Rocket Lawyer(TM) Provides Legal Tips to Help Small Businesses Avoid a Tax Audit and Get Ahead in the New Year
(firmenpresse) - SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/06/11 -- Despite a busy holiday season, now is the time for small businesses to take stock of their tax legal risks. According to a Syracuse University Study, the IRS will continue to audit small companies in greater and greater numbers. Companies with $10 million to $50 million in assets are 29 percent more likely to be investigated. With small businesses facing a growing likelihood of having their taxes audited by the IRS, it is more important than ever to understand the legal consequences of day-to-day business decisions.
Rocket Lawyer™, the fastest growing online legal service, makes it easier than ever for people to ensure that they are legally prepared as they enter 2012. Small businesses can take an to pinpoint and improve areas of potential risk, from employment to intellectual property, with information on tax implications.
"With the potentially devastating risk of an audit always around the corner, getting the right tax advice should be a top priority for small businesses," said Charley Moore, founder and executive chairman of Rocket Lawyer. "A good tax attorney can help you save on taxes and stay on the right side of the IRS."
James Pratt, a Rocket Lawyer On Call™ tax attorney based in California, said, "People often don't realize that their everyday business decisions can have big tax consequences down the road. Small business owners need to plan ahead to protect themselves."
Rocket Lawyer compiled five legal tax tips to help small businesses avoid a tax audit, maximize tax savings, and get extra liability protection in 2012.
1.
It's always a good time to incorporate because of potential tax savings and liability protection, but the New Year may be the best time. With a filing date of January 1, you'll save time when filing a tax return for that year, because the business doesn't need to file two separate tax returns for the unincorporated entity and one for the new C-Corp, S-Corp, or LLC. You can at Rocket Lawyer.
2.
If you want to incorporate on January 1, start thinking about your business structure now. There are multiple factors to consider when choosing between a C-Corp, S-Corp, or an LLC, and while many business owners decide to incorporate based on potential tax savings alone, it's also important to consider liability protection. Make sure you speak to an attorney, and not just a CPA -- you may find that opinions differ depending on who you talk to. With all the facts you'll be better equipped to make the right decision for your business and reap the benefits all year long. With a Rocket Lawyer legal plan, you can get a free consultation with a attorney in your area.
3.
The issue of tax fund recovery penalties is a little-known danger to your business and employees. If your business has failed to pay what it owes to the IRS, this money is held by you, in trust, for the government. In fact, the government will hold any and all parties in positions of authority within the business personally liable and accountable for the repayment of the funds.
Individuals in positions of responsibility, whether it is the business owner, or the signatory, are personally liable for both the unpaid taxes, and the penalties associated with non-payment. So, before you decide to put your children, spouse, or other employees in these positions in your company, make sure you understand the unintended consequences that may arise as a result of this action.
"Choosing signatories wisely can save your business and your family from any unnecessary interaction with the IRS," emphasized tax attorney James Pratt.
"Most people would like their children to take over the family business, but they should balance their education in the business with protecting them from some of the liabilities," added Pratt.
4.
Worker classification (employee vs independent contractor) will be a hot topic for the IRS this coming year. Companies sometimes try to have it both ways -- sending a big red flag to the IRS. A common situation is when a company treats employees as independent contractors in practice (not paying payroll taxes on the workers), but then also claims tax deductions as if the workers were employees.
To prevent this situation, think about the role you want the new worker to fulfill and then put the appropriate relationship in writing with an or an . Then, stick with it, from paying payroll taxes (if applicable) through to the tax credits you claim. Also, it's best to look at the long term tax consequences of worker classification from the outset, and an attorney's advice can be extremely helpful for getting the tax savings you deserve while staying in the good grace of the IRS.
5.
The Joint Taxation Committee has recommended cuts to charitable deductions, mortgage interest deductions and state and local tax deductions. The likely effect of this is higher costs for businesses and a significant fall-out for the mortgage real-estate and non-profit sector. This, of all years, is one where planning ahead will be crucial.
™ was founded in August of 2008 to make legal services easy and affordable for everyone. With Rocket Lawyer, users can easily create customized that can be downloaded and shared instantly. Legal plan members have access to free document reviews from local attorneys and receive for more complicated legal needs. Lawyers can access easy online marketing tools and targeted .
Sasha Volkov
Marketing Manager
svolkov (at) rocketlawyer.com
(415) 787-4843
Dana Bedessem
for Rocket Lawyer PR
rocketlawyer (at) bordersgratehouse.com
(415) 963-4174 ext 12
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Datum: 06.12.2011 - 08:00 Uhr
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