Two overused and inappropriate deductions, and an offer you can't refuse...
So, two of the most common mistakes I see on tax returns of small business owners are claiming meals and claiming auto expenses. Yes, you can deduct meal expenses, but only for two conditions-either you were out of town on work and had to stop for rest overnight, or you were at a business meeting with a client (or potential client) with a reasonable expectation of generating business. Yes, there's also the occasional pizza for staff lunch, but that's different. This means that the stop at Dunkin's on the way to work does not qualify for a deduction, nor does taking your significant other to dinner and briefly discussing your business strategy.
Regarding auto expenses-your commute from home to your primary place of work (and back) is just that, a commute. Not deductible. Now, if you get to work, and then have to make trips to other places, i.e. showing homes or picking up materials from a warehouse, that part of your travel is deductible. If you work out of your home and travel to different job sites everyday, you are in a position to claim a lot more. For either case, you can claim actual expenses or milage. The pros and cons of both are for a different discussion, but whichever way you claim auto expenses, DO keep a job log AND a mileage log. Without it, your deduction will most likely be disallowed.
My offer? Have me do your bookkeeping throughout the year (utilizing Quickbooks Online so you can access it anywhere, and take credit card payments), and I will do your small business tax returns for free. It's a win-win situation-you can spend more time making money and not worry about your taxes being done right. The IRS loves to look at Schedule C's and the self-employed.