Setting Up Your Personal Real Estate Corporation: A Tax Guide

Congratulations! You've taken the important step of setting up your Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC). By creating your PREC, you're on the path to potentially reducing your tax burden and improving your financial situation. In this blog post, we'll explore the key aspects of managing taxes within your new personal real estate corporation. So, let's dive in!

In the first year of your personal real estate corporation, you have the opportunity to select a year-end date. This date can be set within 367 days from the date of your corporation's incorporation. To provide an example, if you incorporated your PREC on October 1st, you could choose to have your first tax year end on September 30th of the following year. Alternatively, you could select December 31st of the same year as your year-end date. However, your chosen period can't exceed 12 months.

 

For real estate agents, who are often swamped during the busy summer months, this flexibility allows you to schedule your tax filing for the fall or winter. This ensures that you have more time to focus on essential tax planning and other aspects of your business.

 

One crucial aspect to keep in mind as a corporation is that you now need to maintain up-to-date bookkeeping and financial record keeping. The process is more complex than simply entering numbers on a personal tax return. You'll be required to reconcile assets and liabilities, and this is where professional bookkeeping comes into play.

 

While professional bookkeeping may involve a cost, it is an invaluable investment for your business. Keeping track of the financial transactions within your corporation accurately will maximize your deductions and reduce your stress during tax season. To streamline this process, consider setting up a business bank account within your corporation and obtaining a business credit card. These dedicated accounts make it easier for a bookkeeper to record and manage all financial transactions accurately on your behalf.

 

Filing taxes for your PREC doesn't need to be a daunting task. With proper planning and assistance from financial professionals, you can maximize your tax benefits and ensure that you file on time to avoid costly penalties.

 

Remember, the cost of professional bookkeeping and accounting services is an investment in your business's financial health and compliance. By delegating these responsibilities to experts, you can focus on what you do best—serving your real estate clients and growing your business.