Elite Bookkeeping and Tax Services Video

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Small Businesses Skip the Health-Care Tax Credit

Insurance brokers say response is low because the value of the benefit declines quickly for companies that pay average annual wages of more than $25,000 or employ more than 25 workers.

By David Lerman and Liz Smith

Sales are off by 20 percent this year at Image Computer, which repairs printers in suburban Detroit. So President Steve Olis is worried about whether he can continue paying the $71,000 a year it costs him to provide health insurance for his employees.

The Obama Administration's answer for Olis and other small-business owners: a tax credit of as much as 35 percent of the insurance premiums they pay for employee medical coverage, a signature part of the health-care reform bill signed into law in March. Image Computer, however, doesn't qualify for the credit because Olis pays his 15 employees an average of $55,600 annually, and companies with average salaries above $50,000 aren't eligible. "At some point I can't do this any longer," Olis says of his rising health-care premiums.

Eager to promote the new small-business tax credit, the government this spring mailed 4 million eligible companies postcards with highlights of the program. The response has been tepid, according to insurance brokers who sell small-group policies. The reason, they argue, is that the credit starts to phase out for companies that pay average annual wages of more than $25,000 or employ more than 25 workers. The value of the benefit declines quickly, so many business owners in high-cost states get no tax break, and those elsewhere often say the credit is too small to make much of a difference. Sales of health plans have gotten "very little traction so far," says James Stenger, director of business development for BenefitMall, which sells small-group plans in New Jersey.

Stenger says most of his clients pay their workers more than $25,000 a year, so the average tax credit he's seeing for the few who qualify is about 10 percent of the cost of the policy. That's less than $200 per worker—not enough to spur many business owners to start providing coverage. Brokers across the country report a similar response. JLBG Health in Warrenville, Ill., contacted 460 small businesses about the tax credit. Roughly 40 percent were eligible, though only seven of those companies qualified for the full benefit. Not one of the 400 New England employers served by Hampstead (N.H.)-based Landmark Benefits is eligible, the broker says. The legislation "is just not doing what we had hoped," says Steven Selinsky, the incoming president of the National Association of Health Underwriters.

U.S. Small Business Administration chief Karen Mills says complaints about the tax credit are premature. "This is all still in anecdote land," Mills said in an interview. She maintains that the income cap was needed to keep a lid on the cost of the tax credit and that the people with the greatest need—low-paid workers at the smallest companies—will be able to get coverage. Companies "want to provide health insurance [because] they're losing good employees when they don't," Mills says. "The math says [the program] is likely to be positive."

One company that has had success selling policies under the program is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, which launched a marketing push to promote the tax credit when the law was enacted. Although less than a quarter of small businesses in the Kansas City area qualify for the credit, the ad campaign paid off. Blue Cross has sold 227 plans to small businesses in the past three months—80 percent more than in a typical three-month period, says Tom Bowser, chief executive officer. Now, Blue Cross affiliates in other states are hoping to replicate the Kansas City marketing strategy—a combination of print ads, radio spots, and direct mail explaining the program's advantages. The success "is tangible evidence that this legislation is having some effect," Bowser says, "and we're cashing in on it."

The bottom line: Many small businesses can't take advantage of a tax credit designed to reduce the cost of providing health insurance.

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

Tips on how to handle the IRS - Brought to you by The American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (www.aipb.org)

Has your company or client ever heard from the IRS? Sooner or later they probably will. If you are like our 30,000 members, you may be the one expected to deal with the IRS.

Send any correspondence to the IRS via certified mail, return receipt requested.

Always maintain a good audit trail—all correspondence relating to the notice, such as
copies of canceled checks, receipts, tax returns, and letters.

If the IRS does not respond within 6 weeks (8 weeks at most), send the IRS a copy of the correspondence, write “Second Response” on the top, and include the date of your first response. Tip: Include clearly marked copies of all prior correspondence with the IRS.

If you do not resolve the problem in three attempts, use the IRS Tax Payer Advocate's
office.

If you realize that you owe money and it was an honest mistake, ask for an abatement of penalties. Intent and past “good faith efforts” to make timely deposits may well result in penalties being abated.

Read entire article here!

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

Why Should You Incorporate?

Because of the length of time corporations have been in existence, there is a long record of statutory and case law which supports the use of a corporation for asset protection.

Consequently, corporations are traditionally considered for use as the “First Line of Defense” to accomplish the goal of limited liability. Following are some important attributes and advantages to a corporation which allow it to be used for limited liability as well as other purposes.

•The corporation is a totally separate entity from any individual- it is not you, and you are not it. This is important to remember in maintaining the limited liability protection. It must be treated as a separate individual
•A corporation can buy, sell, trade, own property, own stock, make loans, etc. and anything else that an individual can do; such actions are governed by the Board of Directors
•The shareholders of the corporation do not have to live in the state in which the corporation is domiciled. Fortunately, here in Nevada, neither do the Officers or Directors
•Corporations have perpetual existence- if a Director or Officer becomes deceased, the corporation will still exist, unlike with some other entities
•There are many tax deductions available to corporations, which are not available to other entities
•It is easy to transfer assets and ownership of a corporation
•Centralized management allows ease of doing business
•Full fringe benefits can be established through a corporation
•A corporation has all of the rights of an individual except for the Fifth Amendment
Please be advised that we are not engaged in rendering legal counsel or accounting services. If legal advise, or other such services and assistance is required, the services of a professional person in that area should be sought. At your request, however, we may consult with you and render our opinion based on our business experience.

American Corporate Enterprises works with and provides services to Attorneys, CPAs, Financial Consultants, etc. in order to meet the needs of our clients. We would be happy to refer you to such a professional at your request.


For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

The Difference of Getting Paid With a 1099 Versus a W-2

Whenever a business starts there is always the question of how the people that provide services for the business will be paid. Will those services be performed by employees or will independent contractors be used?

Before the business can determine how to treat payments they need to know and make clear the business relationship. It is important to establish this relationship because an employee has taxes withheld, social security and medicare matched by the employer, unemployment insurance paid, workers compensation insurance paid and often benefits provided. An independent contractor just gets paid. It is a big expense difference.

To determine whether an individual is an employee or and independent contractor, the relationship of the business and worker must be examined. It comes down to does the business have control over what and how a job will be done or do they just control the results of the job. The determination falls into three categories: behavior control, financial control, and type of relationship.

Behavioral Control

Employees are generally subject to instructions about when, where, and how to work. The employer controls when and where the work is performed and what hours the person will be at the job. The person is told what tools and equipment to use, who else can be hired to assist with the work and where to purchase supplies and services. They are told what work is to be performed by a specific individual and what order or sequence to follow. Employees also may be required to receive training by the employer.

Independent Contractors can be hired to do a certain job in a certain place and be completed by a certain time. However, how the job is done is up to the contractor. When the work is performed, what equipment is used, who is hired to assist and where materials and supplies are purchased are up to the Independent Contractor. They also obtain and pay for their own training.

Financial Control

An employee is generally guaranteed a regular wage amount for an hourly, weekly or other period of time, even if the wage or salary is connected with a commission. They may be paid whether work is being performed or not. An employee generally does not have an investment in the company unless there are stock options available. They usually have any expenses they incur for things such as travel, phone, or equipment reimbursed.

An Independent Contractor is not reimbursed for any expenses. They generally have a business of their own or a significant investment in the facilities and equipment used to perform the work. An Independent Contractor is free to offer services to the general public and can take on jobs for other companies or individuals. They generally advertise their services and maintain a home office or visible business location. They generally get hired and paid by the job, usually a flat fee. Although some jobs can be billed hourly. An Independent Contractor can make a profit or loss on the job.

Type of Relationship

An Employee generally signs a employee contract. The employee is generally provided benefits such as insurance, pension plan, vacation and sick pay. Employee's are engaged for an indefinite period of time. They perform activities that are a regular daily part of the business. They fill out an IRS W-4 form that tells the employer how much taxes to withhold. They are not free to do business for other companies and in fact some companies have penalties if they do.

Independent Contractors have job by job contracts or for specific project or periods of time that state they are responsible for their own taxes. They are not provided with any benefits. They fill out an IRS W-9 form telling the IRS that no taxes are required to be withheld.

It is important to determine what kind of relationship from the beginning of your business. If you treat an employee as an independent contractor and you have no reasonable basis for doing so, you may be held liable for employment taxes for that person. Also, if you pay an individual as an Independent Contractor, they do not qualify for unemployment of workers compensation so if they try to collect it, you will want to be ready to verify they are not an employee.

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

SBA Fees, Covered

SBA Fees, Covered

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Freelance bookkeeping: Helpful hints on billing

Here's a bookkeeping tip from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

Opens in PDF format - CLICK HERE


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Where is that transaction recorded?

Here's a bookkeeping tip from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

Opens in PDF format - CLICK HERE

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

How to Eliminate the Frustration small business owners face from a Financial Standpoint as well as an Entity-Formation Standpoint.

If you are the owner of a small business, you always have heaps of work regarding your company's finances. The fact is, there is still a need to go a professional bookkeeping service, like Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services to take the stress off your shoulders.

Visiting with your certified bookkeeper is similar to going to your dentist. Time is money; the longer you delay your visit the more it will cost you.

First you need to know how to set up your business and to consider advantages and disadvantages of every business entity (LLC, Partnership or C Corporation, etc). Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services' affiliate companies can help with this! Contact American Corporate Enterprises, Inc., or AAA Corporate Services, Inc., and they will be glad to set up your entity for you or answer any questions you may have.

You can spend many hours away from your business learning about entities on your own or you can hire a specialist who saves you time and gives you qualified advice on how to protect your hard-earned money.

You are the ultimate specialist in your business. To be competitive in your field, you need to invest a lot of time. At the start, most of the entrepreneurs work an average of 12 hours a day.

In addition to your business tasks, can you learn everything about accounting and then handle it? Most likely the answer is no.

Your business' finances are vital for your success, and your needs are unique. At Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services, we take your individuality seriously, focusing on your business' special situation and needs.

To make the right financial decisions for your company, you need Financial Statements; Balance Sheets, Income Statements and Statement of Cash Flow for every month of the business activity.

All of them are concerning to the company financial reports. What do you know from these financial reports are briefly described below.

From the Balance Sheet reports, you know what your company owns and what it owes. Other words, you know your company resources and obligations of your company.

From the Income Statement reports you know the economic performance of a company for the given period. Other words, you know your gross and net income.

From the Statement of Cash Flows reports you know the amount of cash generated and consumed by a company through the following three types of activities: operating, investing and financing.

The statement of Cash Flows is an important objective of the financial statements because it is somewhat insulated from the accounting estimates and judgments needed to prepare a balance sheet and an income statement.

Real world and real understanding of your company finances goes beyond numbers on a page to show to a small business owner how accounting and bookkeeping come into play in your company.

Without a good bookkeeping service, you can not plan ahead (business planning), get organized, stay informed on the financial matters of your company, avoid costly mistakes; reduce costs and save time.

Why do small business firms fail? Not always because of competition but because of lack of financial information. You are making money, but where does it all go? What is the main outsourcing of your finances? The right answer gives you a huge benefit for your company.

Other benefits you are getting if you go to a professional accountant or bookkeeper is the ability to focus on your core business, getting organized, staying informed, avoiding costly mistakes, reducing costs and saving time while improving your cash flow.

One more great benefit is the good timing -- all these benefits work only if performed in the right time. Timing is the key to your business's success. With the help of a qualified bookkeeping service like Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services, you will have it under control and can focus on all the other duties that make your business successful and profitable. Good record keeping provides you the solid foundation needed for excellent business growth.

Your company's reliable financial information eliminates the frustration from your small business company and your financial reports become the powerful tools for surviving in today's business world.

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For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

Taxation Publications: Dept of Taxation: Nevada Links

Welcome to the Department’s Publications Page. Here you will find our studies, reports and manuals, and quarterly newsletter, Nevada Tax Notes. This page holds only recent publications.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW!

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Obama Urges Increase To Clean Energy Tax Credits, by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com

United States President Barack Obama has made an appeal to Congress to pass the increase to the clean energy manufacturing tax credits that now form part of the draft text of the Domestic Manufacturing and Energy Jobs Act of 2010.

The draft Act includes up to USD6.5bn in investment tax credits for taxpayers that re-equip, expand or establish domestic manufacturing facilities that produce advanced energy equipment.

As the government provides 30% of the investment for eligible clean energy projects, with the private investor providing 70%, these tax credits are expected to encourage more than USD22bn of total investment in domestic manufacturing facilities. It will add to the USD2.3bn of such tax credits that were originally provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, Sander Levin, said: “As the world moves toward renewable energy and a greener economy, it is necessary to accelerate a new era of American manufacturing and innovation. With the US government as a full, active and effective partner, the private sector can expand our green manufacturing capacity, ensuring that these jobs and products will be created in the US, competing globally and protecting our environment.”

Pointing to the success of the original issue of investment credits, President Obama said: “The only problem we have is, these credits worked so well, there weren’t enough to go around. More than 180 clean energy projects in over 40 states received USD2.3bn in tax credits, but the program was such a success that we received 500 qualified applications for USD8bn in tax credits.”

“I believe that if an American company wants to innovate, grow, and create jobs right here in the US, we should give them the support they need to do it. That’s why I’m urging Congress, once again, to invest USD5bn in these clean energy manufacturing tax credits. It’s an investment that will generate (an additional) USD12bn or more in private sector investment and tens of thousands of new jobs.”

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

Audit Triggers: The Biggest Red Flags to Watch Out For

All in the family. When employing a spouse, child or close relative, be careful not to give them any extra-special treatment. Make sure the responsibilities of their job description are commensurate with their age and experience. Pay them the same salary you'd pay anyone else doing the same job.

In the money. An excessively high income compared to previous years can stand out and trigger an audit. And high-income taxpayers are more likely to be audited since they're more likely to be involved in complex transactions and have partnerships, trusts or businesses.

Consistency is key. The IRS will notice if your federal return is disproportionate to your state return, so be careful to ensure they're consistent.

Stay on the up and up. People who've filed frivolous lawsuits in the past are most likely always going to be audited. Considering not filing your taxes at all? Here's something that may cause you to re-think your decision: People who haven't filed their federal taxes can be picked up for fraud, hit with a felony and do jail time. Even if you don't have the funds to pay off everything you owe, Brown strongly suggests filing anyway--it's better to file and not pay all you owe than wait until you have all the funds and risk getting hit with penalties or worse.

Know your preparer. More and more, the IRS is using a software program to check up on tax-return preparers. If they notice a high error rate, they'll not only audit the return-preparer, but they'll also audit that person's clients as well. So do your homework before choosing a preparer. And if you ever have any doubt as to whether they're guiding you in the right direction, seek an outside opinion before proceeding.

Protect yourself. If you are selected for an audit, Brown recommends standing up to the IRS by getting representation. As a former IRS insider, Brown says that these days, the IRS is "a bit out of control--they aren't enforcing the tax law with professionalism."

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

Charging Order Protection - By: Kerry Kolvet, Esq.

The protection of assets is generally one of the biggest reasons to form a legal entity. Specifically, the protection of business assets from an owner’s personal liabilities is critical to a business’ continuing success. In many states, a personal creditor may charge a stockholder’s stock with payment of a judgment. Such a remedy could result in the forced liquidation of a viable business to satisfy an owner’s personal debt to the detriment of other owners.

In Nevada, charging order protection is extended to partnerships, limited liability companies and, more recently, corporations. What this means is that a personal creditor’s only remedy against an owner’s stock is a charging order and, as a result, that creditor must wait for distributions from that entity to satisfy any judgment. The creditor cannot force distributions from the entity, nor can the creditor exercise any control over the entity, thereby allowing the business to continue operations despite the creditor’s claim.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE (by Nevada Small Business Development Center)

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How LLCs Are Taxed

LLC owners report business income and losses on their personal tax returns.

A limited liability company (LLC) is not a separate tax entity like a corporation; instead, it is what the IRS calls a "pass-through entity," like a partnership or sole proprietorship. All of the profits and losses of the LLC "pass through" the business to the LLC owners (called members), who report this information on their personal tax returns. The LLC itself does not pay federal income taxes, but some states impose an annual tax on LLCs.

Income Taxes

The IRS treats your LLC like a sole proprietorship or a partnership, depending on the number of members in your LLC.

Single-Owner LLCs

The IRS treats one-member LLCs as sole proprietorships for tax purposes. This means that the LLC itself does not pay taxes and does not have to file a return with the IRS.

As the sole owner of your LLC, you must report all profits (or losses) of the LLC on Schedule C and submit it with your 1040 tax return. Even if you leave profits in the company's bank account at the end of the year -- for instance, to cover future expenses or expand the business -- you must pay income tax on that money.

Multi-Owner LLCs

The IRS treats co-owned LLCs as partnerships for tax purposes. Like one-member LLCs, co-owned LLCs do not pay taxes on business income; instead, the LLC owners each pay taxes on their share of the profits on their personal income tax returns (with Schedule E attached). Each LLC member's share of profits and losses, called a distributive share, should be set out in the LLC operating agreement.

Dividing up the profits between members. Most operating agreements provide that a member's distributive share is in proportion to his or her percentage interest in the business. For instance, if Jimmy owns 60% of the LLC, and Luana owns the other 40%, Jimmy will be entitled to 60% of the LLC's profits and losses, and Luana will be entitled to 40%. If you'd like to split up profits and losses in a way that is not proportionate to the members' percentage interests in the business, it's called a "special allocation."

Taxes assessed on entire distributive share. However members' distributive shares are divvied up, the IRS treats each LLC member as though the member receives his or her entire distributive share each year. This means that each LLC member must pay taxes on his or her whole distributive share, whether or not the LLC actually distributes all (or any of) the money to the members. The practical significance of this IRS rule is that, even if LLC members need to leave profits in the LLC -- for instance, to buy inventory or expand the business -- each LLC member is liable for income tax on his or her rightful share of that money.

File Form 1065 with the IRS. Even though a co-owned LLC does not pay its own income taxes, it must file Form 1065 with the IRS. This form, the same one that a partnership files, is an informational return that the IRS reviews to make sure that LLC members are reporting their income correctly. The LLC must also provide each LLC member with a Schedule K-1, which breaks down each member's share of the LLC's profits and losses. In turn, each LLC member reports this profit and loss information on his or her individual Form 1040, with Schedule E attached.

Consider Electing Corporate Taxation

If you will regularly need to keep a substantial amount of profits in your LLC (called "retained earnings"), you might benefit from electing corporate taxation. Any LLC can choose to be treated like a corporation for tax purposes by filing IRS Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, and checking the corporate tax treatment box on the form.

Because the corporate income tax rates for the first $75,000 of corporate taxable income are lower than the individual income tax rates that apply to most LLC owners, this can save you and your co-owners money in overall taxes.

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

US Business Fears International Tax Bill

US business groups have criticized the Senate's approval of a bill which proposes to tighten international tax rules with the intention of curbing what Democrats consider as large scale corporate tax avoidance.

An amendment to a bill which aims to provide cash-strapped state governments with billions of dollars in additional aid to cover teachers' salaries and Medicaid bills, among other costs, would make several changes to the US foreign tax credit rules to prevent multinationals from over-claiming for tax refunds in the US in relation to income earned and already taxed abroad.

According to the Business Roundtable, the amendment, submitted by Washington state Democrat Patty Murray, would raise nearly USD10bn in new taxes on US companies with overseas business operations.

"Keeping American companies and workers competitive should be the number one goal of US tax policy," commented Johanna Schneider, Executive Director, External Relations of Business Roundtable. "However, [the] Senate vote only adds to the growing disparity between the tax policies of the United States and most other major world economies."

Schneider observed that companies in the US are already subject to the second-highest corporate income tax rate among developed countries. "Further raising these taxes will make America’s largest employers less competitive, which will undermine US economic growth and job creation," she said.

The Business Roundtable, the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers have been joined by several other US business associations in signing a letter to Congressmen which warns that the amendment would have the effect of "reducing the earnings US companies bring back from their foreign operations."

In something of an unusual step, the House of Representatives may return from its summer recess to vote on the state funding bill this week.

For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

What is a "Non Profit" Organization?

A Non Profit organization (NPO) is a business entity where making a profit is not a primary mission. Typically, Non Profits are engaged in charitable, educational, religious, or artistic activities of public or private interest. Since Non Profit organizations cannot distribute profit to their directors, officers, or members (those who participate in the management of the Non Profit) any income generated by the Non Profit must ultimately go back into the organization. However, Non Profits can hire and pay staff to carry out operational and administrative functions.

If you choose to incorporate your Non Profit as a 501(c) corporation, you can choose from 26 types – 501(c)(1) to 501(c)(26). Section 501(c)(3) is the most common federal tax exemption for Non Profits, which exempts the Non Profit from taxes on income directly related to the organization’s mission. Therefore, many Non Profits are often referred to as 501(c)(3) corporations. Refer to IRS.gov to learn more about other types of 501(c) incorporation.

Forming a Non Profit 501(c)(3) Corporation

Incorporation for Non Profits is very similar to creating a regular corporation, but with the extra steps of applying for tax-exempt status with the IRS and your state tax department. Becoming a Non Profit corporation requires some paperwork, but for many groups the benefits of Non Profit status outweigh the complications.

Here are the steps you must take to incorporate your Non Profit:

Choose a Business Name. Your business name (1) must be different from an existing corporation registered in your state’s office and (2) must indicate that it is a corporation by ending with the words: “corporation,” “incorporated,” “limited,” or a variation of those designations.

File your Incorporation Paperwork. You must next file formal paperwork, or articles of incorporation, and pay a small filing fee to your state. These "articles" contain basic structural information, such as the Non Profit name, its registered agent and office address, and membership structure, if any. You can find information about filing articles of incorporation by state on Business.gov’s Business Incorporation page. You can also look up your state office through the National Association of State Charity Officials* (NASCO).

Create Corporate Bylaws. Corporate bylaws outline the rules of operation for your Non Profit corporation, which includes procedures like holding meetings and electing directors. Tax regulations and other state laws are often covered in the bylaws to ensure that the Non Profit is running legally.

Appoint Directors and Hold a Board Meeting. Depending on your state, your Non Profit must appoint at least 1 or sometimes even 3 directors to make major decisions in the corporation. Some states require that you appoint directors before filing your articles of incorporation. Afterward the appointment, directors formally adopt the bylaws and elect officers at the board meeting.

Obtain Licenses and Permits. You must obtain relevant business licenses and permits like any other business. Regulations vary by industry, state and locality. Use the Licensing & Permits tool on Business.gov to find a listing of federal, state and local permits, licenses, and registrations you'll need to run a business.

Start Fundraising. Now that your NPO is officially established you'll need to pay attention to its bread and butter - fundraising. State offices of the National Association of State Charity Officials* (NASCO) provide local fundraising regulations. While individual donors amount to the largest contributors to Non Profits, federal, state and local governments offer grants, loans and programs to fund NPO projects. Learn more about funding opportunities for your Non Profit on USA.gov.

Hiring Employees. If you are hiring employees, read more about federal and state regulations for employers.

Taxes. Most businesses will need to register with the IRS and state and local revenue agencies, and obtain a tax ID number or permit. WE CAN HELP!

Non Profit organizations are not automatically exempt from federal and state taxes. Therefore, Non Profit organizations seeking tax-exemption must formally apply for federal recognition and in many cases state recognition. Before you apply, make sure that your Non Profit organization satisfies the following requirements from the IRS.

Eligible Non Profits can file for federal and state tax exemptions once their articles of incorporation are registered with the state. The instructions below outline the application process for Section 501(c)(3) status, the most common federal and state tax exemption for Non Profits:

Apply for Non Profit Federal Tax Exemptions. Submit an application to the IRS for your federal Non Profit status as a 501(c)(3) organization. You must file a Form 8718, User Fee for Exempt Organization Determination Letter Request and Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption with the IRS. It's best to file within 27 months after the date of your incorporation. Learn more about the application process and other requirements and responsibilities of 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations from the IRS.

This information is meant to aide you in your business and tax needs. Contact us today! For more information, contact Elite Bookkeeping & Tax Services at (800) 416-3820 or (775) 884-6188 Address: 123 West Nye Lane, Suite 103, Carson City, NV 89706. Visit our website at www.elitebookkeeping.biz

Small Business Expenses and Tax Deductions

Guidance for the Self-Employed and Sole Proprietors:

There are two basic tax concepts new business owners need to add to their vocabulary: business expenses and capital expenses.

Business expenses are the cost of conducting a trade or business. These expenses are common costs of doing business, and are usually tax deductible if your business is for profit. For example, costs of renting a storefront, business travel, and paying employees are all deductible business expenses.

Capital expenses are the costs of purchasing specific assets, such as property or equipment, that usually have a life of a year or more and increase the quality and quantity of products and services. For example, if you own a landscaping business and you purchase mowers and excavating equipment, these costs are capital expenses and do not qualify as deductible business expenses. However, you can recover the money you spent on capital expenses through depreciation, amortization, or depletion. These recovery methods allow you to deduct part of your cost each year. In this way, you are able to recover your capital expenses over time.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE BY Business.Gov - "In Partnership with IRS.Gov"

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The Tax Hike Nobody's Talking About

CNN Money: By Blake Ellis, staff reporter

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Get ready for a smaller paycheck.

At least that's what could happen if Congress doesn't approve President Obama's proposal to extend the Making Work Pay tax credit soon. The credit, introduced last year as part of the government's stimulus package, boosts paychecks by up to $400 for single filers and up to $800 for joint filers, by reducing the amount of tax withheld from each paycheck.

And that extra $15 bump you're used to getting each bi-weekly pay period is slated to expire at the end of the year unless Congress votes to extend the credit, much like the Bush tax cuts.

But unlike those cuts, which were largely viewed as a benefit for wealthier Americans, the Making Work Pay credit is designed exclusively as a middle-class benefit, and will affect a wider base of taxpayers.

"You hear a lot about the Bush tax cuts, but surprisingly, the [Making Work Pay credit] isn't getting as much attention as you would think," said Chuck Marr, director of federal tax policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Under the Making Work Pay credit, taxpayers who make $75,000 or less are eligible to receive the full credit, while higher earners can receive partial credit.

Last year, since the tax break didn't go into effect until April, the $400 credit was distributed over the remaining months of the year, so most filers who received the full credit got an extra $15 a week -- as opposed to every two weeks in 2010.

Because the Making Work Pay credit helps out more than 75% of American households, taking this tax break away will save the government much-needed money, but it is likely to cost a lot politically.

"So many people get this credit, it's not going to be easy to take it away," said Elaine Maag, a research associate at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. "If it isn't [extended], people are definitely going to notice and be upset."

In his $3.8 trillion budget for 2011, Obama proposed a year-long extension to the Making Work Pay credit and pushed to make the tax cuts passed during the Bush administration permanent, except those aiding households that earn more than $250,000 a year.

If the extension isn't passed, the 110 million families that received higher paychecks in 2009 and 2010 will be back to where they started and will owe more taxes than they did during those two years.

And because of the steep cost of keeping the Making Work Pay tax break around -- about $60 billion to extend it one year -- Marr said he wouldn't be surprised if Congress doesn't end up passing the extension.

"The argument to extend the credit is that the economy is weak and the people who get this credit are the people who tend to spend a large share of their income, so if you [don't extend] this, you will decrease their spending, which is a drag on the near-term economy," said Marr. "But on the flip side, it's expensive."

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IRS Realigns and Renames Large Business Division, Enhances Focus on International Tax Administration

IR-2010-88, August 4, 2010

WASHINGTON — As part of a continuing effort to improve global tax administration efforts, Internal Revenue Service officials announced today the realignment of the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) division to create a more centralized organization dedicated to improving international tax compliance.

As part of the organizational shift, the name of the IRS’s large corporate unit — LMSB — will change on Oct. 1 to the Large Business and International division (LB&I).

“Executing our international strategy is a top priority, and our work continues to intensify in this area,” said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “Every day, we are moving forward in our international compliance efforts. Bringing together our top international personnel in this new group will help us advance our global tax administration efforts and ensure focus and fairness in a critical area for our nation.”

The new LB&I organization will enhance the current International program, adding about 875 employees to the existing staff of nearly 600. Most of the additional examiners, economists and technical staff are current employees who specialize on international issues within other parts of LMSB. READ REMAINDER OF STORY

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US Small Business Relief Bill Stalls

Legislation which would extend tax breaks available for small business in the US will now not be considered until September after Congress failed to agree on a number of new amendments before the summer recess.

The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 was introduced in Congress in June, but was first delayed as lawmakers rushed to complete the Wall Street regulation bill and then stalled as Democrats and Republicans argued over a number of amendments added by both sides.

The main thrust of the bill is towards the creation of a new lending facility to assist small firms trying to obtain credit from banks, many of which remain reluctant to lend to small businesses and start-up companies. However, the bill also contains a number of important tax breaks, measures which attracted broad Congressional support.

The legislation seeks to encourage investment in small businesses by allowing investors to exclude the gains from the sale of certain small business stock from their income for tax purposes if the stock is held for more than five years. The bill would also reduce the tax burden for small businesses by allowing them to carry back general business tax credits to offset their tax burdens from the previous five years. Additionally, small businesses would be able to count the general business credits against the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Another section of the bill would permit taxpayers to write off more of the cost of purchases for their business, such as equipment and machinery, in the year the purchase is made, and increase the types of purchases that would qualify for special expensing to include some types of real property, such as leasehold, retail and restaurant improvements.

Other proposals offered in the bill would double the amount of start-up expenditures that may be deducted by someone starting a small business, and allow self-employed individuals to deduct health insurance costs for tax purposes.

In his recent weekly radio address, President Obama accused Republicans of "holding America’s small businesses hostage to politics" by refusing to allow a vote on the bill.

"It’s a bill that includes provision after provision authored by both Democrats and Republicans," he said. "But... the Republican leaders in the Senate once again used parliamentary procedures to block it. Understand, a majority of Senators support the plan. It’s just that the Republican leaders in the Senate won’t even allow it to come up for a vote."

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, however, countered that if anyone is to blame for holding up the bill, it is the Democrats.

“Our friends on the other side have outdone themselves," he stated. "We first got on this bill in late June, and since then, Democrats have set it aside six separate times to move to something else. So from the beginning this bill clearly wasn’t a priority to them."

With unemployment stubbornly high across the US, debate on the legislation, which Democrats claim will create an additional 500,000 jobs, is likely to form a key battle ground in the run up to the mid-term elections, and President Obama would be keen to put his signature on the bill before the November vote.

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US Congress Urged To Pass Internet Sales Tax Law, by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

Following his introduction of the Main Street Fairness Act into the US House of Representatives a month ago, Representative Bill Delahunt recently joined with a group of politicians and small business owners to urge its passage.

Sales tax revenues comprise up to a third of most US state budgets. The stated objective of the bill is to help those states retrieve billions of lost sales tax revenues that are currently owed but go uncollected due to the sales tax rules across the country.

It is estimated that, in 2010, USD18.6bn will go uncollected and that, by 2012, the states will be losing at least USD23bn annually. In some cases, it was said, these revenue losses can comprise up to one half of a state’s budget shortfall.

The revenues are uncollected because of US sales tax rules across the country, which were confirmed by the Supreme Court in 1992 and which only allow a state to collect sales tax on goods traded between residents of the same state. Thus, online retailers are able to avoid collecting sales taxes from out of state consumers and, the Act’s supporters say, place retailers on local main streets at a competitive disadvantage.

Certain states have been working to fix their problem by formulating an inter-state agreement known as the Streamlined Sales Tax (SST) initiative that contains a uniform set of guidelines. To date, twenty-four states have simplified and streamlined their sales tax laws in this way. However, the agreement cannot take effect without Congressional authority.

The Main Street Fairness Act does not compel any state to join the agreement, but those that choose to adopt this system would then have the authority to require online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes in the same way that businesses on Main Streets do already.

Former Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives, Chris Rants, said: "Currently, state governments are grappling with a USD68bn budget deficit. States aren't asking the federal government for a handout - states just need the federal government to give them the ability to collect the USD23bn in sales taxes that are already owed."

“Without question, states and local municipalities are facing an unprecedented budget crisis,” Delahunt said. “Instead of raising new taxes, this bill is a common sense approach that allows them to collect taxes that are already owed while coming to the aid of struggling small businesses in our communities.”

“This bill is about fairness and competition. It will help make sure that the store on the corner and the store on the internet are playing by the same rules. This will create fair competition that benefits consumers,” added South Dakota Governor, Mike Rounds. “Tax law should not favor out-of-state retailers over our own corner stores.”

Amongst others, the legislation is supported by the National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders of America, International Council of Shopping Centers, National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures, together with over 50 state-level retail associations and chambers of commerce.

However, the proposed Act is being fiercely opposed by internet retailers. They contend, for example, that the imposition of sales tax on their sales would be particularly costly, given the myriad of tax rules and rates throughout the US states.

EBay, for example, has stated that the Act “would require small online retailers to comply with varying and regularly changing sales tax rules and rates for thousands of tax jurisdictions and to collect and remit sales taxes from each customer.”

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