I am a small business owner and have been developing my company for the past year. Because I left my previous job to start this business I do not have a current income and because my company only recently officially “opened for business” we do not have a profit line. Do I need to file? What about the business expenses that I incur?
Celia
I’m thinking about turning my online selling into a business, and I’m trying to get a feel for the tax-related pros and cons of making it official.
Here are 2 questions:
(1) I understand that I can write off business expenses on my tax returns. That includes computer equipment, trips overseas to purchase merchandise, etc. But I’ve never itemized my tax return before. Would I get more money back if I start a business, and then itemize my deductions rather than just taking the default deduction like I always do?
(2) If I make my online selling into an official business, will I have to pay extra business-related taxes?
Madeline
I am opening an online business for website design. (set up as a LLC, I’m the sole owner) Should I start keeping receipts of all business related expenses? Or would my business qualify as a hobby if I don’t make a certain amount of money in the year that I’m filing.
What types of things can I write off onto my business? (dinners, gasoline, etc.) Do I need a seperate business credit card/bank account for the expenses?
Do I have to accept payments towards the business’s services through a corporate account, or can they make the check/payment directly to me?
Trami
