Money Talk: Business Taxes 2011: Uncertainty to Opportunity
Carrying back a current loss can free up cash. Since we have long advocated that “Cash is King,” we are recommending that our clients take advantage of this option. One note of caution here, however—do pay attention to the varying state tax laws in planning your carry back. Many states only allow a small amount (only $25,000 in many states) in first year write offs of new assets, as opposed to the federal government’s full 100 percent. That can be a big difference on a state tax return!
Leasehold Improvements Deduction
Depreciation rules for leasehold improvements have also favorably changed under the recent tax laws. Until recently, the depreciation for leasehold improvements on business facilities had to be taken over 39 years by whoever was paying for the leasehold improvement—the facility owner or the lessee. The tax rules now allow a deduction of up to $250,000 of interior leasehold improvements (interior walls, a bathroom or kitchen improvement, etc.) in any given year.
R&D Tax Credit
In the last several years, the IRS has simplified the methodology of calculating the Research & Development (R&D) credit. The R&D credit is a boon to printers because it is an actual reduction in taxes, rather than a deduction reducing your taxable income. It is also simpler than ever to compute, using a straight six percent of your qualified R&D expenditures. For example, if you incurred $100,000 in R&D costs, you could get a $6,000 R&D credit. Furthermore, most credits like this can generally be carried forward.
For printing companies, eligible R&D expenses may include such items as costs incurred to improve processes and procedures, quality assurance, or scheduling; testing new inks or plates; hiring consultants to streamline your procedures; or activities which create the ability to do new business. Based on how you are going to use it, even a new MIS system may qualify if you are careful to provide appropriate documentation. This should include records of the individuals dedicated to this project and the time they incurred. You can generally use gross salary, but not benefits or taxes in this computation. You can justify R&D for quality control, scheduling, or benefits to be able to provide future sales and revenue, but be careful. Once you start billing customers for those types of expenditures, it no longer qualifies for R&D.
DPAD: Domestic Production Activities Deduction
The DPAD regulation has also been extended under the new tax law. This is a deduction against taxable income. Once as low as three percent, it’s been increased now to nine percent. It applies for manufacturers, developers of software, construction companies, etc. To claim this deduction on your taxable income, simply fill out the applicable form on your return that says you are a manufacturer (and printing companies are, by government definition, manufacturers). Converting (cutting web rolls to sheets) also falls into this category. Binders are eligible under federal guidelines, but may not qualify under individual state guidelines, so be sure your tax preparer does the research. Just remember that if you qualify, you have to fill out the form because the IRS is not going to just give the deduction to you.
Note that you can still take this deduction if you are an S Corp, but the process is a bit different. The deduction will flow through to the individual, and the individual will receive that nine percent DPAD deduction. It won’t show up on the tax return of the corporation, but is passed on to the individual, who fills out the appropriate form for the deduction.
School Contributions: Used Computers
The new tax law has also provided an increased benefit to businesses who donate their used computers to public schools. Exact regulations have not yet been written and the forms aren’t even out at this writing. Just be aware of this pending contribution opportunity.
Energy Tax Credit
It’s not a cheap or simple process to convert to solar, wind, or geothermal energy, but businesses can recover almost all their costs—in some cases, in the first year—through the energy tax credit and loss carry backs. An energy tax credit of 30 percent can be claimed, based on the cost of system installation, in addition to write offs for the cost of the equipment under the bonus depreciation provision. Some states also allow significant credits.
