May 1, 2019 -- Volume 18, No. 5
Summer Interns
Everything You Need to Know about Summer Interns

Now is the time that businesses typically seek out summer interns. If you are thinking of doing this, be sure you know the benefits and burdens that using interns entail. Read More
Hiring? Yes, No, Maybe

Mark Twain said: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” When it comes to what’s happening in jobs and small business, things can get very confusing. What’s really going on here? Read More
Developing Leadership Qualities: Integrity and Honesty

With the college admissions scandal in the headlines, the issue of honesty and integrity in business couldn't be more relevant. How you conduct yourself in your personal life translates into what happens in running your business. So let's look at how integrity and honesty are essential leadership qualities and how you can best display them. Read More
Can Good Business Decisions Have Negative Consequences?

Decision making, according to BusinessDictionary, is the thought process of selecting a logical choice from the available options. Business owners make important decisions every day…who to hire or fire, setting prices, selecting vendors, and more. Some decisions sound wise when they’re made but turn out to have unintended negative consequences.   Read More
Your Travel Expenses While Away from Home

You can deduct travel costs while away from home in the pursuit of business. These costs include your lodging, meals (subject to a 50% limit), dry cleaning and laundry, and other expenses. But the key to deductibility is being “away from home.” Read More
It's a Balancing Act: Managing Your Employees and the Workplace

As a business owner, you have to balance your vision for your business with handling employees. You may want employees to behave in certain ways to further your vision. But you also want to refrain from exercising too much control over their behavior for fear of alienating them and, perhaps worse, violating the law. Here are some aspects of control you may want to think about . Read More
Borrowing: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

According to the March 2019 NFIB Small Business Optimism Index , more than half (51%) of owners reported that they weren’t interested in a loan.
But companies need to borrow money from time to time and should think about how a loan can impact a business and its owners. Read More
Long Working Hours
Long Working Hours Can Be a Trap: How to Get Free

As singer/songwriter Jim Croce wrote many years ago, “There never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do.” With business growth and, in some companies, under-staffing, working more than the traditional 9 to 5 is common. But stop and think whether long working hours makes sense to continue. Here are reasons for closing your doors after 35 or 40 hours and some ideas for achieving this result. Read More
Association Health Plans (AHPs): Where They Stand Now

One of the key issues for small businesses is how to pay for health coverage for employees. These employers want to offer coverage to their staff to help keep them healthy as well as to compete in a tight labor market with large companies that almost universally offer health coverage. Read More
What Is FUTA?

The Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) created a program to help states pay for unemployment benefits for workers who have been terminated (other than for gross misconduct). If you pay wages of $1,500 or more to employees, you must pay this tax annually. This tax is in addition to any state unemployment insurance you may owe.
Knowing These State Employment Law Trends Will Help Keep You Safe When Hiring

According to the NFIB’s March 2019 Small Business Optimism Index, 57% of small businesses are hiring or trying to hire workers. Many have job openings they can’t fill. If you’re in the market for a new employee, be sure you understand the laws governing your actions. Some of these laws are federal, but a growing number of them apply on the state and local levels.
Recommended Reading
SBT 2019
J. K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2019
Smooth Failing
This NEW Edition of my book available in paperback includes stories from many respected small business leaders you know!
Should Online Sellers Incorporate?

If your selling activities on eBay, Etsy, or other online venues are a business for you, consider whether to take the legal step of incorporating.
Here are some compelling business and tax reasons why this may make sense for you now.
Misclassification of Expenses in an Accounting System

Your accounting system is the key to understanding what's happening in your business. It's also vital to tax return preparation and other government compliance obligations. That’s why getting things right is essential.
5 Myths about Payroll Taxes

If you want to grow your business, you probably need to hire employees to help you. Becoming an employer and expanding your staff entails many responsibilities, one of which is seeing to payroll taxes. Unfortunately, there are many myths about these taxes. Here is the reality:
ForbesBooks Interview
My Radio Interview via SBECouncil and ForbesBooks
Beyond tax season, small business owners and all individuals need to be aware of the tax law changes. Many of the laws are complicated.
We discuss some of them here in this interview.