Tax Time: A Tax Preparation for Business Checklist

No one can say they enjoy doing their taxes. It is messy and complicated, with unending forms and too many numbers. It also entails spending a lot of time getting it right, which may affect other aspects of your business. That's why owners need to be efficient when handling their taxes, so no part of their business is left behind. 

Tax preparation is tedious, but you can't escape it. At some point, you need to perform your tax obligations to keep your business running smoothly. To help you out, we have a checklist of the things you need to prepare and some helpful tips for tax preparation. 

The Complete Tax Preparation Checklist 

Keep your business running smoothly and maintain your good record with your local tax collection agency. Here are some things you should do in order to get the best business tax management possible. 

1. Always be mindful of tax filing dates and other tax-related duties.

For individual taxpayers, the deadline for filing tax returns is April 15. In most common scenarios, this also applies to small business owners. However, depending on the type of business you choose to establish, timelines may change. 

For instance, if your small business is organized as an S corporation, the tax filing deadline is on March 15 at the conclusion of each fiscal year. In addition, several tax-related tasks have different deadlines. Make it a habit to consult your local tax calendar, so you never miss them. 

Missing the deadline may incur unnecessary penalties, and that money can be allocated to aspects of your business that need improvement instead. 

2. Prepare all the tax forms you need 

One of the most time-consuming parts of tax preparation is gathering all the documents you need for filing and validation. In addition, each type of business may require different tax forms. If you don't know which to get, these forms are available for download on tax collection agency websites. 

Generally, forms include a complete picture of your finances and tax obligations. Sometimes, tax collection agencies may require supporting documents that go with the form, so have copies of your documents. 

Here are some of the most common tax forms you will encounter. 

• Form 1120 is used by C companies.
• S corporations use the IRS's own 1120-S.
• Businesses with partnerships should fill out form 1065 and a separate form for partnership details.
• Sole proprietorship uses form 1040 to declare business income and expenses. 

3. Collect all records that show your business income

The taxes you are due to pay depends on the income you declare on the forms you file. The records are one way for tax agencies to verify if the numbers you report are true. When the IRS visits your company to conduct an audit, these records will also be useful. Of course, a number of financial records go through the business. So if you don't know what you need for your taxes, here are some important income records you should have ready. 

• Gross receipts of all sales coming from goods sold and services. 
• Records of the costs incurred for returns and refunds. Your declaration must not include money you send back to customers. 
• Financial records from investments that you have under your business name. 

4. Have documentation of all your business expenses

You can decrease the tax amount due by qualifying for exemptions in several ways. But the process is long and requires several documents for verification. The documentation of your business expenses is evidence you can submit for tax breaks. 

Correct and more detailed information will help get your deductions approved easily. Here are some business documents you should prepare when applying for deductions and exemptions. 

• Important business expenses such as insurance, cost of supplies, utilities, and other professional fees. 
• Other detailed expenses like transportation, meals, home office deductions, and entertainment expenses may also be allowed. 

Since exemptions may not be so clear cut, a tax expert's advice is usually recommended if you want to get the most from your allowable deductions. 

5. Ensure you send all needed tax information and receive the ones you need 

Tax preparation goes both ways. Just as you report income to your local tax collection agency, they also need to return information to your business. So ensure you receive the information you need to ensure your tax preparation is on track. 

For example, if your business has employees, you should have W-2 forms that tell your workers the total income and allowable deductions. In addition, these forms will tell you if the amount you paid is taxable. Some taxation laws don't collect taxes unless you reach a certain amount. 

6. Ask for a deadline extension if necessary 

It’s not a mistake to ask for an extension if you need the extra time to complete your tax returns. Remember, you also have to file a request if you need more time to complete your declarations. However, extensions are only applicable for filing. This means you still have to pay your taxes on time. 

First extensions are typically simple to obtain; after that, asking for another extension will be a more challenging process. Finances are messy, and if you're a business owner who wants to get everything done ahead of time, you may want to find tax preparation services for small businesses to help you.

7. Make changes in your preparation for the next taxation year 

If this year was challenging for you, make appropriate adjustments to make tax preparation a breeze. Eliminating problems requires knowledge of what to do and what not to do. Moreover, it helps you avoid penalties due to late filing. 

Take note of the things that you could've done differently and implement them in the next taxation year. It takes years for business owners to learn how to manage their taxes smoothly, but you can speed it up through consultations with tax experts. 

8. Utilize tax preparation software for small businesses 

Tax software is the best way to make preparations convenient and accurate. In addition, tax software can help with planning. All you need to do is input your data. It also gives you a projected cost of the tax you owe and ways on how you can save. 

Moreover, successful tax planning lies in organized bookkeeping. Some of the available software comes with automated bookkeeping, so your financial records will always be in line and ready for tax season. This way, preparations are faster and less prone to errors. 

Tax Preparation for Business at Unloop 

The best way to get taxes off your hands is to get a professional to handle them. If outsourcing is one of the most complicated parts of your business, get an expert to do it. Unloop offers tax management for ecommerce and small businesses. This way, you’ll never have tax complications again. 

Our tax services include the following: 

• Determining which tax nexus your business belongs to. 
• Registering your business for certain tax permits. 
• For ecommerce, we set up your shopping carts so you can automatically charge the correct sales tax amount. 
• Managing your tax filings to ensure you comply with tax laws and possible changes. 
• Comes with subscriptions for tax preparation software for business and unlimited support with experts through Slack. 

We also ensure the services are accessible to everybody. We have three different price points, so you don't blow your entire budget all at once. You can talk to our experts to see which one fits your business needs best. 

Final Thoughts 

As a new business owner, learning how to manage your taxes will take time. Tax preparation is a complex process, and it can be time-consuming when you have no idea about the things you need to do. This checklist we created for you will help simplify the process. If you want to focus on other parts of your business, outsourcing tax preparations to experts is a wise decision. Aside from tax management, we also have other services your business may benefit from. Take a look at our payroll management, forecasting, and bookkeeping services, and don't forget to book a call with our experts to get started.