How to lower business income and taxes

Dear Tax Talk,
C corporation's income has tripled in one year and wants to save money rather than give to the government. Need suggestions or referral to a simplified guide (for dummies) to assist.
-- Jeanette

Dear Jeanette,
You get what you pay for. A simplified guide might tell you what to do in a general sense, but it won't substitute for the advice of a CPA who can look at your complete picture and provide alternative strategies.

There are many things that you can do to lower your income as a C corp. Which one is right for you and your plans can best be decided by consulting with a professional.

One thing I've learned is that business owners should stick to what they know. It's more profitable than trying to learn what I know, rather than paying for it.

Some questions would be: Why is it a C corp when most small businesses elect Subchapter S status? What accounting method do you use? Acceptable methods of accounting are cash or accrual. The cash method offers you more flexibility in lowering your profits. Did you pay adequate salaries? Would it make sense to create a retirement plan? Are there any fringe benefits that you're entitled to that you're missing out on? Have you expensed fixed assets under Section 179? Have you written off bad debts and obsolete inventory?

CPAs love checklists. Consult one to find the right answers for your situation.

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