IRS: Tax Tip 2019-54

All businesses big or small should keep good record keeping. Whether they have a couple dozen employees or just a few, install software or make soft-serve, or even cut hair or cut lawns. Keeping good records is an important part of running a successful business.

Here are some questions and answers to help business owners understand the ins and outs of good record keeping.

Why should business owners keep records?
Good records will help them:

• Monitor the progress of their business
• Prepare financial statements
• Identify income sources
• Keep track of expenses
• Prepare tax returns and support items reported on tax returns

What kinds of records should owners keep?
Small business owners may choose any record keeping system that fits their business. They should choose one that clearly shows income and expenses. Except in a few cases, the law does not require special kinds of records.

How long should businesses keep records?
How long a document should be kept depends on several factors. These factors include the action, expense and event recorded in the document. The IRS generally suggests taxpayers keep records for three years.

How should businesses record transactions?
A good record keeping system includes a summary of all business transactions. These are usually kept in books called journals and ledgers, which business owners can buy at an office supply store. All requirements that apply to hard copy books and records also apply to electronic business records.

What is the burden of proof?
The responsibility to validate information on tax returns is known as the burden of proof. Small business owners must be able to prove expenses to deduct them.

How long should businesses keep employment tax records?
Business owners should keep all records of employment taxes for at least four years.

We may not have magic wands, but we have something that we would argue is just as powerful – the full force of our team behind the full force of your team, whatever its size. If you don’t have a bookkeeper, we are uniquely positioned to fill that roll. We do everything from sales tax, payroll, and accounting to big picture analysis and consulting. And the way we do it is up to you – we can keep files here, come to you, work remotely on your system, or from a backup file. Here is more information on our Accounting and Bookkeeping Services.