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Business Credit Card Deductions You Won’t Want to Miss

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Business credit card deductions

There are more than 364 million open credit card accounts in the United States. Most people use one daily. This is typically true of businesses as well. In fact, most business owners have a credit card they use for any and all purchases. However, not everyone is aware of the many business credit card deductions they may be missing out on.

5 Business Credit Card Deductions

As many of us are receiving our W2s and other tax paperwork in the mail, you may be searching for additional deductions you can make before you file. If you are a business owner or have a business credit card, be sure you make a note of these.

  1. Credit card interest charges. Ideally, you wouldn’t have any interest on purchases for your business. Every once in a while you may have to buy a large piece of equipment or something more expensive that you aren’t able to pay off in one swipe. If you are charged any interest throughout the year, you can deduct it from your taxes.
  2. Any swipe fees. At any point during the year, if you paid a service fee to swipe your business credit card, deduct the fee.
  3. Late fees. The same can be said of late fees. You can write off any late fees you paid last year.
  4. Annual fees. Some business credit cards have an annual fee. If your card does, you can deduct the fee from your taxes.
  5. Miscellaneous credit card fees. All in all, you’ll be able to deduct any fees or charges you paid last year using your business credit card. Be sure you note any fees you incur, so you have this information on file.

Things to Keep in Mind When You File

Keep in mind, that these deductions are only available for business credit card transactions. You cannot write off fees and interest charges for any personal items. If you use your business card for anything personal, you’ll need to go through your statement and calculate the amount of interest paid on business dealings. However, it is best to use the card solely for business purchases to make tax season a little easier.

Lastly, if you have any questions about business credit card deductions or other deductions available to you, it never hurts to consult a tax professional. At this time of year, many firms are running specials and can help answer any questions you may have.

What is one of your favorite business or personal tax deductions?

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Costco Cash Back Rewards: Are They Worth It?

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Costco has a rewards program that allows members to receive cash back on their purchases – as if buying 100 rolls of toilet paper for less than 50 cents a roll was not enough. Wondering how you can get even more out of your Costco membership? Here’s what you need to know about Costco cash back rewards.

How Do Costco Cash Back Rewards Work?

Here’s how it works: First, you must have a current Gold Star or Business membership. To receive rewards, you need to upgrade to an Executive Membership, which costs an additional $60.

Once you are an executive member, you’ll receive a 2% rebate on select pre-tax purchases, mostly on items you will purchase at the front register. Recently, Costco began including select travel purchases. Costco’s travel program offers discounts at resorts and popular destinations as well as cruises. Not all travel purchases are eligible for the rebate, so check with Costco, first.

Other Costco Rebate Exclusions

Other exclusions to the rebate are tobacco-related products, gas, Costco Cash gift cards, membership fees, consumer and insurance services, photo center purchases and some alcoholic beverage purchases in certain states. And if you allow your cousin to purchase items using your card, they don’t count toward your rebate.

Even if you have been a member for years, you won’t get any rewards on purchases made before you became an executive member. Costco reserves the right to change its policy so if you are making a purchase based on the rebate, make sure it qualifies.

How Much Can You Earn?

The 2% rebates are capped at $1,000 annually. You don’t get the money automatically. The rebate is distributed via a rewards certificate when you renew your membership. You can use the rebate on most purchases you make at the register but again, always double check as policies change.

Is the Costco Executive Membership Worth It?

You have to spend $50,040 a year at Costco to get the $1,000 rebate. If you are already spending a lot of money at Costco for big-ticket items, it’s worth it. But if you are spending less than $250 a month, you won’t cover the $60 Executive membership cost.

Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

Costco has another way for customers to earn cash back through their Anywhere Visa Rewards Card by Citi. While this is a Costco-branded credit card, you can use the card anywhere and receive rewards. You can get 4% back on your gas purchases at any station, including Costco gas pumps. If you eat at your favorite restaurant and use your card, you get 3% back. You will also receive 3% back on your travel purchases.

Customers receive 2% cash back on purchases at Costco both in the store and online. And you get a 1% rebate on any other purchases. You have to be a member of Costco and have good enough credit to qualify for the card to participate in the rewards program.

Is the Costco Anywhere Visa Rewards Card Worth It?

Yes and no. You have to spend $3,000 on each item to receive the maximum award amount of $2,730. Three thousand dollars is a lot of money to spend on gas and food each month. However, if you just want to make a few hundred dollars each year, it’s easily doable.

Like Costco’s other reward program, the rebate is issued once a year. Customers receive a certificate in February based on purchases made during the prior year. You can redeem your certificate for goods at Costco or you can get cash. You can’t use it on Costco’s website or for travel.

Keep in mind that you will also be paying interest if you don’t pay off your purchases each month. The interest you incur will likely be more than the rewards you’ll earn. Unless you are going to use the card for major purchases or use it for business purchases, the card may not be worth it.

Do you use Costco cash back rewards? Let us know in the comments below.

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Follow These 10 Habits to Financial Success

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Developing good financial habits can be a challenge. Many people aren’t taught much about money management growing up, and it is easy to fall into the trappings of debt, living paycheck-to-paycheck, and lifestyle inflation. But, if you focus, you can improve. If you want to make progress, here are 10 habits that promote financial success.

1. Spend Less Than You Earn

The first step for financial success is to spend less than you earn. This includes all purchases, including credit cards, as spending more than you can repay immediately is the pathway to debt.

Additionally, unless you spend less than you earn, savings will be practically impossible. You won’t be able to secure your retirement, purchase a home, or pay for a child’s college if you don’t have money left over to save and invest.

2. Track Your Income and Spending

If you don’t monitor your financial health, getting ahead will be incredibly challenging. Not only do you need to track how much you earn, but also what you spend and where. This gives you the ability to audit your choices, spot financial leaks, and make decisions based on data instead of an assumption about your fiscal well-being.

3. Automate Your Bills and Savings

When it comes to maintaining your financial health, automation is your friend. Set up automatic payments on as many bills as possible as well as deposits into savings, retirement, and investment accounts.

This creates a “set it and forget it” scenario, eliminating the chance that you’ll miss a payment or deposit because you forgot. However, that doesn’t mean you can stop monitoring your accounts, as it is wise to make sure that payments and deposits are going through properly.

4. Limit Your Ability to Spend

If you regularly make impulse purchases, then limiting your ability to spend spontaneously is wise. For example, don’t carry every credit or debit card with you all the time, particularly when you are heading to a place where overspending is common. Alternatively, you can opt only to carry cash, bringing just the right amount to handle a planned purchase with you when you shop.

By limiting what you have in your wallet or purse (or saved in your phone), you can gain control over impulse purchases.

5. Read Your Way to Financial Success

Staying informed is critical to your financial well-being. Before you sign up for a new credit product, read every detail to identify any hidden costs you didn’t notice previously. That way, you can make sure you know exactly what you are getting into before you proceed.

Similarly, read every credit card, loan, and bank statement carefully when it arrives. This gives you a chance to spot errors during the time window where corrections are possible. If you don’t notice an error quickly, you might not be able to intervene if the period during which correcting the discrepancy is allowed expires.

6. Never Rely on “Future” Money

Making financial decisions based on a possible windfall is typically trouble. For instance, counting on a raise before it happens or planning on an inheritance from a relative who is still alive can set you up for failure if it doesn’t come through. It leads you to spend based on cash you don’t genuinely have, and that can result in burdensome debt if your “future” money never arrives.

Instead, don’t allow yourself to believe that you have the money until you actually see it in your hand (or account). Otherwise, don’t count it as part of your financial picture, because it really isn’t until it arrives.

7. Set Financial Goals

While maintaining good habits is always beneficial, having specific goals can help you stay motivated. Plan for big purchases, retirement options, or similar financial events in advance and make them goals. Additionally, break down how much you need and use those goals to craft a viable plan to make them a reality.

By setting goals, you give yourself a target. Plus, as you make progress, you can use those objectives to remain focused, possibly making it easier to resist temptations and impulse purchases.

8. Resist Lifestyle Inflation

When you get a raise, you may want to adjust your lifestyle according to your new income. However, if you spend every extra dime, you aren’t working toward financial success. Instead, you are missing out on an opportunity.

If you are living comfortably and end up with a raise, resist the urge to spend and focus on saving instead. Boost your retirement contributions, build your emergency fund, or start investing. This allows your money to grow and provide you with protection, leaving you better prepared for the future and the unexpected.

9. Check Your Credit Reports

Every year, you can access your credit report from each of the three major bureaus for free. By checking your reports, you can get errors corrected and spot signs of fraud or identity theft, protecting your financial situation with due diligence.

Consider pulling one report every four months. That way, you have a rotating supply that increases the odds that you’ll spot problems quickly and empowers you to make smart choices going forward.

10. Avoid Minimum Payments

If you do have debt, minimum payments mean you will pay the most in interest. Instead of sticking to the minimums on high-interest debts, make paying them off a priority and throw every spare dime that direction. Additionally, resist the urge to add to the balances as you pay them down, as high-interest credit card debt is one of the most cumbersome financial situations you can encounter.

By following these tips, you can develop habits that lead to financial success.

Do you have a habit that will help you reach financial success? Share it in the comments below.

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8 Valuable Credit Card Benefits You Might Not Know About

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Based on the most recent Census Bureau estimates, there are more than 180 million credit cardholders in America. Together, they have around 1.3 billion cards. These are split between the major general use credit cards, store cards, and gas cards. Many come with extra perks and credit card benefits you might not know about.

What Types of Credit Card Benefits are Available?

While each card is different, the majority come with a benefit or perk. Common credit card perks like cash back and rewards points are fairly well-known. You might also get extra discounts at specific stores, access to exclusive sales, and coupons.

However, numerous other credit card perks fly under the radar. Many people miss out on these benefits, simply because they don’t know they are available. Not every card issuer actively markets every credit card benefit that they offer. You have to dig into your credit card agreements and the issuer’s website to learn about them.

If you want to make sure you get the most out of your credit card, here are some credit card benefits you should look for.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry

Once only available on credit cards with steep annual fees, refunds for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees are increasingly common on credit cards, particularly those with other travel benefits.

Since TSA PreCheck and Global Entry can make getting through airport security easier, it’s worth exploring whether your card offers this perk. Usually, to access the benefit, you need to charge your application fee to the card. Then you might need to request your refund, or it could appear as a statement credit. However, the effort pays off big since the TSA and Global Entry fees are $85 and $100, respectively.

Airline Baggage Fees

A substantial number of airline-branded credit cards allow customers to check one bag for free. It’s free if they purchase their airline tickets on the card and from that airline. In some cases, this travel-oriented credit card perk also extends to your travel companions. However, you may need to purchase their tickets with your card as well.

In some cases, certain additional charges, like in-flight food and beverage purchases, are also eligible for refunds or discounts. There might be limitations, but it’s still an easy way to save a little money.

Purchase Protection

In the land of credit card benefits, purchase protection is fairly common. If an item is damaged or stolen during a specific time window and the cardholder files a claim, the issuer will reimburse you for the purchase as long as it was made with the card.

Typically, cardholders have 90 or 120 days after the purchase to use this perk. However, coverage maximums usually apply, so you may not receive a reimbursement for the full cost depending on the item’s purchase price.

Cell Phone Replacement

Replacing a damaged smartphone can easily run a few hundred dollars. But some card issuers will cover that expense as long as you use their card to pay your monthly cell phone bills.

Generally, cell phone replacement works a lot like insurance. You’ll need to cover a small deductible and file a claim. Additionally, there is usually a benefit maximum per incident, as well as an annual cap and claim limit.

Identity Theft Assistance

While not being liable for fraudulent charges on a credit card is standard practice, some card issuers go a step further and provide cardholders with additional identity theft assistance. These programs help ID theft victims with anything from completing necessary forms (like police reports) to contacting other creditors to begin mitigating the damage.

Additionally, many card issuers provide customers with credit monitoring tools, including the ability to receive alerts regarding changes on your credit report. In most cases, these tools also give you access to your credit score for free.

However, not every issuer displays your FICO score. Instead, you may see your Vantage score, which isn’t as commonly used in credit decisions. But, that doesn’t mean the information doesn’t provide value, as changes in your Vantage score could indicate your FICO score may have shifted as well.

Secondary Rental Car Insurance

When renting a car, the car rental company typically offers additional insurance to the driver. Saying no to the collision protection service can save you up to $30 a day, but leave you financially liable if you are responsible for an accident.

However, many credit card issuers provide cardholders with some secondary rental car insurance coverage if they use the card to pay for the rental. A few credit card companies even offer primary insurance coverage, allowing you to use their benefit before your personal auto insurance policy.

The nature of the coverage can vary dramatically, so it’s wise to check with your issuer to see exactly what is available.

Travel Insurance

If your travel plans go a bit awry, your credit card issuer may be able to help. In some cases, you can request refunds on specific expenses that directly relate to the incident as long as you bought them with the card.

For example, if a weather event prevents your flight from leaving on time, causing you to need a hotel for the night, that expense may qualify. If you lose your luggage during the trip, you may be eligible for a reimbursement to help cover the cost of the missing items.

Again, this one of many credit card benefits that can vary dramatically between issuers who offer it, so you need to check with yours directly to see what coverage may be available.

Currency Conversion Services

If you travel overseas, converting your currency into the local one can be expensive. Many currency exchanges charge high fees and use unfavorable exchange rates as a means of generating profit. But some credit card issuers help mitigate these costs by allowing you to bypass the need to obtain local currency entirely.

Certain credit cards don’t charge foreign transaction fees and may use more favorable exchange rates. If you use your card to pay for goods and services instead of converting cash to the local currency, you can actually come out ahead.

Does My Credit Card Provide These Benefits?

Often, you can find information regarding any available credit card benefits on the issuer’s website. You can also reach out to customer service if you can’t find the details you need.

Ultimately, no two credit cards are completely alike. Even two cards offered by the same issuer typically have access to different perks, so you need to check with the company to see what is available to you.

Do you have any favorite credit card benefits? Tell us about them in the comments below.

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How To Get Free Gas (Legally)

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how to get free gasThere are some expenses you just can’t live without. Fortunately, there are a few different ways you can save at the pump, and essentially get free gas (without breaking any laws.) Here’s how to get free gas to get you on the road for less.

Free Gas With Fuel Rewards and Credit Cards

You might look at some of those gas coupons for a couple of pennies off when you fill up and think there’s no way it can put a dent into your fuel expenses. Sure, it isn’t entirely free if you have to make a purchase to get the fuel discount. However, when it comes to gas, pennies can add up significantly, resulting in free gas.

For instance, the following gas rewards programs offer discounts on gas, even when you buy other types of purchases.

Shell Fuel Rewards: We’ve outlined pretty much everything you need to know about the Shell Fuel Rewards Loyalty Program. Basically, you earn rewards when you use your membership card, which can result in a discount on gas of up to 10¢ per gallon.

Depending on your vehicle(s) and how much you drive, you can end up saving hundreds of dollars. There is also a Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Card which awards 1-2% in Shell Rewards when you use your card.

Other gas credit cards that can result in free gas when you use them include:

  • Marathon Credit Card: 5¢ per gallon up to 25¢ per gallon depending on how much you spend.
  • Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card: 3% cash back on gas. Plus, when you sign up for the card and spend $500 in the first 90 days, you get a bonus of $200 in cash rewards.
  • Costco Anywhere Visa: For many members, purchasing gas at Costco results in significant savings by itself. If you use the credit card, you earn 4% cash back on gas at Costco and other gas stations — so you aren’t limited to filling up at Costco. This is one of the highest cash back offers you’ll find for gas purchases.

(Note on credit cards: It’s important to pay the balance in full each month. Otherwise, the interest will cancel out any cash back or savings.)

How To Get Free Gas Without Spending

If you really need ways to get free gas and you don’t want to worry about special rewards programs or spending to get it, you do have options. Some of the opportunities available include:

Sign Up For Swagbucks

This site allows you to earn points for activities on the internet such as shopping, surfing the web, surveys, and testing products. You can then redeem the points you’ve earned for gift cards at gas stations. As long as you have an internet connection, you can earn free gas with just you day-to-day online activities.

Right now, you can earn a bonus of 1000 points when you sign up, which is worth $10, so you’d be well on your way to having enough for your next fill up.

Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Have you ever received a gift card from someone that you can’t use? Fortunately, there are sites online that allow you to sell your gift cards. On the other hand, this means you can buy discounted gift cards for gas. For example, on CardCash.com, you can get a $50 Shell Gift Card for $48.55. Although this might not seem like a huge savings, there are tons of other gas gift cards to choose from, and often special sales and promotions with even bigger savings.

Check other gift cards as well. Gift Card Granny currently offers BP cards at a 4 percent discount.

Stack Savings Offers

If you are taking advantage of discounted gift cards or other opportunities where you earn gas rewards, make sure you are stacking the offers whenever possible. For instance, if you bought the Shell Gift Card mentioned, you could get even more free gas by also being a member of the Fuel Rewards Program. Also, when you purchase gas gift cards, make sure you’re using a credit card that awards cash back or other rewards for that purchase.

Free Gas Organizations

If your need for free gas is an emergency, certain organizations will help you out with free gas vouchers. For instance, Free Gas USA, Inc., provides grants for those needing gas assistance. You can also check with churches in your area. Catholic Charities and United Way may also help you out with gas if you need it to get to work or medical appointments. You might also be able to get free gas cards from Salvation Army if you are in an emergency situation.

Finding free gas isn’t easy, but it is possible. At the very least, make sure you are getting a discount with either your credit card, rewards program, or gift card, the next time you are at the pump.

Do you have any other tips for getting free gas? Share with us in the comments below!

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How Do Shell Rewards Compare to Other Gas Rewards Credit Cards?

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On average, Americans drive nearly 13,500 miles each year. Considering that the average fuel economy reached 24.7 mpg in the 2016 model year, that distance equals around 547 gallons of gas annually.

While average national gas prices can vary, as of September 2018, each gallon cost about $2.85. For 547 gallons, at that price, each driver spends about $1,559 annually on fuel alone.

The cost of fueling up a vehicle often leads consumers to seek out gas rewards programs. Whether tied to a specific credit card or not, finding a great rewards option can significantly reduce your costs at the pump.

Shell Rewards is just one of many options available. But how do Shell Rewards measure up? Is the program better than other gas rewards credit cards? If you are wondering whether Shell Rewards is right for you, here’s what you need to know.

The Shell Rewards Program

The Shell gas rewards program, also known as “Fuel Rewards,” allows a variety of purchases to result in lower costs at the pump.

There are actually two ways to join the Shell Rewards program.

Shell Fuel Rewards Loyalty Program

First, you can simply become a regular member. When you use this approach, you get a Fuel Rewards card, not unlike the loyalty cards you may use at grocery stores.

When you head to a participating Shell station, you just swipe your Fuel Rewards card during your transaction (or enter a unique Alt ID on the pin pad). This allows the system to record your gas purchase, allowing you to acquire rewards points.

You also have the option of linking your existing debit or credit card to your Fuel Rewards account. Then, when you use that card at participating restaurants, online retailers, and other businesses, you get additional rewards. This means you don’t have to have a Shell Rewards credit card to be part of the Fuel Rewards program.

Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Cards

If you prefer to have a gas rewards credit card, there are also a new Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Cards available. This includes an option that works only at Shell locations (like a store credit card does) or a full-fledged card that works anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

On either option, you can save up to 10¢ per gallon when you fuel up. Plus, you can receive up to 10 percent in Shell rebates per year on your first $1,200 spent annually on non-fuel purchases.

If you opt for the Mastercard version, you also get more. You’ll receive 2 percent in Shell rebates for your first $10,000 in purchases in the dining and groceries category. Otherwise, you get a 1 percent rebate on every other qualifying purchase.

Rebates apply to your balance automatically, working as a credit in subsequent billing cycles.

Other Gas Rewards Credit Cards

The Marathon Credit Card starts at 5¢ per gallon. But, if you spend between $500 and $999 each month using the card, including for fuel purchases, that amount rises to 15¢. Cross the $1,000 spending mark every month, and you earn 25¢ per gallon in rewards.

With the Chevron/Texaco Techron Advantage Card, you can earn 3¢ per gallon as a fuel credit with each fill up at the beginning. However, if you make purchases with the card at places other than gas stations, that can increase to 10¢ or 20¢ per gallon, as long as you spend $300 or $1,000 each month in qualifying purchases, respectively.

There are other rewards credit cards that can also help you save, but most of them are cashback cards and not fuel rewards cards. This means you’ll usually earn cashback on qualifying gas purchases, but may not see any savings at the actual pump.

For example, the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card provides 3 percent cash back on your first $2,500 of qualifying fuel/grocery/wholesale club purchases in each quarter. On the Wells Fargo Propel American Express card, gas station purchases get three times the points, which can result in some savings.

Should You Use Shell Rewards?

If you frequently use Shell stations, then the regular Fuel Rewards membership may be a smart move. At a minimum, it lets you generate rewards from your gas purchases, even if you don’t link a debit or credit card.

Whether the credit card option is right for you depends on your unique situation. The interest rate you secure is based on your creditworthiness, but may reach over 26 percent with the Shell cards. If you typically carry a balance, that level of an interest rate will wipe out any savings you experience at the pump pretty quickly. Even a $100 balance could cost you more than you save on gas, so proceed with caution.

However, that doesn’t mean other rewards cards will provide you with enough value either if you carry a balance.

For example, the Marathon card usually has an APR between 18 and 27 percent, which is also quite high. The Wells Fargo Propel comes in with an APR range of 14 to 27 percent, while Bank of America’s Cash Rewards card is only modestly better, at 14 to 25 percent.

Unless you aren’t likely to carry a balance, then you should probably opt for the regular Fuel Rewards account and avoid generating any new debt. That way, you won’t lose your savings at the pump to interest charges.

Do you use Shell Rewards? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

Looking for more helpful articles about rewards cards? Give these a try.