All posts tagged taxes

DSEF & BBB: Online Shopping Taxes to Be Implemented

DSEF & BBB: Online Shopping Taxes to Be Implemented

ecommerce3-150x150By Nicole Bradley

According to The Wall Street Journal, online purchases will soon be subject to taxes. The Senate has passed a bill putting an end to tax-free online shopping; however, the final vote is set to occur on May 6. This bill, titled the Marketplace Fairness Act, enforces states to require online sellers all over the country to collect sales tax on any online purchase made by their residents. In the past, online retailers have greatly benefited from not having to charge shoppers with sales tax. With this luxury coming to an end, Web stores are now part of corporate support helping to aid the passage of the new bill.

Chief Executive of eBay, John Donahoe, explains that this bill will damage smaller retailers in that it will treat them the same way larger merchants are treated; however, these larger merchants have greater tax-collection capabilities.

Is this fair? What do you think?

For more information visit, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324743704578445220306876996.html.

DSEF and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) foster honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visit www.bbb.org/us for more information.

DSEF & CBBB: Watch Out for Common Tax Scams

DSEF & CBBB: Watch Out for Common Tax Scams

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

Watch Out for Common Tax Scams

By Holly Doering

When I moved to Washington State from Idaho, I spent some time at the public library searching for state income tax forms. There weren’t any. Another patron told me that Washington State doesn’t have an income tax. I didn’t believe it at first, but it turned out to be true.

A friend of mine at the time told me his parents didn’t pay federal income tax, because the IRS was actually illegal according to the U.S. Constitution, and would be out of business soon. This turned out not to be true, and his parents are in big trouble. The “frivolous argument” is actually one of the IRS’s listed “Dirty Dozen Tax Scams” to watch out for. You can learn more about it, and other scams, at the IRS newsroom.

According to IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman, “Tax scams…may look tempting, but these fraudulent deals end up hurting people who participate in them.” The IRS and the Justice Department work together to shut down these illegal operations. Taxpayers who knowingly or unwittingly get involved must repay all taxes due plus interest and penalties.

Around tax time, thousands of emails, faxes, and phone calls begin circulating, claiming to be from the IRS. Know that the official IRS website ends in “.gov” for government only. Any IRS web address that does not begin with http://www.irs.govshould be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov. Also, if you believe your personal information has been stolen and used for tax purposes, you should immediately contact the IRS at 800-908-4490.

Something else to consider: While most tax return preparers are professionals who provide honest and excellent services to their clients, according to the IRS, some “make basic errors or engage in fraud and other illegal activities.” You can always Start with Trust by checking out a company’s track record at www.bbb.org.

To learn more about the Dirty Dozen Tax Scams of 2011, please click HERE.

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information.

Small Steps Can Lead to Big Payoffs

Small Steps Can Lead to Big Payoffs

Like many people in their mid-thirties, I have gone through several major life changing events over the past few years.  Building a career, having a child, and purchasing a home are just a few of the exciting events that I have experienced first-hand.

But with these events often come significant financial changes and a whole lot of planning for the future – retirement, children’s education, and aging parents, to name a few.  With so much going on and so many things to consider, keeping track of finances can be difficult, even overwhelming.

The recent purchase of a new home gave me a chance to reorganize and re-evaluate my finances and prompted me to track my budget more closely.  I started to track my expenses daily and found it to be an eye-opening experience!

Once I was able to see where my money was really going, I was able to plug the leaks and redirect my money to be more in line with my financial goals.  Here are some things that I have learned in the process:

  • Establish a system that works for you.  There are several record filing systems and budgeting methods to choose from.  If you find one doesn’t work for you, don’t give up!  Simply try a new system.
  • If you overspend, get back on track. Don’t let it give you license to blow your whole budget.
  • Work a slush fund into your budget.  Overspending is bound to happen and it will keep you from needing to tap into your savings.
  • Plan ahead.  One of my budget leaks was unplanned expenses while running errands.  Now before heading out the door, I always make sure that I have plenty of drinks, snacks, and activities for my son in order to avoid spontaneous purchases.

You don’t need a big life changing event to reap the benefits of tracking your expenses.  If you want to get started with your own budget, but feel overwhelmed or not sure where to begin, it may be helpful to speak with a financial counselor.  They can take a look at your situation, help you establish a budget and offer expert advice.  Here are some things to look for when choosing a financial counseling agency to work with:

  • Choose a non-profit agency that is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) or the International Standards Organization (ISO), or is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).  Your local credit union may also be able to direct you to a financial counseling agency.
  • Find out what services are offered.  A good organization will have a range of services, such as budget counseling, debt management services, and credit report counseling.
  • Ask what, if any, fees are involved.    Most non-profit financial counseling organizations offer some of their services and educational information for free.  If you are interested in Debt Management services, fees should not exceed $50 per month, or so.
  • Consider the way you would like to receive the services.   Counseling may be done in person, or over the phone or internet.  Choose a method that will fit your needs.

Taking a few minutes each day to write down my expenses and review my budget keeps me on track to meet my financial goals, both short- and long- term.

Beth Luke (bluke@greenpath.com) is a financial educator for GreenPath Debt Solutions, a non-profit, national leader in financial education and counseling.

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DSEF & CBBB: Don’t Forget the Credit Card Convenience Fee When Charging Taxes

DSEF & CBBB: Don’t Forget the Credit Card Convenience Fee When Charging Taxes

Today’s highlighted blog post from the Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB):

Don’t Forget the Credit Card Convenience Fee When Charging Taxes

BY VERONICA BROWN

If you plan to charge your income taxes to your credit card, remember to factor in the convenience fee, says lifehacker.

Many people often find that they actually owe the government money and will choose to charge it to their credit card. A convenience fee will be added, and it can add up. For instance, a fee of $9.40 will be added to a $400 tax bill, while $117.50 will be charged to a $5,000 tax bill. In addition, if the fee is not paid within the credit card issuer’s grace period, interest will be charged as well.

On the bright side, the IRS does have an installment-payment plan (which requires qualification).

To read the full article, visit http://lifehacker.com/5887248/what-to-know-if-youre-planning-on-charging-your-taxes-on-your-credit-card

DSEF and Council on Better Business Bureaus (CBBB) fosters honest and responsive relationships between businesses and consumers—instilling consumer confidence and advancing a trustworthy marketplace for all.

About the Better Business Bureaus
As the leader in advancing marketplace trust, Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews® and BBB Wise Giving Reports® to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. Visitwww.bbb.org/us for more information. 

Tips to Stay Up on Your Accounting

Tips to Stay Up on Your Accounting

With that nasty tax deadline creeping up on us all, it’s time to assess the way you handle accounting for your business.  Whether you’re a master of bookkeeping or a filler of hastily labeled shoeboxes, there are several resources available to you and lots of different ways to make accounting a manageable task that will keep your money in your pocket where it belongs.

  1. Create a system to make your own.  Categorizing and organizing receipts, bills, and other accounting documents can be overwhelming to say the least.  Some keep alphabetical files, some keep files by month and year, and others keep files by kind (mileage, supplies, travel, etc.).  There is no one right answer except that you need to choose or create one that will be most efficient for your business.  For example, a direct seller of jewelry whose business consists mostly of home parties would be best suited by organizing her files by kind as the bills get paid and receipts come in.  This way, all she has to do come tax season is to add up what is in the files to complete the IRS tax form.  Bottom line: design a system of organization tailored to your business’s needs.
  2. Track EVERYTHING.  Every expense and every penny of income must be logged in some way.  Even though chances are slim that you would be audited, make sure that everything is documented in case you are.  Tip: Back up your data.  Many banks keep online statements for 18 months, but the IRS can audit you going back three years (up to six if a major error is found).  Consider scanning any documents of which you don’t have electronic copies.
  3.  Go digital.  For those who want to de-clutter and are looking to deal with less paper, there are many websites that can help you do just that.  Shoeboxed, for example, allows you to scan, upload, or mail in documents.  Scanning can be done from a printer or from a mobile phone.  From here, they will extract the data and categorize it into your own online account.  Similarly, The Neat Company allows you to transform documents into a sort of digital filing cabinet.  Services like these can be especially valuable for those who do business on the go.
  4. Be a regular.  You should have a regular frequency with which you handle your accounting.  Twice a month works for most small businesses, but this would be another thing to assess based on your own needs. Choose and stick to a time when you are going to sit down and pay your bills; integrate that time into your regular schedule.  The more regularly you address this area of your business, the more manageable and less time-consuming it will become.  As an added bonus, you can catch any errors before they accumulate and cause major damage.

Keeping track of your accounting as you go is the most efficient way to stay on top of all the paperwork. Not having any system in place will result in inaccuracies that will cost you hard earned cash.  How do you stay on top of your accounting?  Please share with us in the comments section!

Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for your Business

Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for your Business

Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for your Business

Another year is almost through, and just like most of us make resolutions for our personal lives, it is also a smart idea to make some for your business as well.  So before your pop open that champagne and watch the ball drop in Times Square, consider making a few changes to boost your business in 2015.

  1. Improve your time management.  Take an inventory of what your typical day looks like.  What areas lack efficiency? What duties can be multitasked to save time?  Perhaps your daily to-do list is too long.  Prioritize aggressively to get a handle on how much can actually be accomplished in any given day.
  2. Give back to your community.  Remember that your business is part of a community.  Giving back has an endless list of mutual benefits for everyone involved.  Make a point to find one or two local organizations with which to involve yourself this year.  You can find some good ideas here.
  3. Learn something new.  Even if you’ve been in business for decades, there are always new, exciting, affordable, and convenient opportunities to further your business education.  Consider taking a mini-course at the local community college or participating in a webinar hosted by others in your industry.
  4. Get organized.  Whether you’re dealing with actual papers in a filing cabinet or electronic files on your hard drive, organization is essential to productivity.  Now is a good time to set aside any documents you might need for tax purposes, as April 15 will sneak up on you in no time.  Maybe your customer records need updating, your finance software is inefficient, or your desk is buried in paperwork.  Focus on one aspect and bring order to it so you can start fresh in the New Year.
  5. Predict your financial future.  The end of the calendar year is an opportune time to look back on your overhead and sales volume.  Using this information, plan ahead for the coming months so you don’t spend money needlessly and you do make the most out of your current investments.
  6. Set realistic goals.  A goal that is realistic is one that is both specific and attainable.  It’s okay to think big and challenge yourself, but create benchmarks so you have a path to get there.  For example, if you want to increase profits by 50% next year, what has to be done each week and each month to make that happen?  Answers to those questions will guide you in setting your objectives.
  7. Update your website.  Do some exploratory surgery on your website, searching for things like broken or outdated links, unnecessary flash content, and information about discontinued products.  Even a cosmetic reboot may be just what your business needs to start anew in making the best use of your website.  While you’re at it, consider creating or updating your social media presence such as networking sites and blogs.
  8. Back up your files.  In addition to manually backing up files onto a CD/DVD or flash drive, most internet service providers and antivirus software companies offer free or inexpensive online storage services.  Take advantage of these because all it takes is one accident to erase years of data and hard work.  It’s simply not worth the risk.
  9. Ramp up your customer service.  In what areas is your customer care lacking?  Do you procrastinate in making courtesy or follow-up calls?  How long does the average customer usually have to wait before they get a return call or email after making an inquiry?  Make customer service a frequent flier on that to-do list of yours.
  10. Celebrate your accomplishments.  Every once in awhile, it’s important to evaluate what you have done well and give yourself a pat on the back.  As a business owner, you are ultimately the one responsible for every outcome, good and bad.  When you reach a goal or solve a problem, reward yourself by going out to your favorite restaurant or simply taking a much-needed day off.  You will feel re-energized and motivated to forge ahead and tackle the next project or obstacle.

What resolutions have you made for your business?  Please leave a comment below and have a happy, prosperous New Year!

Recordkeeping for your Business: What do you need to track?

Recordkeeping for your Business: What do you need to track?

As a business professional, keeping accurate records is essential to your success. Doing this allows you to:

  • Monitor the progress of your business
  • Prepare any financial statements
  • Identify the source of receipts
  • Keep track of deductible expenses
  • Prepare your tax returns
  • Support items reported on tax returns

Recordkeeping Systems
Which system works best? The quick answer is “the one that works for you.” Opting for expensive and elaborate recordkeeping software may not be the best choice if you’re just starting your business — and if your business is large and well-established, tossing paperwork into a shoebox will likely cause headaches at tax time.

The system you choose should be one that allows you to easily track your income and expenses and keep your business documents in an orderly fashion and in a safe place.

What to Keep?
Saving these items is a must as you’ll need them to prepare your tax returns (and as support for items reported on tax returns):

  • Paid bills
  • Invoices
  • Receipts
  • Deposit slips
  • Cancelled checks

What Else?
The links below are to sites that are great sources of recordkeeping information. They’ll help you determine exactly which items you need to keep to ensure your business runs smoothly — and legally!

  • Moneywise Women Get SmartFree monthly educational teleseminars on a range of financial topics.
  • The IRS Which records to keep, how long to keep them and why. Articles, videos, publications and answers to frequently asked questions.
  • SCOREThis nonprofit resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides info on local-area recordkeeping workshops and more.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration Information on how to manage your tax obligations, tax recordkeeping and more.