Deductible Start-Up Expenses

Friday, January 2, 2009
By Property Management Software

Business start-up costs are generally capital expenditures, but you can elect to deduct up to $5,000 of business start-up costs paid or incurred after October 22, 2004. The $5,000 deduction is reduced by the amount your total start-up costs exceed $50,000, and the remaining cost must be amortized.

Start-up expenses are costs incurred while creating an active trade or for investigating the creation of a business or trade. This includes expenses incurred when acquiring an existing for profit activity, as well as expenses incurred during the anticipated production of income.

A start-up cost can be amortized if it is an expense that you could normally deduct if it was incurred while operating your existing trade or business, or if it is a cost you pay or incur before the day your active trade or business begins.

Common start-up expenses may include:

• Accounting fees
• Analysis, survey, or study of potential markets, products, labor supply, transportation facilities, etc…
• Advertisements for the opening of the business.
• Office equipment and furniture, setup costs
• Salaries and wages for employees who are being trained and their instructors.
• Travel and other necessary costs for securing prospective distributors, suppliers, or customers.
• Salaries and fees for executives and consultants, or for similar professional services

Keep in mind that certain expenses must be amortized over 5 years. Such expenses include legal expenses and expenses for setting up the business structure (as an LLC, etc…)

This blog post for Real Estate Professionals, Investors, Landlord, Property Manager, and Property Management Companies is brought to you by SimplifyEm Pay Rent Online and Property Management Software
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