Business Financial Solutions

Tax Planning 

Your Tax Planning Partner

As a current or potential business owner, tax considerations are a necessary part of every decision that you make. Most business owners do their best to comply with all the rules and regulations applicable to their business, however, with all of the overlapping laws from federal, state and local governments, it can be a dizzying and confusing prospect.

Not only do we help business owners to understand their obligations under the law, but we also bring our team and other professionals to help you be compliant in ways that are most beneficial to you. You will make choices from the inception of the business and during ongoing operations that can result in significantly different tax obligations for you. While it is impossible to summarize every potential issue here, we will highlight several of the key issues that need to be considered.

Starting and running a business is not a simple matter. At Cora, we understand that our business-owner clients take pride in operating companies that are the best at what they do. Our job is to let you concentrate on what you do best by guiding you through these decisions that will help make sure your business is an engine not only to do what it does, but also to power you to the success and freedom you seek in your own life.

 

 

Entity Formation

This is one of the most important decisions a business owner will make. While most businesses do not need a separate legal entity, depending on your business, it may make sense to establish one. This is not purely a tax question. There are legal liability issues that must be considered as well. We will work in concert with your attorney to craft the ideal solution for you. Whether you operate as a partnership, an LLC or a corporation, there are pros and cons that must be carefully evaluated.

Owner Income Planning

For most small businesses, maximizing the after-tax income of the owner or owners is a priority. This often involves decisions as to how the owners will be compensated. Will they be paid on payroll or simply be taking draws from the profits of the business? This decision may impact the taxes assessed on the business itself and the owners as individuals.

 

 

Retirement Plans and Employee Benefits

All businesses are only as good as their people. To attract and retain top talent, it is essential in today’s competitive market to offer certain benefits. One main benefit many people expect is often a tax-advantaged retirement plan such as a 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA. In many cases, these plans can be structured such that the tax savings to the owner may cover the cost of operating the plan and even providing a much appreciated matching contribution for employees. For newer businesses, we can help with structuring a basic plan that gives you room to grow. For more mature and profitable businesses, we can help you in designing a plan that not only benefits employees, but also offers the owners the opportunity to save large amounts of money for their own retirement at a significant current tax savings.

Liability Protection

Proper formation and operation of a separate legal entity can provide some personal liability protection for you. In addition, all businesses will want to have various insurance-based protections in place.

You will need to consider business owner’s liability insurance, employment practices insurance, worker’s compensation, auto insurance and possibly others. Working with our property & casualty insurance partners, we will help you evaluate and select appropriate coverages for your business.