Small Business Owner Tax Breaks For 2015

Accounting and Tax Advice / Tips|defined benefit plan, mileage deductions, profit sharing plan, small businesses, startups, truck and auto expenses|November 25, 2015

This post briefly outlines the best tax breaks available to small business owners this tax year, 2015.

Fixed Assets Deduction

For 2015, the IRS will allow business owners to deduct up to $25,000 on fixed assets known as Section 179. Section 179 was designed for businesses so most types of business equipment will qualify including computers, off-the-shelf software, furniture, and business-use vehicles. Even some property types are eligible, provided the property meets a specific set of requirements set by the IRS. The only slight caveat is any equipment claimed under this deduction must have been put into use this year.

The section 179 deduction allows a bigger write off on fixed assets than would normally be allowed. Deductions for Section 179 will reduce income and, therefore, lower the amount of tax owed.

Defined Pension / Profit Sharing Plan

Another Big Tax Break is a Defined Benefit Pension or Profit Sharing Plan. By Setting up plan, a small business owner can set aside larger amounts of deductible pension / profit sharing payments that will be available for use after you retire. These plans cost more to maintain than a typical SEP (Simplified Employee Pension) or Defined Contribution Plan but can result in a much larger deduction that results in significantly reduced income and therefore, taxes due.

Personal Vehicle Use

Small Business owners often forget about taking a deduction for their personal vehicle use.  If your car is used in business even part of the time, other than getting to work, you may be entitled to take a significant deduction for its use.  You should be diligent in keeping records and a log to prove its business usage.

Presently you can take the percentage or actual expenses related to operating the vehicle, or $.575 per mile the vehicle was used for business.  Keeping good records are essential to prove this deduction and may result in a much large deduction then you realize.

Back To Basics

The most basic Big Tax Break that is often missed starts when you form your entity.  How you are organized and what form you take can have a significant impact on how much tax you pay.  There are many options such as a C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC, Partnership or Proprietorship can affect how much tax you will ultimately pay. There is no one size fits all. Your choice of entity is dependent on your personal situation. Just know that an incorrect entity selection could end up costing you extra taxes, year-after-year.

If you have questions about any of these tax breaks,  talk to your accountant, post a comment below or call us. We’d be happy to help.