Small Business

Most new business equipment can be either depreciated over its useful life or expensed immediately under Internal Revenue Code Section 179.
For a tax year beginning in 2012, the Code Sec. 179 expensing election is reduced to $139,000, with a $560,000 investment-based ceiling (down from $500,000/$2 million).
For tax years beginning after 2012, it will be further reduced to $25,000 with a $200,000 investment-based ceiling.
For a tax year beginning after 2011, expensing can no longer be claimed for qualified real property.
Generally qualifying property is:Tangible personal property (such as machines, equipment, furniture). Certain other tangible property used for specific purposes.
Single-purpose agricultural or horticultural structures.Certain storage facilities. Railroad gradings or tunnel bores.

Unlike Social Security, there is no limit on wages or earned income for Medicare purposes. Tax rates under the Medicare program are 1.45 percent for employees and employers and 2.90 percent for self-employed persons

Beginning on January 1, 2012, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven.
In 2011, the standard mileage rate(s) for 1/1/11-6/30/11 is business = 51 :The standard mileage rate(s) for 7/1/11-12/31/11 is business = 55.5 :

Yes, but if you are a sole proprietor you don't have to withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes. Your child must receive a W2 and report this income on his or her return.

When starting a business, your choice of entity includes: operating as a SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP if you own it by yourself; forming a PARTNERSHIP if there are two or more owners; or being designated as a CORPORATION or a LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. Your choice to operate as a corporation involves tax and non-tax considerations which require in-depth analysis of your particular situation and can only be done with a CPA in person. However, generally speaking, a corporation provides protection against personal liability for business obligations and offers the greatest flexibility in terms of ownership and transferability. Most businesses for this reason are incorporated. Further discussions with a CPA are recommended before finalizing your decision.

A responsible party which includes the sole shareholder, officer, or authorized signatory is personally liable for the "trust funds".
Trust fund money includes payroll taxes that were withheld from the employees and sales tax which was collected from customers.
Business owners should never spend trust fund money, nor temporarily borrow this money. Business owners get into trouble this way every year.

CPAs which service small businesses usually provide "post facto" payroll services. These include preparing the mandatory quarterly Federal form 941 and state wage reports. Other quarterly reports can also include state unemployment, disability and workers compensation reports.
These reports vary from state to state. CPAs can advise their client as to when tax payments must be made.
Penalties for making payments late can exceed any fee the CPA could charge for these services by thousands of dollars. Penalties for late payment of payroll taxes are extremely harsh. A CPA can advise you as to state and federal payroll requirements that apply to your given situation.
Annual routine audits by the state unemployment agency, the workers compensation and disability insurance company are handled by the CPA.
Some CPAs provide even more extensive day-to-day payroll services for their clients, but most CPAs prefer to work with a payroll service company for their larger clients. These payroll service companies take the responsibility for producing employee checks, withdrawing the money for the government from the client's bank account and making the timely tax payments to the government agencies.

A limited liability company, like a corporation, is set up and created under state law. Its owners are referred to as members. The entity gives its members the best of both worlds - Corporate liability protection with the advantages of partnership taxation. Forming a limited liability company is more expensive than forming a corporation and may not be necessary for your situation. Speak to your local CPA in detail to determine if forming or changing your entity status to a limited liability company is the correct choice for you.

It is to a small business' advantage to compute taxable income under the cash basis of accounting?. Special relief from the accrual method is available to some taxpayers with average annual gross receipts of $1 million or less. However, many businesses are required to maintain their books and records on the accrual basis of accounting. For example, if a business has inventory, the accrual basis of accounting must be used. The accrual basis of accounting means that the business records income when the product or service is invoiced, not when it is collected. The actual receipt of money is not required. Likewise, bills not paid by the business are recorded in the period incurred. The limitations on the use of the cash basis requires further discussions with a CPA in your community. Many businesses don't realize their exposure with the IRS until they are audited. Failure to comply with accounting rules initially when setting up your business can prove disastrous in later years.