3 Reasons For A Business To Go Bankrupt

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Business Bankruptcy is more common nowadays due to the ever-changing economic statuses worldwide. Every year, big and small businesses file for bankruptcy for several reasons. In each of the years from 2016 through 2020, more than 22,000 firms declared bankruptcy, according to statistics from the U.S. Courts. This figure does not include the number of small enterprises that simply shut their doors and leave their failing operations.

Some of the reasons are listed below.

Ten Top Reasons for Bankruptcy

The top ten reasons for bankruptcy are:

1. Credit Card Debt

Credit card debt is one of the main reasons a business goes bankrupt. It is when a business is spending over the limit of the credit cards and cannot pay back to the bank.

2. Large Expenses

The unexpectedly large expenses adversely affect the bank account. Due to this, the business cannot pay off other costs, leading to bankruptcy.

3. Finance Deficit

Small businesses often have to take loans from banks and other financiers to start the business. If not promising to surge high in the market, the business can lead to a loss in its financers. Thus, causing it to go bankrupt.

4. Collateral Damage

Small businesses often use their personal properties as collateral to receive loans from financiers. The non-payment of the loans leads to the acquisition of personal properties.

5. Key Employees

Hardworking and talented employees are the main asset of any business. With them, the business will flourish.

6. Lack of Business Planning

A business plan is most important when starting a business. Non-research of the market or its consumers can cause great damage to the business’s finances. Thus, causing it to go bankrupt.

7. Accumulated bills

With the need for more inflow of finances, bills get accumulate. Non-payment of bills leads to bankruptcy of businesses.

8. Personal issues

Due to the personal issues of the owner, a business can undergo bankruptcy. This is mainly due to illness or divorce.

9. Market Crash

The drop in the state’s economy and the market where the business operates are major reasons for a business to go bankrupt.

10.  Unforeseen Disasters

Businesses can easily go bankrupt when they cannot cope with unforeseen disasters. These disasters may include natural disasters, criminal activities as well as pandemics. In recent times, Covid -19 was an unforeseen disaster that has bankrupted many businesses.

bankruptcy

Getting Help to Avoid Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a dangerous situation for any business to be in. It has adverse effects on the owners of the business and those financing it. All the reasons explained above will give the idea that debt on its own will never disappear. Certain steps must be taken to avoid bankruptcy.

Entrepreneurs must be thorough in the market and consumer research when going into business. A list of financers should be available for the startup. A great deal of thought must be put into the planning and survival of the business. It should be understood that with the inflow of cash, planning, and budgeting must be done to avoid bankruptcy.

If you need professional financial guidance and support, consider contacting us at Nidhi Jain, one of the best Bay Area and San Jose CPAs. Our team is one of the best Indian CPA companies in the U.S. With our expertise and experience we can help you navigate the complexities of financial management and ensure your business stays on the path to success. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you succeed as a business owner in the Bay Area and beyond.

 

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Tax trouble often starts months before a return is due. A missed receipt, unreconciled bank account, or incorrect expense category can distort taxable income. The IRS generally suggests keeping tax records for three years, while employment tax records should be kept for at least four years.

That is why business bookkeeping should be handled every month, not rebuilt at year-end. A short monthly routine gives owners cleaner reports, better cash flow visibility, and stronger support for deductions.

Reconcile Every Financial Account

Compare each bank, credit card, loan, and payment processor balance with the bookkeeping system. Investigate missing deposits, duplicate charges, fees, returned payments, and transfers.

Complete this task before closing the month. Otherwise, errors can carry into future reports and make taxable profit look higher or lower than it is.

Record and Categorize Expenses

Enter every business purchase with the correct date, vendor, amount, and category. Save the receipt or invoice with the transaction.

Pay close attention to:

  • Software subscriptions
  • Insurance premiums
  • Travel and mileage
  • Advertising costs
  • Professional fees
  • Equipment purchases

Repairs, supplies, and equipment may receive different tax treatment. A certified public accountant can help set up categories that support accurate bookkeeping and accounting.

Review Receivables and Payables

Run an accounts receivable report each month. Follow up on overdue invoices and record customer payments correctly. Then review unpaid vendor bills and due dates.

Calculator and pen placed on printed business charts and financial reports

This helps owners distinguish revenue earned from cash collected. It also shows how much cash is committed to bills, loan payments, and taxes.

Check Tax Accounts

Confirm wages, employer taxes, benefits, reimbursements, and contractor payments.

Also review sales tax and estimated tax accounts. These balances should not be treated as available operating cash. Monthly checks make it easier to find missing payments before deadlines.

Run Key Financial Reports

Review the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow report. Compare the current month with the prior month, budget, and same period last year.

Look for sharp changes in sales, margins, debt, or operating costs. Ask your CPA in Bay Area about entries that do not match business activity.

Create a Monthly Closing Checklist

Use the same steps every month and assign a completion date. Consistency reduces rushed corrections during filing season.

Keep Your Books Tax-Ready With Nidhi Jain CPA

Nidhi Jain CPA provides business bookkeeping support for owners who need organized records and clear financial reports. Our bookkeeping and accounting services include reconciliations, expense reviews, and monthly reporting. Work with our certified public accountant who can help keep your records ready for tax filing all year. Contact us now.

The United States has 36.2 million small businesses, and they employ 62.3 million people, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.

That means millions of owners make tax, debt, and investment decisions every day. Yet many speak with a CPA only when a return is due. By then, a missed payment, weak bookkeeping process, or poorly timed purchase may be difficult to correct. Asking the right financial questions before hiring a CPA can help you find someone who supports compliance and better decisions.

What Is My Real Cash Flow Position?

Profit does not always equal cash in the bank. Ask the CPA to explain how much cash remains after loan payments, owner withdrawals, taxes, and overdue invoices.

Request a monthly cash flow forecast. It should show expected receipts, fixed bills, tax payments, and periods when cash may become tight. This helps you decide when to hire, buy equipment, or delay spending.

Are My Books Ready for Tax Filing?

Ask how often bank, credit card, loan, and payment processor accounts should be reconciled. Also ask who will review uncategorized transactions, owner payments, and unpaid invoices.

Good bookkeeping should produce a profit and loss statement and balance sheet that agree with supporting records. A certified public accountant in Bay Area should also explain which documents must be kept for deductions.

Financial professional discussing a printed report with a business owner

Am I Paying Enough Tax During the Year?

Federal income tax generally follows a pay-as-you-go system. Business owners may need withholding or estimated payments during the year.

Ask your CPA to recalculate payments when revenue, deductions, or owner income changes. Tax planning should also cover retirement contributions, asset purchases, credits, and the timing of income and expenses.

Does My Business Structure Still Fit?

The SBA states that business structure affects taxes, operations, and personal asset exposure.

Ask how your sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, S corporation, or C corporation affects owner pay, filing costs, and state taxes. An entity change may add fees and reporting duties, so compare the full annual cost before making a decision.

What Should I Prepare for Next?

Ask for a 12-month plan covering hiring, financing, expansion, estimated taxes, retirement contributions, and major purchases. Also ask how often you will meet and which reports the CPA will provide.

Clear communication matters. Confirm which services are included, how quickly questions are answered, and who will handle your account. This helps prevent confusion when deadlines or major financial decisions arise.

Ask Better Questions With Nidhi Jain CPA

Nidhi Jain CPA helps business owners connect bookkeeping, tax planning, cash flow, and future decisions. Review the financial questions before hiring a CPA with a certified public accountant who can help build a clear financial plan based on your business needs. Contact us now.