No one loves paying taxes. They are a pain to figure out, and also ask time and effort on your end to identify how much money needs to leave your bank account. Small businesses must also grapple with taxes, letting go of hard-earned money that may just provide the competitive edge required. As such, saving taxes is a universal desire.Â
However, not all methods to save taxes are recommended. Some may just not be financially wise, while others hinge on criminal behaviour – risking your life and organization’s health. This is why the premier tax advice for small business owners is to pay taxes! By focusing time and energy in the right direction, your tax journey can be smooth and easy.Â
It’s worthwhile to gauge what not paying taxes does. Taxes are not optional, and tax authorities will not be impressed with any efforts to dodge them. As such, any business that avoids paying taxes will immediately face legal complications and law enforcement authorities at their doorstep. The IRS may step in and deliver a notice – asking you to pay taxes before further penalties are levied.
If you think you can afford the penalties, think again. These range from incrementally increasing monthly penalties on the total pending balance to complete criminal tax fraud charges. To make things more complicated, authorities may also charge interest beyond the penalties – completely de-incentivizing any efforts to even consider tax avoidance.
So, how does a frugal, money-minded, and responsible entrepreneur save taxes? One of the best ways to do so is by availing tax deductions. Certain business-related purchases may be eligible for tax deductions, especially if they can help generate further profits. Another approach is building up and utilizing tax credits. A common such credit is the Employee Retention Credit – awarding organizations that retain employees in difficult financial times with tax relief!
If one must save taxes, having a nuanced approach to the same is essential. In this regard, one of the absolute best long-term ways to save taxes is to partner with reputed tax advisors. These individuals and organizations have refined their skills and knowledge bases to understand everything taxation – from figuring out avenues to generate credit to future tax planning. This expertise – and the taxes saved due to it – might just be a competitive advantage that allows your small business to support the local economy!Â