efficiently getting cash out of your business
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Efficiently Getting Cash Out of Your Business
Sarah Anderson CPA, MSTBonnie Trochim CPA
Introductions
EisnerAmper, LLP
Participant What do you want out of class? What type of business do you own?
Course summary
Cash flow basics Business structures Accounting methods Timing of income and expenses Getting cash out by entity type / Basis Other ways to get cash out Self employment taxes and planning Special tax deductions Useful web resources
Cash-in minus cash-out does not equal profit
Important concepts: Cash-in minus Cash-out = Cash left-over Basics:
What counts as income? What counts as expenses? Taxability depends on:
Forms of businesses Accounting methods
What counts as income?
Cash-in normally = income
There are some exceptions – examples: Rebates or refunds for products reduce the
expense Deposits other people pay you Sales tax collected is a liability owed to the state Borrowed funds are liabilities Owner’s contributions
What counts as expense?
Cash-out normally = expenses
There are some exceptions: Capital Assets Deposits to others Partial/non-deductible expenses Loan re-payments Distributions to Owners
Cash flow vs. net income example
Description Amount
Receipts from Services 10,000
Loan from Bank 20,000
Business Insurance Payment 1,500
Loan Repayment 1,000 Principal 500 Interest
Cash flow vs. net income answer
Description Cash Flow Net Income
Receipts from Services 10,000 10,000
Loan from Bank 20,000 -0-
Business Insurance Payment (1,500) (1,500)
Loan Repayment (1,500) (500)
Total 27,000 8,000
Types of business structure
Sole Proprietorship/SMLLC – Schedule “C”
Partnership/LLC (& entities tax as partnership) Corporation:
C Corporation S Corporation (C-Corp with special election)
Types of business structure (continued)
Sole proprietors or SMLLC – Income reported on owner’s income tax return (Schedule C)
Partnerships (and LLCs) and S-corporations - Income reported on a business return and will flow through to the owner’s individual income tax return (via K-1)
C-corporations - Income taxed on the corporate return.
Where does income get reported?
Wages (from Corp)
Schedule C Income/(Loss)
S Corp / Partnership Income/(Loss)
Accounting methods
Selection required
Determines the timing of income and expenses
Chosen when you file your initial income tax return
Requires IRS approval to change your method
Accounting methods (continued)
Two basic types : Cash basis Accrual basis
Same method used for income and expenses Business with inventory require accrual.
(Exceptions) Gross receipts amounts can prohibit using the
cash method
Cash basis of accounting
Definition: Income - Payment received from customers
Expense - When paying vendor bills
NO AR, AP or Accruals.
Accrual basis of accounting
Definition: Income - When you bill a customer.
Expense - When you receive vendor bills.
Accounting records include AR, AP and Accruals.
Timing of income and expenses
Strategies to control tax liability for the cash basis taxpayer
Timing when income is recognized
Timing when deductible expenses are paid
Deferring your income taxes to increase your cash flow
Timing misconceptions
Receipt of payment via check is income when received not when deposited.
Expenses are recorded when mailed not when checks are cut and put in your drawer.
Credit cards are the exception
Timing example – cash basis
Description Cash Flow
Check received for services 12/30/10. Deposited 1/4/11.
15,000
Business insurance check cut and mailed 12/29/10. Cleared 1/5/11.
2,000
Mailed invoice to client 12/30/10. Check not received until 1/15/11.
5,000
Utility bill received 12/28/10. Payment made 1/3/11.
500
Timing example – cash basis answer
Description 2010 2011
Check received for services 12/30/10. Deposited 1/4/11.
15,000
Business insurance check cut and mailed 12/29/10. Cleared 1/5/11.
(2,000)
Mailed invoice to client 12/30/10. Check not received until 1/15/11.
5,000
Utility bill received 12/28/10. Payment made 1/3/11.
(500)
Net Income Impact 13,000 4,500
Timing example – planning
Description Year w/ High Income
Year w/ Low Income
Invoice customers / collection calls immediately
XDelay invoicing customers XPre-pay bills XDelay payment of bills X
Getting cash out – sole proprietor
Business is your alter ego, one and the same Cash can be freely taken out of and put into the
business. Owner does NOT take a salary. There are no loans to and from the company
with the owner Distributions are never taxable. **Need to keep a separate bank account** Don’t forget estimated tax payments
Unique to sole proprietorship
Sole proprietor can hire his or her minor child and not pay any payroll taxes
Additionally, the earned income of the minor child under 18 is not subject to federal income tax if the child earns less than his standard deduction ($5,700 for 2010)
A child may qualify to contribute $5,000 to a deductible IRA or nondeductible Roth for 2010
Deductible by business if: Child actually performs the work Payments are actually made
Tax consequences of owner withdrawal example
Description AmountReceipts from Services 10,000Loan from Bank 20,000Business Insurance Payment 1,500
Loan Repayment 1,000 Principal 500 Interest
Withdrawal by Owner 7,000
Tax consequences of owner withdrawal results
Description Cash Flow Net Income
Receipts from Services 10,000 10,000
Loan from Bank 20,000 -0-
Business Insurance Payment (1,500) (1,500)
Loan Repayment (1,500) (500)
Withdrawal by Owner (7,000) -0-
Total 20,000 8,000
Tax consequences of owner withdrawal example
Description AmountReceipts from Services 10,000Loan from Bank 20,000Business Insurance Payment 1,500
Loan Repayment 1,000 Principal 500 Interest
Withdrawal by Owner 27,000
Tax consequences of owner withdrawal results
Description Cash Flow Net Income
Receipts from Services 10,000 10,000
Loan from Bank 20,000 -0-
Business Insurance Payment (1,500) (1,500)
Loan Repayment (1,500) (500)
Withdrawal by Owner (27,000) -0-
Total -0- 8,000
Distributions
Distributions – S Corporations, partnerships and LLCs
Withdrawals from the business of cash or property
Generally are non-taxable since shareholders, partners & members are taxed on income when it is earned or received
Taxable in certain situations
Basis
What is “basis” and why is it important? Your cumulative investment in the business
Losses may be disallowed if you do not have sufficient “basis” in the S Corporation, partnership or LLC
Distributions may become taxable
Determination of the gain or loss on the sale of your business ownership interest
Basis (continued)
How is it computed? A shareholder or member’s basis is determined
as followed:
Original investment +- Contributions/Distributions +- Net income/ Loss +- Debt/Liabilities
Can never be less than zero
S corporation basis example year 1
Description AmountNet Income 100,000Capital Contributions from Owner 20,000Distributions to Owner 50,000
S corporation basis solution year 1
Description AmountNet Income 100,000Capital Contributions from Owner 20,000Distributions to Owner (50,000)
Basis at Year-end 70,000
Note: Taxable income is $100,000.
S corporation – basis example year 2
Description AmountBeginning Basis 70,000Net Income 20,000Distributions to Owner 100,000
S corporation basis solution year 2
Description AmountBeginning Basis 70,000Net Income 20,000Distributions to Owner (100,000)
Basis at Year-end Pre Gain (10,000)
Distributions in Excess of Basis – Capital Gain 10,000
Basis at Year-end -0-
Note: Taxable ordinary income is $20,000 and taxable capital gain income is 10,000.
Avoid distributions that may be taxable
Losses with limits – If only this were true
Make sure you consider the taxability of distributions from the business before the funds are withdrawn from the business
Basis – impact of debt
Impact of debt/liabilities on basis
A shareholder’s basis in a S-corporation is increased by the amount of monies the shareholder directly loaned to the corporation.
A partner or member’s basis in a partnership of LLC is increased for the amount of partnership or LLC’s loans it personally guarantees or is “at risk” for.
Shareholder, partner & member loans
S Corporations, partnership and LLCs
May borrow monies from their company. These loans should be properly documented
and should include the following:
Written promissory note Bear a AFR interest rate Have specific repayment terms or a schedule
Shareholder, partner & member loans (continued)
The IRS may reclassify the payment as a taxable dividend or compensation if it determines the arrangement is not a bona fide loan
Even with proper paperwork in place, if the payment has characteristics of compensation or a dividend payment, the IRS can re characterize it as a distribution to the shareholder (making it non-deductible)
S corporation basis example w/ debt
Description AmountNet Income/(Loss) (60,000)
Capital Contributions from Owner 100,000
Distributions to Owner 50,000
Loan to Corporation from Shareholder 15,000
Shareholder guaranteed bank debt 40,000
S corporation basis solution w/ debt
Description AmountNet Income/(Loss) (60,000)
Capital Contributions from Owner 100,000
Distributions to Owner (50,000)
Loan to Corporation from Shareholder 15,000
Basis at Year-end 5,000
Note: The debt guarantee does NOT give the shareholder basis.
Partnership basis example w/ debt
Description AmountNet Income/(Loss) (60,000)
Capital Contributions from Owner 100,000
Distributions to Owner 50,000
Loan to Corporation from Shareholder 15,000
Shareholder guaranteed bank debt 40,000
Partnership basis solution w/ debt
Description AmountNet Income/(Loss) (60,000)
Capital Contributions from Owner 100,000
Distributions to Owner (50,000)
Loan to Corporation from Partner 15,000
Partner guaranteed bank debt 40,000
Basis at Year-end 45,000
Basis planning opportunities
If the business has losses Make the contribution before year-end Plan withdrawals after year-end
If a partnership or LLC will be borrowing soon, consider having them obtain the new loan before year-end.
Getting cash out - S corporation
Salary Shareholders that perform services.
Can take a salary from the corporation. Salary is a deduction for the corporation and is ordinary
income for the shareholder. The wages are subject to the normal payroll taxes.
Compensation from the corporation – it must be reasonable
• The character & financial condition of the corporation• The role of the shareholder-employee • The corporations compensation policy/history• Comparison to similar companies• Independent investor view.
Getting cash out - S corporation (continued)
Distributions Must be pro-rata based on shareholder ownership
interest Can trigger capital gain income to shareholder if
there isn’t sufficient basis.
Getting cash out – C corporation
Salary (same as S Corporation) Shareholders that perform services.
Can take a salary from the corporation. Salary is a deduction for the corporation and is ordinary
income for the shareholder. The wages are subject to the normal payroll taxes.
Compensation from the corporation – it must be reasonable
The character & financial condition of the corporation The role of the shareholder-employee The corporations compensation policy/history Comparison to similar companies Independent investor view.
Getting cash out – C corporation (continued)
Dividends Taxed at 15% (for US Corporations & certain foreign
corporations) Double taxed income
No distributions like S corporation and Partnerships
Getting cash out – partnership/LLC
Guaranteed Payments Payments for services (a partnership’s version of
salary) The partnership gets a deduction for the total
guaranteed payments. The payments are specifically allocated as income
to the partner or member to which it was paid. Subject to self-employment taxes Reported on K-1, not W-2
Getting cash out – partnership/LLC (continued)
Distributions Do NOT need to be made pro-rata. They are
based upon partnership agreement Can trigger capital gain income to partner/member
if there isn’t sufficient basis. In certain situations distributing property from a
partnership may be beneficial though the basis in the property distributed will never be higher than the basis in the partnership
Other ways to get cash out
Rents between related entities
Fringe-benefits
Retirement plans
Rents between related entities
Forming a entity with rental property/equipment/intangibles.
The operating entity realizes tax deduction for the rent paid, and owner avoids the payroll tax liability
The owner reports the rental income and expenses on personal income tax return
Liability shield for operating entity. Isolates a valuable asset
Rents between related parties
Deductibility of rents between related parties is cash basis
Additional factors to consider: Rents should be reasonable – document the
commercial practices of rents paid for similar properties in the area at the time the lease is entered into
Lease should be in writing Rents should be paid on time
Fringe benefits
Fringe benefits such as
health insurance medical reimbursement travel, education group term life insurance
Costs that would otherwise be non-deductible personal expenses can be converted into tax deductions
Fringe benefits (continued)
Employer sponsored educational assistance programs can deliver up to $5,250 in annual tax-free reimbursements to each eligible employee
Can benefit S or C corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or LLC
The education need not be job related Graduate-level courses qualify Program must be set up under a written plan
of the employer for the exclusive benefit of employees (Sec. 127(b)(1))
Fringe benefits (continued)
There is a benefit for any child who is: Age 21 or older and a legitimate employee of
the parent’s business;
Not a more-than-5% owner of the business in his own right; and
Not a dependent of the parent (business owner)
Qualified retirement plans
Tax advantages of qualified retirement plans
Immediate tax deduction/defer payment
Income earned within the plan fund is tax deferred
Employees incur no tax liability until amounts are distributed
Qualified distributions can be rolled over tax free
Qualified retirement plans (continued)
One of the best tools for tax savings
Qualified retirement plans fall into two basic categories
Defined-contribution plans
Defined benefit plans
Defined contribution plans
• Based on the amount contributed to an employee’s individual account plus an earnings or forfeitures of other employees that are allocated to that account.
• Plan contributions are determined by a formula and not by actuarial requirements
Defined contribution plans (continued)
Types of plans: Profit sharing plan (discretionary contribution) Savings incentive match plans for employees
(SIMPLE) 401(k) / Solo 401(k) Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs) Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)
Defined benefit plans
Any qualified retirement plan that is not considered a defined-contribution plan.
Contribution actuarially computed.
Useful for business owners in their 50s who are looking to retire over the next 10 to 15 years but have not saved much towards retirement
Guarantees the business owner a specific retirement plan based on age, years of service and pay
Retirement plans – useful link
http://www.retirementplans.irs.gov/
Reduce self-employment taxes
Taxable income passed through by an S corporation (via K-1) to its shareholder-employee is not self-employment income for SE tax purposes
This has led to the tax planning idea of minimizing SE taxes by characterizing a small portion of S corporation income as salary, and a large portion as distributions.
IRS can recharacterize the distributions as “disguised wages” subject to SE tax
Reduce self-employment taxes
SMLLC vs. S Corporation T owns an existing sole proprietorship. She is
considering contributing the business to a newly formed SMLLC or S corporation.
Taxable income is expected to be $100,000. T expects to contribute $10,000 to a SEP. T expects to pay $5,000 for medical insurance
premiums. T is the only employee. T will have sufficient basis in S corporation
stock and take a $35,000 distribution.
.
Results with SMLLC
It will be treated as a sole proprietorship for tax purposes.
No change on reporting on tax return. T’s SE income is $92,350 ($100,000 x 0.9235). SE tax liability is $14,130 (15.3% of $92,350).
Results with S corporation
T pays herself a “reasonable salary of $50,000. The corporation will make contributions of
$10,000 to the company retirement plan. The corporation will pay medical insurance
premiums of $5,000. FICA taxes are due only on the salary of
$50,000. The medical premiums are taxable, but not
subject to FICA tax. FICA tax liability is $7,650 (15.3% of $50,000).
Reduce self-employment taxes
Partnership vs. S Corporation S & B are forming a new business as 50/50 co-
owners. It can be operated as either an partnership or S corporation.
Taxable income is expected to be $200,000. Retirement contributions will be $10,000 for
both S & B. Medical insurance premiums will be $5,000 for
both S & B. S & B will have sufficient basis in S corporation
stock and take a $35,000 distribution each.
Results with partnership
Each owner’s SE income is $92,350 ($100,000 x 0.9235.
SE tax liability for both S & B is $14,130 (15.3% of $92,350).
Results with S corporation
S & B pay themselves a “reasonable salary of $50,000 to each.
The corporation will make contributions of $10,000 to the company retirement plan for each owner.
The corporation will pay medical insurance premiums of $5,000 for each owner.
FICA taxes are due only on the salary of $50,000.
The medical premiums are taxable, but not subject to FICA tax.
FICA tax liability is $7,650 (15.3% of $50,000).
Special tax deductions
Automobile expenses
Home office deduction
Self-employed health premiums
Depreciation
Start-up expenses
Special tax deductions (continued)
Automobile Expenses Deductible auto expenses for a business can
be accounted for by using one of two methods:
Standard mileage method Actual expense method
Taxpayers that qualify for both methods may choose the most beneficial method.
Special tax deductions (continued)
Automobile Expenses - actual
Percentage related to business use
Track business miles/total miles
Keep complete and accurate mileage records Deduction disallowed if unable to produce
contemporaneous records
Special tax deductions (continued)
Standard mileage method – company deducts a standard rate for each business mile driven
50 cents per mile for 2010
Additional expenses allowed for deduction that are not included in the standard mileage rate include
Business parking fees and tolls Local transportation such as bus, cab, train
Special tax deductions (continued)
Election to use the Standard Method made in the year the car is placed in service
In a later year, you can switch to the actual method Straight-line depreciation required
Leased vehicles elections to use standard mileage method must be
used for the entire lease period.
Special tax deductions (continued)
Home Office Deduction
To qualify for the deduction a portion of the home must be used EXCLUSIVELY on a regular basis as:
The principal place of any business
A place of business that is used by clients or customers in meeting or dealing with the taxpayer in the normal course of business.
Special tax deductions (continued)
If these tests are met than the taxpayer needs to determine what percentage of the home is used for business.
Take the square footage of the business use section over the total square footage of the home.
Multiply this percentage by the qualifying indirect expenses to come up with the home office deduction.
Special tax deductions (continued)
Examples of qualifying expenses subject to allocation are
Real estate taxes Mortgage interest Rent Utilities Repairs & maintenance Depreciation, etc.
Direct expenses are 100% deductible
Special tax deductions (continued)
Special tax deductions (continued)
Sale of a residence with home office Attached home offices
Do not need to allocate the gain on sale “Recapture” of depreciation allowed or allowable on
the home office after May 6, 1997 Designed to prevent a double benefit
Detached home offices Allocate gain and treat as two separate properties
Special tax deductions (continued)
Example T sold his home in 2009 at a $30,000 gain. T used part of the home as a business office in
2008 and claimed $500 depreciation. Because the business office was part of his
home (not separate) T does not have to allocate gain. T also does not have to report any gain on Form 4797. However, T must recognize the $500 of the gain as unrecaptured 1250 gain. He reports his gain, exclusion, and taxable gain of $500 on Schedule D.
Special tax deductions (continued)
Self Employed Health Insurance Premiums
SEHIP are not subject to the normal medical expense limitations – However, watch income limitations
‘S’ Shareholders and partners are considered self employed for this purpose
Special tax deductions (continued)
Tax year 2010
100% of SEHIP is deducted on page 1 of the 1040 with no limitation.
The Small Business Jobs Bill allows self-employed individuals to take the health insurance deduction into account in calculating net earnings from self-employment
Special tax deductions (continued)
Depreciation
Depreciation is allocation of cost, not loss of value
Total cost divided by estimated useful life equals yearly depreciation
Non-cash expense Depreciation creates difference between cash
flow and profit/loss statement
Special tax deductions (continued)
Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 raised maximum Section 179 expensing limit for tax years beginning in 2010 and 2011 to $500,000 (formerly $250,000)
Maximum expensing amounts (beginning of phase-out amount) s raised $2,000,000 (from $800,000)
Needs to be placed in service Can be new or used property Includes qualified real property expensing
(qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant property and retail improvement property)
Special tax deductions (continued)
Bonus first-year depreciation extended through 2010
In 2010, Bonus Depreciation – 50% of cost after any Section 179 Depreciation. Available for new property only. Extended under Small Business Tax Relief
Portion after 179 and Bonus, subject to regular depreciation
Special tax deductions (continued)
Start-up expenses Must be capitalized unless election made Includes investigation, acquisition, or
establishment of a trade or business Immediate write-off of certain amounts incurred The Small Business Jobs Act increases the
Section 195 deduction for trade or business startup expenses from $5,000 to $10,000 for tax years beginning 2010 & 2011
The start of the limitation on the deduction is increased from $50,000 to $60,000
Special tax deductions (continued)
Net operating loss carry-back
Small business with deductions exceeding their income in 2008 and 2009 can use a new net operating loss tax provision to get a refund of taxes paid over the past five years instead of the usual two
Examine your earlier returns to see if you had income that could be offset by a loss carry back. This could result in a tax refund to you
Some useful websites
Internal Revenue Service www.irs.gov www.sbrg.irs.gov
United States Government www.business.gov
New Jersey http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/ http://www.state.nj.us/nj/business/
QUESTIONS?Thank you for coming!
Contact information
Sarah Anderson CPA, MSTEisnerAmper LLP750 Route 202 South, Suite 500Bridgewater, NJ 08807908-218-5002 ext 2235sarah.anderson@eisneramper.com
Bonnie Trochim CPAEisnerAmper LLP750 Route 202 South, Suite 500Bridgewater, NJ 08807908-218-5002 ext 2327bonnie.trochim@eisneramper.com
IRS Circular 230 disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this document is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matter(s) addressed herein.
EisnerAmper LLP is an independent member firm of PKF International Limited
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