Why Your Credit Card Statement Might Not Prove a Tax Deduction

If you think (or you've been advised by your tax preparer) internet broadband in keeping your credit card statements is enough by itself to prove business tax deductions, you could be in trouble if your return ever comes up for examination.

That's the message I got recently at the IRS national phone forum on record keeping requirements for small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs.

Please don't start shredding your credit card statements; they're certainly better than no documentation at all and in some circumstances they might be enough proof. The point of the IRS warning is that in many cases, zte streamyx also need supporting documentation to prove your tax deduction.

And, yes, I realize that for some purchases, there might not be any other documentation. Some vendors who you order from on-line or by phone don't provide written order confirmations. In those cases, I suggest you make your own notes about such purchases and keep them in your files.

Remember that the IRS says that for an expense to be deductible for your business, it has to be ordinary and necessary and for a business purpose. internet access dsl adsl line on your credit card statement that says, for mobile phone internet that you spent $54.89 at Office Depot on October 15, 2008 does not prove that you bought office supplies. You could just as well have purchased computer games for your kids.

That's why the IRS suggests that you keep the original store receipt that tm streamyx mail show details of the various items that total the amount on the credit card statement. And it wouldn't be a bad idea, they say, to make a note on the receipt regarding the business purpose for the items.

If you've been scanning the receipts into your computer, the IRS says that's OK. broadband availability they add that they know how easy it is to mess around with boulevard hotel kuala lumpur files. If they call you in for an audit, they'll test the authenticity of your scanned documentation by having you provide original copies of some of the receipts.

So you probably should just save all of them. If you're concerned that the original paper might deteriorate and broadband internet providers unreadable, make a copy of it as soon as you get it and file the copy with the original.

This advice might not save trees, but it could save you from an unpleasant audit and a higher tax bill.

Just saying.

Sheryl Schuff is the founder of the Business Startup Success Club. For free information, visit her blog at http://www.SherylSchuff.com/blog

She's a Certified Public Accountant, author, and consultant who has been in private practice for over 30 streamyx helpline She teaches broadband availability how to organize their businesses, keep good accounting records, and maximize their business tax deductions.