Tax strategies for business owners
Sequence matters more than size. Work down this list in order.
Tax optimization for entrepreneurs and company owners. These are the 4 moves that usually matter first, what each one requires, and the questions to settle before you file.
Where to start
Ordered by how often each one matters for this group, not by the size of the deduction. Some can be put in place during the year. Some need an account or an entity opened before money moves. Some only work if the documentation exists before the deduction is claimed.
1. S-corp election
An S-Corporation election allows business owners to split their income between a reasonable salary (subject to payroll taxes) and distributions (not subject to self-employment tax). This can result in significant savings on the 15.3% self-employment tax.
| Potential savings | 10-15% of business income |
| Best fit | Self-employed individuals earning $50K+ in profit |
| Level | intermediate |
| Typical cost | $500 - $2,000/year for payroll and additional tax prep |
2. Augusta rule
The Augusta Rule allows homeowners to rent their home for up to 14 days per year without reporting the rental income. Business owners can leverage this by having their business rent their personal residence for meetings, retreats, or events at fair market rates.
| Potential savings | $5,000 - $30,000 tax-free income |
| Best fit | Business owners who can legitimately use their home for business purposes |
| Level | intermediate |
| Typical cost | May need appraisal for fair market rent ($200-500) |
3. Section 179 expensing
Section 179 allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and software purchased during the tax year, rather than depreciating it over time. The deduction limit and phase-out threshold are updated by the IRS each year.
| Potential savings | Up to $1,160,000 immediate deduction |
| Best fit | Businesses purchasing equipment, vehicles, or software |
| Level | beginner |
| Typical cost | Included in standard tax preparation |
4. Solo 401(k)
A Solo 401(k), also known as an Individual 401(k), is a retirement plan for self-employed individuals with no full-time employees. It allows significantly higher contribution limits than a traditional IRA, plus the ability to take loans from your account and invest in alternative assets.
| Potential savings | High annual contribution ceiling with catch-up options |
| Best fit | Self-employed individuals with high income |
| Level | intermediate |
| Typical cost | $0 - $300/year depending on provider |
Common questions
What is the best business structure for tax savings?
An S-corporation election can reduce self-employment tax by splitting owner pay between reasonable salary and distributions. Whether it pays depends on profit level, payroll cost, and state treatment, so model it before you elect.
How can business owners deduct equipment purchases?
Section 179 expenses qualifying equipment in the year it is placed in service, up to the annual cap. Bonus depreciation covers additional first-year deductions on new and used property. The two interact, so check the order they apply in.
Sources to check
Check primary guidance and your own records before you treat any page as a final answer.
- Current IRS forms, instructions, and publications for the relevant tax year
- Your actual account statements, payroll reports, entity records, and advisor memos
Do this next
- Read the guide for the first strategy on the list above.
- Check the qualification test against your own facts before you plan around it.
- Write down the records you would need, and start keeping them now.
- Take the one open question to a CPA rather than the whole list.
Other situations
Each page sequences the strategies for one kind of earner.
- W-2 employees. Tax strategies for salaried workers looking to reduce their tax burden.
- Self-employed and freelancers. Maximize deductions and retirement savings for independent workers.
- Real estate investors. Advanced strategies for rental property owners and flippers.
- Airbnb and short-term rental hosts. Specific tax benefits for short-term rental operators.
- High-income earners. Strategies for those in the highest tax brackets.
Educational content only. It is not individual tax, legal, or investment advice.