We’ve mentioned this previously, and we’ll do it again here.
- Rule #1- Please get a separate checking account for your business, preferably with the same bank as your personal checking account so transfers (shareholder distributions) are easy
- Rule #2- Do not pay for personal expenses or any mixed-use expense with business funds.This is bad for several reasons- the IRS hates it. It erodes the corporate veil which is already dangerously thin since you are a closely held corporation. Lastly, if you need to re-construct your financials because of a QuickBooks disaster or some other disaster, having your business transactions compartmentalized within a bank account makes life better. All money coming in is income. All money going out is an expense or a distribution.
Do you get the feeling that we’ve said these words before? Like déjà vu? Ever have vuja-de? It is the feeling that this has never happened before- opposite of Deja-vu. Yes, we did mention this before in our chapter on operating your S Corp. Here it is again.
Read Rule #2 again. It is imperative to keep an arms-length perspective on you, the employee, and relationship with the S corporation. If you worked for Google or Ford, you wouldn’t be able to get the business to buy your groceries or pay your mortgage directly. Same thing with your business. Here is another quick table to help you out with the “Which debit card should I use?” question.
Cash Outflow & Checking Account To Use
- Car Lease Personal, unless lease is in business name.
- Gas for Car Personal, unless owned / registered by business
- Estimated Tax Payments Personal, since an S Corp is a pass-through entity
- Cell Phone Personal, reimbursed through Accountable Plan
- Home Utilities Personal, reimbursed through Accountable Plan
- Home Office Renovations Personal, possible partial reimbursement
- DSW, Banana Republic Personal, but it would be nice
- Shareholder Distribution Business
- Self-Employed Health Insurance Business
- Out of Pocket Medical Personal, unless you have an HRA
- Accountable Plan Reimbursements Business
- 401k Contribution Business
- SEP IRA Contribution Business, but you should use a 401k instead
Read our chapter on operating your S Corp and specifically the section on Accountable Plans for more information on getting reimbursed as an employee of your S Corp for those expenses that are both personal and business such as cell phones, home offices, internet, etc.
