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

Ghassan R. Ghraizi- Atlanta Certified Public Accountant

Ghassan R. Ghraizi, CPA
A University of West Florida College of Business graduate, Ghassan R. Ghraizi offers Metro Atlanta  the very best in payroll and tax assistance to date.

Currently leading financial operations at GBC SERVICES, LLC., Ghraizi's experience  is varied and extensive. This fact is perhaps what lends to his talent in providing superior service in the realms of business oriented finance  and human resources  database management.

Ghassan R. Ghraizi's skill set as a Certified Public Accountant is as comprehensive as his years of experience.  To date, Ghraizi's CPA services include:

•    QuickBooks cultivation alongside traditional  ledger keeping
•    Payroll preparation, accounting and management
•    Income tax preparation, analysis  and timely  filing
•    The  establishment of  Human Resource Management systems
•    Time sheet development and workers compensation reporting

But the list does not end there..... As a team leader at GBC SERVICES, LLC., Ghraizi can also offers clients a large variety of relatively new financial services online.

Benefits offered by GBC  to small and larger sized businesses are as follows:

•    Online payroll services and human resource database management
•    Tracking employee scheduling and payment processing
•    Web based client bookkeeping systems and tools
•    Varied structured CFO services like forecasts and business plan analysis

These are among the many options provided by Ghraizi at GBC SERVICES, LLC.

KNOWLEDGABLE AND DEDICATED

When seeking the assistance of a Certified Public Accountant, experience is key. 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.

Online Payroll Processing and Human Resource Management System Specialists
Whether you are a workforce of one or of thousands,your business can greatly benefit from the numerous services GBC Services in Atlanta has to offer. 
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Atlanta Georgia Income Tax Preparation,
With GBC Services income tax preparation services, you can rest assured that your taxes will be done right and on time every time.
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READ MORE about his experience and skill set:

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

The CGMA Designation: Why It Matters

CFO Ghassan Ghraizi received
the CGMA designation.
ATLANTA, GA (FEB  2011)  

Started in January 2012, the CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) certification is a global honor that can be bestowed on a Certified Public Accountant who passes the stringent qualifying exam.

The designation was the merger between the London based Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and  the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and was created to foster an understanding of the  vital  role accounting and financial institutions play in world economics.  The institutions also wanted to set in place a universally accepted quality gradient for an ever growing economically assimilated world.

The CGMA will also be heralded as something of a gold standard that small to  large companies can towards for when seeking business services.  This means that when a client utilizes the services of a CPA or CFO who has a CGMA designation, they can rest assured that:

• The accountant has passed a strict qualifying exam that is backed by AICPA-CIMA, two of largest financial governing bodies in the world.
• One can rest assured that CPA'S  and other certified accounting and business managers with the CGMA certification have to adhere to required codes of ethics and conduct.
• People who earned this certification take their jobs seriously and thus, will attempt to provide customers with top notch financial services.

In other words, those who endeavor to earn their CGMA title have decided to commit to a system of financial integrity and fiscal responsibility that greatly benefit business.

Ghassan R. Ghraizi of GBC SERVICES LLC has taken a step towards that level of care and commitment by recently earning his Chartered Global Management Accountant designation.

Contact GBC SERVICES, LLC., today to learn more about the services they provide for companies like you.

READ MORE:
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
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

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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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