KEITH HALL

Small-business owners who have put off doing their 2011 tax return so far this year have less than a week until Tax Day. The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) has one piece of advice – don’t panic.

Business expenses come with the territory when you are an entrepreneur. Some expenses, however, can be easy to miss come tax time because they do not show up in your business checkbook.

The self-employed contribute a mighty portion to the U.S. economy – nearly $1 trillion. There is no question that they are helping create jobs by growing and hiring new workers. The question is, by hiring additional workers, are micro-businesses (those with 10 or fewer employees) actually creating more paperwork for themselves?

The self-employed health insurance deduction is one of the most powerful deductions you can take—and one of the single most-powerful ways to address the affordability of health insurance, says the NASE's Keith Hall.

NASE National Tax Advisor Keith Hall talks about tips for getting a jump on your 2011 tax return, such as taking the mileage deduction.

Oddly, there was one strategy that Mr. Romney did not use — a full deduction for health insurance premiums that is available to most self-employed people. Read on as the NASE explains why.

Prior to preparing 2011 tax forms, the self-employed and micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees) should be aware of a number of tax law changes, but also must stay focused and connected for new changes that are inevitable during 2012.

Small-business owners who have put off doing their 2010 tax return so far this year have less than two weeks until Tax Day. The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) has one piece of advice – don’t panic.

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) estimates the provision will save self-employed business owners $456 to $968 in taxes, based on average health insurance premiums.

The IRS expects one in six of total 2010 tax returns will be filed by self-employed Schedule C filers. A small percentage of those self-employed businesses will be subject to an audit each year.

Business expenses come with the territory when you are an entrepreneur. Some expenses, however, can be easy to miss come tax time because they do not show up in your business checkbook.

According to Keith Hall, national tax adviser for the National Association for the Self-Employed, a nonprofit business group in Washington, D.C., you should hire someone experienced in preparing tax returns for start-ups. Further, the more recent the experience he or she has doing this, the better.

This tax season, entrepreneurs operating on a tight budget may be tempted to forgo professional help in preparing their companies' returns. But experts say the investment is typically worthwhile -- at least for those just starting out -- to maximize deductions and avoid penalties.

It’s okay if you have not filed yet because the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is offering some last minute tax tips to make the process go smoothly.

As the April 15 income tax filing deadline approaches, the top tax expert at the National Association for the Self-Employed offers his best advice for business people who work for themselves.

Prepare taxes that will sail through the audit process is as easy as following the Three Cs of Tax Preparation. Find out more...

Preparing taxes that will sail through the audit process is as easy as following the Three Cs of Tax Preparation.

Prior to preparing 2009 tax forms, the self-employed and micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees) should be aware of a few tax law changes, including adjustments to the standard mileage rate and the self-employment tax.

When appearing before Congress, NASE National Tax Advisor and Certified Public Accountant, Keith Hall, has one piece of advice for lawmakers – in order to continue growing and creating jobs, small businesses need to be able to count on a number of tax incentives

This fall, small-business owners in the Orlando-area will have a great opportunity to broaden their skills and network with other entrepreneurs and small business-centered organizations and companies. The Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) is hosting “Orlando Small Business Community Day” on Thursday, September 17, at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.

Offering a standard home office deduction would save the self-employed a chunk of change each year, says NASE National Tax Advisor Keith Hall.

I love small business owners. I know this sounds kind of sappy, and as the President of the National Association for the Self Employed I probably notice this kind of thing more than most, but it really makes me proud when I see that entrepreneurial spirit. I was out yesterday and saw a local high school band having a car wash. I pulled in and let them do their best. But that wasn’t the sappy part. There were three kids, maybe 8 years old, who had set up lemonade and iced tea stand. Right there in the heat!

It’s August, which I guess means that we are in the dog days of summer; lots of hot weather but also lots of swimming pools and cold glasses of lemonade. The good news for me is that despite the season there are still lots of questions from NASE members that we get to answer every day. One NASE member posted a question regarding income earned during a speaking engagement overseas, actually in London, England. Her question made me realize all over again just how pervasive the influence of small business continues to be.

Another holiday season has come and gone and hopefully all of your best wishes came true. Most of us are now focused on the New Year with high expectations and new commitments for success. And in many cases that includes those high minded New Year’s resolutions that probably include losing a few pounds or maybe just striving to get in shape. Committing to better health is a great way to start the year whether that includes a better diet, a daily walk or short jog, or maybe even just one less dessert each week. The key is to just pick something and then stick to it long enough to build a habit that leads to the result you want.

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!

Any deduction that is eligible, allowable, and even encouraged, yet for whatever reason was omitted from the return means that a small-business owner is giving more money than is owed to the IRS.