Savvy business owners use a Certified Public Accountant to help with their taxes, knowing that training and experience can help to dramatically boost tax savings. But a good CPA is more than just a tax advisor—he or she is a business expert who can help with a range of financial and business development concerns. If you’re interested in learning more about the types of assistance a CPA can offer, consider these tips:
• Budgets and Business Planning: Whether you’ve just launched a new business or own an existing corporation, seeking the advice of an experienced CPA can be very helpful in establishing realistic budgets and benchmarks for your business. A strategic plan can make the difference between success and failure in today’s marketplace; a CPA can help you set business goals, establish checkpoints to measure progress, and take measures to encourage growth within your company.
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2009 has been a year of serious contemplation by most business owners. I see this past year as a year of repositioning. Repositioning in business can mean different things to different people. Here are some different areas that businesses have been reviewing:
Do you have the best clients?
Reevaluating your client list is probably the first thing to look at when planning your future year. Your marketing plan should focus on the best client fit for you. If the current client list does not fit your focus, think about whether or not you should keep particular clients. Follow the 80/20 rule in these matters. If 80% of your stress comes from 20% of a particular client then reevaluate whether keeping them is worth the trouble. You will need room for the new clients coming in 2010.
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Believe it or not, the New Year is just around the corner, leaving many business owners scrambling to create a business plan for 2010. A sound budget is one of the cornerstones of any enterprise, large or small, and taking the time to plan ahead makes all the difference in crafting a realistic plan that will help your business grow stronger and more profitable.
If you’re a small business owner tasked with budgeting your resources for next year, keep the following tips in mind:
Budget conservatively: It can be difficult to accurately predict income or expenses, so err on the side of caution. Assume that costs will be higher than anticipated and that income may be lower, and then craft a budget tailored to those pessimistic figures. You’ll be prepared for the worst, and if business in 2010 is as good as (or better than) you hope, it will come as a happy surprise.
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Going “green” has become all the rage lately, with more people embracing energy-saving tactics at home and at work. But Mother Earth isn’t the only one who stands to benefit from the emphasis on eco-friendliness—did you know that you can earn significant tax credits for energy-efficient improvements?
Earlier this year, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) outlined some new and expanded tax benefits for individuals and business owners who invest in energy-saving appliances, improvements, or alternate energy sources that result in reduced usage and conserved resources.
Homeowners can earn a tax credit of up to 10% of the cost of solar energy systems, energy-efficient construction, or other alternate energy sources. This isn’t just a deduction of your income—it’s a full credit that is deducted directly from the amount of taxes you’re required to pay.
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Believe it or not, we’re just a few short weeks away from the start of the 2009 tax filing season. One of the biggest taxpayer concerns—after “how much will my refund be?”—is the risk of making a mistake on a tax return.
It can happen to even the most meticulous filer: after sending off your e-return to the IRS or dropping it in the mail, you notice an error. After the initial flurry of panic, you can relax—your return may technically be out of your hands, but it’s not set in stone just yet.
The IRS has factored in a margin of error for busy taxpayers by providing the Form 1040X. The “X-file” allows you to specify what you reported on your original return, where the error was made, and what the correct figures are. You can even use the form to add or remove dependents or change your filing status. The IRS allows you to file an amendment up to three years after the original filing date.
Below are a few CPA-recommended tips for filing the Form 1040X:
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