I commonly find there are sooo many misconceptions about taxes out there. I have heard a lot of them so many times, they make me laugh. I would like to dispell some untruths about taxes and educate you just a little. Here is my top 5:
“I cannot afford to earn any more money this year because I will jump into the next tax bracket.” or “Boy, I would not want to win the lottery. It would cost me too much in taxes.”
1. Tax Brackets: In the US, our tax brackets are marginal. Only the next dollar that falls into that bracket will increase to the next higher rate. Even if you earn a $1,000,000, there is still a portion of income that is taxed in each bracket: 0%, 10%, 15%, 25%, 28%, 33% and 35%.
“I will go ahead and give to charity since it is a tax write-off.”
2. Deductions: Remember that deductions are not a $1 for $1 reduction in tax. A $100 deduction will save about $15 in taxes for someone with $60,000 income. This does not mean that you should not give to charity, but use your money wisely and make sure it is put to good use.
“My customer did not pay their bill, I would like to write it off.”
3. Bad Debt Write Offs: read our previous post from February 2, 2008.
“I don’t want the IRS to come knock on my door to audit me.”
4. IRS Audits: Most audits are not face to face. They are letter audits based on notices for matching or numbers that are out of the normal range on tax returns. If you do have a face to face audit, you should be well prepared and represented by your CPA or a tax attorney. Worst of all, be prepared to write a check. The IRS does not do face to face audits to see if you seem to be a nice person, their purpose is to collect revenue.
“I can deduct the cost of my vehicle since I have my business advertised on it, right?”
5. Auto Deductions: Unless you want to be the one writing the big check to the IRS as discussed in item #4, the answer is “no.” You cannot write off the cost of a vehicle for advertising. You can write off the cost of the magnetic signs or the painting to put your advertising on it, but you still must follow the same rules for deducting automobile expenses. Don’t forget, unless the vehicle is 100% business use, you must keep track of your business and personal mileage for any deduction of your mileage. Remember, at 50.5 cents per mile for 2008, this can be a substantial deduction so it is worth while.
We hope we have given you the ammunition to join in the conversation with your friends to tell them about the tax mythbusters listed here. Keep in mind that you would not let your “friends” do your root canal, so you probably should not depend on your “friends” for authoritative tax advice. Ask your CPA!
Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Calculated Moves
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.