| You can make these and other ordinary, personal | | | | products. As long as you correctly document the |
| expenses tax deductible. | | | | meeting, 50% of the cost can be written off as a |
| How would you like to get paid $11 for every 25 miles | | | | business expense. |
| you drive? | | | | In all likelihood, your business will show a loss as the |
| How would you like to write off half the cost of | | | | income in the early years will probably not be enough |
| restaurant meals with friends? | | | | to support all of the write offs. |
| How about writing off a vacation at the beach with | | | | The law allows this loss to be written off against past, |
| the family? | | | | future or current income from other sources, say your |
| You have to make these personal expenses into | | | | regular job income! |
| business expenses. The easiest way to do this is to | | | | The loss reduces your salary or self employment |
| start a part time, home based business. | | | | income, thereby reducing your taxes for the year. |
| Your business will have expenses. Rent, or mortgage | | | | This strategy can result in saving $2-$3-$6,000 per |
| payments, salaries, auto, travel expenses, etc. It is no | | | | year or more for the average family! |
| different from other businesses in this regard. | | | | Your CPA has probably not told you about this |
| The IRS has special rules for writing off business | | | | strategy, either because he/she is not versed in them |
| expenses. They can be deducted from the business | | | | or because you did not ask. It is also difficult to sit and |
| income first, before any taxes are paid on the income. | | | | counsel you when you show up in his office at 5:30PM, |
| The business only pays taxes on any income that is | | | | April 14 with a shoe box full of coffee stained receipts |
| left after all expenses are paid. | | | | to have your taxes done. |
| These rules apply to your part time business as well. | | | | Home based business deductions are a specialty and |
| Most businesses start small; Dell computer started in a | | | | not every CPA is up on them. |
| dorm room, Apple computer in a garage, Snapple | | | | However, you will need the guidance and support of |
| Beverages in a Brooklyn apartment, etc. | | | | an accountant or CPA that is knowledgeable in this |
| You have to give your previously personal expenses | | | | area to make sure you take all of the hundreds of |
| a business purpose, so that they become business | | | | possible deductions you are allowed as a small home |
| expenses. | | | | based business. |
| Instead of giving your children allowances, you give | | | | Also, you will have to be shown how to document |
| them a pay check! | | | | these expenses correctly, if not, you may end up in |
| I have employed my boys to distribute flyers | | | | trouble with the IRS. |
| throughout our housing development, soliciting people | | | | To sum up, you need to have a home based business |
| who might want to sell their homes. | | | | and you need to have the guidance and support of a |
| As long as their compensation is reasonable and they | | | | qualified professional to help you correctly document |
| are paid via company check you can now deduct their | | | | your expenses. |
| salaries as business expenses. The fact that you | | | | Once in place, you will be able to slash your taxes by |
| require them to put the money toward their college | | | | thousands of dollars each year by converting once |
| savings or their wedding is no one's business but yours. | | | | non-deductible personal expenses into tax deductible |
| If you are driving to the mall, stop off at the local diner | | | | business expenses. |
| to stash some of your business cards in their business | | | | Oh, yeah, that vacation at the beach? Why do you |
| card holders atop the cigarette machine in the lobby. | | | | think they plan seminars and conferences at resorts? |
| That is a legitimate marketing expense and makes you | | | | Generally speaking, as long as you spend more days |
| eligible for that driving allowance of 44 cents per mile. | | | | on business than on pleasure, the trip is deductible! |
| While at the diner, you meet with a couple of friends | | | | Enjoy! |
| who are also interested in your business or its | | | | |