by Max Berry. Many small businesses already use some kind of accounting software to track their day-to-day cash flow so why not apply that do-it-yourself attitude toward filing your own taxes? But handling your business taxes on your own takes more than a little know-how and no small amount of courage. It also helps to have the most appropriate tax software for your small business. With that in mind, here’s a look at what three of the most popular tax prep programs have to offer this year....

by Max Berry. With great growth comes great responsibility, and as your business becomes more successful, more lucrative, and more complex, you’ll have more work to do come tax time. If you’re one of the lucky entrepreneurs who saw their business grow in 2010, it may be time to enlist the services of a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Cost vs. Benefits Many small business owners, especially those just starting out, might be put off by the seemingly high cost of a CPA—$100 to $400 per...

By Christopher Freeburn Being self-employed is a dream for many people. Who doesn't want to be his or her own boss? Of course, the downside of being the boss is the all responsibilities that come with the job. Unfortunately, calculating and paying taxes are part of those responsibilities. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you are considered self-employed "if you are in business for yourself, or carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor."...

These 15 important modifications could significantly lower your tax burden By Reed Richardson Spurred on by the federal government's economic recovery efforts, there have been numerous changes to the federal tax law for 2009 and 2010. Here's what your small business needs to know now to take advantage of this year's expiring rules and what it needs to keep in mind for next year. 2009 1. Section 179 Expensing: For 2009, one of the most important changes involves the extension, for...

What a small business should look for in a professional tax preparer By Reed Richardson Despite the seeming ubiquity of tax-prep software like TurboTax, using a paid professional remains the most popular form of tax preparation-roughly six in ten Americans are expected to use a local accounting firm or a nationwide franchise like H&R Block to prepare their individual tax returns this year. That number is even higher for businesses. For most, the choice to use a tax preparer is one based on...

By Christopher Freeburn The autumn leaves are falling, a chill is in the air, holidays are looming, and, for small business owners, it's a good time to think about ... taxes. While no one likes to ponder the intricacies and implications of the Internal Revenue Code, taking the time to do so toward the end of the year can save your business a considerable amount of money come tax time. So what can you do now? 1. Lower Revenue. Since your tax bill will be calculated on the basis of how...

For most small business owners, finding a letter in the mail from the IRS can suddenly unleash a flood of emotions, from fear to anger to guilt to helplessness, and that's even before you even open the envelope. And among all the possible scenarios that can flash through your mind, discovering that you are about to be - gulp - audited, is for most small business owners, far and away the worst. Instead of panicking when the IRS comes calling, arm yourself with the information you need to get...