Ask SmartMoney: You, Your New Business And Uncle Sam
Wall Street Journal Online (08/30/00) Vol. 2, No. 4 p.C6; Kane, Courtney
When opening up a business out of the home, there are
certain things you should think about. First, a trip to the
local library, bookstore, or simply surfing the Internet can
result in a wealth of information on the finer points of the kind
of business you are starting. People you know already in the
field are also a good resource. In addition, it may be a good
idea and a worthwhile investment to consult an accountant on tax
consequences. Some of the money you spend can be handled as
start-up costs, while things purchased for normal everyday
operations can be deducted the usual way, since they are
considered operating expenses. A straight deduction against
business income can be taken for things such as supplies. Most
importantly, you should be sure you qualify for the write-off
when dealing with a home office. If the home office is used
regularly and exclusively for business, a portion of your utility
expenses, rent, property taxes, insurance, and other home-related
costs can be deducted.