DiSabatino CPA Blog

DiSabatino CPA Blog

A blog by Michael DiSabatino CPA with topics on Tax Savings, Business, Management and more...

Preparing Your Business for a Sales/Use Tax Audit

 

Preparing Your Business for a Sales/Use Tax Audit
How to take the bite out of the audit sting

It is no surprise that states audit their small business community as a productive way to increase revenue for their state coffers. Should you receive the dreaded notice of one of these audits, here are some ideas that can make this a more pleasant experience:

  1. Review the sales tax rules. Know the rules in your state and locality. Pay special attention to areas that are not taxed. A quick internet search on sales and use tax audits for your state should yield examples of areas the auditor will focus their resources. Pay attention to the terminology used in these documents. Use the same terminology when talking with the auditor.
  2. Conduct a self-audit. Prior to the arrival of the auditor, audit yourself. Begin with your sales receipts, migrate to capital purchases, and then finish with your bills. Pay special attention to internet sales and purchases you make with your credit card.
  3. The best defense is a good offense. You may find areas in your self-audit where you paid tax when none was due. Perhaps you have production equipment and your energy providers charge you sales tax on all your power. You may be due a sales tax refund for up to three years of this production energy use.
  4. Watch out for capital equipment. The sales tax rules on capital equipment can vary dramatically. Some vendors may be required to collect and send in sales tax on equipment purchases that are not taxable. You must then file to collect a refund.
  5. The expense report trap. An easy way to have the auditor pay for their time is to review your expense reports. Often you do not keep receipts of items purchased at a retail store. An auditor could assess you sales tax on items purchased at Walmart, simply because you did not keep the receipt. This despite the fact that a Walmart retail store always collects sales tax.
  6. It’s not usually taxes on your sales that gets you. Remember, it is not often the collecting and transmitting taxes on your sales that gets attention in an audit, it is the payment of use tax and sales tax purchases you make and potentially overlook.
  7. Pre-determine scope of audit. Prior to the audit please inquire what the scope of the audit will entail. If the timing of the audit will create a hardship, request a time that is better for you and your business. Consider recommending sampling a defined period of time versus a full review of all your records.
  8. Get help. Finally, please consider that you will typically encounter an audit of this type once or twice during your career. The auditor does this every day. So get help as soon as you receive the audit notice.

Remember, all states share information with each other. They know sales and use tax audits of small businesses often generate more income than the state pays their auditor. Knowing this, it is best to be prepared.

We're happy to offer guidance and help you make smart tax decisions.

DiSabatino CPA
Michael DiSabatino
651 Via Alondra Suite 715
Camarillo, CA 93012
Phone: 805-389-7300
ww.sharpcpa.com

This publication provides summary information regarding the subject matter at time of publishing. Please call with any questions on how this information may impact your situation. This material may not be published, rewritten or redistributed without permission, except as noted here.  All rights reserved.

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Unemployment benefits are taxable

Unemployment compensation can provide a welcome buffer while you're transitioning to a new job. But with the help comes a tax effect, because the benefits provided under federal or state laws are usually includable in your income in the year you receive them.

As a result, depending on the amount of unemployment you expect to receive, you may want to complete "Form W-4V, Voluntary Withholding Request," to have federal income tax withheld from your benefits.

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Who owes self-employment tax?

If you earned $400 or more of net profit during 2013 from work as a sole proprietor or independent contractor, you may owe self-employment tax. That's true no matter what your age - even if you're receiving social security benefits.

The tax is assessed on your net earnings from self-employment, which can include income from qualified joint ventures and partnerships, as well as fees you earn working as a director for a corporation. In this context, "earnings" generally means your income after deducting expenses incurred while operating your business. If you have multiple businesses, you combine the net income and losses.

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You have options for tax refunds...

You can receive your income tax refund in several ways: (1) direct deposit into a single checking or savings account, (2) direct deposit split into up to three different accounts in up to three different U.S. financial institutions, (3) via a paper check, or (4) purchasing up to $5,000 U.S. Series I savings bonds. Split deposits need not be in equal amounts, though buying savings bonds must be done in multiples of $50. You can't split your refund between a direct deposit and a paper check. For direct deposits, verify that your financial institution accepts such deposits, and verify account and routing numbers.

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Don't pay tax on nontaxable income

There are several sources of revenue that are not subject to income tax.

Here are the most common sources of money that are not taxed on your federal income tax return:

* Borrowed money, such as from banks or personal loans.

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Understanding Your Special K's

1099-Ks are now being subject to underreporting IRS audits

For the first time, the IRS is reporting that it will be comparing filed 1099-Ks against income reported on business tax returns (including those reported on 1040 Schedule C tax returns). Knowing how this impacts you can save you an unwanted IRS correspondence audit.

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When Filing a Tax Extension May Make Sense

While taxes owed are always due on or before the filing date of April 15th, taxpayers have the option of filing a tax extension that effectively moves their filing date to October 15th. Is this ever a good thing to do? Sometimes the answer is yes.

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Business Start-Up Cost Write-Off

Deduct those start-up costs NOW!

If you started a new business venture in 2013, you may be in line for a special tax break for entrepreneurs.

DO THIS: Realize a fast write-off for "start-up costs." Normally, these business-related costs must be amortized over time, but you can take a current deduction for up to $5,000 of the qualified expenses.

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Do You Need to File a Tax Return?

Too many taxpayers assume they are not required to file a tax return and end up losing a potential refund. To help ensure this does not happen to you, here are some common things to help you decide whether a review of your situation is in order.

  1. Know the triggers. You are required to file a tax return based on your income, filing status, and age. If your income is above the amounts below, you are generally required to file a tax return.
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The AMT: Will this tax apply to you?

The AMT: Will this tax apply to you?

What's your alternative minimum tax (AMT) preference?

Though you might prefer to not think about the AMT, certain income and deductions, known as preference items, affect the way the tax will apply to you. Those amounts, along with others called "adjustments," are added to or subtracted from the income shown on your tax return to arrive at your AMT taxable income.

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Parents can cut taxes with child-related credits

Parents can cut taxes with child-related credits

Are you a parent? Give yourself some credit – a child-related tax credit, that is. Here are two that can reduce your 2013 federal income tax liability.

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Check the tax rules before lending money to relatives...

Check the tax rules before lending money to relatives

There are many worthwhile reasons to lend money to a relative. For example, you may want to help a child or sibling continue their education or start their own business.

But lending money to relatives can have tax consequences.

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Don't overlook the "nanny tax"

Don't overlook the "nanny tax"

As you review your filing requirements for 2013, make sure you don't overlook the so-called "nanny tax." If you have a household employee, you could be liable to pay state and federal payroll taxes.

First, you must determine whether you have a household employee. Generally, this is someone you hire to work in or around your house. It could be a babysitter, nurse, maid, housekeeper, or gardener. It doesn't matter whether they work part-time or full-time, or whether you pay them hourly, weekly, or by the job.

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2014 Fiscal Year Per Diem Rate Increase - Start Now...

b2ap3_thumbnail_business-strategy.jpgEvery year,the General Services Administration (GSA) establishes per diem rates for government employees in the 48 states in the continental U.S. and the District of Columbia ("CONUS" rates); in areas outside the continental United States (Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. possessions ("OCONUS" rates); and in foreign countries.

The IRS says that private employers may use these "per diem" rates as a record keeping shortcut to reimburse employees for business travel with no hassles.

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Zero Percent Tax on Capital Gains?

tax savingsZero Percent Tax on Capital Gains?

Zero Percent Tax on Capital Gains?

Yes, Assuming you've held the property longer than a year (i.e., a long-term gain), the federal capital gains tax rate is 0% for taxpayers on gains that fall within the 10% and 15% tax rackets.

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A Solo 401(K) - Great Tax Deferment

Retirement-PlanningEveryone wants to save taxes.  Well here is a solution to defer taxes, which in the long run may save you taxes - feel free to contact us to learn more about the basic strategy of retirement planning.

Strategy: Set up a solo 401(k) plan. Due to special tax rules, you can contribute more to this type of plan than other comparable retirement plans.  In fact, a solo 401(k) offers an unprecedented tax-saving opportunity for a married couple working together.

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