During the 2022 tax year, small businesses did not face major changes in tax laws. However, there are several things small business owners should understand when it is time to file their business tax returns for the year. One thing that is critical for small businesses is to ensure they always make their estimated tax payments on time each quarter and understand their tax liability. Here are some of the tax laws small businesses need to understand for the 2022 tax year and how they might affect their tax returns when it is time to file from TMD Accounting.

Small Business Tax Deduction

Partnerships, sole proprietorships, LLCs, and S-corporations are all pass-through entities that can benefit from the small business tax deduction. For the tax year 2022, the owners of small pass-through companies can claim a deduction of up to 20% on their portions of the income earned by their business up to $182,500 for single filers or $364,200 for joint filers. If the business’s qualified income exceeds the threshold, limitations will be applied. However, companies with significant capital expenditures and those that employ a lot of employees might still be able to benefit from the small business tax deduction.

Standard Tax Deduction

Small business owners that do not itemize their expenses can claim the standard deduction on their returns. in 2022, the standard deduction for individual filers is $12,950. Joint filers can claim a standard deduction of $25,900.

Estate Tax

Small business owners might benefit from the estate tax exemption, which is $12.06 million for individual filers and $24.12 million for those who file jointly in 2022. The increased estate tax exemption offers protection to a greater number of small business owners who have accumulated substantial assets and want to avoid potential tax issues when they pass away and leave their estates to their families.

Deduction for Expensing Equipment

Small business owners can immediately deduct the costs of purchasing business equipment up to a maximum deduction of $1.08 million in 2022. The spending cap for equipment purchases in 2022 is $2.7 million under Section 179. This tax relief is permanent.

Certain assets that depreciate over time might be eligible for bonus expensing in 2022. This involves expensing the entire purchase cost at once instead of only a fraction of the cost per year. The ability to benefit from bonus expensing will be phased out in 2024.

Tax Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, businesses that provide paid family and medical leave as a benefit for their employees can claim a tax credit. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, the credit was extended through 2025.

Deferred Social Security Taxes Due

In 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This law allowed employers to defer the employer portion of their Social Security taxes due between March 27, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020. Businesses that benefited from these deferments had to pay one-half of the deferred amounts no later than Dec. 31, 2021. Those businesses also must pay the remaining one-half of the deferred amounts no later than Dec. 31, 2022. If you don’t pay the deferred amounts on time, your business will face assessed penalties on the total amount of the deferred taxes.

What to Do

As a small business owner, you likely have learned that tax preparation for small businesses is a year-round process. This makes it important for you to regularly meet with your accountant and bookkeeper and provide them with accurate financial records each month. Doing so allows your small business accounting services provider to develop a good tax strategy for your business and avoid potentially negative surprises.

Make Sure to Keep Your Tax Records for the Right Amount of Time

Make sure that you understand the tax return retention requirements in your state. While most states require businesses to keep their records for seven years, some businesses retain their records for longer periods in case they are audited. Talk to your accounting professional to learn about your tax retention requirements in the jurisdiction in which your business operates.

Have a Separate Account for Taxes

If your business is new and isn’t earning much revenue yet, you might not think you need to open a separate account for taxes. However, having a separate account for business taxes can help your tax filing process to be simpler and establish good tax habits that can protect your business’s future health.

On average, around 30% of your profits will go to taxes of some type. Open a separate account for your taxes. When you complete your account reconciliations and learn your profit amounts, move 30% of that amount to your tax account. Setting aside 30% of your monthly profits in a tax account can help your business avoid huge tax bills when it’s time to file your tax return.

Find an Accountant for My Small Business

Small businesses should keep in mind how tax laws affect them year-round. Planning for taxes can help to minimize how much you might have to pay. Working with an experienced accounting professional at TMD Accounting can help you develop a sound tax planning strategy to reduce your taxes and ensure you comply with all of the laws that apply to your business. To learn more, contact us today to schedule an appointment at 1-856-228-2205.

You open your mailbox to find a letter with a return address from the IRS. You open it to find that your small business is being audited and your heart sinks. No one wants to have their finances reviewed by the Internal Revenue Service, a prospect that is nerve-wracking, stressful and complicated. Small business accounting services say that getting a letter from the IRS does not have to mean fear and stress, however.

If you have prepared properly and documented your business expenses thoroughly, the fear of the audit may be more stressful than the audit itself. Use these tips to guide you through an IRS audit in order to make the process as painless as possible.

Understanding How Companies are Chosen for Audit

The first step in reducing the stress of an IRS audit is to understand what led to your business being chosen for one in the first place. Most small business owners have no idea why they were chosen and that is an indication that they likely have done nothing wrong. If the first things that comes to mind is “the accountant for my small business must have made a mistake,” you are likely correct. Most audits are due to minor errors that were picked up when tax returns are reviewed. There are some common red flags the IRS looks for when reviewing tax forms as well.

If you operate a business that is cash-intensive, like a café, the IRS may take a closer look. Deductions that seem excessive, such as for meals or entertainment as well as claiming 100 percent use of a company vehicle could trigger an audit.

Other triggers include:

• Inflated salaries to employees who are also owners or stockholders
• Reimbursed business expenses that are excessive
• Paying or filing taxes late in multiple years
• Very large charitable contributions

Even if those expenses are legitimate, they trigger a review by the IRS which is why small business accounting services suggest you change your operations, so these items are not part of your annual tax filing.

Keep Good Track of Your Finances

One question to ask yourself is “would the accountant for my small business be able to understand this expense?” If the answer to that is no, you may not be keeping good track of your finances. You should follow approved accounting practices throughout the year which will make it less likely your company will be audited. You need to review your financial accounts regularly in order to look for possible errors. Keep accurate records all year long, so you are not scrambling on December 31 to organize things for your small business accounting services. They are likely not going to be excited about a shoebox full of unsorted receipts. If your financial documents are organized and in order, even if you are audited, you will be able to provide details to the IRS.

Anticipate What Will Be Asked

An IRS auditor is likely not interested in seeing your entire financial picture. They are usually looking for particular information due to something that caught their eye in a review. Take the time to go over your financial details before the audit to see where they may have questions. If you had higher than normal meal and entertainment expenses one year because you were expanding your customer base, organize those receipts and any notes you may have about what you discussed during the meal. By cooperating and coming forward with a known problem area, the audit process can go much more quickly.

What Paperwork Do You Need?

There are standard documents the IRS will want to see, regardless of why the audit was triggered. They will want to see bank statements, receipts and canceled checks. The IRS will accept electronic versions, but they must include the name and address of who was paid, the date of the payment and the amount paid. If your company keeps formal books, such as ledgers and journals, you will need to turn them over to the IRS as well. Some businesses may be required to provide an appointment book, such as car service or hair salon owners. If one of the issues is higher than normal meals and entertainment, your appointment calendar may help prove the expenses were legitimate. Equipment and vehicle records may be requested along with travel and entertainment documents.

Small Business Accounting Service

The best way to reduce your risk of audit or to successfully prove that your tax returns were accurate is to work with an accounting service like TMD Accounting. One thing to ask is “does the accountant for my small business offer audit services?” If you have an accountant who files your taxes, they should offer audit protection and, if they make the mistake, many will cover any penalties and fees for you. Working with an accountant can not only help you manage the stress of an IRS audit, but they can also reduce the chance that a red flag will appear in an IRS review at all.

If you are in need of a small business accountant, contact TMD Accounting today to see how we can help. You can arrange for a no obligation consultation by calling 1-856-228-2205 or fill out the easy online form to see how our tax experts can help. Find out why our motto is “where numbers matter and people count. With 40 years of experience, you can trust that we will get your company’s financial world in order.

Your business’s financial statements can be a key tool for managing your business. However, many businesses are confused by financial statements and don’t know what they mean or how they can be used. Here is some information from the professionals at TMD Accounting about your financial statements and how they can be used.

What Financial Statements Include

A financial statement tells you where your business money is, including its origin, how it was spent, and the current financial standing of your company. You can see this information by using the three primary types of financial statements, including your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.

These documents give you the following information:

• The assets you currently have
• Your business’s liabilities
• The value of your ownership
• Total sales/gross revenues
• Losses and expenses
• Net income
• Cash flow, including the sources of money and how it has been used
• Cash on hand at the start and end of a period

All of these types of information are crucial for your business so that you can make better decisions. Financial statements are an important component of running a financially stable and profitable business.

Why Financial Statements Are Important

Your financial statements will provide you with your business’s operational results, its current cash flow, and its current financial standing. They are important for all of the following reasons:

• Documenting your business’s financial activities
• Summarizing important accounting information about your business
• Providing stakeholders with an accurate picture of your company’s financial situation

Lenders use financial statements to assess your level of risk when determining whether to extend credit to your business. They also include information that might be required under accounting standards and the law and contain the data that you need to complete your business tax returns.

What Is In Each Type of Statement?

You can analyze how your company is performing by using your financial statements.

The income statement will include information about your business’s total revenues, the cost of the goods or services sold, and other costs during a set period. It will then provide information about your company’s net income or a net loss.

Your balance sheet will provide data about your total assets, liabilities, and equity.

Your cash flow statement gives you information about your company’s financing, operations, inflows and outflows, and long-term debt.

How to Use Your Financial Statements

When you receive your financial statements, take a look at your income statement and treat it as a report card for your business. This might also be called a profit-and-loss statement and tells you how your business is doing over time. In the income statement, you can see the expenses your company has incurred and the revenue it has generated during the relevant period.

Income Statement

Your income statement can be used to gain an understanding of your business’s profitability and the steps that you can take to increase its profits. For example, you might see that you should cut back on some unnecessary expenses or focus on more profitable products or services. If you are searching for funding, investors will want to see your income statement to assess your degree of risk when deciding whether to give your company credit or venture capital.

However, your income statement won’t reveal the overall strength or weakness of your financial condition, show a list of your assets and liabilities, or show how money is flowing in ad out of your business.

Balance Sheet

Your balance sheet lets you see how strong or weak your business’s current financial condition is. Many investors typically begin by reviewing a business’s balance sheet to get an understanding of its financial condition. Your balance sheet includes key information on a specific date rather than your business’s profitability over a set period. It helps to show your business’s stability and how much liquidity it has. A balance sheet will include a list of your business assets, its liabilities, and the equity you have in it. The information included in a balance sheet can help show your business’s net value, your debt, how well your assets are being managed, and whether you are easily able to convert assets into cash when necessary. You can also see changes in your equity, earnings, inventory, and accounts payable and receivable by comparing information from your balance sheets.

Cash Flow Statements

You can use your cash flow statement to determine whether you have enough money coming in to sustain your business operations. Even if your business is profitable, it can still fail if you have cash going out of your business faster than it’s coming in. Reviewing your cash flow statement can help you to better manage where your money is going to increase your business’s chance of success.

Investors want to see cash flow statements to see evidence you can manage your business’s cash and have the resources to handle times when gaps in the in-flow of cash occur.

Find an Accountant for My Small Business

TMD Accounting offers small business accounting services and can help you set up and understand your business’s financial statements. Working with our experienced South Jersey accounting professionals might help to improve your business’s profitability by identifying areas that need work. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling us at 1-856-228-2205.

Many business owners are intimidated by those financial statements. However, you need to learn some of the basics of these statements to get a clearer picture of your financial health. No matter how big or small your business, these three financial reports are vital to your success. The balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement are must-haves for your business. Let’s break down how these sheets work and affect your small business.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet is also called the statement of financial position. This financial statement tracks your liabilities, assets, and owner-held equity. The balance sheet can indicate the approximate cash value of the business. Lenders will look at your risk and collateral, which can affect if you will receive funding for your business when you need it. There are two vital parts of the balance sheet: assets and liabilities.

Assets are everything that a business owns. For example, some assets can include signed service contracts or showroom stock. There are two types of assets: short- and long-term. Short-term assets will last for one year or less and can include cash, prepaid expenses, and inventory. On the other hand, the business must own its long-term assets for over a year. These examples include tools, property, and equipment. A company may also own intangible assets such as trademarks, copyrights, and patents.

Liabilities are everything that the business owes to a vendor or creditor. A liability may include a business loan balance. Like assets, there are short- and long-term liabilities. A business must pay all current liabilities within a year, including small business loans, payroll, and lines of credit. Long-term liabilities, including deferred income tax and mortgages, are paid over longer periods.

Along with assets and liabilities, owner-held equity is equally important. This equity is the cash value of the company. It is calculated as the assets minus those liabilities. The amount left over is the owner-held equity.

Income Statement

The income statement is often called a profit and loss statement. This statement accounts for the business’s revenues, gains, expenses, and losses. With this statement, you can gauge the profitability of the current operations. You can also use this statement to decide whether to cut or expand operations.

There are several parts to an income statement. Revenue is the income from operations and accounts. You can gain revenue from primary activities or secondary activities. Some primary activities include services rendered or product sales. Secondary activities include rent from a vacated space or accruing interest from an account.

Gains come from other future income, such as selling your assets. Expenses are derived from operations. Like revenue, these expenses can come from primary or secondary activities. Primary activities include expenses incurred from maintaining normal operating revenue. Secondary revenue often includes expenses incurred outside of the operating revenue. Losses are the value loss from selling assets, such as settling overdue taxes.

With this statement, you can see the profitability of the company. Income statements are formatted in two ways: single-step or multi-step. In a single-step statement, there will be one category for income and the other for expenses. However, these statements are not always reliable as they cannot calculate the profitability and efficiency ratio. For that reason, many small businesses use multi-step statements to separate the expense account based on their functions. Multi-step statements give owners a more rounded view of their financial health.

Cash Flow Statement

The cash flow statement is a detailed accounting of the cash generated by the business. How does a cash flow statement differ from an income statement? The income statement shows what the businesses have generated on an accrual basis. The cash flow statement will show the actual funds that have come into the business accounts. With these statements, you will know how much money is available to pay expenses or invest in the business. Any significant discrepancies between the cash flow and income statements could mean problems in business operations.

There are critical points in the cash flow statement. The operating cash flow statement is the cash paid from and to your account from the actual business operations. The income and expenses from selling and buying assets are called the investing cash flow. Investing cash flow can include buying operating equipment or selling real estate assets.

The cash actions related to the company’s stocks and bonds are called the financing cash flow. This cash flow might include paying dividends to the owners of repurchased stocks. When an owner draws on a small business account, that is known as a financing cash flow.

Cash flow statements can include other details, including document losses and gains of non-cash assets and miscellaneous cash actions. When you put this information together, you can see the location of the cash and how it moves in your business.

Understanding your financial statements can be complex. Finding reliable small business accounting services can help you to create and decipher these statements for your business. Knowing your finances is vital for any business. Without these statements, you will not know the financial health of your small business.

Need a South Jersey Accountant for My Small Business?

At TMD Accounting, we have small business solutions for you. Our family-owned and -operated South Jersey accounting firm has helped those businesses in Gloucester County for over 40 years. Whether you need help with payroll, taxes, accounting, or bookkeeping, we are your flexible and affordable way to manage your business. Schedule your consultation by calling 856-228-2205.

You just started your own business. Do you need an accountant, or should you handle those responsibilities yourself? Many successful companies work closely with an accountant. These professionals will be able to guide your business through every financial stage. Here are a few reasons why your small business needs an accountant.

When To Work With an Accountant

Working with an accountant saves small businesses from lost time and money. Plus, they can alleviate some of the headaches when tackling financial responsibilities. Business owners should ask for help right from the start. Take a look at these vital points in your business when you need an accountant.

Forming Your Business

You should work with an accountant during those first stages of your business. These professionals can help you write a business plan. A plan can put your goals down on paper rather than taking the wait-and-see approach. Along with that, the accountant can advise you on the best entity structure for your business. You might think that a sole proprietorship is the best option, but an LLC could have additional benefits. Many accountants can even assist with bookkeeping services or help you set up the right software for the job.

Compliance and Tax Issues

After you have your business plan and bookkeeping software, you still need help from an accountant. Many businesses have to worry about compliance issues. These problems can be stumbling blocks for many owners. You might want to ask for assistance from an accountant. Sales tax compliance is a sore spot for many businesses. You must comply with local tax laws if you are shipping any products over a state line. While some bookkeeping apps can help, you need an accountant to get started.

Payroll is another consideration for many businesses. Labor and wage compliance issues have been known to sink profitable companies. Tax programs and apps can ensure you are always compliant with these issues. However, you will want an accountant to check in on a quarterly basis.

There are other reporting requirements to consider. You must send those reports to local licensing agencies or creditors. For those with complex tax issues, you might be liable for other types of taxes or fees. If you need to report on your financial position for credit purposes, make sure to work with a firm offering small business accounting services.

Do You Need an Accountant?

You might think that you can handle these responsibilities by yourself, but accounting is not a DIY task. Small businesses are more successful when they work with an accountant. Yes, you might be able to take on those basics, but you should consider working with an accountant for those complicated matters. These individuals are financial professionals who can help keep your business on track as you plan for the future.

You will want to work with an accountant throughout the year, not just during tax time. Many accountants will meet with you at the end of the year. They will go over your finances and discuss any issues concerning your taxes. Tax planning is not the only reason an accountant needs to meet with you. Specific compliance issues, such as payroll tax underpayments, are easier to fix before filing those year-end reports.

Don’t forget to take advantage of your accountant’s expertise throughout the year. Planning for your business should be a year-long process. It could be too late to prepare your small business for penalties or fees when tax time is nearing.

Accountants are there to help every step of the way. You should meet with your accountant on a quarterly basis. These meetings will ensure that everything is on track and that your business is growing correctly. Sometimes, a company can grow too fast, leading to problems down the road.

You always have to worry about your quarterly tax payments. As the income increases, so do tax liabilities. Your initial estimated tax payments may not be sufficient if you experience a surge in your business. By scheduling regular meetings with an accountant, you can avoid those underpayment surprises at tax time.

Often, business owners are too close to some problems. Yes, business owners know their company better than anyone, but looking past those blind spots can be difficult. With an accountant’s help, you can take a look at the big picture, which can help the business continue to grow.

Find a Small Business Accountant

Now that you know the importance of working with an accountant, you need to find the right one for the task. Even if you want to handle your finances by yourself, you should have an experienced accountant on hand to get solid advice. Think of an accountant as a small investment for your business. With their help, you can make the right decisions for your business. Remember, many successful companies work with an accountant for their financial needs. Now is the time to find a qualified accounting professional to assist with those financial duties for your small business.

Need an Accountant for My Small Business?

At TMD Accounting, we understand the needs of small businesses. Our family-owned and -operated accounting firm has been serving the residents of Gloucester County for over 40 years. We provide you with affordable, reliable, and convenient options for your small business accounting needs. Our team can help with taxes, bookkeeping, and payroll services. Don’t handle those essential responsibilities by yourself. Schedule your consultation by calling 1-856-228-2205.

Do you need an accountant for your small business in New Jersey? Some owners might think that a software program or an app is the less expensive alternative. However, you need a seasoned professional to help with those expenses. An accountant helps save you money and makes your life so much easier. Now that you know the importance of a small business accountant, where can you find one in South Jersey?

Finding an Accountant That Specializes in Small Businesses

There are a lot of reasons for hiring a business accountant. When it comes to finding one that specializes in the needs of a small business, it can be a challenging task. You want to work with someone who has your best interests at heart. Also, they need the right experience to help manage those finances.

Search for a Small Business Accountant

If you do a quick Google search, you will see plenty of ads for small business accountants. While the internet can help kickstart that search, you don’t want to see the first person and hire them. An experienced accountant needs to provide you with sound advice about how to manage your business and money. You need the right type of small business accountant for those vital duties.

Consider looking for an accountant through referrals. You can ask your lawyer, banker, or business advisor to recommend a great accountant. Remember that not every accountant is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). For an accountant to be a CPA, they must pass a specific exam. When you work with a CPA, you can be confident that the person is experienced and well-trained. CPAs need to renew their certification regularly. Those re-certifications provide their clients with the best up-to-date knowledge.

Hire Someone With Small Business Experience

Yes, hiring someone with small business experience makes all of the difference. Managing the finances of a small business can be complex. When you work with a business accountant, they can help you handle any complications that come with a small business.

Also, you will want to know if the accountant has experience in your particular industry. Some accountants will specialize in certain types of businesses. If your business is in a specific sector, you want to work with an advisor who can meet those needs. Always ask if the accountant has experience working with structured companies like yours. LLCs, sole proprietorships, and corporations all have different accounting requirements.

Ask About Other Services

Many accounting firms will offer both tax and auditing services. However, others may assist customers with bookkeeping, budget, payroll, risk assessment, and business valuation. Some highly qualified accountants will do more than those basic services.

You should think of your accountant as a valued advisor for your business. Professional small business accounting services become beneficial advisors. They can help you understand your financial capacity. When you work with an accountant that understands your small business, they can create a financial model from the beginning, helping expand your business in the future.

Discuss Billing

Finally, you need to know how much the accountant will bill for their services. Some will charge by the hour, ranging from $100 to $275. On the other hand, a few accountants do work on a monthly retainer. Like a business purchase, you can always shop around for options. Yes, accounting firms do quote their services. Take those quotes to look for the best one for your needs. Keep in mind that an expensive option is not always the best. However, when an accountant charges more, that individual will usually provide you with more services.

Hire Your Business Accountant in South Jersey

After talking to a few South Jersey accountants, you can move on to the next steps. If you have shopped around, you might be able to negotiate the fees. Remember that many accountants have a set pricing structure. Asking for a special rate is fine, but don’t expect it.

Once you have agreed on the price, consider drafting out the terms of an agreement in writing. With this document, you can outline the exact services, fees, and duration of work provided by the accountant. Detailing the terms will define the relationship between the accountant and your business. That document allows both parties to know what to expect from each other.

Finally, you can grow your business with the help of your accountant. If you want to make the most of your business relationship, make sure to communicate on a regular basis. You should try to talk to your accountant at least once a month. Following up with them can prevent any issues or surprises down the road.

Choose the Right Business Accountant for Your Small Business

With these steps, you can find the right small business accountant to help you save money and provide valuable financial advice. You could try to manage your finances by yourself, but that can take away from growing your business. A small business accountant will help with financial management, taxes, and many more business duties. You can invest your free time in improving and growing your business with their assistance.

Do I need an accountant for my small business? The answer is yes. At TMD Accounting, we offer flexible, reliable, and affordable ways to manage your small business finances. We have been in business for over 40 years in the Gloucester County area. Small businesses throughout South Jersey trust us with their financial services. You can schedule a consultation by calling 856-228-2205.