The Launch Blog: Expert Advice from the CorpNet Team
What Does It Mean to Have Multiple Trademark Owners?
One of the many risks business owners face is one that rarely comes to mind—but could put your business in a dangerous position. We’re talking about trademark protection for your intellectual property. A trademark is a word, phrase, name, or symbol that identifies the source of a product or service and distinguishes it from competitors. You can trademark your company name, product names, logos, and taglines. Running a Business Without Trademark Protection Without the protection of a federally registered trademark: Your company or product name could be stolen. Without trademark ownership, it’s easier for companies [...]
What to Know About Business Entities and How You Can Save on Taxes Next Year
Businesses of all sizes and industries have been put through the proverbial ringer in 2020. No one could have foreseen the toll the coronavirus would take on entrepreneurs from independent contractors to C corporations and everyone in between. One positive thing, however, is the tax deadline has been pushed to July 15, 2020. That means there’s still time to learn about the tax issues based on your business entity and take advantage of some tax savings on your 2021 return, no matter what your legal structure. Sole Proprietorship In a sole proprietorship, there is no legal [...]
Outsourcing to Get Back to Business
Making plans to get your business back on track post-coronavirus pandemic? Here are five responsibilities you should consider outsourcing so you can devote more of your time and energy to the areas where you are most needed. 1. Website Updates and Maintenance Your website is likely the most important marketing tool in your arsenal and yet it also probably gets neglected from time to time—especially in the aftermath of a crisis, such as a coronavirus. Unless you’re into coding and application updates, outsourcing IT tasks such as website fixes is a great place to start [...]
Help Your Clients Stay Compliant in a World of Information Overload
Your business clients are dealing with a barrage of information as the coronavirus pandemic evolves. The deluge of new requirements, rules, and recommendations related to COVID-19 has become overwhelming for many entrepreneurs. As a result, some of them may have temporarily lost sight of their ongoing business compliance filings. They need your help! Fortunately, many state governments have deemed professional services providers in the financial and legal industries as essential. Even if your business is under stay-at-home orders, you have ways to serve your clients remotely by embracing technology tools, like video conferencing. This [...]
40 FAQs with All You Need to Know About Filing an LLC
Filing an LLC (Limited Liability Company) provides small businesses with some of the advantages of incorporating (starting a corporation) while preserving simplicity through minimal compliance formalities. I've assembled a comprehensive list of FAQs about the LLC so that you can learn more about the potential benefits, LLC filing requirements, and more. Keep in mind that you have much to consider when choosing a business structure. These LLC FAQs are not legal, accounting, or tax advice. For guidance on whether an LLC or another business entity type will be the best option, business owners should [...]
How to Start an Amazon Business
You may have thought about how to start an Amazon business if you've been intrigued by the flexibility and income potential of selling online. According to an Adeptmind survey in 2018, almost half (46.7%) of internet users in the United States started online product searches on Amazon's website, which is over 10 percent more than the 34.6 percent who went to Google first [1]. There's no denying Amazon's reach and reputation! Starting a business on Amazon, just like launching any commercial endeavor, comes with many considerations and to-dos. In this article, I’ll discuss many [...]
10 Mistakes to Avoid When It Comes to the CARES Act Funding Relief
With tons of misinformation swirling out there, you may be afraid of making a crucial mistake when it comes to applying for and receiving CARES Act relief funding. Here are 10 mistakes to avoid. Application Mistakes 1. Not Being Prepared Any delay in your application could mean your business gets bumped to the bottom of the list. Have on hand: Basic business and contact information Average monthly payroll costs including employee salaries, wages, and commissions; payment of cash tips; payment of vacation; parental, family, medical or sick leave, insurance premiums, etc. 2019 Tax Forms [...]
The Small Business Mid-Year Checklist
How are we nearing mid-year already? If you’re like me, the current business climate has been a whirlwind of trying to keep up on new information, planning for post COVID-19 recovery, and still maintaining running our business operations. Now that we’re approaching the mid-way point of 2020, we think it’s a good time to remind you there are some deadlines you need to keep an eye on and important decisions yet to make. Business Taxes The tax deadline has been pushed to July 15, 2020 which gives individual and business taxpayers more time to [...]
9 Tax Benefits in the CARES Act
There are more advantages to the CARES Act than just relief funding that can help your small business save money and those come in the form of tax breaks. Although most of the breaks are temporary, it’s important to take advantage of all that’s being offered to business owners now, so your company has the best chance of coming out of the pandemic healthy and if not profitable, at least in recovery mode. Here are nine tax breaks and benefits you and your employees can take advantage of today. Tax Benefits For Your Business [...]
Texas Annual Reports and Franchise Tax Information
Does your business have to file a Texas annual report and pay franchise tax? Report filing requirements in Texas vary according to the type of business entity, so the answer to that question is, "It depends." In this article, I'll list the different annual reports that businesses may need to submit to the Texas Comptroller's office by the May 15 deadline of each year. I'll also cover the basics of the Texas franchise tax, which must also be reported and filed by May 15. Please note that due to the coronavirus pandemic, Texas has [...]
3 Ways a Business Owner Can Respond to COVID-19
Small business owners know the key to survival in any economy is flexibility and adaptability. To handle difficult situations, such as the restrictions imposed during the current coronavirus pandemic, entrepreneurs must be creative and think outside the box to come up with solutions for business survival. Here are three ways small businesses can successfully navigate to a positive outcome. 1. Scale to Meet Unusual Demand In order to scale your company during the pandemic, your type of business would likely have to be deemed essential and be in high demand to provide services or [...]
How Loan Forgiveness Works for the PPP and the EIDL Loan Programs
Now that we are in full swing of the coronavirus pandemic, small businesses across the country are trying to make sense of the CARES Act and how the relief funding can help keep their businesses afloat. One area of confusion seems to be how a business receiving funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and/or the Economic Injury Disaster Program Loan (EIDL) will have their loans forgiven. To date, details and information appear to change daily. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there will be additional guidance on loan forgiveness within 30 days [...]
COVID-19 Relief Funding Alternatives
As of April 16, 2020, the SBA announced all appropriations for the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan were exhausted. Small business owners are now in need of COVID-19 relief funding alternatives. Below is a list of some COVID-19 funding options that are still available. SBA Express Bridge Loans (EBL) Eligibility: Small businesses that currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender. Loan Amount: Up to $25,000. Purpose: Support for small businesses experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. The SBA Express Bridge Loans can [...]
Paycheck Protection Program for the Self-Employed and Sole Proprietors
By now we have all at least heard about the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program enough to know what the acronyms EIDL and the PPP stand for. Even the infamous Pandemic Unemployment Program aka the PUA has become part of our daily vocabulary. But what are these programs and how do they work? More importantly, how do they work for us, for our clients, and are they enough to get us through this crisis? Like me, you have no doubt been hunkered down at your desk watching recorded webinars, participating [...]
Business Entity Types 101: Is It Time for a Change?
A lot is riding on the business entity type you choose. The business structure you decide on affects your legal liability as an owner, tax obligations, growth potential, and the compliance requirements you'll need to satisfy on an ongoing basis. To make matters more complex, the entity type that's right at the beginning of a business's existence may not continue to be the ideal choice as the company grows and evolves. So, what's an entrepreneur to do? First and foremost, I encourage business owners to consult with a licensed attorney and accountant or tax [...]