Get Ready......it's Tax Season!

As a business owner you need to understand how taxes are going to affect you and your business. It is important that you file properly, avoid audits, and claim the right tax deductions.

Here are a five tips that may ease the burden of tax preparation and to help you get ready for the April 15, 2013 deadline.

Keep Good Records and Understand Available Deductions

Proper record-keeping year-round is the first step to ensure taxes are filed accurately. Save essential paperwork that could be needed to back-up deduction claims, should there be an audit. Keep it in mind that tax credits and deductions change each year.

Utilize the Small Business Jobs Act Tax Provisions

The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, signed into law by President Obama, has over 17 tax provisions to decrease tax burdens for small businesses—several of these provisions can be taken advantage of during this year’s tax season. Utilizing these provisions could provide great savings for your business.

Remember the tax credits within the Affordable Care Act

These tax credits will allow small businesses to cover up to 35 percent of the premiums a small business pays to cover its workers.  In 2014, the rate will increase to 50 percent.

Avoid Common Audit Traps

It is very important to be aware of potential red flags and act on them before the IRS does:

Classifying Employees as Independent Contractors – Independent contractors and employees are not the same, and it's important to understand the difference. In the eyes of the IRS, misclassification can be seen as an attempt to avoid payroll taxes, and non-compliance can bring penalties and back taxes.

Home Office Deduction – This deduction is very specific and not all home-based businesses will qualify. Likewise, if you run your business from a commercial location and claim the home office deduction, you might trigger some interest from the IRS. Know how to determine if you are eligible to claim it, and what specific expenses you can write off.

Large Sum Miscellaneous Deductions – If you claim a large amount of itemized deductions relative to your income, the IRS will get suspicious. Likewise, if you bucket a large amount of miscellaneous expenses, you may raise eyebrows. Be specific and label every deduction.

Keep Business and Personal Expenses Separate

The IRS scrutinizes personal expenses that may have been claimed as a business expense, such as the use of a business vehicle for personal use. Be diligent about keeping good records. Maintain a separate bank and credit card account for your business.

For additional information on these tax tips and current year tax deductions contact the IRS at www.irs.gov.

Originally posted at http://www.sba.gov/content/small-business-tax-tips.