Have you ever found yourself using your personal credit card for business expenses? Or maybe you’ve accidentally paid for a personal expense from your business account? Trust us, you’re not alone! In this episode, host and CEO of Kickstart Accounting, Inc., Danielle Hayden, breaks down why it’s crucial to keep your business and personal finances separate and the steps you can take to make sure it’s all sorted (even if things have gotten a little mixed up already).

Danielle dives into the often-overlooked consequences of commingling funds, which can impact your legal protections, make bookkeeping messy, and even increase your risk of an IRS audit. But don’t worry! We’re here to help you understand the risks and, most importantly, what to do if you’ve already blurred those lines a bit with practical steps you can implement now. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Legal & Financial Protection: Danielle explains how mixing funds can “pierce the corporate veil,” leaving personal assets exposed in case of legal claims. Keeping accounts separate ensures you maintain your business’s legal integrity.

• Impact on Business Health: When you blend personal and business expenses, it becomes nearly impossible to get a true read on your financial health. Separating expenses helps you pinpoint what’s working in your business, what isn’t, and whether cash flow issues are related to personal or business spending.

• IRS Risks & Tax Deductions: Discover why commingling could increase your chances of an audit and how clean financial records can help you maximize deductions and minimize stress.

• Action Steps if You’ve Already Commingled: Danielle walks through actionable steps to sort it all out, from categorizing personal expenses as owner’s draws to creating an accountable reimbursement plan.

• Regularly Reviewing Credit Cards: Thinking about rewards? Danielle shares why it’s worth finding a business card with perks you love, so you won’t feel tempted to use your personal card.

• Get Help When You Need It: If managing finances alone feels overwhelming, Danielle invites you to connect with her team at Kickstart Accounting for reliable, ongoing support to keep your finances in check.

Topics Discussed: 

Examples and Risks of Commingling (00:00:28 - 00:02:20)

Impact on Business Health (00:02:46 - 00:04:03)

Cash Flow and Commingling (00:04:03 - 00:05:01)

Challenges in Tax Deductions and IRS Risks (00:05:01 - 00:06:25)

What to Do if You Have Already Commingled (00:06:25 - 00:07:34)

Action Steps for Business Owners (00:08:04 - 00:11:12)

Wrap-Up – Importance of Recording All Business Expenses Properly (00:11:12 - 00:12:03)

 

Resources: 

Free Guides | https://kickstartaccountinginc.com/gift/ 

How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner

6 Tax Tips Every Business Owner Should Know 

 

Book a Call with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

https://www.kickstartaccountinginc.com/book 

 

Connect with Kickstart Accounting, Inc.:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/Kickstartaccounting

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@businessbythebooks 

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc