Tax Advantages For Home Based Businesses

People start home based internet or direct sales businesses for many reasons. However, many of these same people still do not understand or realize all of the tax advantages that they qualify for.

Lets have a simple look at deductions and expenses you may be able to use to your advantage come tax time.

Business Deductions:

You are in an internet or direct sales business so therefore you are eligible for business deductions. These expenses have to be necessary and reasonable for the operation of your internet or direct sales business.

It is extremely important that you keep accurate records and books for your accountant and tax purposes. Your records need to include the types sources of income, expenses, losses, gains and cost. You need to include items like bank statements, cancelled cheques, receipts, invoices, credit card statements etc.

Please do not keep all your stuff in shoe boxes or bags, carefully organize them in a filing system. Your accountant will adore you as it will make life so much easier for them, believe it or not your life will also be much easier if you ever have to look up a particular receipt etc..

For further clarification you need to check with a professional accountant. Also remember that tax deductions vary according to the tax laws of the country in which you live.

Tax Deductions for Home Based Businesses:

No one likes tax time, but since you own your own home based internet or direct sales business you could actually save thousands of dollars a year in taxes, as it allows you to turn some personal expenses into legitimate, allowable expenses. The more tax deductions your business can legitimately take, the lower its taxable profit will be.

Lets look at some of the tax advantages to keep in mind.

Auto Expenses:

Keep track of and deduct all of your actual business related expenses. Do you lease your vehicle? Log the mileage you drive and keep your gas receipts. Don't forget you auto insurance, license plate fees, and vehicle registration. Keep all of your maintenance receipts also.

Education/Training Expenses:

As an owner of a home based internet or direct sales business you continually need to educate yourself. You are allowed to claim for the cost of training materials, training meetings, programs, manuals, conferences, books, on line training subscriptions and internet courses etc.. Also you can claim for professional fees that you pay out to your lawyers, your accountants and tax consultants and other professionals that you consult with for your business.

Business Entertaining:

You are able to deduct a percentage of the cost of entertaining existing or prospective customers and associates. The entertainment must be either "directly related " to your business or "associated" with business. Entertaining must be done immediately before or after your discussion. It is important that you keep a record of the people involved in your entertaining ( in a diary or write their names on the back of the receipt, both are good habits to get into). Entertaining can be elaborate or it can be as simple as a dinner or meeting for a cup of coffee.

Travel:

When you are traveling for business there are many expenses you can deduct. They include the cost of air fare, cost of operating your vehicle, car rentals, taxis, accommodations, meals, shipping business materials to and from destination, dry cleaning, laundry service, telephone calls, faxes, tips, and more. It is perfectly alright to combine business with pleasure as long as business is the main reason for the trip. However, remember that if you take your family with you, you can not deduct their expenses for the trip.

Interest:

You are allowed to deduct interest and carrying charges on your credit cards used for business and on business loans.

Computer Software:

You really need to discuss any computer software purchases with your tax consultant or accountant on how this applies to your home based internet or direct sales business. For example Star Wars games are not a deductible item while accounting software may be require for your business.

Advertising:

Advertising is a must have for any business to make money. All expenses involved with advertising and promoting your business is deductible. Classified Ads, business.educationeasy.net business cards, newspaper ads, ezine ads, flyers, brochures and other forms of advertising.

Charitable Contributions:

Charitable contributions are deductible, however the rules will differ in accordance with the taxation laws of the country in which you live and as to how your business is registered. Your tax consultant or accountant can clarify the points on charitable contributions.

Household Expenses:

This deduction is one of the most valuable ones. A percentage of your home must used "exclusively and regularly" for business in order to qualify for this deduction.

Under household expenses many people overlook some of the following expenses:

Business related long distance services

Monthly internet fees

Costs related to improving your office space

A percentage of all household expenses (property taxes, mortgage interest, homeowners insurance, utilities, property maintenance, alarm systems and more)

Office Furniture and equipment (new desks, chairs, lamps file cabinets and more--your accountant or tax consultant can tell you what you can claim)

This certainly is not a complete list of deductions, for a completed list you will need to talk to your tax consultant or your accountant as they are the experts. They will review all of the legitimate deductions and business expenses that you are allowed according to the taxation laws of your country.

Here is a brief check list that can help you get started with your home based internet or direct sales business records:

Automobile Expenses

Bad Debts

Bank Charges

Business Taxes and Licenses

Collection Agency Fees

Conference and Convention Fees

Expert Advice (consultant, layer fees)

Interest expenses (on money borrowed for business)

Internet Service Provider (business usage)

Membership Fees (for business related organizations)

Meals and Entertainment expenses

Office rental expenses

Office supplies

Postage and Courier services

Private Health Care plans

Promotional Expenses

Property taxes

Inventory (as in direct sales)

Repair and maintenance (home and vehicle)

Salaries for employees (including family members)

Telephone/telecommunications expenses

Travel expenses

Utilities

As you can see there are plenty of tax advantages given to home based internet or direct sales businesses. Tax advantages are just one of the reasons to start your own home based internet or direct sales business. However it is a very special reason, just ask and internet entrepreneur.

I have given you a simple look at tax advantages here. I am not an accountant or a tax consultant so if you want more information and advice contact a tax consultant or an accountant. If you do not have an accountant then get one because they will save you money, time headaches and indigestion and a visit from you friendly tax man.

Sharon Doucet is an Internet Entrepreneur who enjoys helping others create success and financial freedom in their life.

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