Charles E. Schneider CPA, Ltd.
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Quick Tax Facts

  This page contains tax amounts and percentages commonly used
by business owners and self-employed individuals.  If you would
like to know more about an item, click on the "More Info" button
to the right. 
   

For Business

 
 
         

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  IRS Standard Business Mileage Rates:  
       2009      $0.55/mile    
Home Page   2008      $0.585/mile  (July 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2008)    
                          2008     $0.505/mile  (Jan. 1, 2008 to June 30, 2008)    
             

 

           
         
         
    First Year Equipment Write-Off (Section 179):  
                                 2009             $133,000    
                                 2008             $250,000    
                                                
         
         
    Special Health Insurance Deduction for the Self-Employed and  
    Business Owners:    
    2009 100%    
    2008 100%    
           
           
           
         
    Maximum Pay-Ins to Retirement Plans:  
    Year 401(k) Plans SIMPLE Plans    

 

 
    2009 $16,500 $11,500      
    2008 $15,500 $10,500      
    2007 $15,500 $10,500      
    2006 $15,000 $10,000      
    2005 $14,000 $10,000      
    2004 $13,000 $9,000      
    2003 $12,000 $8,000      
    2002 $11,000 $7,000      
    2001 $10,500  $6,500      
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                Higher limits for employees age 50 & over.  See schedule    
                in Tax Facts For Individuals    
         
    Maximum Wages (& Self-Employment Income) Subject To FICA Tax:  
    2009 $106,800    
    2008 $102,000    
         
         
         
   

Corporation Income Tax Rates:

 
    Taxable Income Range Tax Rate    
    $0 - $50,000 15%  
    $50,001 - $75,000 25%  
    $75,001 - $100,000 34%  
    $100,001 - $335,000 39%  
    $335,001 - $10,000,000 34%  
    $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 35%    
    $15,000,001 - $18,333,333 38%    
    Over $18,333,333 35%    
    * Qualified personal service corporations are taxed at a flat rate of 35% at all income levels.  
           
           
         
   

Maximum Compensation for Retirement Plans:

 
    Fiscal years beginning in 2009 $245,000    
    Fiscal years beginning in 2008 $230,000    
    Fiscal years beginning in 2007 $225,000    
    Fiscal years beginning in 2006 $220,000    
    Fiscal years beginning in 2005 $210,000    
    Fiscal years beginning in 2004 $205,000    
           
           
         
         
    Qualified Transportation Benefits:    
       Transportation/Transit Passes  (2009)  $120   (2008)  $115    
       Qualified Parking                    (2009)  $230    (2008)  $220    
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

Quick Tax Facts

  IRS Standard Business Mileage Rate:

The IRS Standard Business Mileage Rate is the maximum rate to be used to reimburse employees or business owners for business use of personally owned automobiles.  The standard mileage rate is a simpler alternative to using actual costs. [Back]

 
   
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
Quick Tax Facts   First Year Equipment Write-Off (Section 179)

Business equipment expected to last more than one year normally has to be depreciated over several years as mandated by IRS regulations.  Section 179 allows you to write-off the cost of qualified equipment entirely in the year of purchase up to the specified limit. Generally does not apply to vehicles or rental real estate.  [Back]

 

   
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

Quick Tax Facts

  Special  Health Insurance Deduction for Self-Employed & Business Owners:    
    There is a special health insurance deduction which shows up on the individual tax return of sole proprietors, more than 2% owners of S corporations, partners in partnerships and members of limited liability companies (LLC's).  This deduction partially compensates  business owners for the fact that their health insurance premiums are not a tax free benefit like the premiums paid for employees.  This deduction is not an itemized deduction - it is substantially less restrictive than the
medical deductions on Schedule A (individual itemized deductions).  
   
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Quick Tax Facts   Maximum Pay-Ins to Retirement Plans:    
    These are the maximum amounts that employees participating in employer-sponsored retirement plans can choose to add to their retirement savings by reducing their cash salaries.  Employees age 50 and over can add even larger amounts to 401(k) and SIMPLE IRA plans.      
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Quick Tax Facts   Maximum Wages (& Self-Employment Income) Subject To FICA Tax:    
    These are the maximum wages and self-employment income amounts which are subject to the full FICA/Medicare tax.  After these amounts are exceeded during a calendar year, additional income is only subject to Medicare tax. (1.45% for employees & 2.9% for self-employed individuals)  [Back]    
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
Quick Tax Facts   Corporation Income Tax Rate Schedule (Federal):    
   

This is the rate schedule for "C" corporations only.   Income tax on S corporation earnings are paid at the individual tax rates of the shareholders.  Qualified personal service corporations include most incorporated professionals and consultants.  [Back]

   
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
         

Quick Tax Facts

  Maximum Compensation For Retirement Plans:    

 

 

Many employer-sponsored retirement plans contribute a percentage of each eligible employee's gross compensation into the plan.    The Internal Revenue Code sets an upper dollar limit on the amount of gross compensation that can be taken into account when calculating an employee's retirement plan contribution. (This rule applies to employer-paid plan contributions.)  As an example, ABC company has a profit-sharing plan and has decided to contribute 15% of compensation to the plan for calendar year 2001.  Employee
J. Smith had $200,000 in compensation for the year and will receive an employer-paid profit-sharing contribution  of $25,500.  ($170,000 x 15%) The compensation in excess of $170,000 for 2001 is ignored for the retirement plan contribution.  [Back]