SELF-EMPLOYED

The 2012 election will be analyzed for many months; however, the real work begins today. The NASE will aggressively champion the self-employed and work to address the continued tax inequities and ensure a level, competitive business environment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

NASE, which is non-partisan and does not endorse a candidate, promised to use the candidates' answers to educate and inform its membership about the positions of each on small business taxes and economic recovery "so that they may make the best decision for their business in November." But November is here and the answers never came.

NASE is waiting for responses to questions it posed to each campaign. And although next week's debate will ask the candidates to discuss foreign policy, "10 days out from the election they'll probably spin their answers out to domestic issues," Vlietstra said.

As in many presidential elections, both sides are touting the importance of small business and offering plans to help them grow. The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is used to hearing lip service from politicians who say they want to help, but rarely follow through with policies for the self-employed.

Women business owners are on the rise with nearly half of all self-employed companies being led by females.

In the 63 days between Labor Day and Election Day, Congress will spend 13 days in session working in Washington, D.C. – a relaxed work schedule by any measure.

Colleges and universities have been welcoming students back this fall in full force. Thirty-seven percent of self-employed families have a child that is working toward a degree this fall. The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) knows that financing one or more college educations can be tough for the small-business owner and conducted a poll to dig deeper into the impact.

In response to the Republican convention and official nomination of Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan, the NASE's Director of Government Affairs Katie Vlietstra had the following comments...

NASE President & CEO Kristie Arslan was on C-SPAN tomorrow discussing the presidential candidates and the lack of detail from them on small business issues.

"With his Path for Prosperity, Congressman Ryan has gotten notoriety, but I'm not sure our members will know him off the top of their head," said Kristie Arslan, president and CEO of the National Association for the Self Employed.

Both presidential campaigns say they're best for small business, but Kristie Arslan says neither has backed up the claim with substantive plans. "They've never been specific on any of the priorities for the 21 million self-employed Americans," Arslan, president and CEO of the National Association for the Self Employed...

Under current tax rules, companies organized as S-corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships may get greater financial benefit from trashing unused inventory than by donating it to nonprofits, says Gene Fairbrother, small business consultant to the National Association for the Self-Employed.

This webinar looks at affordability and how you as a self-employed person will purchase health insurance starting in 2014.

“Sadly, our survey re-enforces the idea that economic recovery is slow going and that 70% of survey respondents believe that current state of the economy has either shown no improvement or has worsened in the last 12 months,” stated Katie Vlietstra, Director of Government Affairs for NASE.

"Today’s joint proposal by the White House and the Department of Treasury announcing recommendations for business tax reform must be called what it truly is, corporate tax reform exclusive to major corporations and large employers." Read the rest of the NASE's statement here.

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.

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.

In an open letter, the 22-million self-employed and micro-businesses asked to be kept in mind as the super committee determines which cuts will be made to reduce the debt.

NASE is quoted in a Salt Lake City, Utah news outlet on the self employed and this economy.

In August, 14.5 million people were self-employed, down 2.1 million from the most recent peak in December 2006, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The most important challenge for entrepreneurs isn't starting a company, but growing it from three employees to 30 ... to 300, to 3,000.

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.

In today’s difficult economy, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), the nation’s leading nonprofit association representing America’s smallest businesses, is doing its part to support entrepreneurship with the launch of a new annual membership and redesigned website (www.NASE.org), offering a more affordable and comprehensive suite of resources and services.

**MEDIA ADVISORY** Please join Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), for a conference call briefing on the temporary self-employed health insurance tax deduction available to individuals who pay self-employment taxes on their 2010 tax returns.

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

Over sixty percent of the self-employed and micro-business owners indicate that their business has experienced a significant decrease in sales and/or revenue in 2009 and 2010, and almost fifty percent say they have had to utilize their personal savings or retirement savings to address cash flow issues, according to a study undertaken by the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE).

Dale Schaffer of Bethlehem, Pa. is the co-owner of Elysian Fields Specialty Florals. He was part of a group of NASE members that were invited by the Obama Administration to attend the event at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Allentown. Here's what he had to say...

New legislation could help self-employed business owners who work from a home office save an additional $1,500 on their taxes next year.

The NASE recently spoke out on current health care reform legislation, which is notably missing two items that would have a substantial effect on the affordability of coverage for the self-employed - allowing the self-employed to deduct their health care costs as a business expense and expanding eligibility of Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).

As Congress continues its important work on health care reform, the NASE and the NAR ask legislators that any final health reform measure address the unique problems experienced by America’s self-employed workforce.

The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship recently held a roundtable to discuss the impact of various health reform proposals on small businesses. Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of the Legislative Office for the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), participated in the roundtable along with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and other small business owners and advocates.

The United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship recently held a roundtable to discuss the impact of various health reform proposals on small businesses. Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of the Legislative Office for the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), participated in the roundtable along with Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and other small business owners and advocates.

The NASE reminds legislators that health care reform efforts must not forget the self-employed.

President Obama addresses the concerns of a self-employed body shop owner during an interview on health care reform.

If you’re self-employed, you need to make sure that you have the right type of auto insurance. While most people think of liability coverage when they think of auto insurance, there are other types of coverage that can be important for self-employed drivers. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of auto insurance that are available and what might be the best fit for you if you’re self-employed.

Are you self-employed and feeling overwhelmed with all that's happening with the pandemic? You're not alone. There are many things you can do to make the process a little easier. Here are some tips to help get you started.

As a self-employed business owner, you have a variety of resources available to you. These resources can help you with everything from marketing your business to finding health insurance. In this article, we'll take a look at four of the biggest resources for self-employed business owners. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, these organizations can provide you with the support you need to be successful.