Here’s How You Can Budget Your Small Business!


It’s possible to balance your budget.

It’s possible to balance your budget. Although this prospect gets even harder when you run a business, you can do it without fear of breaking the bank. With a solid financial foundation in place, you can ensure that your startup or sole proprietorship survives. Being an entrepreneur is exceedingly difficult, but if you have a head for numbers, it’ll be somehow easier, at least in this respect. 

ssemble Your Income Streams 

The first thing you’ll want to do is gather all of your revenue sources. How much do you make every month, and how do you earn your income? The Profit and Loss budget report helps you evaluate the fiscal health of your business. It all comes down to the business model you’ve chosen – and that differs depending on the industry your company operates in. For example, writing, editing, and consulting services all intertwine. 

Figure Out Your Fixed Costs

You’re also on the hook for the fixed costs that recur every month. That’s why it is important to figure out what they are and how you can pay them off. In simple budgetary terms, the “fixed costs” are what you pay for every month and don’t fluctuate from one billing cycle to the next. Rent, Internet, website hosting, and outsourced payroll services all fall under this category. Once you’ve determined what each cost is, add them up. The sum will be what you owe every month.  

Factor In the Variable Costs 

However, plans change. As such, it’s always a good idea to prepare for variable costs. Unfortunately, it can be hard to predict these costs and how much you’ll have to pay to cover them. Usage utilities (gas, electric, and water) are some of the most common. More complicated ones are shipping costs, sales commissions, and travel costs. High profits spur your business’s growth, but failing to meet your minimum thresholds will set you back instead.  

Forecast Your Incidental Spending 

One-time or incidental expenses are inevitable. The upside is that, at least in theory, you won’t have to worry about them again once you’ve addressed them. A business course (maybe in pursuit of your MBA) and assets like a new computer or smartphone both count. Unexpected costs can torpedo your business, so do your best to prevent them from happening! 

Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group

Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn

 

The post Here’s How You Can Budget Your Small Business! appeared first on The Harding Group.

Tricky Business Questions: S Corporations and LLCs


Business owners often struggle with properly determining how to effectively and efficiently set up their overall business and tax structure.

Business owners often struggle with properly determining how to effectively and efficiently set up their overall business and tax structure. There are so many different terms out there, from “sole proprietorships” and “limited liability partnerships” to “corporations” and “limited liability corporations.” Knowing the difference between these different companies can help you determine the best route to take for your business. Here are some helpful key terms to know and the best way to distinguish between the two most commonly confused types of businesses — S corporations and LLCs. 

The Reason Why An S Corporation Would Want To Own An LLC

It can be challenging to know why an S corporation would want to own an LLC. Understanding the different nuances of an LLC and S corporation can prove tricky for a new business owner or entrepreneur. The reality is, people will typically desire a company that provides them with certain flexible options. That is precisely why business owners are leaning towards becoming LLCs. Ultimately, the different tax deductions from being an S corporation tend to be highly valued by business owners everywhere. That is why typically, consultants will encourage their clients to have an S corporation that owns an LLC for maximum benefits. 

Having An LLC WIth An S Corporation Election

There are so many different avenues you can take when it comes to starting your business. In fact, within an S corporation, payments and distributions are typically given to the partners proportionally based on their ownership percentage. The reality is, LLCs differ as they are not necessarily disbursed in the same manner. Instead, LLCs will typically disburse money to partners based on how the partners themselves deem appropriate.  

Bottom Line

Having the full knowledge about the difference between an S corporation and an LLC can help steer you towards the best type of business for your specific needs, goals, and desires. Being aware of the differences can help keep your aims in mind and allow you to be focused on all of your goals. 

Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group

Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn

 

The post Tricky Business Questions: S Corporations and LLCs appeared first on The Harding Group.

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How to Spot Accounting Discrepancies


Here are some helpful tips and useful tricks to help you accurately spot any accounting discrepancies — which can lead to lasting mistakes.

Unfortunately, accounting errors are all too common. In fact, even the most educated accountant and the most experienced CPA can make minor mistakes. However, these mistakes could be detrimental, which is why you want to avoid making some of the most common accounting errors out there. Understanding the most common accounting errors will equip you with the tools to properly spot those errors effectively and efficiently. The reality is, every small business will need to keep their books in order — particularly their accounting records. Ultimately, knowing the telltale signs to look for when it comes to the all too common accounting mistakes will allow you to fix them before they become a big issue down the line. Here are some helpful tips and useful tricks to help you accurately spot any accounting discrepancies — which can lead to lasting mistakes.

lways Keep A Proper Audit Trail

There is nothing worse than not having the receipts for any discrepancy that may arise. Having a proper storage or filing solution to keep all your accounting records on file and up to date will make your process much more seamless. The reality is, if you are looking for an easy way to implement such a process, a proper filing system that is automated can be the best solution for your small business. Ultimately, if you are looking for help making sure your audit trail system is working properly, seek out the help of a professional who can help ensure things go smoothly. Your business can stay on track for the accounting audits year after year and quarter after quarter.

Be Sure To Double-Check All Your Work

To properly find accounting errors in your books, it becomes increasingly important for business owners to always double or even triple-check their work. In fact, putting in the extra legwork can make a massive difference in your accounting systems in the long run. The reality is, going through all of your transactions may be tedious, but they’ll allow you to ensure that all your accounting measures are proper and accurate. Conducting these checks is a great way to double-check all your accounting to ensure your books are accurate and up to date.

Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group

Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us on FacebookTwitterYouTube, and LinkedIn

 

The post How to Spot Accounting Discrepancies appeared first on The Harding Group.

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Tax Changes – How Will Tax Season 2022 Look?


While, unlike 2020 and 2021, it seems that the deadline for the 2022 tax season won’t be pushed back, several other tax changes could impact you and your business.

The 2022 tax season is the third one since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and as has been the trend, there are a lot of changes. It’s unlikely that the 2022 tax season will look like it did in past years, so business owners must be aware of tax changes that may impact how they file. These new complications are a sign of the times, and it’s becoming clear that we’re gearing up for a “new normal.” While, unlike 2020 and 2021, it seems that the deadline for the 2022 tax season won’t be pushed back, several other tax changes could impact you and your business.

EIPs

Economic Impact Payments are those stimulus checks that went out during the third round sent out in March. The maximum amount that one could receive ($1,400) plus any payments for qualified dependents won’t be taxed by the federal government. That said, it is possible you received less than you were entitled to, which can be taken advantage of as a credit on your 2021 return.

CTC

The Child Tax Credit has been enhanced with a new maximum of $3,000 or $3,600 for children under six years old. The credit is also fully refundable and allows for advance payments, with some advance CTC payments going out back in July. These credits will need to be factored into their tax returns, potentially causing filing headaches. As a result of these tax changes, tax refunds for those who received CTC payments may be lower than expected.

Unemployment

Due to new laws and tax changes, there are still unique breaks for some workers who lost work in 2020. Essentially, the first $10,2000 of unemployment benefits is exempt from being taxed—provided your AGI was below $150,000. Many people are unaware of this, so it’s important to be thorough! 

Dependents

ARPA has changed the maximum dependent care credit. For families with an AGI of $125,000 or less, it’s now $4,000 for one child and $8,000 for two or more children. That credit is also now fully refundable, so be sure to get the most out of your tax filing.

COBRA

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, allows employees who leave their companies to continue to get health insurance for some time, typically 18 months. There is a cost, though, plus a standard 2% administrative fee. However, because of ARPA, there is a 100% subsidy for COBRA premiums between April 2021 to September 2021. As a result, the payments are tax-free.

Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group

Unlike other accounting firms,The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients. 

Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning?  We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help. 

We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact usonline or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. For more tax tips, follow us onFacebookTwitterYouTube, andLinkedIn

 

The post Tax Changes – How Will Tax Season 2022 Look? appeared first on The Harding Group.

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https://www.digital-accountants.com/?p=503