Now is an opportune time to start thinking about year-end tax planning for your business. These six tax strategies can be put into effect to reduce your tax liability come April 15:

1. Save for Retirement
Contributing to an IRA, Keogh, SEP (simplified employee pension) or other retirement plan is one of the best ways to reduce your taxable income and secure your financial future. While you have until your federal tax filing date to contribute, the sooner you make your contribution, the more you'll benefit from tax-deferred compounding. The rules, contribution limits and deadlines differ depending on the plan you choose. A CPA can help you determine the best option for you.

2. Buy Necessary Equipment
If you are thinking about upgrading your computer system, purchasing furniture or buying machinery or other equipment for your business, purchasing it now will enable you to write off the costs against this year's income. The Section 179 deduction permits you to expense or fully deduct up to $108,000 of qualified equipment purchases. New and used equipment qualifies, and if you're short of cash, you can finance the purchase. You must put the equipment into service before December 31, to qualify for the write-off on your tax return.

3. Time Your Income and Expenses
Many small businesses use the cash method of accounting. If yours is one of them, you have some flexibility in timing income and deductions. This can help you reduce, or at least defer, paying taxes on your profits. The easiest way to do this is to hold off on sending out invoices until very late in the month so that you don't receive payment until next year. On the expenses side, try to accelerate deductions into 2007 by stocking up on supplies, paying employee bonuses, making charitable contributions and prepaying January bills during the last quarter of the year.

4. Put Your Children to Work
Rather than paying your children an allowance, putting them to work for your business allows you to deduct the money you pay them from your taxable income. If you operate a sole proprietorship, you don't pay Social Security or federal unemployment taxes on wages paid to your child under age 18. A dependent child with no investment income can shelter up to $5,150 of earned income in before he/she has to file an income tax return. Be sure that the wages you pay are reasonable for the work done by your child.

5. Learn More About the Home Office Deduction
Depending on how you use your home for business, you may be able to deduct a portion of your rent or mortgage payment, property taxes, utilities, maintenance and repair costs. The rules are complicated, and you'll want to check with your CPA before proceeding. But if you qualify, the savings can be substantial.

6. Keep Track of Deductible Expenses
Even if you don't take the home office deduction, there are many expenses you can deduct to lower your tax bill. Examples of deductible expenses include what you pay for office supplies, advertising fees, professional services, business insurance, phone and Internet, postage and shipping, work-related magazines and journals, and 50 percent of the cost of meal and entertainment expenses associated with the conduct of your business. Hold onto your receipts, and keep accurate records of what you spend.

Meet with Your CPA
It's a good idea to meet with your CPA at Toscano & Ardito as soon as possible in this final quarter of 2007 so you can be sure you do not miss out on any deductions you are entitled to claim. We can help you make the most of these and other year-end tax-saving strategies.