The Tax Impact of Business Bartering

Sarah B

Bartering is simply the exchange of services or property, and it’s a taxable event. For example, if a computer consultant trades services with an advertising agency, each must report income equal to the fair market value of the services they received, typically the amount the service provider would normally charge. The rules are similar when property is part of the exchange. For example, if a construction company accepts unsold inventory as payment, it must report income equal to the inventory’s fair market value.


Some businesses participate in barter clubs that manage these exchanges using “credit units.” Members earn credits by providing goods or services and redeem them later. Generally, bartering is taxable in the year it occurs. However, when participating in a barter club, you might owe taxes when credits are added to your account, rather than when they’re used. Barter clubs must send participants IRS Form 1099-B (Proceeds from Broker and Barter Transactions) by January 31 of the following year.


Business bartering transactions may be beneficial as long as you’re aware of the federal and state tax consequences. Contact the office if you need assistance or would like more information.

October 2025 Newsletter

By Sarah Bolton • October 3, 2025
Our regularly updated newsletter provides timely articles to help you achieve your financial goals. Please come back and visit often. Feature Articles Enhanced SALT Tax Break Will Help Many Homeowners 2 Important Changes for Businesses under the New Tax Law Tax Breaks for Medical Expenses Tax Tips Can Your Business Benefit from the WOTC? Say Goodbye to Paper Checks Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts for Your Business

October 2025: Upcoming Tax Due Dates

By Sarah Bolton • October 3, 2025
October 15 Individuals: File a 2024 income tax return (Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR) if an automatic six-month extension was filed (or if an automatic four-month extension was filed by a taxpayer living outside the United States and Puerto Rico). Pay any tax, interest and penalties due. Individuals: Make contributions for 2024 to certain existing retirement plans or establish and contribute to a SEP for 2024 if an automatic six-month extension was filed. Individuals: File a 2024 gift tax return (Form 709) and pay any tax, interest and penalties due if an automatic six-month extension was filed. Calendar-year bankruptcy estates: File a 2024 income tax return (Form 1041) if an automatic six-month extension was filed. Pay any tax, interest and penalties due. Calendar-year C corporations: File a 2024 income tax return (Form 1120) if an automatic six-month extension was filed. Pay any tax, interest and penalties due. Calendar-year C corporations: Make contributions for 2024 to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans if an automatic six-month extension was filed. Employers: Deposit Social Security, Medicare and withheld income taxes for September if the monthly deposit rule applies. Employers: Deposit nonpayroll withheld income tax for September if the monthly deposit rule applies. October 31 Employers: Report Social Security and Medicare taxes and income tax withholding for third quarter 2025 (Form 941) and pay any tax due if all of the associated taxes due weren’t deposited on time and in full. November 10 Individuals: Report October tip income of $20 or more to employers (Form 4070). Employers: Report Social Security and Medicare taxes and income tax withholding for third quarter 2025 (Form 941) if all of the associated taxes due were deposited on time and in full.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts for Your Business

By Sarah Bolton • October 3, 2025
Employers seeking to offer family-friendly benefits may want to consider flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for dependent care. These FSAs let employees make pre-tax contributions through payroll withholding to help cover eligible expenses. Because of the major tax bill enacted on July 4, 2025, the annual contribution limit, currently $5,000, will rise to $7,500 in 2026. FSA contributions reduce employees’ income tax and payroll tax and employers’ payroll tax. Withdrawals used to pay qualified expenses are tax-free. These include expenses for care for a child under age 13 or another dependent unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental limitations. Contact the office with questions.