Saturday, August 16, 2014

How To Position Your Home Business For Long-Term Success

By Carl Hempel


Launching a home business can be a great way to achieve the freedom and independence you have always wanted. But the only way to succeed is to educate yourself about the process and potential hazards involved. Put the following tips to work, and you can enjoy the entrepreneurial lifestyle you desire.

Get receipts from lunches with colleagues and prospects, because you can deduct expenses such as these at tax time. These meetings are legitimate expenses for your business. However, make sure that these meetings are with potential or paying clients. If not, they aren't tax-deductible.

If you run a business out of your home, consider employing members of your family. Having more employees on the books allows you to deduct the cost of their insurance premiums from your taxes. You must be able to account for the actual work they do, and provide a reasonable wage in order to avoid scrutiny from the IRS, however.

Arrange to have a toll free 800 number associated with your home business. Taking this step allows you to keep your personal information private. If your business is successful, having an 800 number also leaves your home number free to take calls from your friends and family, who might have difficulty getting through otherwise.

Hire people to help you. You might imagine that because you're a home business, you have to do everything on your own and that's not so. There are number of places that you can find competent, inexpensive help for whatever you need done. Letting other people handle some things frees you up to focus on what you truly enjoy.

Keep an attitude that will bring you success in your home business venture. If you go about your day thinking of your home business as a hobby, you are not going to see the success that you would if you really considered it to be your real job. Keep a business attitude even when your business is in your home.

Keep a detailed log of all business expenses, including miles driven and supplies purchased. Make sure to attach relevant receipts. This will help you when you need to file taxes. Additionally, if your business is ever audited, it will be much easier to face the audit if you already have detailed, day-by-day accounts.

Don't start writing off things on your taxes if you're not able to justify them. Monitor expenses and determine which of your business items are legitimate write-offs. Make sure that you only claim on items that are used for business, not personal use.

From finding a product or service you can market to working around your family's schedule, starting a home business poses many challenges. However, the perks make it an opportunity well worth considering. The tips in this article can help you decide if working from home offers more pluses or minuses, for your particular situation.




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