Tax Basics for Startups

Per Diem Rates from the U.S. General Services Administration

Search by city, state or ZIP code, or by clicking on the map. You can also use the new per diem tool to calculate trip allowances

Rates are set by fiscal year, effective October 1 each year. Find current rates in the continental United States ("CONUS Rates").

Significant Participation Passive Activities


Significant Participation

A significant participation passive activity is any trade or business activity in which you participated for more than 100 hours during the tax year but did not materially participate.

If your gross income from all significant participation passive activities exceeds your deductions from those activities, then a part of your net income from each significant participation passive activity is treated as nonpassive income.

  • Use Worksheet A in Publication 925 if you have income or loss from Significant Participation Passive Activities.

Material Participation More than 500 Hours for All Activities

If your hours of participation in all activities adds up to more than 500 hours then none of the activities are passive activities. Just report your income and losses from these activities on the forms and schedules you normally use.

Avoid costly penalties!

Use the IRS Online Tax Calendar
to check filing and deposit deadlines.