Common Accounting Mistakes

 

Many people, like small business owners, manage their financial accounts themselves. In such cases, there are high chances of errors. Small mistakes can be easy to correct, but a severe mistake can affect the financial health of your business. Taking the help of a professional and hiring an accountant for freelance workers or small business owners can reduce accounting mistakes. In this column, we will learn about the top 4 accounting mistakes.

1. Failing to reconcile accounts

The first thing to do is recording cash flow and other financial data in your books. Then, you should also ensure that your bank account reflects the same balance as your books, transaction timing aside. A gap between the two can be an error that needs immediate action.

2. Not recording small transactions

This is a very common mistake. People often neglect small transactions and don’t keep receipts or records for them. Keeping record of every expense is essential to your business, no matter how insignificant it may seem: eventually, small transactions add up.

3. Not backing up data

Most people use accounting software for bookkeeping and/ or other operations. But along with the various advantages, there is a problem to this: if you lose your data and don't have it backed up anywhere, you will face troubles. There are high chances of data or financial information being lost, hacked, or stolen. So, it is essential to keep a backup of your data.

4. Lack of planning

Accounting and bookkeeping require excellent planning and organization skills. Tracking and storing your information properly is necessary. A small mistake or error may cause you trouble.

The final word

If you want to prevent these technical errors, avoid managing your own financial accounts. Rely on a professional accountant instead. It will reduce the chance of errors, and you will get better and more reliable results.

If you are looking for an affordable Certified Public Accounting firm that is an expert in company formation, then please know that at Agro Accounting CPA, we have a range of solutions that can help you in every aspect of your business. We do everything from tax preparation to bookkeeping, company formation & tax ID issuance, and audit representation.

A Guide to Tax Settlement: Benefits and Eligibility Criteria

 

A tax settlement is a discounted arrangement regarding taxes owed that is acknowledged by the IRS or the state taxing authority. It is also known as an offer in compromise. Under this settlement, a taxpayer is allowed to extinguish an outstanding tax debt for less than the actual amount owed. Some extenuating circumstances that have prevented taxpayers from paying their taxes owed are accepted by the IRS. Taxsettlement services can be best carried out through proper guidance.

 

Not every kind of situation is considered for tax settlement. Tax settlement may be based on the current circumstances of the taxpayer and applicable tax regulations. Let’s discuss tax settlement in this blog.

 

How can an IRS settlement benefit you?

 

Negotiating a tax settlement can benefit you in these ways:

 

●     Pay less: The first obvious benefit is that you will be able to pay less to the tax authority than you actually owe. Given the situation of the taxpayer, a tax settlement can be determined and presented in a short time span. Once you pay the balance on the mutual agreement, the tax account is taken to be settled in full, leaving you with no late fees and other penalties.

 

●     No need for Liens and Garnishments: The other benefit offered by a tax settlement is that the taxpayer does not need to suffer from a tax lien on his/ her home or business.

Who is eligible for a tax settlement?

 

The IRS offers the settlement option to taxpayers who have a difficult time paying off their tax debts or have a valid reason for their penalties to be abated. Not everyone is eligible for such tax settlement.

 

The main factor considered is the financial hardship of the taxpayer. Their financial situation is analyzed, and if the tax authority comes to the conclusion that the financial situation is not favorable, then the taxpayer is taken to be eligible for tax settlement. Financial hardship is a good indicator of tax settlement.

 

For more clarity, you can take the help of Tax Services for Freelance Workers to check if you are eligible and how a tax settlement could benefit you.