BUSINESS TAX TIP: CALCULATE YOUR BASIS

It's important for S corporation shareholders to know their basis in the corporation. Basis is the key to determining whether current-year losses can be deducted by the shareholder or not. Losses in excess of basis are generally "suspended" for use in later years when the business has income. Basis is also important when shareholders plan to take nontaxable distributions. In cases where distributions exceed investment in the company, the distributions can be taxed as capital gain. Check your basis now to give yourself time to increase basis if necessary and avoid a tax surprise at year-end.