180 months
If you decide to operate your business as a corporation, the corporation can elect to deduct up to $5,000 of its organizational expenditures and amortize the remainder over a period of 180 months. The $5,000 deducted for organizational expenses must be reduced by the amount by which the expenses exceed $50,000.

How are amortized startup costs treated when a business is closed?

For example, if you elected to amortize organization costs over five years and you still have two years of unamortized organized costs remaining when your business is closed, deduct the remaining two-year balance on your final return.

How long is the amortization period for startup costs?

If the partnership is terminated before the amortization period, then any unamortized amount can be deducted as a business loss or against business profits in the final year. Startup costs and organizational costs can be amortized over different periods, but they cannot be less than 180 months, or 15 years.

When to file an amortization statement for a business?

However, a partner can make the election for any costs incurred in investigating the partnership interest. The amortization election can be done by filing a statement early in any tax year before the business actually begins.

How much amortization can I deduct for a small business?

You may deduct $6,340 in start-up expenses in the year when you open your business. This consists of your $5,000 current start-up expense deduction and an amortizable amount of $1,167 ($42,000/180 x 6 months = $1,340.

What’s the first step in starting a S-corporation?

Step 1: Name Your Business. The first step in starting your S-Corporation giving your business an official name. Have fun with it, but remember you may live in a state where you are required to include an identifying word or abbreviation at the end of your business name to let people know you are a corporation.