Starting A Business? How Expenses Will Be Treated On Your Tax Return

Government officials saw a large increase in the number of new businesses launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the U.S. Census Bureau reports that business applications are still increasing slightly (up 0.4% from April 2023 to May 2023). The Bureau measures this by tracking the number of businesses applying for Employer Identification Numbers.

If you’re one of the entrepreneurs, you may not know that many of the expenses incurred by start-ups can’t be currently deducted on your tax return. You should be aware that the way you handle some of your initial expenses can make a large difference in your federal tax bill.

Handling expenses

Here’s the three-step strategy that could result in paying a smaller tax bill on your real estate development profits.

1. Start-up costs include those incurred or paid while creating an active trade or business — or investigating the creation or acquisition of one.

2. Under the tax code, taxpayers can elect to deduct up to $5,000 of business start-up and $5,000 of organizational costs in the year the business begins. As you know, $5,000 doesn’t go very far these days! And the $5,000 deduction is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the amount by which your total start-up or organizational costs exceed $50,000. Any remaining costs must be amortized over 180 months on a straight-line basis.

3. No deductions or amortization deductions are allowed until the year when “active conduct” of your new business begins. Generally, that means the year when the business has all the pieces in place to start earning revenue. To determine if a taxpayer meets this test, the IRS and courts generally ask questions such as: Did the taxpayer undertake the activity intending to earn a profit? Was the taxpayer regularly and actively involved? Did the activity actually begin?

Rules to qualify

In general, start-up expenses are those you incur to:

• Investigate the creation or acquisition of a business,
• Create a business, or
• Engage in a for-profit activity in anticipation of that activity becoming an active business.

To qualify for the election, an expense also must be one that would be deductible if it were incurred after a business began. One example is money you spend analyzing potential markets for a new product or service.

To be eligible as an “organization expense,” an expense must be related to establishing a corporation or partnership. Some examples of organization expenses are legal and accounting fees for services related to organizing a new business and filing fees paid to the state of incorporation.

Decision to be made

If you have start-up expenses that you’d like to deduct this year, you need to decide whether to take the election described above. Recordkeeping is critical. Contact us about your start-up plans. We can help with the tax and other aspects of your new business.

© 2023

FAQs

Are there any tax benefits or credits available for new businesses or startups?

Yes, there are several tax benefits and credits available for new businesses or startups. New businesses can deduct certain expenses, such as office supplies, equipment purchases, and business-related travel. Startups that engage in qualified research activities may also be eligible for a tax credit to offset their R&D expenses. Additionally, hiring certain employees, such as veterans or individuals from targeted groups, may qualify your business for tax credits. Many states and local jurisdictions also offer specific tax incentives to attract new businesses or encourage local economic development. It’s important to consult with a tax professional or accountant to ensure you are aware of all the available benefits and credits that apply to your specific situation.

What is one important piece of advice regarding handling start-up costs and expenses when starting a business?

It’s important to maintain accurate and detailed records of all your business expenses. This includes keeping receipts, invoices, and other relevant documents. Good record-keeping will not only help you identify deductible expenses but also provide evidence in case of an audit.