As a small business owner, we wear many hats, from CEO to social media manager. When it comes to small business taxes and finances, bringing in a tac professional could be a smart move. You might wonder, "What do I need to give my accountant for small business taxes?"
When tax season comes around, having an accountant manage the details frees you up to focus on growing your business and can help eliminate mistakes on your taxes. It is important to have all your documents ready for a smooth tax process and to maximize your savings.
1. Identification Information
Your accountant will need personal information to file taxes on behalf of your small business. Here are some identification documents you will share with them:
- Social Security Number (SSN): Share your SSN for yourself, your spouse and any dependents along with everyone's full legal names.
- Employer Identification Number (EIN): If your business has an EIN, share it with your accountant.
- Driver's License (ID): Although not always necessary, consider sharing copies of your ID as well as your personal and professional permanent addresses.
If your small business has other employees, you may need to gather their personal information and share it with your accountant.
2. Tax Return
Share a copy of last year's tax return with your accountant for optimal small business tax preparation. Although this form is not necessary, the tax return can help your accountant get familiar with the financial health of your business.
The tax return can also inform your accountant of what tax deductions your small business may qualify for and help expedite the preparation of this year's tax return.
3. Financial Statement
Share your financial statements with your tax accountant. These documents communicate the financial health of your business.
The following are the essential financial statements to share:
- Cash Flow Statement: This summarizes how well your company manages its cash position and how well the company generates cash to pay its obligations or fund its expenses.
- Balance Sheet: This shows a company's assets and liabilities as well as the owner's equity during a specific period.
- Income Statement (Also known as a Profit and Loss Report, P&L): This focuses on your company's revenue streams and expenses over a particular period.
Your company's financial statements provide you with a formal record of all financial activities, so it's necessary during tax time to ensure the accuracy of your taxes.
4. Relevant Tax Forms
Every business type requires you to fill out different tax forms. The forms you need to file for each business type are the following:
Once you determine which category your small business falls into you can begin business tax preparation by filling out the appropriate tax forms.
5. Capital-Asset Activity
It's typical for a business to have many capital assets, which may be tangible or intangible. A capital asset is a piece of property or equipment your business owns with the expectation that it will provide future benefit or value. They are typically long-term assets that generate income over an extended period.
During the year, if you traded, bought, or sold any capital assets owned by the business, you'll need to account for these transactions on your tax return.
Some examples of capital assets that you will share with your accountant:
- Land: Any property that your business has owned
- Equipment: This includes research and development equipment
- Buildings: Any structures that your business has owned
- Vehicles: Any vehicles your business has owned
- Copyrights, patents, trademarks: These are examples of intangible assets
The sale of a capital asset results in capital gain or loss. If you use small business tax accounting software, print out any capital-asset activity so your accountant has the details necessary to file an accurate tax return. Your accountant will need to know the date you acquired the capital asset, its cost, the date of the sale, and the amount you received from the sale, as well as the details of any related loans.
6. Business Loan Information
Share any documents that state how you fund your business. Give your accountant small business loans and applicable grants in the form of:
- Business Loan Invoices: Show any proof of receiving a business loan
- Funding Receipts: Show any proof of receiving grant funding
- Accrued Interest Statements: Show any statement of interest
- PPP Loans: Share documentation of any outstanding loans from the CARES Act
Provide as many records of payment, reimbursements, and receipts of funds as possible with your accountant to ensure an accurate tax return.
7. Income Records
When paying taxes as a small business, it's important to share any documents that show how much income your business made in the preceding year.
This can include:
- Banks Statements: Share your most recent bank statement
- Deposit Slips: Share deposit slips from the previous year
- Sales Invoices: Share any invoices from the previous year
Consider digitizing your income records and other financial documents to expedite the small business tax filing process through automatic business reporting services.
8. Expense Records
Along with your income records, you will also share the documents that record your yearly expenses with your business tax accountant. You can generally find expense records like credit card statements on your online banking portal. You can also utilize software that automatically tracks expenses for your business.
Expense records can include:
- Receipts: Share as many receipts as possible, from office supplies to new machinery
- Bills: Share copies of the bills you paid the previous year
- Credit Card Statements: Share your most recent credit card statements
Some accountants will ask for your original receipts, including indirect and direct expenses, while others will only want a summary. Check with your accountant to see which they prefer and compile your documents before scheduling your meeting.
9. Potential Deductions
One of the best things about hiring a tax accountant is that they can help you find new tax deductions that your small business qualifies for.
For the accountant to find these deductions, you will need to share the following information:
- Home Office Expenses: If you work from home, you can deduct a part of your living expenses with the home office tax deduction
- Business Vehicle Mileage Log: You can deduct that mileage if you drive for work
- Business Travel Expenses: You can deduct flights if you travel for business
- Charity Contributions: Your charitable contributions are tax-deductible
- Health Insurance: You can deduct how much you spend on health insurance
- Utilities: Your monthly utilities for your business are tax-deductible
- Marketing Materials: You can deduct anything you spend on marketing
- Legal Fees: Deduct any fees spent on legal services
- Long-Term Assets: If you've bought any physical assets for your business, such as office furniture or equipment, you can deduct them as a business expense
- Education Expenses: If you paid for courses or education materials to improve your skills for your existing business, those expenses are deductions for your business. This may be reported on Form 1098-T if you took classes at a college. Student loan interest reported on Form 1098-T is a personal deduction for your Form 1040
For optimal results, share any documents that have a chance of qualifying as a deduction. Speak with your tax accountant if you are unsure which expenses will meet the mark.
10. Payroll Information
Send your tax accountant your payroll data as well as any pertinent employee information, like their full names and SSNs. Here are the tax forms you should include:
- W-2s: This shows the amount of taxes your employer withheld
- W-3s: This is how employers report income to the IRS
- 1099-Miscs: This form is how you report contractor income.
Let your tax professional know what kinds of employees your small business has, like contractors, full-time, and part-time employees, so they know how to properly fill out your tax return.
11. Inventory Information
If your small business does a yearly inventory check, share the inventory data with your tax accountant. It may be best to complete a fresh inventory check before submitting your tax return.
You will also need to provide cost of goods sold (COGS) information, showing how much it costs to produce your goods and services.
12. Investment Information
Make sure to share any income your business earns from investments and appreciation of the following asset classes:
- Stocks: Share any stocks your business owns shares of
- Bonds: Share any bonds that are in your professional business portfolio
- Real Estate: Share any investment properties that your business owns
- Cryptocurrency: Share the amount of cryptocurrency your business owns
Even if your business did not benefit from appreciation or earn money from your investments in the preceding year, it's still important to let your accountant know which assets your business invests in for future tax returns.
13. Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes
If you work from home or operate a business from your residential property, you can claim a portion of this amount on your tax return. Calculate how much of your home you dedicate to business operations and claim the same percentage when you file your taxes.
a 1098 form can showcase the property tax and mortgage interest amount you plan on claiming. Give these to your accountant even if you operate a home business for only part of the year.
To help with small business taxes, use the tax preparation checklist to help guide you through which business tax documents you may need to file and share with your small business accountant.
Before you hand off these documents to your small business tax accountant, double check this year's tax dates to ensure you are hitting the right deadlines
Benefits of Hiring a CPA for Your Small Business
Hiring a certified public accountant (CPA) can professionally prepare your business taz return and boost your confidence. Here are a few benefits of hiring a CPA:
- Expert Financial Advice: A CPA can provide year-round advice beyond tax season, helping you navigate complex tax laws, manage cash flow, and make informed business decisions
- Tax Compliance: CPAs ensure your business remains compliant with federal and state regulations. They identify tax deductions and credits to help you save money and reduce your tax burden
- Accurate Reporting: CPAs are tax experts who can guide you through tax rules and reporting to calculate your taxable income accurately. Their attention to detail minimizes errors and helps your business maintain accurate records.
By working with an accountant, you can benefit from expert financial advice, ensure tax compliance, and maintain accurate records.
Find Peace of Mind Come Tax Time
Consider using a bookkeeper throughout the year to ensure that your financial documents are accurate and prepared for you to hand over to your CPA during tax season! Having both in your corner can be extremely beneficial for your business and protect you from errors commonly made.
Let Davenport Bookkeeping take your never-ending to-do list off your business's plate. Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor with almost 10 years of experience to ensure that your business's books close every month and are primed for tax season!
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