If you own a business or are embarking on an entrepreneurial journey, keeping meticulous business records of your income and expenses is non-negotiable. This practice is not only crucial for claiming every tax deduction you’re entitled to but also serves as your shield should the IRS scrutinize your tax returns. Effective recordkeeping and management of financial records can make all the difference in such scenarios.
Remember, there’s no universal blueprint for business record-keeping. The IRS itself concedes, stating on its website that any recordkeeping system that accurately reflects your business’s financial activities is acceptable. Yet, when it comes to tax deductions, certain expenses—think automobile, travel, meals, and home office costs—demand a higher level of documentation due to specific recordkeeping requirements or deductibility caps.
Ordinary and Necessary Expenses
For a business expense to be deductible, it must primarily aim at profit generation and be considered ‘ordinary and necessary’. A case in point involves a married couple who encountered hurdles with the IRS and U.S. Tax Court over business deductions. Many of their claimed expenses were dismissed as personal, lacking the necessary documentation to qualify as what is considered a business record.
In a notable instance, a husband, holding a salaried executive role, ventured into a new business with his wife, forming an S corporation. Their business strategy revolved around identifying untapped markets for chemical producers and connecting them with potential buyers. Their entrepreneurial journey saw their two sons joining the business during their high school years, a move that diversified the types of business records they maintained.
As their venture flourished, the couple initiated a separate C corporation focusing on marketing. Over the years, they reported the income and expenses from both entities on their joint tax returns. Business meetings often took place at their residential properties, leading to the couple charging rent to their own businesses for the use of these spaces—an example of the intricate business records they kept.
The IRS’s audit of the couple’s tax returns led to a meticulous examination. Both the IRS and the Tax Court scrutinized certain deductions during this process and ultimately rejected them.
- Among the disallowed deductions were travel expenses. The couple attempted to justify these with reconstructed travel logs. Yet, the court highlighted the absence of any documentary evidence or other forms of verification to substantiate the business nature of each travel expense.
- Also under scrutiny were marketing fees paid by the S corporation to the C corporation. The court found that these funds were not used for actual marketing efforts but rather to cover various personal family expenses.
- Additionally, the rent charged to their businesses for the use of their homes was questioned. The court ruled the rental charges unreasonable, noting they did not reflect actual rental costs.
After a thorough review, the IRS and the Tax Court concluded that the couple’s deductions lacked sufficient evidence and relevance to their business operations. These deductions were thus disallowed, potentially altering their tax obligations.
It is crucial for taxpayers to maintain accurate and contemporaneous records to substantiate their claimed deductions. In cases where deductions are challenged, providing sufficient documentary evidence and establishing a clear business purpose is essential to ensure that deductions are allowed by the IRS and upheld by the Tax Court. This practice of diligent record maintenance helps in defending claimed deductions effectively.
By disallowing these deductions, the IRS and the Tax Court aim to uphold the integrity of the tax system and prevent individuals from claiming unwarranted tax benefits. It is important for taxpayers to understand and comply with the regulations and requirements set forth by tax authorities to avoid potential audits and disputes regarding their tax returns.
Read about the Top IRS Audit Triggers here.
Retirement plan deductions are permitted
The couple successfully obtained deductions for their contributions to 401(k) accounts on behalf of their sons. The IRS argued that the sons were not considered employees during a specific year in which the contributions were made. However, the court discovered that the 401(k) plan documents did reference the sons working within the business, and the father provided a reliable account of assigning them research tasks and supervising their work while they were still in school. As a result, the court ruled in favor of the taxpayers, granting them the right to claim deductions for their retirement plan. (TC Memo 2023-140)
Accurate business recordkeeping is crucial
This example underscores why record keeping is important, highlighting the necessity of not deducting personal expenses as business ones and emphasizing the need for accurate recordkeeping. It is crucial to use your business bank account exclusively for business-related transactions. Additionally, maintaining detailed financial records is essential to facilitate the preparation of tax returns and substantiate deductible business expenses in case of an audit by the IRS, showcasing why financial records are important.
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any inquiries regarding the proper business recordkeeping, or check out our guide to record-keeping here.