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Small Business Matters
Tax preparation and filing isn't easy at the best of times, but with business ownership comes new responsibilities. Whatever your business type, you may decide that you can benefit from the services of a tax professional to help you get your ducks in a row or help you complete your return. Not getting the right help can expose you to potential tax return errors, which can lead to costly penalties and time lost down the line. And because each business is different i;s important to get the right help based on your needs. When selecting a tax...
No longer just a hub for PDFs and tax forms, the IRS.gov Web site is now a feature- and content-rich online resource for entrepreneurs, small business owners and the self-employed. So, as you start preparing for tax season and plan the tax year ahead, here are just some of tools and resources that can help you stay fiscally fit and on top of your tax obligations. The good news is that these tools not only help business owners understand their tax obligations, they also offer a foundation in good business management that can be referenced all...
Theres no doubt about it we are a nation of coupon-clipping consumers and le-s face it, who doesn't like a bargain? From print coupons to online coupon codes, and now with the staggering growth of social coupons- consumers are literally bombarded with special offers. But how do you make coupons work for your business without underselling your value and compromising your bottom line? Here are some considerations and tips for determining whether'couponin' is right for your business and how to market your discounts and special offers...
In two previous posts, I addressed some key tax consolidations that small business owners and employers need to be aware of as we head into tax season, including the specific tax requirements that impact employers this time of year as well as changes to tax law that can benefit all businesses during the 2010 tax filing season. While these considerations are very important, especially if you are new to business ownership, i;s also important you establish and follow clear accounting methods and periods to ensure you are accurately reporting all...
Are you a parent with entrepreneurial aspirations? Then you may just be the next Mompreneur or Dadpreneur! Contrary to what many might suppose, parents make great entrepreneurs, since many of the skills learned and applied as a parent are equally applicable to a successful business career. For example, both parents and business owners need to be goal-oriented, good planners, super organized, focused on the finances, team builders and fiercely tenacious, to name just a few! So how do you channel all these skills into entrepreneurship? Here are...
No longer regarded as a temporary back-fill for open staffing positions or one-off projects, outsourcing to freelancers and consultants has now become a regular practice among small and large businesses alike. And the benefits are obvious - outsourcing to trusted freelance workers can give you quick access to specific skill sets, industry-knowledge, and technical-proficiencies that you might not otherwise have on staff. It also allows you to adjust to spikes in demand, maintain a nimble talent pool, all while keeping your payroll outgoings at...
Whether it's downloading and sharing company confidential information (a hot topic these days), manipulating expense reports, or stealing merchandise- employee theft and fraud is a serious issue for business owners. In fact, studies show that occupational fraud now results in the loss of five percent of an organizatio-s annual revenue. Here are some tips for preventing and managing employee theft or occupational fraud. 1. Use Pre-Employment Background Checks Wisely One of the first steps to preventing fraudulent employee behavior is to...
You may recall back in October, Small Business Matters gave you a-sneak peek of the new sba.gov. Today, that site officially went live -- check it out at www.sba.gov. But wha's new? Well, quite literally everything, - a new look, new content, new navigation, and robust personalization features. The site has undergone a dramatic transformation, from soup to nuts, making a progressive leap in the way federal agencies use Web tools to better serve their constituents. In the case of the SBA, the new SBA.gov is focused...
For most business owners, 2010 is over -- at least mentally, if not actually -- and if you haven't started planning for 2011, now is the time to do so. Here are some quick tips to help guide you through the process. Conduct a Sales and Marketing Review In business you spend a significant amount of time looking ahead, whether i's budgeting, managing pipeline and cash flow, staffing plans and so on. But a lot can happen in a year, so taking stock of the year is a useful first step in helping you align your priorities for the year ahead....
Do deadlines rule your life? Is time your worst enemy? More than ever the pace of business is changing, and while new tools and technology claim to help us keep pace with evolving demands, they often work to the contrary. For business owners and entrepreneurs in particular, the sense of urgency to get as much accomplished in as little time as possible can become all consuming. Whether i;s answering every email the instant it hits your Inbox, pre-empting every deadline, or getting into a sheer panic over the volume of work you need to do. Throw...
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by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 - 06:26