We've often mentioned the importance of adequate documentation to substantiate a business deduction. Ideally you should have a canceled check and an invoice marked paid with the serial number of the item purchased. While that may be viable for certain big-ticket assets, realistically, that's not often the case for most expenses. And the IRS knows that. There are many other ways to document expenses that are acceptable. However, you should be able to show that payment was made (e.g., a canceled check) and the nature of the item purchased (e.g., an invoice with a description of the item).
Travel and entertainment, auto expenses and charitable contributions. There are separate rules for these items, and they're very strict. We won't deal with them here. They'll be detailed in an upcoming report.
Canceled check. The check should have the payee and should show the cancellation on the back. Why the cancellation? In the case of large or unusual purchases, the IRS may check that the payee actually cashed the check.
Checks not returned. Many businesses (and individuals) no longer have their checks returned. The IRS will accept images of the check. In order to be accepted as proof of payment, the statement must exhibit a high degree of legibility and readability. If your bank doesn't send you hard copies of the images, you should be able to download PDF copies of the checks. Don't rely on the bank to save statements and check images. After a certain period of time you may not be able to retrieve them without cost. Download statements and images each month. (That's good advice for other statements where you may no longer receive hard copies such as telephone bills, etc.) You may also be able to show proof of payment by providing:
an invoice marked "paid",
a check register or carbon copy of the check,
and an account statement that shows the check number, date, and amount.
An account statement prepared by a financial institution showing check clearance will be accepted as proof of payment if the statement shows:
the check number,
the amount of the check,
the date the check amount was posted to the account by the financial institution,
and the name of the payee.
Credit/debit cards. If payment is made using a credit card, the IRS requires that you have an account statement that shows the amount of the charge, the date of the charge (i.e., transaction date), and the name of the payee. If payment is made using a credit card, the IRS requires that you have an account statement that shows the amount of the charge, the date of the charge (i.e., transaction date), and the name of the payee. Most likely your credit card company is already mailing you these statements monthly. Cards specifically designed for business like American Express business credit cards will also provide year-end summaries. Note, this will only provide proof of payment.
Electronic funds transfer. If you transfer funds electronically, the IRS will accept an account statement prepared by a financial institution showing an electronic funds transfer as proof of payment if the statement shows:
the amount of the transfer,
the date the transfer was posted to the account by the financial institution,
and the name of the payee.
Invoice. You must have an invoice or other documentation showing what you purchased. A canceled check without an invoice or some other document showing the item purchase could be a problem. Statements from a supplier may be substituted, but only if they show the item. Fortunately, since most businesses are computerized, a supplier could generate a duplicate invoice if an agent insisted on seeing one. But it's best not to rely on that. When paying invoices, write the check number and amount paid on the invoice and the invoice number on the check so that you can cross reference them later if necessary.
Save all invoices. Don't assume the IRS will accept a check written to the telephone company without an invoice. The check could have been for payment of your personal line.
What about independent contractors? Even for small jobs, ask for an invoice. In addition, make sure you give the party a Form 1099, if applicable. No 1099? You could lose the deduction or be subject to penalties. What about those cash payments to some contractors? No invoice and no record of payment probably could mean no deduction.
Cash register tapes. You go to the local hardware store to purchase some fasteners for the business and get only a cash register tape with no details of the items purchased. Will it fly? If the total is relatively small and it's not a common occurrence, and agent should accept it. Write a description of the items on the slip--1 gallon paint for repainting wall; bolts for shelving. Fortunately, most stores now print the detail on the tape.
Caution on tapes. Many businesses, including major big box retailers, use heat sensitive tape to print receipts. The life can vary widely from less than 1 month under poor conditions (the glove box of your truck) to several years under good conditions. Don't take a chance. Make photocopies of the tapes.
Reasons for purchase. The business purpose of most of your purchases may be obvious. An agent is unlikely to question a laser printer cartridge, a computer, a book on how to use a computer program, etc. But be prepared for questions if the invoice or tape shows the purchase of items that normally wouldn't be business related or could be personal as well as business. For example, the purchase of a book with no clear business relationship, power tools by a computer consulting business, etc. Don't take a chance on remembering the reason several years later when you're audited. Write the business reason on the receipt or attach a description to the receipt.
Avoid personal purchases through the business. It's convenient to use a company check or credit card to purchase personal items. Resist the urge. Your accountant may spend time making the entries to adjust your expenses. If he doesn't or misses some that an agent catches, the agent might increase his scrutiny of all your expenses. You could be liable not only for additional taxes and interest but also an accuracy-related penalty. In flagrant cases the IRS may claim fraud, particularly if other indications are present.
Checks made to cash. While you should try to avoid them at all cost, that's nearly impossible. The larger the amount, the more careful you should be. Be sure to indicate on the check what the purchase was for. This is one time when an invoice can be critical. An invoice marked paid in full would certainly help your position.
Cash expenses. Some expenses will be so small that an invoice or even a cash register tape is impractical. You may also be paying in cash rather than by using a check or credit card. Keep a diary showing the date, place, amount, and description of the item purchased or service obtained. For example, "11/20/12, Madison Hardware, $6.25, nuts and bolts for shelving".
Business standards for documentation. Any invoice, contract, etc. should be up to industry standards. For example, a receipt from a local deli for sandwich platters for the office party may be scribbled on an invoice without a number (it should, of course, be dated). But an invoice for a collision repair on the company truck should contain detailed parts and labor, since the shop normally does that for insurance purposes.
Other documentation. You should also retain other documentation that might be used in addition to or in place of an invoice. For example, a contract for services, lease on equipment or office space, warranties on equipment, service contracts, etc.
Petty cash. If you keep a petty cash fund, slips showing expense reimbursements should be sufficient to document the expenses. That's assuming the expenses are small, as one would expect. Make sure that the nature of the expense is clear from the slip. Employees should check that and, if not, write on the slip the type of expenses and the vendor.
Expense reports. We're not talking travel and entertainment here. It's not unusual for an employee to purchase office supplies, small equipment, shop supplies, maybe even items to be used on the manufacturing floor that may be critical. Officers and especially officer/shareholders often pay company expenses out of their own pocket. While it's best to avoid such situations, that's not always possible. The correct procedure is to have the employee file an expense report and attach the documentation. The company should then cut the employee a check for the amount documented. For example, you need a color printer for a rush job. An employee buys an inkjet printer with his own credit card. He should file an expense report and attach the credit card slip and any other documentation from the store.
This can be especially critical when it comes to an employee/owner/shareholder. Without the expense report the company can't take the deduction because it didn't pay for the item; the employee/owner can't take the deduction because it's not a valid deduction. Special rules apply to partnerships and there's an exception if the business has a policy of not reimbursing. Talk to your tax advisor.
Cohan rule. The last resort. It's called the Cohan rule because it evolved from a court case where the taxpayer was George M. Cohan. Cohan claimed travel and entertainment expenses for which he had no receipts. The court allowed him a deduction based upon the fact he was able to convince the court he incurred expenses but did not have proof of payment or the actual amount. Ironically, this rule cannot be applied to travel and entertainment expenses any longer. Now if required, no receipt, no deduction, no exception for those expenses.
How does the Cohan rule work today? If you can show you definitely incurred the expenses and are entitled to a deduction but don't have the receipts or proof of payment, the court may allow a deduction based on an estimate. But there has to be some basis on which the court can make the estimate. For example, you have no receipts to prove your fuel oil expense for 2012 because you inadvertently destroyed the bills. In addition, the company went out of business. Clearly you incurred some charges to heat your building. The court may estimate the expense based on an average of fuel bills for several years.
This is a last resort for a number of reasons. First, you may have to go to court to get the deduction. Second, the court is almost assuredly going to try and underestimate the amount of your deduction. Third, the rule will probably not be applied if you have access to the documentation but don't produce it (e.g., you could ask a vendor to produce the necessary statements, even if it cost you). Fourth, you'll still have to convince the court you incurred the expenses. It may believe your testimony; it may not. You'll be on safer ground if you have some corroborating evidence.
Finally, the court is under no obligation to assist you. Even if your records are destroyed through no fault of your own (e.g., a fire), the court can require you to reconstruct. You'll fare better if you can show the lack of records either isn't your fault or, if it is, there are extenuating circumstances. For example, you normally have excellent documentation but telephone and utility bills for one year were inadvertently discarded.
Corroborating witnesses. Sometimes you can convince the IRS or the court you incurred the expenses by producing witnesses. That may work, but if the witnesses aren't convincing or the court believes the testimony may be biased (they're employees or relatives), it doesn't have to accept their testimony. And that happens in a high percentage of cases. Again, not an approach to rely on.
Too much paper? In many cases you don't have to save paper copies. Electronic versions of statements received from vendors or others will normally suffice, but they must be readable. You can also scan documents and save them as electronic copies. If the documents are signed (e.g. a lease), you might want to retain an original copy. And consider retaining hard copies of important asset purchases. Talk to your tax advisor.
Retention time. You may have heard hold canceled checks and other documents for 3 years, but it's more complicated than that. Technically it's three years from the date you filed the return. But if the IRS suspects you underreported your income, it can go back 6 years. If it believes fraud is present, there is no limit. For assets such as autos, equipment, etc. you should retain all documentation for at least 3 years after the asset is disposed of. And longer retention periods can apply to employment records. If you need a single rule of thumb, use a 7-year holding period for most records. But the best approach is to check with your tax adviser.
Documentation vital. Based on an informal analysis, it appears that more taxpayers lose in Tax Court because they can't substantiate their expenditures than for any other reason. While the IRS sometimes does show some flexibility, it's generally a stickler for records and can disallow the smallest expenditure for lack of them.
Kenneth Hoffman counsels Entrepreneurs, Professionals and Select Individuals in taking control of their taxes, and businesses. Discover how I can help you overcome your tax and business challenges. To start the conversation or to become a client, call Kenneth Hoffman at (954) 591-8290 Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a no cost consultation, or drop me a note.
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