Posts Tagged ‘leasing company’

February 1st, 2012  Posted at   Leases Leasing

Equipment lease finance is a great option for those who are planning to start a new business. Instead of applying at a bank for a loan to purchase necessary equipment, one can choose a leasing option which helps avoid unnecessary delays in the business operation. Moreover, one can avoid the normally extended waiting period to get their bank loan approved. In this article, we will talk about the essential tips for start-up businesses, new businesses and established businesses that are planning to apply for equipment lease financing.

In the first place, it is very important to consider one’s qualifications. Leasing companies each have their own set standards for approving leases. Always make sure that the company you choose offers services for start-up or new businesses. You will come across many lessors who are willing to finance customers with a good credit. So if your credit history is below the mark, you will want to work with leasing companies that have lower credit experience.

Many leasing companies also have restrictions on the kinds of equipment they are able to finance. For example, some lessors do not lease high-risk equipment like restaurant equipment, ATM machine routes, vending machines, etc. So you should first find out whether the leasing company you have chosen is able to provide you financing for the equipment you require. One more important thing that should be taken into account is the expiration term. You should carefully research the exact date and nature of the expiration of your lease.

When choosing the equipment lease financing option, it is very important to choose a program that is suitable for your needs. Lease programs vary depending on the company providing them. Moreover, there is no standard lease program that will suit every type of businesses. One must consider a number of things before choosing an equipment lease program. For example, the size and financial health of your organization are very important. Important information about lease programs offered by a particular company is available on its website. You should always choose a company that has a well- maintained website where you will find clear program and contact information. The better known companies will also have a simpler lease process that is more manageable and hassle-free. (more…)

January 11th, 2012  Posted at   Leases Leasing

When small businesses are first starting out, a huge chunk of their starting capital usually winds up sunk into the equipment they will need to get up and running. If they had looked into obtaining that same equipment through a capital lease, they would have been able to get everything, under much better conditions financially, and would have more money to further invest in their business. And, because of special tax considerations, that lease would have also netted them a significant tax break at the end of the year.

Capital Lease vs. Outright Purchasing

Small businesses have limited funding starting out, that is an unfortunate fact of the business world. If they were to go the route of purchasing all the equipment they need to begin operating, from manufacturing equipment to office equipment, it will mean cutting those startup funds in half, if not more. Granted they might be able to get some warranties on what they purchase, but after that all maintenance or replacement is now their sole responsibility. At the end of the year, at tax time, it becomes part of their overhead, subject to taxation and depreciation.

In a capital lease, however, they can arrange to lease that same equipment, with the intent to purchase. Instead of laying out all that cash at once, they make smaller payments, over time during the length of the lease, with the option to purchase it fully for a very minimal amount. This makes it much easier on their operating budget, and maintenance is taken care of by the leasing company. Depreciation is not applied at year’s end, because ownership is still shared between them and the leasing agent. However, it is still considered to be a purchase, and counts towards the tax benefits that all businesses receive yearly under Section 179 of the tax code.

The Benefits of Section 179

Designed to benefit small business rather than larger concerns, Section 179 of the tax code was created to grant small business owners incentives to invest more capital through purchases for the business. It basically offers tax deductions for the purchase of equipment up to a maximum of $500,000 per year, rather than lose money by having to deduct the depreciation over time since its purchase. However, recent changes have even altered the practice of depreciation, allowing up to 100% of what would have been lost to be taken as a deduction instead. (more…)