One of the most important aspects of running your business is understanding the tax requirements. Different entities (i.e. LLC, S-Corps, C-Corps, Partnerships, etc.) have different requirements. I recommend speaking with your accountant or coming into the office so we can set up your requirements.

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The form of business you operate determines what taxes you must pay and how you pay them. The following are regular types of business taxes a business may be required to pay:

 

Income Tax

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All businesses (such as Corporations, LLCs, Partnerships, etc.) must file an annual tax return. However, businesses like a Partnership and “S-Corp” file an information return (Form 1065 and 1120S, respectively). Information Returns do not have an tax implications at the time of filing. Information Returns tell the IRS that the individual owners will be filing tax returns and paying tax on their individual portions of the business's profit or loss for the previous year.

 

The form a business files depends on how your business is organized. Refer to Business Structures to find out which returns you must file based on the business entity established.

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Income Tax is the is the most basic form of tax paid, either by the business or through the individual owners. The federal income tax is a pay-as-you-go tax. You must pay the tax as you earn or receive income throughout the year.

 

Along with business income taxes, each employee has income tax withheld from his or her pay. If you do not pay your tax through withholding (Forms IRS941 and IRS940), or do not pay enough tax through that withholding, you might have to pay estimated taxes (quarterly or more frequent). For additional information, refer to Estimated Taxes. If you are not required to make estimated tax payments, you may pay any tax due when you file your personal return. For additional information refer to Publication 583.

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Self-employment tax (SE tax) is a social security and Medicare tax primarily for individuals who work for themselves. Your payments of SE tax contribute to your coverage under the social security system. Social security coverage provides you with retirement benefits, disability benefits, survivor benefits, and hospital insurance (Medicare) benefits. Generally, you must pay SE tax and file Schedule SE (Form 1040) if either of the following applies:

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• If your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more.

• If you work for a church or a qualified church-controlled organization (other than as a minister or member of a religious order) that elected an exemption from social security and Medicare taxes, you are subject to SE tax if you receive $108.28 or more in wages from the church or organization.

 

Note: There are special rules and exceptions for aliens, fishing crew members, notary public, state or local government employees, foreign government or international organization employees, etc. For additional information, refer to Self-Employment Tax.

 

3. Employment Taxes: When you have employees, you as the employer have certain employment tax responsibilities that you must pay and forms you must file. Employment taxes include the following:

• Social security and Medicare taxes

• Federal income tax withholding

• Federal unemployment (FUTA) tax

For additional information, refer to Employment Taxes for Small Businesses.

 

5. Estimated Tax Payments: These are periodic payments that are made to cover taxes that will be assessed at the end of the year from the amount you receive on the company’s K-1. It is important to start scheduling these payments. 

 

Reasonable Wage: As an S-Corporation, each shareholder who is also an employee is required to take a reasonable wage for the work performed. When starting out, it is normal to see no or a small salary paid but as your business becomes more established, it is important to pay what you would pay a third-party individual to do the work done.

 

Sales and Use Tax

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Along with income taxes on these types of investments, services, and goods, a business may be required to pay Sales and Use Taxes to state, city, or other municipal organization. For example, the City of Aurora Colorado requires sales tax on certain entertainment services, while other Denver Metro cities do not.

 

Excise Tax

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Excise Tases may need to be paid if you do any of the following:

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• Manufacture or sell certain products.

• Operate certain kinds of businesses.

• Use various kinds of equipment, facilities, or products.

• Receive payment for certain services.

 

Form 720 - The federal excise taxes reported on Form 720, consist of several broad categories of taxes, including the following:

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• Environmental taxes.

• Communications and air transportation taxes.

• Fuel taxes.

• Tax on the first retail sale of heavy trucks, trailers, and tractors.

• Manufacturers taxes on the sale or use of a variety of different articles

 

Form 2290 - There is a federal excise tax on certain trucks, truck tractors, and buses used on public highways. The tax applies to vehicles having a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Report the tax on Form 2290. For additional information, see the instructions for Form 2290 .

 

Form 730 - If you are in the business of accepting wagers or conducting a wagering pool or lottery, you may be liable for the federal excise tax on wagering. Use Form 730, to figure the tax on the wagers you receive.

 

Form 11-C - Use Form 11-C, Occupational Tax and Registration Return for Wagering, to register for any wagering activity and to pay the federal occupational tax on wagering.

Excise tax has several general excise tax programs. One of the major components of the excise program is motor fuel. For additional information, refer to Excise Taxes.