Choosing the Best Business Banking Partner
Establishing a business banking account is one of the first things company owners need to do. These accounts are vital for obtaining accurate accounting data and keeping track of allowed tax deductions.
When business owners mix business banking along with individual accounts they will likely end up undergoing an IRS audit. The time spent clarifying expenses and providing adequate documentation can be grueling and may lead to late fees and penalties, so it’s best to start things off on the right foot.
There are quite a few ways to setup a business bank account. Owners can apply online or visit banks in-person. They can select a basic checking account or apply for accounts that include merchant services, direct deposit payroll, or an open line of credit.
Many banks offer accounts that can be connected to accounting software programs such as Peachtree or QuickBooks. Interconnecting accounting software with business accounts help managers conserve time while providing adequate documentation for tax records. Additionally, this method lets business owners access their account from various locations such as work, home, and even while traveling.
Fees associated with corporate checking accounts are usually quite a bit more expensive than personal bank accounts. The majority of banks charge companies a monthly service fee. Some charge fees for every transaction, while others charge if transactions exceed a set number. Fees are also assessed for overdrafts and electronic transfers.
Although it’s never a good idea to bounce a check, companies can avoid expensive fees by setting up overdraft protection. This involves connecting business checking accounts to a savings account or credit card. If overdraft occurs, banks automatically transfer a preset amount of money into the checking account.
It can be very helpful to comparison shop banks to find ones that offer the most benefits and assess the lowest fees. A trusted source for comparing banks is BankRate.com, which offers information about national and local banks.
Small business owners may find it advantageous to open accounts with local banks or credit unions. Local banks tend to be more flexible and willing to work with owners that don’t have pristine credit. This can be very helpful to owners that require working capital or want to apply for business credit cards.
On the other hand, national banks usually offer a broader range of services than local banks. National banks engage in lending practices for small business to Fortune 500 companies, along with providing a variety of credit card options. Additionally, national banks offer integrated accounting services such as invoicing systems and direct deposit payroll.
The best approach for locating the right bank is to create a list of anticipated financial needs for the short and long term. While it can be challenging to determine what services will be required in the next 5 years, most owners can figure out if they will need business loans or credit cards. Spending time assessing overall needs can help owners avoid having to switch banks at a later time.
When comparing banks it’s important to read the fine print and calculate the true costs of conducting business. Make certain to fully understand the fee structure and checking account requirements.
Some banks charge service fees if balances fall below a certain limit. Others set limits on the number of transactions that can be conducted each month and charge hefty fees if limits are exceeded. Over the course of a year, banking fees can cost owners hundreds of dollars.
Researching available options lets owners find cost-effective business banking and can help determine which bank would be the best partnership. One consideration is that local banks frequently participate in community events where local companies are promoted. Acquiring bank endorsement can be very beneficial, so when talking to banks be certain to inquire about the types of promotional activities they participate in.
Small Business Tax Deduction – Write-Off Bad Debts
Practically every small business has receivables that it cannot obtain from clients. If your small business doesn’t have any such receivables, consider yourself lucky. For those small businesses that suffer from uncollected receivables, solace can be taken from the fact you can claim a tax deduction.
Bad Debt Tax Deduction
A small business can write-off bad debt losses if it meets nominal requirements. To claim such a tax deduction, the following must be shown:
A. The existence of a legal relationship between the small business and debtor;
B. The receivables are worthless; and
C. The small business suffered an actual loss.
Proving there is a legal relationship between the small business and debtor is fairly simple. You must simply show that the debtor has a legal obligation to make a payment. Most businesses issue invoices or sign contracts with debtors and these documents suffice to prove the legal relationship. If you are not putting your business relationships in writing, you should begin doing so immediately.
Proving receivables are worthless is slightly more complex. A small business is required to show that the debt has become both worthless and will remain so. You must also show that you took reasonable steps to collect the receivables, but you are not necessarily required to go to court to meet this requirement. A clear example where you would meet this requirement is if the debtor filed bankruptcy.
While proving that you suffered a loss may sound like the easiest requirement to meet, the issue is a bit more complicated. The Tax Code defines the loss as an amount that is included in your books as income, but is never collected. A classic example of such a situation would be a manufacturer that provides products to retailers on credit. The manufacturer can show a real loss if the retailer files bankruptcy. Unfortunately, there is almost no way to claim a loss if you provide hourly services and use a cash accounting method. The IRS does not consider the expenditure of time and effort to be a sustained economic loss.
Small businesses suffer all to often from uncollected receivables. If you failed to claim such losses as a tax deduction during your last three tax filing years, you should file amended tax returns to get a refund.
Business Insurance – The Mistakes You Should Avoid at All Costs
It’s funny that while authorities advise people to practise safety measures, business lessons encourage the opposite. Entrepreneurship always advances risk-taking measures because enterprise development is partly about gambling a person’s future and finances on trade. The result is many business owners are willing to throw out all precautions out the window and end up without business insurance. If you employ the happy go lucky stance in your restaurant business, it’s time to look closely why you need coverage.
Myth #1 – My business does not need it
Many restaurant owners believe they could get by without restaurant insurance. These individuals often think that as long as they are careful in handling equipment, nothing will ever go wrong. If you believe in the same thing, you are taking in too much risk.
While you can be very cautious on cooking equipment and other kitchen systems, you cannot guarantee others will follow your lead. One careless mistake and you can have a fire-damaged dining place. If someone forgets to close the place properly, thieves would end up stealing your cash and other valuables. Once this happens, you end up with more losses than you can imagine. Worse, such losses are preventable only if you have restaurant insurance.
Myth #2 – Insurance premium is the same for all
If you believe that business insurance coverage is the same as all others, think again. Different industries have specific coverage guidelines assigned to it. This difference matters when it comes to cost.
Other factors such as business insurance history and precautionary measures also count. For instance, if a business has many claims due to incidents it got involved in, premiums set for this company could be higher. The insurance firm will be meticulous in approving the business as a client because of its poor records.
If a company, however, employs various safety devices and mandate safety training for all employees, insurance firms may see this as a positive move. The situation becomes even more favourable if the business does not have any untoward incident.
A high deductible also plays an important role in business insurance. If you pay a high deductible, you pay a lower monthly premium. Paying low deductible means getting higher monthly premium to balance things.
Myth #3 – I can buy policies from anywhere
While some companies expand their business scope, you should still buy some things from specific merchants. For instance, it’s wiser to buy travel insurance from insurance companies rather than buy it from travel agencies. If the travel provider suddenly closes, your policy disappears with it.
If you’re buying business insurance, why buy it from an organization that only does it on the side? The risk-return trade-off can be great, but remember if something goes wrong, you may end up with nothing. You could end up losing the money you paid and your business if you do not receive compensation.
Business insurance is a big step towards protecting your company. Doing it the right way can get you assurances, while doing the opposite will have repercussions. To make sure everything will run smoothly, examine your needs and look at possible offers today. The earlier you make these steps, the sooner you get your coverage.