Self Made
An NASE blog on the self-employed and micro-business
Friday, June 14, 2013
Posted by Ben Seidel - Imagine that you're using your computer to finalize a document or send out an agenda with critical last minute details, and the power goes out due to a storm (especially if you live in the Midwest, like me). Your computer instantly shuts down, and you are left wondering, "So, when was the last time I hit that save button?"
What many do not realize is that you are not only facing lost files, but your computer can also be harmed. Irregular power surges, voltage drops (brown outs), and outages can all cause irrevocable damage the ...
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Posted by Javan Porter - If President Obama is the coach of the team for creating new jobs, his quarterback is small business. The coach may lay out the game plan but small businesses play the game. Small businesses have created two-thirds of new jobs in America. The President as the coach understands the importance of such a strong quarterback and has issued a proclamation announcing this year’s National Small Business Week for June 17th to 21st. Get more information about National Small Business Week here. National Small Business Week consists of conferences throughout the country highlighting the achievement and ...
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Posted by Javan Porter - As a micro-business owner, you must make difficult decisions that carry ramifications that reach far beyond your office walls. Although the high health insurance costs that your employees face may worry you, an opportunity for you as the business owner to offer assistance is through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
An HRA allows an avenue for an employer to contribute towards an employee’s health insurance costs. The employer can simply add the contribution amount they decide on directly to the employee’s paycheck. HRA plans have no participation requirements, so businesses of any size can create ...
Monday, May 13, 2013
Posted by Molly Nelson - Wondering how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may impact your business, or how to achieve health business growth? Two webinars happening this week might have the answers you need. "Small Businesses Beware: Why You Can't Afford to Ignore the Affordable Care Act"
Hosted by ADP and HR.com Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 11 a.m. to noon ET Register for the webinar on the Affordable Care Act. "Death by Growth: Are You at Risk?"
Small Biz Club Success Saturday webinar Saturday, May 18, 2013, 11 a.m. ET Register for the webinar on business growth.
Friday, May 10, 2013
The Small Business Administration recently announced that they are amending regulations to allow greater access to federal contracting opportunities for women-owned businesses. This signals the commitment by the SBA to continue to advocate and support woman business owners. Previously, Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses had a limit to the contracts they could receive. With the rule change, the contracts can be at any dollar amount. This will not only help federal agencies reach their goal of five percent of contracts going towards WOSB but more importantly, get the funding in the hands of these entrepreneurs. ...
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Posted by Katie Vlietstra- On April 30th, the Department of Health and Human Services released the new, simplified exchange health care application for both individuals and families. The simplified application process will allow for the individual or head of household applying for health insurance to verify possibly eligibility in other federally administered health care programs, including the Health Insurance Marketplace (exchanges), Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and access to tax credits to pay for premiums. Applications to secure health insurance in the marketplace will be accepted starting on October 1, 2013, but we recommend spending some time and ...
Thursday, April 25, 2013
A buzz has been created recently as reports that the U.S. Treasury’s funding of the Small Business Lending Fund grew by over $1.5 billion between the third and fourth quarter last year. This is exciting as getting funding to local banks and community development loan funds and in the hands of America’s smallest business is a great way to stabilize and grow the U.S. economy. Getting money to the self-employed will lead to more jobs and stronger communities. Our very own President & CEO Kristie Arslan also weighed in saying “Seeing the growth in small-business lending is a promising signal ...
Monday, April 15, 2013
Posted by Keith Hall (NASE Tax Expert) - Well, it's here. April 15th and the tax return is due today. My guess is that a bunch of us have not completed all of the detail that we had hoped to and now we're not sure what to do. First, don't panic!
If you need more time to complete your tax return, the IRS will automatically grant you an additional six months to file the return by simply asking them. If you need more time, simply complete IRS Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File US Individual Income ...
Friday, April 12, 2013
If you’re waiting till the final hour (or weekend) to prepare your tax return, make sure you have read through the Internal Revenue Service’s Top Six Tax Tips for the Self-Employed. For a highlight of the article, read on below, and for more details and links to important Self-Employed forms that you will likely need, be sure to click on the link above and visit the IRS website. 1. Self-employment income can include pay that you receive for part-time work you do out of your home. This could include income you earn in addition to your regular job. 2. Self-employed ...
Monday, April 08, 2013
Posted by Keith Hall (NASE Tax Expert) - What if I told you that the IRS would subsidize your retirement savings plan? My guess is that you wouldn't believe me, but it's true. If you haven't filed your tax return yet, make sure you consider your options for contributing to a qualified retirement plan such as a traditional IRA or a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Plan. The contributions that you make before you file your return are deductible even though it is already three-and-a-half months after the end of the year. This is the one true tax planning tool left for all ...