Don’t Leave Money on the Table

Running a small business comes with financial challenges, and missing out on valuable tax deductions can significantly impact your bottom line. Many entrepreneurs unknowingly overlook essential deductions, potentially costing them thousands each year. To help your business thrive financially, here are ten common tax deductions you shouldn’t miss.

1. Home Office Tax Deductions

If your business operates from home, you can claim tax deductions for a wide range of expenses, including a portion of your rent or mortgage interest, utilities like electricity and water, home insurance, property taxes, maintenance costs, and even your internet and phone bills. To qualify, ensure the space you claim is dedicated exclusively and regularly used for your business activities. Proper documentation and clear records of the space’s business use are crucial for supporting these deductions if ever audited. Additionally, you may opt for the simplified method provided by the IRS, which allows you to deduct $5 per square foot of business space, up to 300 square feet, simplifying calculations and documentation.

2. Business Mileage Tax Deductions

Frequently driving for business purposes? You can significantly reduce your tax liability by carefully tracking your mileage. Whether you’re attending client meetings, making deliveries, visiting vendors, or running other business errands, every mile adds up. To ensure accuracy and maximize your deductions, consider using mileage tracking apps designed for easy recording. Alternatively, keeping a detailed mileage log in your vehicle, noting the date, destination, purpose of the trip, and miles driven, can also be effective. Accurate records are essential to substantiate your claims during tax time. You can use the standard mileage rate method set by the IRS, or you may track actual vehicle expenses such as gas, maintenance, repairs, insurance, and depreciation if it yields higher deductions. you can use a stator mileage rate set by the RS, or you may track actual expenses. However, Whatever you elect in your one needs to be taken each year.

3. Startup Costs Tax Deductions

New entrepreneurs can deduct up to $5,000 of startup expenses in their first year, including legal fees, branding, market research, website costs, travel expenses, and professional consultation fees associated with launching your business. Any startup costs exceeding this limit can typically be amortized over the next 15 years, allowing for ongoing tax relief. Carefully documenting all these initial expenses will ensure you don’t miss out on valuable deductions when your business is just getting off the ground.

4. Professional Services Tax Deductions

Expenses for accountants, attorneys, consultants, or business coaches are fully deductible if they’re directly linked to your business operations. This includes fees related to financial audits, legal advice on contracts, business formation, or business planning consultations. Professional service costs can quickly add up, but recognizing these deductions can substantially lower your tax bill. Keep clear records, including invoices and receipts, to validate these expenses when filing your taxes.

5. Education and Training Tax Deductions

Courses, certifications, workshops, seminars, webinars, industry-related books, and subscriptions qualify as tax deductions if they enhance your current skills or are directly related to your business activities. These investments not only expand your expertise but also reduce your tax bill by offsetting income. Be sure to document each educational expense carefully, clearly indicating its relevance to your business operations to maximize your potential deductions.

6. Marketing and Advertising

Expenses related to advertising and marketing—such as social media ads, Google ads, print media, radio and TV commercials, website design and hosting, logo creation, business cards, brochures, and promotional giveaways—are fully deductible. Effective marketing and advertising not only increase your business visibility but also directly contribute to revenue growth. Ensuring thorough documentation of these expenses helps maximize your tax savings.

7. Business Meals

Typically, 50% of business meal costs with clients, vendors, or partners are deductible. However, under specific circumstances, such as company-wide events, holiday parties, or meals provided to employees during overtime work, you might qualify for a full 100% deduction, this change took place with the 2017 TCJA. Always document the meal details carefully—record attendees, purpose, date, and total cost to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines.

8. Health Insurance Tax Deductions for Self-Employed

Self-employed individuals can deduct health insurance premiums paid for themselves, spouses, dependents, and even non-dependent children under the age of 27. This deduction can significantly reduce your overall tax burden. To qualify, you must report a net profit from your business, and the insurance policy must be established under your business or in your name directly. Proper documentation and clear records of your premium payments are essential to substantiate this deduction. If you’re an s-corp owner, this has to be reported on your wages and there are very specific regulations so be sure to talk to a tax professional.

9. Phone and Internet

Business-related phone and internet expenses are deductible based on the proportion of usage dedicated to business activities. If you use a single phone or internet connection for both personal and business purposes, determine the percentage used for business activities to claim accurately. Maintain detailed monthly statements and usage logs to support your deduction claims, simplifying your tax preparation process.

10. Equipment and Technology

Purchases like laptops, printers, office furniture, software subscriptions, security systems, and other business equipment are deductible. Small businesses can utilize Section 179 to deduct the full cost of eligible equipment in the year of purchase, offering immediate financial relief. Be sure to confer with a tax professional because this could affect capital gains tax and your equity in your business, depending on your business setup. Alternatively, spreading deductions over several years through depreciation may provide consistent savings. Careful planning and consultation with a tax professional can help you choose the best approach.

Maximize Your Tax Deductions Today

Many small businesses pay more taxes than necessary simply due to overlooking available tax deductions. Many times the stems from not having proper bookkeeping and we offer that here at Misty Newsome CPA. Click here to sign up for a diagnostic review today. To ensure you’re maximizing every deduction available, consult with an experienced CPA. Misty Newsome CPA can help you uncover these deductions, saving you money and positioning your business for financial success. Thinking about diving deeper into the world of business travel? If so, you’re in luck! Grab our free guide, which is a handy two-page document detailing the top ten questions about deductible travel expenses. Don’t miss out—click here to elevate your travel game!

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