GBC Tax Accountants Have An A+ BBB Rating - Why That Helps You and Your Small Business

GBC Tax Accountants understand your
money is your lifeline and treat it as such.

One wouldn’t trust a doctor or mechanic with an unreliable or inconsistent reputation, why should an accountant be any different? 

You work hard to take care of your family, your business and accumulate savings for a rainy day.

A very successful business owner knows that the key to success is in hiring the right men and women to do the job. With over over 30 years combined experience to draw from GBC Services LLC of Atlanta are the go-to companies for financial management and accounting. GBC boasts a tremendous library of information and resources that can assist small to mid-sized companies with their Human Resource, budget assessment, bookkeeping, and tax preparation needs.

At GBC, the focus is on the individual. 

We take a personal approach by sitting down with you to learn just what it is you are looking for and why.

A reputable accountant can help your money grow and protect cultivated assets.  They can also make decisions that devastate you financially.

To that end, one should make sure that the CPA you are considering  is listed with the Better Business Bureau.  When it comes to consumer protection, the  BBB is the gold standard.  Annually, the Better Business Bureau investigates hundreds of businesses to see if they are trustworthy or have a large number of consumer complaints.  Those with black marks do not get listed or have extremely low rankings.

At GBC Services, LLC., we  understand your money is your lifeline and treat it as such.  This is why we have complete transparency as well as state of the art accounting services that can help you manage your money and keep it safe.  

Our CPAs are well trained, and our commitment to ethical and fair business practices is second to none. In a frightening business and economic climate, knowledge is power.  The BBB can provide you with that.

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Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Essential Financial Services
• Tax Requirements By State
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

Proper Tax Filing in a Gig Economy

The modern economic landscape is shifting
so abruptly, a small business owner in a gig
economy may falter or misfile, prompting an audit.

Trying to keep abreast of the various ins and outs of tax filing is daunting enough, but can be especially problematic in a gig  economy.

What the heck is a gig economy you ask?  

As the name somewhat implies, it is an economic period where permanent work becomes scarce and most companies rely on hiring independent contractors and temp workers to get corporate work done. 

As can be expected, this makes for uncertain influx of income forth bother employers and employees.

Our current economic climate not only alludes to this growing trend, but it also indicates that it may become a permanent fixture in the corporate sector. A recent study by Inuit indicates that 40 percent of  US based workers will identify as independent contractors by 2020.  There are a number of reasons for this, from  the prevalence of online  jobs, remote  work and tiny entrepreneurial companies that are fueled by internet traffic or revenue sharing ventures.

With so many online businesses, usually sole proprietorships, being established, entrepreneurs will find themselves challenged  on how to adequately file their taxes and avoid the kind of red flags that prompt an IRS audit.  Adding to the potential of an Internal Revenue visit is how relatively new the phenomenon is.  Government agencies are usually slow to adapt to economic and social changes, so they may not have systems in place dedicated to the growing number of gig economy based set ups.

The biggest concern for an e-commerce company, particularly if it is a sole proprietorship or LLC, is the proper reporting of income. 

The best way to ensure proper filing is to do so via the 1040 form, the standard tax return for independent contractors. If the business is technically diversified . e.g., you create arts and crafts as well as sing on the weekends in a money making party band, the business owner will have to keep separate records from each enterprise and designate their income separately on both state and federal forms.

Because the modern economic landscape is shifting so abruptly, a small business owner in a gig economy may falter and even misfile, prompting an audit. To avoid this pitfall, such companies may need to rely on a reputable accounting firm to handle their taxes. A reputable company will offer packages that suit the needs of a wide variety of business. When investigating an accounting firm, ask relevant, in depth questions to see if they understand the specific needs of an independent contractor who is subsisting within a gig economy structure. By hiring knowledgeable accounting pros, an independent contractor can remain reasonable free from the threat of an IRS audit, which will grant peace of mind to any business owner, in any type of economic climate.

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READ MORE

• GBC Payroll Services' Website   
• About GBC Services
• Payroll Taxes and Your Business
• Helpful Payroll Related Articles
• GBC Tax Income Atlanta Office
• Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
  GBC Services LLC, Tax Accounting Services for Atlanta GA
  GBC Press Release : MORE

The Importance Tax Planning for Small Businesses

Your blood sweat and tears go into maintaining
your small business. Protect your time and money
by hiring an external accounting firm.

Unlike most mega corporations, small businesses don't have a team of accountants and lawyers to consult when hit with a IRS audit. 

This is among many reason why a small to moderate sized business should retain the services of a reputable accounting firm.

A reliable and historically proven  accounting firm, such as GBC Taxes Atlanta, would act  on your company's behalf if you ever find yourself  in need of assistance during or after an IRS audit.

Of course it is also prudent to avoid  getting audited altogether. The best way to do this is to outsource your financial  preparations for quality record keeping.  Even with dependable in house  accounting staff on hand, you will need a second pair of eyes to keep the tax man at bay.

Human Factors and Financial Accounting

The problem with relying solely on  company  finance officers is the principle of familiarity breeds contempt. It's not that the staff CPA's will consciously try to sabotage records, it's just that, being human, they will become comfortable with  the daily routine  of the office.  Such comfort has it's draw backs and minuses.  On the one hand, its good to have happy and satisfied workers--this makes them more likely do their jobs well in an effort to  remain employed.

The down side--in such an atmosphere it can become rather easy to become complacent, skipping over imperative details that  can provoke an  Internal Revenue investigation when tax time comes around. Besides, it never hurts to give your internal  ledger keepers a helping hand.

Maintenance and Record Upkeep

Another potential issue with in office record keeping is the propensity to lose all important paper work and documents.  This of course becomes an issue in during an audit where relevant  information  can make the difference between a loss of hundreds or even thousands of dollars into government coffers.

Knowing what these trends are can also e assist in cultivating  business planning that helps your company, and it's assets, grow.

When  small business outsource their financial record keeping for tax related purposes, they  have the added security of knowing pertinent information is being stored for easy accessibility when need be.  It's like having a back up, fire proof safe  at the ready in case of an emergency.

Business Planning and Updating

Because tax preparation and filing is the focus of any good accounting firm, they will be more likely  know what the current IRS regulations are, especially in terms of small businesses. This is essential, as governmental procedures can change annually depending on global and domestic economic climates. 
Your blood sweat and tears go into maintaining your small business. Protect your time and money investment and ensure long term viability by hiring an external accounting firm to fulfill all your  important  tax related needs.

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Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!

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When seeking the assistance of a Certified Public Accountant, experience is key. GBC Services CEO Ghassan R. Ghraizi has the education  and proven commitment  to  providing superior customer service and cutting edge accounting technologies. To learn more about  this highly qualified Atlanta based CPA, contact Ghassan R.Ghraizi  today.

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READ MORE

• About GBC Services
• GBC Audit Services Website
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Tax Income Atlanta Office

Online Payroll Processing and Human Resource Management System Specialists

6 Reasons You Should Outsource Your Payroll (Now!)

Outsourcing Your Payroll Service
Adds Up to Big Savings!

A lot of business owners find themselves lost in a bunch of myths when it comes to outsourcing their payroll services.  

For instance, many business owners believe it is too expensive. In reality, outsourcing payroll services can be one of the most cost efficient things your business organization can do.

Which brings them to the next point – their staff is too small. The fact that your staff is small is all the more reason why you should outsource your payroll services. After all, you should be using your staff's resources to going out there and making more money instead of trying to learn how to do payroll themselves.

So what are the 6 reasons to outsource payroll services?

1. One GIGANTIC thing you do not have to worry about anymore. You can go off and do what you are good at, while the professionals handle the frustrating payroll processes.
2. One of the smartest strategies to avoid IRS fines and fees for filing errors
3. You can spend more time delivering your product or service
4. Quick turnaround time (I mean, these guys do do it for a living! You can bet they are quick!)
5. If there is an error that crops up, the payroll company takes all responsibility for it.
6. You're too busy and you have no time to do it yourself, what better way to leverage your time then by hiring professionals?

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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• Payroll Taxes and Your Business
• GBC Management Team
• Accounting Services

Checklist to Prepare for an External Audit

An external audit will protect your
investment and keep your business.

Following is a step-by-step set of instructions intended to aid in the preparation for an external audit.

The guide can also be used for internal audits. Outlined are the planning stage, the entrance interview, fieldwork, the exit interview, and the final audit report phase.

Planning & Preparation:

• Designate an audit liaison person within your organization who will act as the auditors’ main contact. This should be an experienced person with strong project management and communication skills.
• Send a general communication to faculty and staff stating that if the auditors contact them directly, they should notify the liaison.
• Have the liaison develop a list of contacts who must be kept informed of the audit progress.
• Have the liaison develop a list of people who can provide support on technical issues and gathering documentation.
• If necessary, schedule and conduct a general training session with individuals who may be asked to participate in the audit either to produce documents, be interviewed by the auditors or participate in findings discussions.
• Contact auditors and set up entrance conference. Clarify the purpose of the audit and ask that audit requirements be in writing.
• Alert the internal audit department of the upcoming audit.
• Make necessary arrangements for the audit team – meeting rooms, preliminary interview schedule, entrance conference specifics including attendees.

Entrance Conference:

• Develop a list of questions to discuss in the meeting including the purpose, objectives and scope of the audit; the awards to be included and sampling techniques; timelines including beginning and end of fieldwork and expected report date; and communication process.
• Consider giving the auditor(s) a tour.
• Determine staffing and space requirements, including whether the auditor will need internet access during fieldwork; arrange for auditor on site space; modify meeting room needs as necessary.

Fieldwork:

• Obtain the list of requested records and develop an approach for pulling the information on a timely basis. Give a target date for providing records to the auditors.
• Review the records prior to submission to the auditor. Consider if the records provide the necessary support. Anticipate what questions the records may provoke.
• Maintain a list of all records provided to the auditor.
• Meet with auditors at least weekly to learn of the status of the audit and potential issues that are identified.
• Verify the facts on which issues are based; perform re-calculations and review source documents, if necessary.
• Communicate at least weekly with those within the organization who need status updates.
• Liaison should attend meetings between faculty/non-financial staff and external auditors unless the auditor or faculty insist otherwise.
• Set up exit interview.

Exit Interview:

• Ask for a copy of each finding or draft report prior to the interview.
• Based on the nature of the issues, ask representatives from other groups to participate, e.g. general counsel, internal audit, office of sponsored programs, controllers office, etc.
• Agree on valid findings; negotiate those findings where the facts are not representative of the control weakness.
• Discuss with the auditor the disposition of the audit issue, i.e. verbal comment, report item, management letter.
• Escalate any disputed issues to supervisors.

Audit Report:

• Ask for the final draft report for review.
• Draft management responses and circulate to management for approval.
• Understand the follow-up process.
• Perform a post-audit evaluation to determine weaknesses in the process and potential changes to approach in the future.

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READ MORE>> rmas.fad.Harvard.edu: Preparing for an External Audit

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

Grow Your Company Simply by Outsourcing Payroll Services

The #1 way to grow your business
is to be more efficient

Your business is either growing or dying, regardless of what payroll services you are using. The facts are in the pudding too, that one of the number one ways to grow your business is by becoming more efficient. One of the most efficient things you can do is simply outsourcing your payroll services completely.

Depending on the size of your company, it will probably be far cheaper in the long run outsourcing payroll services than bringing it in house. I mean, think about that for a second. If you brought the payroll services in house, you now have an employee completely dedicated to this service costing you some hefty wages. Then again, if you divide an employee's time between profit producing activities and payroll services, now you are just throwing mud in your water. Distracting someone from profit producing activities is the #1 thing you do not want to do.

Which is what makes outsourcing your payroll services such a fantastic idea.

Here are some of things that an outsourced payroll service can do:

• Handle direct deposit
• Check printing
• Withholding, time and attendance

Not to mention, outsourced payroll services are well versed in all related laws – local, state and federal tax laws and regulations. Even if you have the time and the resources to hire a full time staffer to do this job, you may still be better off outsourcing your payroll services. Since IRS penalties can be extremely strict and prohibitive of growing your business's revenues if you get dinged, this is in short just an easy (super cheap) way of covering your assets.

Call GBC Income Tax Services at 678-366-9232
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READ MORE

• Why Hire a CPA Listed with the BBB
• Helpful Payroll Related Articles
• Essential Financial Services
• Contact GBC Income Tax Services Today! 

Who Gets Audited by the IRS?

Get an External Audit!

Believe it or not, it’s the big fish that get audited more often.

If a Schedule C shows more than $1 million in sales, the odds of being audited rise to 12.1%. If you are in this situation, I would suggest discussing incorporating your business with your attorney and tax professional. This move doesn’t just minimize your audit risk but it also allows you to take advantage of potentially lower tax rates and limits liability.

Here is some IRS data that show the frequency of audits performed in 2012 by return type:

First of all, in 2012 there were more than 143 million individual income tax returns filed, and 1% of these returns were audited that year.

• When it comes to business returns however, the odds of being audited increase. Many of those 2012 individual returns contained a Schedule C, Income and Expenses for sole proprietors.  Audit risk also rises depending on how much income your business generates. For example, if your Schedule C lists gross receipts under $25,000, your odds of being audited are 1.2%, just a little bit higher than those for individual returns without business income. The odds double to 2.4% when gross receipts exceed $25,000 up to $100,000. Once small business owners bring in more than $100,000 and up to $1 million in gross revenue, their odds of landing in the hot seat increase by 3.6%.
  
• When it comes to corporate returns, during 2012, 17.8% of large corporations with more than $10 million in assets were audited. And once assets exceed $20 billion, you can pretty much be guaranteed that you will be audited. In 2012, 415 out of the 446 corporations in this category were audited--that’s 93%.
  
• SELF-PREPARED RETURNS ARE TARGETED. There are more than 75,000 pages of tax code. Even tax professionals specialize in certain fields and refuse to take on tax returns or certain types of transactions because of the complexity involved. Once you become self-employed, the ante goes up; there is so much more to know about the tax code, more than can be dealt with through a Q & A session with tax preparation software designed for the individual filer. The IRS knows that there will likely be a lot of mistakes on self-prepared income tax returns that include a Schedule C. Therefore, many of those are pulled for examination.

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READ MORE>> SmallBusiness.FoxBusiness.com: Will Your Business Return be Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Essential Financial Services
• Tax Requirements By State
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

What do Payroll Service Providers Do and When is the Right Time to Outsource?

Outsourcing payroll is usually the
first expansion in a small business.

Q:What do payroll service providers do exactly?

A: Basic services offered include calculating payroll and tax obligations, printing and distributing checks and producing reports. Additional services can include direct deposit, payroll tax filing, issuance of W-2 forms, 401(k) deductions, and tracking of employee benefits.

Q: When is the right time to outsource payroll?

A: It could become obvious one day that the time is right. But if you’re not sure, ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you missing payroll deposit deadlines? If your payroll tax deposits aren’t timely, late deposit penalties can be as high as 10 percent.
2. Are you unsure about your payroll tax calculations? Your errors can be held against you, and penalties can be assessed. 
3. Too many employees? If you have fewer than 20 employees it’s likely that you can save money by outsourcing payroll. Do the math by comparing the hours/cost of your current system and comparing it to the plans offered by a short list of service providers.

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READ MORE>> SmallBusinessAdministration.gov: Five Tips for Outsourcing Your Small Business Payroll Operations

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READ MORE

• GBC Payroll Services' Website   
• About GBC Services
• Payroll Taxes and Your Business
• Helpful Payroll Related Articles

8 Areas to Focus on to Avoid a Tax Audit

Stay Alert, Stay Aware!

FACE IT; 

you don't have much time on your hands as a small business owner to deal with combing through every aspect of your financial records to avoid an audit.

With the help of a professional CPA, you can easily prepare and avoid pitfalls by being aware of the most common triggers of an audit.

The IRS uses a computer program called the Discriminate Function System (DIF) that analyzes returns and flags them if they are outside statistical norms. When a return receives a high DIF score, an agent reviews it to determine if it should undergo an audit.

Therefore, here are the appropriate areas to ensure are squeaky clean:

1. IF YOU HAVE A HIGH INCOME: 0.9 percent of people who make less than $200,000 were audited last year, compared to 10.9 percent of those who made $1 million or more.
2. OUT OF PROPORTION DEDUCTIONS: The IRS uses tables to determine how much is too much for different income brackets when it comes to deductions, although the tables are not made public. For example, an IRS agent will want to know more if you claim charitable deductions that are not in line with your income.
3. ROUNDING AND AVERAGING YOUR NUMBERS: Most folks appreciate rounding, but when it comes to IRS Agents, they  tend to believe that if you’re sloppy in this area, the rest of your return may not be entirely accurate.
4. HOME OFFICE DEDUCTIONS ARE TRICKY: The requirements necessary to take this deduction are not relaxed. Many don't know that a portion of a room does not qualify, even if that large corner of your bedroom is taking up space where you don't do anything personal. Click here for the Simplified Option for Home Office Deduction that the IRS came up with last year. And follow the rules!!
5. IF YOU CLAIM BUSINESSES LOSSES YEAR AFTER YEAR: The IRS may assume you are taking deductions you’re not entitled to in order to avoid paying taxes. They know, for example, that many claim hobby expenses (follow link to read more) as business losses, which is illegal under the tax code.
6. FILING SCHEDULE C DOES INVITE MORE SCRUTINY: But don't let fear of an audit keep you from claiming legal deductions. Just do it accurately and keep clean records. Or, if you think it may be time to set up your business as a separate entity instead, read more here.
7. EXCESSIVE BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT DEDUCTIONS: If you’re going to deduct these types of expenses, you must keep records for each write-off that includes when and where it occurred, who was in attendance, the purpose as it relates to your business, and a record of what was talked about. You’ll also need to keep receipts for expenses greater than $75 when you’re traveling for business.
8. CLAIM YOUR VEHICLE FOR 100% BUSINESS USE? This will raise a flag. Also, when deducting for business use of a car, you’ll have to choose between the IRS standard mileage rate and actual expenses. Deducting both of these on your tax return will bring the IRS knocking.

So be smart and make sure you consider these issues in your tax records carefully, but then relax, for there is good news: 

The new IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said that last year less than 1 percent of all returns underwent an audit, and only 0.6 percent of business returns (meaning 0.006)!

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READ MORE>> QuickBooks.Intuit.com: The 8 Most Common Tax Audit Triggers

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 7 of 7

Be shrewd and hire a good CPA
with external auditing and IRS
Representation experience: GBC

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is the final point #7:

*CASH BUSINESSES BEWARE:

*Cash-intensive businesses, such as beauty salons, restaurants and car washes, will always be under closer IRS scrutiny, as they are more likely to under-report taxable income.

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 6 of 7

Check in next month to learn
about the next red flag to avoid!

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is #6:

*CLAIMING 100 PERCENT BUSINESS USE OF A VEHICLE:

*If the vehicle is not designated for business use and there is no separate vehicle available for personal use, the business owner needs to maintain detailed mileage logs and calendar entries for the purposes of each trip.

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
--------------------------------------------------

READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 5 of 7

Check in next month to learn
about the next red flag to avoid!

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is #5:

*SHIFTING INCOME TO TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS CHARITIES TO AVOID PAYING TAXES:

*This is considered tax abuse. Click here for further understanding (Washington Post).

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
--------------------------------------------------

READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

7 Red Flags to Trigger an Audit: 3 of 7

Check in next month to learn
about the next red flag to avoid!

When it comes to audits of your small business taxes by the IRS, we are basically all...

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT!
*Call GBC Services at 678-366-9232 for immediate assistance*

If you've been chosen for an audit, the burden is unfortunately on you to answer the IRS' questions and to prove anything you claimed. They will be sniffing around aggressively for any unreported or under-reported income, along with over-stated deductions, as that is their job. Excuses of losing paperwork or being unaware will not work. Make sure you're on the ball!

*This is a series of 7 red flags to avoid, to help you not invite an audit. Hopefully you can escape this stress... Here is #3:

*UNREASONABLY HIGH SALARIES PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO ARE ALSO EMPLOYEES:

*Determine reasonable salaries for your type of business based on industry, skill level and geographic location.

To avoid an audit: Beware of warnings, follow procedure, keep good records, hire a CPA, and don't ever ignore tax notices. If you do get audited, be very cooperative and maintain a good attitude with them, and your CPA should be able to handle any IRS Representation for you.

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READ MORE>> www.AmericanExpress.com (from Small Business "OPENForum"): 7 Red Flags That Could Get Your Small Business Audited

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
--------------------------------------------------

READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

Strategies to Beat a Small-Business Audit: HOW TO DEAL

How to triumph over an audit?

There are a number of ways a small business can become targeted for an audit by the IRS. Some of the most common are DIF Scoring, Examination Referrals, and Document Matching. It's essential to understand why your business has been selected to be audited.

The "discriminant index function," or "DIF," is a computerized score assigned to filed returns. The mathematical formula used to derive this score is not revealed to the public, but the higher the score the more likely the audit. Factors such as reported deductions being higher than reported income are red flags. Audits of a related party can also trigger an audit for you. (i.e. If the IRS sees that company XYZ made payments to ABC Inc., they may check if the payment was reported by ABC.) In addition to these practices, the IRS also matches income reported by the payer on 1099 or W-2 forms to the payee's individual tax return to ensure the income is reported.

So, need some help? Hire a professional CPA with experience in IRS Representation. Call GBC Audit Services for help now at 678 366-9232!
And take some advice from a former IRS Agent's angle:

• DISPUTE THE "HOBBY LOSS" THEORY: According to the Internal Revenue Code Section 183, deductions are limited when an activity is not engaged in for profit. This is known as the "hobby loss rule." If business losses have been disallowed due to the hobby loss rule, it is essential to prove both a business profitability strategy (marketing plans) and prior success to show that the current losses are temporary.
  
• CLAIM MISSED DEDUCTIONS: Many business owners may not know it, but an audit is also  a great time to submit documentation for overlooked deductions. Such deductions may reduce the taxpayer's liability or possibly generate an overpayment of taxes, which can offset any deficiencies determined by the IRS.
  
• BE CREATIVE IN SUBSTANTIATING YOUR DEDUCTIONS: Keep in mind that the IRS allows for third-party documentation, oral testimony and other forms of verification substantiating expenses, so if your business lacks documentation to support business mileage reported, consider using Google maps, clients' records and past invoices to estimate mileage. Another example would be if you no longer have receipts or documentation for certain expenses claimed, take the time to retrieve prior bank records or credit card statements. It is also beneficial to make contact with vendors to request proof of payment.
  
• GET PROFESSIONAL HELP: If you feel overwhelmed by the mere mention of the IRS, it may not be a bad idea to get a tax attorney, accountant or enrolled agent to fight on your behalf. That way, you can remove yourself, emotions and fears from the equation completely. Begin by submitting Form 2848, "Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative," to the IRS. They will be required to make direct contact with the agent on your behalf.

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READ MORE>> www.bankrate.com: 4 Ways to Beat Small Business Tax Audit

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Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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READ MORE

• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Essential Financial Services
• Tax Requirements By State
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

2015 Small Business Taxes: What's New?

Good news: the rumor that no
refunds will be issued until
October 2015 is NOT true!!

To help you get a handle on the critical tax facts, let's take a look at some of the changes that could affect your small-business tax filing in 2015:

There are now seven income tax brackets, which will also break down differently depending on your filing status. Aside from this, capital gains taxes will also expand. These are the profits you earn from the sale of your capital assets, such as investments or property. Gains on investments held for less than one year are considered short-term gains and are lumped together with your ordinary income. Gains on investments held for more than one year receive special tax treatment. For 2015, the tax rate applied to long-term capital gains will depend on the tax bracket you fall into:

• Tax returns in the 10 and 15 percent tax brackets won't pay any capital gains taxes.
• Tax returns in the 25, 28, 33 and 35 percent tax brackets will pay 15 percent in capital gains taxes.
• Tax returns in the 39.6 percent tax bracket will pay 20 percent in capital gains taxes.

Payroll (FICA) taxes, (which consist of the Social Security tax, the Medicare tax and the new additional Medicare tax for higher-income earners,) are also increasing. Here are some details:

• Social Security tax: 12.4 percent of earnings on income up to $118,500
• Medicare tax: 2.9 percent on all earnings
• Additional Medicare tax: 0.9 percent on all income above $250,000 (if married and filing jointly), $125,000 (if married and filing separately) and $200,000 (if filing as single or head of household).

There are also changes to retirement contributions, and in some cases you could put away a lot more than you could last year. IRA's will also be limited to one rollover per person per year.

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READ MORE>> AmericanExpress.com ("Open Forum"): What to Know About Small-Business Taxes for 2015

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For All Your Accounting Needs Call GBC 678-366-9232

The Benefits of An External Audit

Evaluate your system accurately!

In an external audit, expect that professional accountants will interview the owner, discuss the accounting system and test the company's accounting information and procedures.

External audits offer several benefits for small business owners:

• Providing ValidityMany small business owners do not have an in-depth understanding of accounting principles.  Professional accountants can review this information objectively and thoroughly and provide business owners with insight on the accuracy and validity of the accounting process. Valid accounting information can help business owners secure external financing from lenders and investors, and is also pleasing to the IRS.
  
• Uncovering ErrorsBusiness owners can use external audits to discover errors in their accounting process. Errors in accounting information may prohibit managerial staff from making the best decisions. Business owners can also find it difficult to review historical financial information and discover trends if errors are in place. Trends allow business owners to plan future production output and estimate sales for the upcoming months.
  
• Limiting Tax and Legal IssuesLegal issues arise when business owners provide inaccurate or fraudulent accounting information to lenders, investors and the general public. Overstating income, inventory value or other items can significantly increase the amount of taxes owed by the company. Small businesses organized as a sole proprietorship also need accurate accounting information since income will be reported on a personal income tax return. Inaccurate accounting information can trigger a personal and business tax return audit.
  
• Educating the Business OwnerBusiness owners often work closely with external auditors to improve their accounting process. External auditors will provide business owners with information on current accounting issues. Public accounting firms may also provide business owners with free educational seminars to improve their accounting process. Creating a personal relationship with a public accounting firm provides business owners with professional insight for future accounting questions.

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READ MORE>> smallbusinessChron.com: What Are the Benefits of An External Audit?
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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

What is the Objective of an External Audit and What Standards are Required?

Weigh the fairness of your financials
with an objective assessment by an
external auditor and gain credibility.

An audit is a systematic process of objectively obtaining and evaluating the accounts or financial records of a governmental, business, or other entity. Whereas some businesses rely on audits conducted by employees—these are called internal audits—others utilize external or independent auditors to handle this task (some businesses rely on both types of audits in some combination).

The primary objective of the external audit is to add credibility to the financial statements of the management.

The role of the external auditor is to render an independent professional opinion on the fairness of financial statements to the extent that is required by generally accepted auditing standards. External audits are often used by smaller businesses that do not have the resources or inclination to maintain internal audit systems.

The auditing process is based on standards, concepts, procedures, and reporting practices that are primarily imposed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). AICPA general standards and standards of field work declare that:

• External audits should be performed by a person or persons having adequate technical training and proficiency as an auditor.
• The auditor or auditors maintain complete independence in all matters relating to the assignment.
• The independent auditor or auditors should make sure that all aspects of the examination and the preparation of the audit report are carried out with a high standard of professionalism.
• The work is to be adequately planned and assistants, if any, are to be properly supervised.
• Independent auditors will carry out proper study and evaluation of the existing internal controls to determine their reliability and suitability for conducting all necessary auditing procedures.
• External auditors will make certain that they are able to review all relevant evidential materials, whether obtained through inspection, observation, inquiries, or confirmation, so that they can form an informed and reasonable opinion regarding the quality of the financial statements under examination.

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READ MORE>> referenceforbusiness.com: Audits, External- percentage, type, cost, Independent Auditing Standards

Call GBC Income Tax Services today at 678-366-9232 for all your tax and IRS needs!
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• GBC Tax Offers Atlanta Experienced IRS Representation
• Essential Financial Services
• Tax Requirements By State
• Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website
• GBC Audit Services

Checklist for Small Business Tax

Start gathering the right info
for your tax professional.

Are you overwhelmed about preparing your taxes for your small business? 

There is much to gather regarding information on income and expenses! This can include different types of inventory, different types of business transportation expenses, and forms. Hiring a CPA is probably the best way to do all this, but before you throw your hands up, here is a handy checklist to help you start getting an overview, and also to help your accountant:

• Gross receipts from sales or services rendered
• Sales records (for accrual based taxpayers)
• Inventory (if applicable)

And then from your inventory:

• Beginning inventory
• Inventory purchases
• Ending inventory
• Items removed for personal purposes

SEE MORE>> HRBlock.com: Small Business Tax Prep Checklist

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READ MORE GBC Tax Services Website
For All Your Accounting Needs Call GBC 678-366-9232

The ABC's of an External Audit

A very wise step for any business is
to choose an external auditing team.

An audit is a systematic process
of objectively obtaining and evaluating the accounts or financial records of a governmental, business, or other entity. Whereas some businesses rely on audits conducted by employees—these are called internal audits—others utilize external or independent auditors to handle this task (some businesses rely on both types of audits in some combination). External auditors are authorized by law to examine and publicly issue an opinion on the reliability of corporate financial reports.

The business of external auditing
is to determine the extent to which the organization adheres to managerial policies, procedures, and requirements. The independent or external auditor is not an employee of the organization. He or she performs an examination and issues a report containing an opinion on a client's financial statements. During the course of an audit study, the external auditor also becomes well-acquainted with the virtues and flaws of the client's accounting procedures. As a result, the auditor's final report to management often includes recommendations on methodologies of improving internal controls that are in place.

The compliance audit,
the financial statements audit, and the operational audit are among the major types of audits conducted by external auditors. A compliance audit has as its objective the determination of whether an organization is following established procedures or rules. A financial statement audit (or attest audit) examines financial statements, records, and related operations to ascertain adherence to generally accepted accounting principles. An operational audit examines an organization's activities in order to assess performances and develop recommendations for improvements, or further action.

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READ MORE>> inc.com: "Audits, External" from Encyclopedia of Business Terms 

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•     About GBC Services
•     GBC Audit Services Website
•     Visit the Internal Revenue Service's Website

 

Find Out About Your 2015 Credits and Deductions!

Click on the picture to go to the site.

Weigh your situation!!

Click on the scales to go quickly to the IRS page on credits and deductions in 2015. There are quite a few both for individuals and businesses, both small and large.

Examples are the Earned Income Tax Credit (EIC), and the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which help millions of families every year.

In addition to the standard deduction for individuals, common deductions include home mortgage interest, state and local tax, and charitable contributions. Many business expenses are deductible as well.

Check this out to get a preview of your tax outcome in 2015!

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READ MORE>> www.IRS.gov: Credits and Deductions
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READ MORE GBC Tax Services Website
For All Your Accounting Needs Call GBC 678-366-9232