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Ready For Estimated Tax Payments?

When starting a business, you need to do quite a bit of heavy lifting. Of course, a big part of this is handling the complexities of the US tax system. In fact, one particular area that often trips up entrepreneurs is something called estimated tax payments.

The main reason is that this is quite different from when you have a job. You see, a self-employed person needs to essentially do what an employer does – that is, make ongoing payments to the IRS.

This often comes as a complete surprise to first-time entrepreneurs. After […]

2019-12-10T14:25:39-08:00September 20th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , , , |

Running Your Business: Do You Know What You Don’t Know?

With school back in session, students of all ages are learning new things—and discovering how much they don’t know in the process. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or long-time business owner, one thing is certain: like the kids who are back to school, you always have room to learn and grow.

As I’ve learned and grown as a business owner, one of my favorite phrases has become, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” How true, right? It’s far too easy to fool ourselves into thinking we really know all there is to […]

2019-12-10T14:28:22-08:00September 15th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , , , |

Back To Basics: The Difference Between Copyright and Trademark

As the kids are back to school and studying new things, it’s also a wonderful time to revisit some basic elements of business. Whether you’re starting a business or are already running your company, knowing the difference between a copyright and a trademark is one of the fundamental “must knows” every entrepreneur should understand.

So, what is the difference between a copyright and a trademark?

Let the learning begin!

Copyright

A Copyright protects works you’ve created, such as research, photos, blog posts, books, articles, music, art, website content, computer code, and other forms of expression. As […]

2019-12-10T14:31:39-08:00September 8th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , , , |

5 Tech Trends Shaking Up Small Business in 2016

In this digital era, small businesses now have access to a wealth of tools they’ve never had access to before.  Even small startups are now able to compete in local and global markets at levels previously limited to enterprise companies. New marketing techniques, payment methods, inventory management tools, and development tools – all of these are being made possible by rapid changes in technology. And small businesses are the ones who are winning. Below are the top five trends you should keep an eye out for during the rest […]

2019-12-10T06:45:07-08:00August 25th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , |

How a Small Business Can Avoid Being Audited

It’s true that the odds of being audited are fairly low – under 1%.  Yet this may not last long.  The IRS has been changing some of its procedures – such as allowing agents to conduct audits via mail — and has also been increasing its hiring.

Besides, the agency tends to focus more on smaller businesses.  Why?  The assumption is that the recordkeeping is not as disciplined and business owners may be doing their own tax preparation, which could increase the risk of getting things wrong.

When it comes to audits, though, there […]

2019-12-10T13:56:04-08:00August 16th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , |

5 Ways to Simplify the Payroll Process

Man writing a payment cheque at the table with calculator and glasses

Paying your employees on time can be a headache for small business owners looking to do the task themselves. It sounds simple, but when you factor in taxes, fees, and other regulations, it quickly becomes one of the biggest minefields associated with running a business. Fortunately, by following the tips below, you should be able to streamline your payroll processes with minimal effort on your end.

Direct Deposit

As the […]

2019-12-24T05:57:40-08:00July 21st, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , |

3 Key Ways to Reduce Costs for Your Small Business

As a small-business owner, there’ll be times when you need to boost cash flow while keeping prices competitive. Or maybe you’re just starting a business and are losing more money than expected, but you can’t figure out why.

Even if you’re already frugal, there likely are plenty of ways for your small business to slim down and spend more wisely. Here are some tips from experts on how to cut costs in ways that are productive and responsible.

  1. Track your inventory, then buy in bulk where possible.
    This is an essential first step for new […]
2019-09-03T05:42:52-07:00June 9th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , , |

5 Secrets Behind Effective Invoicing

For many entrepreneurs who start a business, having customers who pay on time, every time, would only happen in an alternate universe. While you can’t eliminate the hassle of nudging customers to pay, you can make invoicing less stressful.

Invoices detail how much money a customer owes for goods or services provided by a business. Small-business owners use invoices for accounting and tax purposes, as well. When customers let invoices slide past the due dates, maintaining cash flow can become a challenge for business owners.

To help set up your business for […]

2019-09-03T05:42:57-07:00April 21st, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: |

4 Tips to Help You Determine if You Should Spend Money on New Tech

Budgets are tight all over, and with so much new and emerging technology available to new business owners, it’s difficult to know when it’s wise to spend the money and when to just sit tight. Jim Browning, research vice president for Gartner, outlined four guidelines for managing IT expenses when he spoke at the Midsize Enterprise Summit. It’s good advice for those who want to start a business, too. Here are some rules of thumb to help evaluate when investing in technology makes sense for your business:

Align Your Technology With Your […]

2019-09-03T05:42:58-07:00April 7th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: , |

One Month Left: 5 Last-Minute Tax-Filing Tips

If you haven’t yet filed your personal taxes, time’s a’ ticking. Here are some last-minute tips to ensure that your taxes get filed correctly.

1. Bone Up on Your Tax Deductions

Before you get knee-deep in filing your own taxes or head to a tax preparer to help, it’s wise to know what tax deductions you qualify for. For example, if you work from home, you may be able to deduct your home office expenses. If you travel for work, your travel expenses may be a writeoff.

2. Know How You’ll Pay

If you haven’t […]

2019-09-03T05:43:43-07:00March 15th, 2016|Categories: Ongoing Management and Protection|Tags: |
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