Check out the following new Questions for the Tax Lady answers and feel free to ask me questions through one of the links below. You can send me an email, direct message or @ reply, and I will do my best to get an answer for you!
Question: Roni, I have a small business with about a dozen employees. If I throw a Halloween party can I deduct the expenses of the necessary supplies? Like decorations and food?
Absolutely. Your employees work hard for you, and I believe that rewarding them with a holiday -- any holiday -- party goes a long way in keeping employees feeling appreciated and happy. According to the IRS, the costs of holiday parties for your employees are 100% deductible. This includes food, decorations, entertainment and more. Just make sure to keep the expenses reasonable for the size of your staff. If you only employ 5 people, a $10,000 deduction for holiday parties will likely raise eyebrows at the IRS.
Question: What is the standard mileage rate for this year? Has it changed from 2009?
The IRS mileage standards decreased this year, since gas prices have fallen. The various mileage rates for 2010 are shown below:
- 50 cents per mile for business miles driven
- 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
These rates apply for cars, vans, pickups or even panel trucks.