Real Estate Information

Making sense of the 1099-K tax form

Small-business owners subject to filing 1099-K forms need to understand the rules that cover the form, writes Bonnie Lee, owner of Taxpertise in Sonoma, Calif. Starting this year, all businesses need to separate sales from the 1099-K, used for debit and credit transactions, from payments received in cash or check. Fox Business Small Business Center (3/23)

Why competence is key for leaders who want trust

Bosses must be competent if they hope to build trust, which is essential for effective leadership, write Linda Hill and Kent Lineback. To be competent, bosses must have an understanding of the technical and operational aspects of business, and they must understand how to accomplish their objectives. Leaders can encourage their teams to trust them by being transparent and including others in the decision-making process, they write. Harvard Business Review online/HBR Blog Network (3/22)

Back up your data to avoid a business disaster

Many businesses that suffer from data loss close shortly afterward, so it's a good idea to back up your website, Miguel Leiva-Gomez writes. CodeGuard, Carbonite and ManageWP are among the options for data backup, he writes. SmallBizTechnology.com (3/22)

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How much are you paying in hidden fees?

You may be paying hundreds of dollars per year in hidden fees, and banks, phone companies and airlines are among the possible sources of such charges, warns BBB. You can help to fight against hidden fees by checking the fine print, reporting bad behavior to BBB and supporting favorable legislation. The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free content)(3/25)

How to find financing when your business needs money

Securing financing for your small business can be a tricky proposition, but you can increase your chances if you can show that your company has steady cash flow and that it can handle the debt load, writes Michael Lockwood. It's also important to compare various lending institutions before making a decision, he writes. BPlans.com/Up and Running Blog (3/22)

4 tax breaks small-business owners should know about

With the deadline to file taxes fast approaching, there's still time to make sure you're claiming all of the tax breaks for which you are eligible. Your company might qualify for the new-hire retention credit, the small-business health care tax credit or the research and development credit, writes Gwen Moran. Entrepreneur online (3/22)

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BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

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Free money: 5 grants aimed at small business

From financial grants aimed at women entrepreneurs to money for local businesses to add employees, a number of organizations and government entities offer free money for small firms. Business writer Kevin Casey details these and other opportunities and how to apply. Intuit Small Business Blog (3/22)

Payroll Taxes 101

Also known as "withholding," "pay-as-you-earn" or "pay-as-you-go taxes," payroll taxes are those an employer is required to withhold from employee paychecks. The taxes can be federal and state, with portion of withholdings allocated toward income taxes. BusinessNewsDaily.com (3/21)

Check out warranties before you buy

When you're getting ready to buy a product, it's a good idea to learn about the details of the warranty before you open your wallet. For example, you should find out whether a warranty covers the costs of labor and parts, says BBB's Heather Clary. You should also be sure not to void the warranty after you've bought a product, she says. ClipSyndicate/WTVQ-TV (Lexington, Ky.) (3/21)

How to protect your small business from hackers

Hackers are putting small companies in their crosshairs, writes Riva Richmond. "If you're a company with a hot piece of technology ... I'd consider it a certainty you'd be a target," according to Grady Summers of Mandiant. You can help to protect your business by educating employees about how to avoid falling for phishing attempts and by keeping software updated, Richmond writes. Entrepreneur online (3/21)

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Why now is a good time to pass on the family business

The rules are set to change for gift and estate taxes, which could make the present a good time to transfer control of your business to your children. "Assuming a parent wants to turn over 100 percent of the business to his children, the best year to do it is in 2012," according to Ed Kohlhepp of Kohlhepp Investment Advisors. If you're ready to retire, it's a good idea to get a valuation for your business and to find a succession planner, Karen E. Klein writes. Bloomberg Businessweek (3/19)

5 ways to slay the procrastination dragon

If your tendency to procrastinate is hurting your business, evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Then think about finding someone else to handle the tasks that you aren't good at, recommends Rachel Karu of RAE Development. Also, realize that completing tasks might take longer than you anticipate and add important items to your schedule. Intuit Small Business Blog (3/19)

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How to protect yourself from tax scams
  
With the tax deadline fast approaching, unscrupulous individuals are targeting the public with phishing e-mails and other underhanded tactics, according to BBB's John North. Be wary of unsolicited e-mails and phone calls, and avoid downloading files from companies that you don't trust, he advises. Also, get recommendations from others before settling on a tax preparer, he says. ClipSyndicate/WDTN-TV (Dayton, Ohio) (3/20)

New tax rules business owners should know about

A new rule, which requires that payment processors report their transactions with businesses on 1099-K forms, could allow the IRS to uncover unreported income. Businesses should also be aware of new questions on tax forms that ask whether they have filed all required 1099 forms. The Wall Street Journal (3/16)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

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The tax benefit of posting a net loss

New and small-business owners often post a net operating loss, but a loss can "be one of your best friends" at tax time, says Mark Kohler, author and CPA. The key is to carefully track expenses to maximize the tax deduction. Entrepreneur online (3/14)

The business benefits of social media analysis

Social media analysis, which focuses on what others are saying about your company on social media, is a good way to stay on top of the public's feelings about your business, writes Steve Hamby of Orbis Technologies. Social media analysis can allow companies to refine their marketing efforts, learn about what problems customers are having with their products and gain a leg up on the competition. The Huffington Post (3/15)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

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BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

How to foil scammers seeking to cash in with your ATM card

To avoid getting ripped off when you use an ATM, try to use machines that are inside buildings and make sure the "enter," "cancel" and "clear" buttons are all working before you get started. If something goes wrong, don't leave your card unattended in the machine. Also, be wary of credit card skimming scams at ATMs and at gas stations. WCCB-TV (Charlotte, N.C.) (3/18), The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free content) (3/18)

3 tax errors small businesses tend to make

Accountants said the three most common mistakes that small businesses make when it comes to tax time are combining personal and business expenses in deductions, forgetting to deduct home-office costs and not understanding their own financial information. The finding came from a survey of 500 accountants by online accounting-software company Xero. Inc. online/Start It Up (3/14)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

How to foil scammers seeking to cash in with your ATM card

To avoid getting ripped off when you use an ATM, try to use machines that are inside buildings and make sure the "enter," "cancel" and "clear" buttons are all working before you get started. If something goes wrong, don't leave your card unattended in the machine. Also, be wary of credit card skimming scams at ATMs and at gas stations. WCCB-TV (Charlotte, N.C.) (3/18), The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Wash.) (free content) (3/18)

3 tax errors small businesses tend to make

Accountants said the three most common mistakes that small businesses make when it comes to tax time are combining personal and business expenses in deductions, forgetting to deduct home-office costs and not understanding their own financial information. The finding came from a survey of 500 accountants by online accounting-software company Xero. Inc. online/Start It Up (3/14)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace

Red flags that could get you audited by the IRS

The IRS may be more likely to audit you if your income seems abnormally high or low, if you have claimed many deductions or if there are disparities between your state and federal tax returns, writes J.D. Roth. You can help to protect yourself by being honest and using tax software or getting professional help. "But even if you have a pro prepare your return, review it for obvious errors, because nobody cares more about your money than you do," he writes. Entrepreneur online (3/15)

Protect yourself from March Madness scams

Scammers may treat the NCAA Tournament as an opportunity to fleece basketball fans through the sale of counterfeit memorabilia and fake tickets. Buying counterfeit goods online may put your credit card information at risk, BBB warns. BBB's website provides a list of reputable firms for people who are looking to buy tickets on the secondary market. The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.) (3/15)

Samia Morgan is proud to be listed with the Better Business Bureau - 
BBB Accredited business since 03/01/1994

Your San Mateo Real Estate Advisor

BBB - TrustBrief - Advancing trust in the marketplace