No Result
View All Result
SUBMIT YOUR ARTICLES
  • Login
Saturday, October 4, 2025
TheAdviserMagazine.com
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal
No Result
View All Result
TheAdviserMagazine.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Financial Planning Personal Finance

Small-Business Taxes for Beginners: A 2025 Guide

by TheAdviserMagazine
2 months ago
in Personal Finance
Reading Time: 9 mins read
A A
Small-Business Taxes for Beginners: A 2025 Guide
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LInkedIn


Small-business taxes aren’t one-size-fits-all. You’ll need to take specific steps come tax time. Those depend on your business’s structure and whether you have employees, among other factors.

If this is your first time prepping for small-business taxes, start by checking off some universal “musts.” These tasks will help you understand your business’s tax responsibilities and the tax breaks available to you.

Here’s a guide to small-business taxes for beginners.

🤓Nerdy Tip

It’s critical to keep your business and personal finances separate from the get-go. That way, you know exactly how much your business made and spent. Not doing so can also impact your personal liability protections if you’re not a sole proprietorship.

Accounting software can help you keep track of your business finances and maintain accurate records. We recommend most businesses use it, unless they’re small enough for a spreadsheet instead. Explore our top accounting software picks to find the right option for your business.

1. Confirm your business structure and tax classification 

This is an important first step because it helps you determine which tax forms and deadlines apply to you.

There are five main business structures for tax purposes:

Don’t remember which structure you chose? LLCs, corporations and partnerships typically need to register with the state they’re located in. In that case, you should be able to confirm your business’s entity via your state department’s online portal.

If your business is a partnership, corporation or sole proprietorship, your tax classification follows suit. Figuring out LLC business taxes is a little trickier.

The IRS doesn’t have a fixed way of taxing all LLCs. Instead, it taxes single-member LLCs as sole proprietorships and multi-member LLCs as partnerships. That’s the default, unless you chose to be classified as a corporation when you started your business. This would have involved filling out specific forms.

Stressed About Taxes or Bookkeeping?

Get matched with a vetted expert who will handle it for you.

2. Determine your EIN

Most businesses need a business tax ID, also called an employer identification number (EIN), to file taxes. These businesses include LLCs, partnerships, corporations and any operation with employees.

The IRS doesn’t require sole proprietors to get an EIN if they don’t have employees. However, having an EIN can put them in a better position to grow down the road. For example, businesses generally need an EIN to hire employees. Additionally, some banks require EINs to open a business bank account.

3. Brush up on tax forms and deadlines 

After you confirm your business structure, tax classification and EIN, you can start filling out your tax forms. Even if it’s not tax time yet, it’s still a good idea to know these forms and their deadlines.

Here are the main types of taxes your business may be responsible for filing, along with when each is due.

Federal income taxes

These are the deadlines for most businesses:

Sole proprietorship: File Schedule C with Form 1040 by April 15. 

Partnership: File Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, and distribute K-1s to all partners by March 15. 

C corporation: File Form 1120, U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, by April 15. 

S corporation: File Form 1120-S, U.S. Income Tax Return, by March 15.

If your fiscal year doesn’t start on Jan. 1, your deadlines will differ. They’ll generally fall on the 15th day of the fourth month after your fiscal year ends. That window is shorter if your fiscal year ends on June 30. You’ll have to file after three months, by Sept. 15.

Though you file federal returns just once per year, you will likely need to make estimated tax payments on them quarterly.

State and local income taxes

Businesses may also owe state and local taxes, depending on their structure and location. Since there’s so much variation, we suggest finding a small-business tax advisor to help your business meet its obligations. Usually, deadlines for filing federal and state income taxes are the same.

Sales taxes

Forty-five states levy state sales tax, and 38 states implement local sales tax as of July 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. The highest average combined rates exceed 10%, while the lowest fall just below 2%.

Due dates vary depending on your state and how much your business owes. You may need to file returns monthly, quarterly or yearly. Your state’s tax department website will have more information.

Employment taxes

Businesses with employees should file Form 940 to report Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) taxes by Jan. 31. And if the business owes more than $500 in FUTA taxes over the course of a year, it needs to make at least one quarterly payment in addition to filing annually.

Businesses must also file Form 941 on a quarterly basis. This reports the federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes they’ve withheld from employee checks. Due dates fall on the last day of the month that comes after the end of the quarter.

In addition to submitting these tax forms, you’ll need to make employment tax payments. Due dates for these depend on if you owe less than $50,000 (pay monthly) or more than that amount (pay semimonthly).

Self-employment taxes

Self-employed business owners may also need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on their own income. The self-employment tax rate is 15.3% as of August 2025, according to the IRS.

These businesses must file Schedule SE (Form 1040) by April 15 to determine how much they owe. Additionally, they’ll need to make quarterly estimated tax payments.

Excise taxes

Businesses that sell certain goods or services must file Form 720 quarterly to report what they owe in excise tax. This applies to businesses that deal with products like fuel, tobacco and alcohol. Federal, state and local governments can all levy these taxes.

4. Make note of your tax payment schedules 

It’s important to remember that tax-filing due dates don’t always line up tax payment deadlines. For example, businesses file their federal income tax returns once a year. But they need to make estimated tax payments on them quarterly.

Businesses need to make employment and self-employment tax payments more frequently, too. Payroll software can help make sure those payments are made on time.

5. Look up small-business tax deductions 

Our small-business tax deductions guide can help you decrease your business’s taxable income. For example, your business may be able to deduct expenses related to things like auto expenses, travel expenses and property rent.

Stressed About Taxes or Bookkeeping?

Get matched with a vetted expert who will handle it for you.

6. Find out if you’re eligible for small-business tax credits 

Unlike tax deductions, tax credits don’t impact your business’s taxable income. Instead, they’re subtracted from its tax bill. To claim these credits, you’ll need to fill out specific tax forms. Our small-business tax credits guide can help you find out which ones apply to your business.



Source link

Tags: BeginnersGuideSmallBusinesstaxes
ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Take-Two Interactive Software Q1 2026 Earnings: Stay tuned for the live earnings call and real-time transcript

Next Post

HPCL Q1 Results: Standalone PAT skyrockets 1,128% YoY to Rs 4,371 crore, revenue sees marginal decline

Related Posts

edit post
*HOT* Extra 50% off Gap Factory Clearance + Free Shipping = Prices from .99 shipped!

*HOT* Extra 50% off Gap Factory Clearance + Free Shipping = Prices from $3.99 shipped!

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 3, 2025
0

Wow! Don’t miss this hot deals at Gap Factory! Gap Factory is offering an extra 50% clearance items automatically at...

edit post
Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Cards Close to New Applicants

Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Cards Close to New Applicants

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 3, 2025
0

As of October 2025, the popular AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® — along with Barclays’ entire suite of American...

edit post
Mucinex Instasoothe Sore Throat Relief Lozenges, 40-Count only .36 shipped!

Mucinex Instasoothe Sore Throat Relief Lozenges, 40-Count only $2.36 shipped!

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 3, 2025
0

Stock up on these Mucinex Instasoothe Lozenges with this great price! Amazon has these Mucinex Instasoothe Sore Throat Relief Lozenges,...

edit post
Creamy Chicken Gravy and Rice ( Family Dinner Idea)

Creamy Chicken Gravy and Rice ($10 Family Dinner Idea)

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 2, 2025
0

Looking for a delicious, budget-friendly meal the whole family will love? This creamy chicken and gravy with rice is a...

edit post
Axos Basic Business Checking Review – Best Fee-Free Business Account in 2025?

Axos Basic Business Checking Review – Best Fee-Free Business Account in 2025?

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 2, 2025
0

Finding a business checking account that doesn’t nickel-and-dime you with fees can feel impossible. Enter Axos Basic Business Checking –...

edit post
5 Things to Know About the Rakuten Credit Card

5 Things to Know About the Rakuten Credit Card

by TheAdviserMagazine
October 2, 2025
0

If you love getting a deal, you may already be familiar with Rakuten, a cash-back website and app where eligible...

Next Post
edit post
HPCL Q1 Results: Standalone PAT skyrockets 1,128% YoY to Rs 4,371 crore, revenue sees marginal decline

HPCL Q1 Results: Standalone PAT skyrockets 1,128% YoY to Rs 4,371 crore, revenue sees marginal decline

edit post
How to get back-to-school deals, and other ways to save money this fall

How to get back-to-school deals, and other ways to save money this fall

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
edit post
What Happens If a Spouse Dies Without a Will in North Carolina?

What Happens If a Spouse Dies Without a Will in North Carolina?

September 14, 2025
edit post
California May Reimplement Mask Mandates

California May Reimplement Mask Mandates

September 5, 2025
edit post
Does a Will Need to Be Notarized in North Carolina?

Does a Will Need to Be Notarized in North Carolina?

September 8, 2025
edit post
DACA recipients no longer eligible for Marketplace health insurance and subsidies

DACA recipients no longer eligible for Marketplace health insurance and subsidies

September 11, 2025
edit post
‘Quiet luxury’ is coming for the housing market, The Corcoran Group CEO says. It’s not just the Hamptons, Aspen, and Miami anymore

‘Quiet luxury’ is coming for the housing market, The Corcoran Group CEO says. It’s not just the Hamptons, Aspen, and Miami anymore

September 9, 2025
edit post
Tips to Apply for Mental Health SSDI Without Therapy

Tips to Apply for Mental Health SSDI Without Therapy

September 19, 2025
edit post
In The Age Of AI, Reinvention Is The Future Of Customer Success

In The Age Of AI, Reinvention Is The Future Of Customer Success

0
edit post
Raymond James recruits big advisor teams from from Commonwealth

Raymond James recruits big advisor teams from from Commonwealth

0
edit post
Robert Kiyosaki Slams Warren Buffett’s Gold and Silver U-Turn, Predicts Market Crash

Robert Kiyosaki Slams Warren Buffett’s Gold and Silver U-Turn, Predicts Market Crash

0
edit post
Activist Irenic builds a stake in Workiva, hoping to gain two board seats

Activist Irenic builds a stake in Workiva, hoping to gain two board seats

0
edit post
Henry Moon Pie: Time to Support a Reader-Supporting Site

Henry Moon Pie: Time to Support a Reader-Supporting Site

0
edit post
World Liberty Financial sells tokens to Hut8 for treasury reserves at alt=

World Liberty Financial sells tokens to Hut8 for treasury reserves at $0.25 each

0
edit post
Robert Kiyosaki Slams Warren Buffett’s Gold and Silver U-Turn, Predicts Market Crash

Robert Kiyosaki Slams Warren Buffett’s Gold and Silver U-Turn, Predicts Market Crash

October 4, 2025
edit post
Henry Moon Pie: Time to Support a Reader-Supporting Site

Henry Moon Pie: Time to Support a Reader-Supporting Site

October 4, 2025
edit post
The U.S. is about to hold the government’s biggest coal sales in over a decade even as demand wanes

The U.S. is about to hold the government’s biggest coal sales in over a decade even as demand wanes

October 4, 2025
edit post
Dow Jones Futures: Rally At Highs With Nvidia A Buy, Palantir A Sell; Big Tesla News Due

Dow Jones Futures: Rally At Highs With Nvidia A Buy, Palantir A Sell; Big Tesla News Due

October 4, 2025
edit post
Indonesia school collapse death toll rises to 17, dozens still missing

Indonesia school collapse death toll rises to 17, dozens still missing

October 4, 2025
edit post
What One Big Move Can Do to Lower Your Monthly Cost of Living

What One Big Move Can Do to Lower Your Monthly Cost of Living

October 4, 2025
The Adviser Magazine

The first and only national digital and print magazine that connects individuals, families, and businesses to Fee-Only financial advisers, accountants, attorneys and college guidance counselors.

CATEGORIES

  • 401k Plans
  • Business
  • College
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Economy
  • Estate Plans
  • Financial Planning
  • Investing
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Legal
  • Market Analysis
  • Markets
  • Medicare
  • Money
  • Personal Finance
  • Social Security
  • Startups
  • Stock Market
  • Trading

LATEST UPDATES

  • Robert Kiyosaki Slams Warren Buffett’s Gold and Silver U-Turn, Predicts Market Crash
  • Henry Moon Pie: Time to Support a Reader-Supporting Site
  • The U.S. is about to hold the government’s biggest coal sales in over a decade even as demand wanes
  • Our Great Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use, Legal Notices & Disclosures
  • Contact us
  • About Us

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Financial Planning
    • Financial Planning
    • Personal Finance
  • Market Research
    • Business
    • Investing
    • Money
    • Economy
    • Markets
    • Stocks
    • Trading
  • 401k Plans
  • College
  • IRS & Taxes
  • Estate Plans
  • Social Security
  • Medicare
  • Legal

© Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved
See articles for original source and related links to external sites.