

What is the best business formation for taxes? ›

S corp. An S corporation, sometimes called an S corp, is a special type of corporation that's designed to avoid the double taxation drawback of regular C corps. S corps allow profits, and some losses, to be passed through directly to owners' personal income without ever being subject to corporate tax rates.

What are the 5 tax filing categories? ›

The five filing statuses are: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and qualifying widow(er) with dependent child.

What are the four steps required to figure your income tax? ›

Here are the four steps:
  • Step 1: Determine your filing status. ...
  • Step 2: List all forms of your taxable income. ...
  • Step 3: Calculate adjusted gross income (AGI) ...
  • Step 4: Subtract deductions from AGI to determine taxable income.

What are 3 ways you can prepare for taxes? ›

Three ways to file your taxes
  • E-file: going paperless. ...
  • Tax preparers: going pro. ...
  • Paper returns: going traditional. ...
  • Keeping documents organized. ...
  • Gather personal information. ...
  • Collect income data. ...
  • Make a note of itemized deductions and credits. ...
  • Document taxes you've already paid.

How much can an LLC write off? ›

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) added the latest LLC tax benefits. This act allows LLC members to deduct up to 20% of their business income before calculating tax. If you don't choose S corporation tax status for your LLC, members can often avoid higher self-employment and income taxes with this deduction.

How to write off expenses for LLC? ›

Tax write-offs for LLCs are calculated based on the expenses related to a business's operation. These may include costs such as office rent, utilities, office supplies, and employee wages. The business expenses directly related to a business's daily operation are deductible as a business expense.

What if my LLC only has expenses? ›

Simply put, yes, you can have an LLC with no income, but that still has expenses. An LLC with no income but deductible expenses can offset future income through a net operating loss deduction. However, the IRS will still regard this as business activity, so it must be reported yearly.

Should I do my small business taxes myself? ›

The short answer is “yes,” you can do your return yourself. There is no legal or IRS requirement that business owners hire a tax professional to prepare their returns. That said, most business owners prefer to get tax pros to do their tax returns. Indeed, a majority of all taxpayers hire tax preparers.

How do taxes work with a small business? ›

Small businesses are subject to numerous types of taxes and required to file an assortment of tax forms. Those taxes can include federal income tax, self-employment tax, employment tax, excise tax, and state and local taxes, including sales tax.

Should I file taxes for my small business? ›

Income Tax: All businesses except partnerships must file an annual income tax return. Partnerships file an information return.

What QuickBooks reports do I need for taxes? ›

What specific reports should I generate in QuickBooks for my taxes? The reports you generate will depend on the type of tax you are filing and the specific information required for your business. However, commonly used reports include Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Sales Tax Liability, and Payroll Tax Liability.

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