SMALL BUSINESS

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.

President Obama sailed to re-election last night; winning all but two of the states he carried in 2008 and without a determination in Florida. The critical issues facing the country and America’s self-employed remain, tax reform being the utmost importance to ensuring continued economic recovery.

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.

In preparation for tonight's first debate, NASE President Kristie L. Arslan had the following to say...

• Payroll Tax Holiday To End, Conversations Continue On Other Tax Measures
• What Can Congress Accomplish In 13 Workdays?
• Sequestration: The Threat To Small Businesses, Jobs

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.

• NASE Debuts Election Watch Website
• NASE Launches Health Care Webinar Series
• Know Before You Regulate: The Impact Of CFPB Regulations On Small Business

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.

• NASE To Congress: Put Self-Employed Health Deduction On Your Hearing Docket
• Move Allows Government To Operate For An Additional Six Months
• NASE Quick Poll: Technology

Earlier this week, the NASE submitted a letter to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax and Select Revenue formally requesting a hearing on H.R. 6102, America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2012.

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is enthusiastic in its support of H.R. 6102, America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2012, introduced by Representative Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) and cosponsored by Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), which provides for a permanent deduction for several key small-business tax deductions, including the health insurance deduction for the self-employed, NASE’s signature legislative priority.

"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.

• NASE Celebrates Cabinet-Level Status For SBA
• IRS Raises Tax Gap Levels To $385 Billion
• Health Reform Law To Supreme Court: How Will It Affect Your Business?

Earlier this week, the Federal Reserve announced plans to keep interest rates near zero for at least the next two years. That’s good news for banks – but less assuring for small-business owners.

• Health Insurance Exchanges
• Businesses To Congress: Reform Regulations Now
• Warren Testifies On The New Consumer Financial Protection

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

In this economy, whatever you can do to get a leg up makes all the difference. For the self employed, it’s hard to compete on price or offerings, so sometimes it’s just being a little smarter than the competition that wins the business.

• Senate Passes Extension For STTR, SBIR Programs
• NASE Testifies At Senate Small Business Hearing
• NASE: Corporate Tax Reform And Small Biz

• Last Minute Tax Tips
• House Congress Approves 2011 Budget
• Quick Look: New Deficit Reduction Plan

Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of the NASE, released the following statement after a meeting with the White House on a Government shutdown’s effect on America’s small business community...

Kristie Arslan, Executive Director of the NASE, released the following statement as the threat of a Government shutdown looms and its potential effect on America’s small business community...

• Form 1099 Law Repeal Heads To President Obama For Signature
• House GOP Unveils $6 Trillion In Cuts For 2012 Budget
• NASE National Tax Advisor Featured In USA TODAY
• House Holds Hearing On Regulatory Flexibility Act Effect On Small Biz

It is a sad, but true fact: Health insurance is a luxury item for many small business owners, purchased when times are good and forsaken when times are lean.

• Self-Employed: Take An SE Tax Deduction For Health Insurance Costs
• Tell Us Your Story About The Deduction On Health Insurance Costs
• NASE Applauds U.S. Senate For 1099 Repeal

• NASE: Economic Recovery Starts with Small Business
• President Obama Unveils Regulatory Strategy

• Self-Employed Tax Changes For 2010
• President, Congress Ready For State Of The Union
• House GOP Taking Up Health Repeal Again

Washington Watch is a weekly newsletter with small business updates from the NASE's Washington, D.C. office. This issue of Washington Watch Quarterly is designed to give you a breeze through of the top stories from the last few months.

• Self-Employed Send A Message to Washington With Viral Ad Campaign
• America's Self-Employed: Not So "Bunny"
• Estate Tax Provision May Pass With Small Biz Jobs Bill
• Survey: U.S. Energy Policy

• Micro-Businesses Suffering Under Slowing Economy, Poll Shows
• New Federal Budget A Mixed Bag For Self-Employed
• Poll: Are You An Independent Contractor Or Do You Hire Them?
• White House: Small Business Tax Credits To Increase Hiring
• IRS: Haiti Relief Donations Reportable On 2009 Taxes

• Micro-Businesses Attend Kickoff Of "White House To Main Street" Series
• House Passes Bill To Hold Estate Tax At 2009 Levels
• NASE National Tax Advisor, CPA To Congress: Support Extending Tax Incentives For Small Biz
• Small Biz Health Care Roundup

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...

• Geography Impacts Likelihood Of Being Insured
• NASE Asks Legislators To Remember Self-Employed In Health Reform
• Small Biz Health Care Roundup

• Quick Look: Senate Tries To Converge Health Bills
• Are Recovery Measures Working For Small Firms?
• SBA Launches Online Training Course For Women
• Small Biz Health Care Roundup

• Senate Introduces Home Office Deduction Bill
• President Obama Pushes Consumer Protection
• Legislative Alert: SBA Capital Access Programs
• Small Biz Health Care Roundup

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

• Senate Analyzes New Health Care Overhaul Bill
• Frequently Asked Questions On Small Businesses
• Employee Vs. Independent Contractor – Ten Tips for Business Owners From The IRS
• Small Biz Health Care Roundup

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

The nation’s entrepreneurs are ready for major changes to the American health care system, but are asking the federal government to implement various proposals to help them cope with the costs. Nearly 2,000 micro-businesses, including members of the National Association for the Self-Employed, took part in this national online survey of their opinions on current health care reform proposals.

The National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) is proud to announce that Tiffany Washington of Waldorf, Maryland, has been awarded a $3,000 grant through the NASE’s Business Development Grant Program. Washington, owner of Washington Accounting Services, a full-service financial services firm, will use the grant for new software and office equipment to prepare for the upcoming tax season.

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.

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.