by Christina Lee on April 23rd, 2009
Attention, small businesses: as the government have long stressed, a lot of potential for growth lies in exporting. If in need of a crash course, then no better tutor exists than – well, the government itself.
The New York District Export Council is one of 58 others running in the United States. Together they unite nearly 1,500 exporters and export service providers in order to create trade education programs, geared toward any type of company.
An upcoming seminar, “Export 101 – Introduction to Exporting,” is no exception. With the U.S. Commercial Service, the New York council will teach all the... Read more »
by Christina Lee on March 27th, 2009
Q: What information do you know that ties into the new regulations for governing products produced for kids under 12 years old? I know this process has been delayed for one year, but how does that affect the small business owner in t-shirts?
Donya, in response to “How to Start Your Own T-Shirt Business”
A: What Donya is referring to is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which Congress passed last August in response to last year’s mass recall of products, namely of toys with high lead levels or lead-based paint.
As a result, the act forces manufacturers and... Read more »
by Christina Lee on December 10th, 2008
To many, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) has proven over the past 14 years that her voice can resonate throughout the Senate. Right now however, Snowe has less than six weeks left to see if her recent calls for small business aid have reached the ears of President-elect Barack Obama.
What Snowe wants most is a Small Business Administration (SBA) seat back in the Cabinet – one that President George W. Bush did not elect, and one she and others have sorely missed. Furthermore, elevating the agency’s incoming administrator, she said, “will send a clear signal that small business will drive... Read more »
by Steve Strauss on September 16th, 2008
Q: Will the proposed new “G.I. Bill of Rights” do anything to help veteran-owned small businesses?
Will
A: I wish that were so, but it’s not. The new G.I. Bill would help returning veterans with education, and it would help small business owners hire better qualified veteran employees, but it is not intended to help veteran small business owners per se.
That said, the good news is that there are nevertheless some very good programs out there for the veteran entrepreneur. (More on that in a moment.)
First, some background:
As World War II wound down, Congress passed the Servicemen’s... Read more »
by Rebecca Button on April 24th, 2008
Interesting…very very interesting.
Do you think states should be allowed to levy a sales tax on online purchases?
Well according to a WebProNews.com post , New York is attempting to test those waters. Legislators are trying to pass a bill titled the "Amazon Tax" and are targeting online retailers who are not located in New York. The sales tax would be attached to any items shipped to the state. Proponents of the bill say it will help level the sales tax playing field for brick and mortar retailers and they estimate it will generate around $50 million in tax revenue... Read more »
by Rebecca Button on April 10th, 2008
How would you feel about hiring an accountant who puts the interests of the IRS before those of you or your business? What’s that you say? You wouldn’t like it? That’s what I thought you’d say…but what if I told you you had to?
Unfortunately, that may be the case.
(I mean, I won’t force you to but a much stronger influence might…what was their name again?…..oh right! The Government.)
The Small Business and Work Opportunity Tax Act of 2007 stipulates that those who prepare returns containing an understatement of tax due – which the preparer "knew or reasonably should... Read more »
by Leeia Ladipoh on March 5th, 2008
Have you ever felt that taxes and regulations are unfairly burdening your business or industry?
If you are like many small business owners, you are of the mindset that there is nothing you can do about it, and that you should just suffer with it. After all, how are you going to convince government forces that they are hurting you? As a small business, you may think you do not have enough influence to make a difference.
In some respects, you may be right. Your small business alone does not have the sway with government regulators and lawmakers that a... Read more »
by Danny Brown on February 12th, 2008
With the US economy going through a widespread malaise at the moment, and a dollar that’s struggling to stay ahead of many of its once lesser counterparts, it’s been a tough time for businesses. Especially small business owners, who often rely on a strong dollar to make any profits. Therefore, when Senator John Kerry announced an incentive to help businesses, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Kerry’s economic stimulus plan targets small businesses over larger ones, and its key features include tax incentives for small businesses, offering double funding for specialist micro loans, and reducing the overall fees... Read more »