Good IDEAS for Home Business
Home businesses provide certain tax write-offs for home offices.
working on laptop. image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
People choose to start home businesses after retiring, because of a job loss or when they stop enjoying the corporate life. Others want to spend more time with their family. Whatever the case, starting a home-based business can be a good option. It provides the owner with the best of both worlds-being able to balance work and home life.
Convenience
Starting a home business can be ideal for families with dual incomes and small children. Parents who start home businesses can stay at home with small children, instead of having to pay extra for daycare. A home business also eliminates lengthy commutes to and from the office. Instead, the owner can spend the extra time planning her day, or managing various aspects of her business. Individuals can also dress more comfortably, often opting to wear their favorite casual clothes.
Keep Expenses Down
Having a home business can keep expenses down. Instead of paying rent for an office or small shop, many home business owners work out of a spare bedroom or den. The extra savings can be used to pay for advertising, office supplies or even computer software that is necessary for daily operations. Also, home business owners can usually deduct most of the supplies and equipment they purchase on their tax forms.
Home Office Tax Write-offs
People who run home businesses can also deduct expenses such as electricity, real estate taxes, mortgage interest, insurance and even repairs. The federal stipulation for tax deductions states that the home must be the primary place of business, a location for meeting clients and a separate structure from the living area, according to the Internal Revenue Service. Home business owners should check with their accountants for further tax advice for their specific situation.
Less Risk
Home businesses do not require as much capital to get started as traditional "brick and mortar" businesses-like retail stores. The home business owner can build his business at a gradual pace, while still earning income from a job. He can then leave his job and become a full-time business owner when sales start taking off. Thus, it is considerable less risky to start a home business than most other types of businesses.
Professional Growth
Owning a home business gives a person an opportunity for professional growth, using skills in which they excel or working at something they love. For example, a web designer can continue to hone his skills with a home business and still be doing a job he enjoys. Additionally, the web designer can acquire additional skills, such as business and marketing skills, that he may not have developed while working for someone else due to lack of time or opportunity in a traditional office setting.
