Tax time for small businesses is typically very stressful. With the April 15 deadline approaching, now is the time (if you haven't already) to get started on preparing your taxes. While researching for this week's tax tips and blog, I came across many tax tips that I didn't know about. Check out my Top 10 Tax Tips! File Your Tax Return for Free - The IRS Free File program provides free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing for eligible taxpayers through a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. Free tax preparation and filing via online software is available to anyone with a 2009 Adjusted Gross Income of $57,000 or less. If that’s you, head to the IRS website and choose from a list of approved tax preparers, and get started. If you aren’t sure which preparer to use, ans... [Read Full Article]

In the NewsU.S. to Help Banks in Distressed AreasThe Treasury Department will invest up to $1 billion from the federal bank bailout fund in small banks and credit unions that make loans to small businesses in some of the communities most ravaged by the economic downturn, officials announced on Wednesday. NYtimes.com Management & Operations How To Develop Your Global Leadership Pipeline To stay competitive in your industry and accomplish your goals, it is important to have strong leadership. This stems from executives, managers, and even entry-level employees, as they develop skills for improving the... [Read Full Article]

Everyone has seen the start-up of a small business in movies or television. It all seems like a piece of cake, right? You take a great idea, find an abandoned location, declare that you're starting a business, and in a few weeks, your business is filled with products, people, and money. In reality, that is never going to happen (unless you're Uncle Jesse from Full House starting up the Smash Club).Starting a business takes time, and lots of it. When you have a great idea, there's no time to lose. Start acting to launch your business is immediately. Most businesses average a 9-12 month planning and organizing process before opening its doors. Use the timeline below as a guide to track your progress on your start up business.NOTE: This is a guideline. Every business is different. Use this as a basic template to see our recommendations on what to do for a start-up. Some businesses many not need all these steps. Some may need to delve deeper into certain aspects. Ev... [Read Full Article]

Tips from November 6, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss naming a start up business. Think of a creative and recognizable name for your business. Be memorable, quirky, and unique, yet professional for business purposes. Before settling on a business name check your phone books, online domains & with the county clerk's office for availability. Consider a business name that's obvious to your business purpose and works in your favor for SEO as well. It often helps the customer if a name is self-explanatory. A name like Kim's Social Media Services tells me right away that this is a social media servicing company by Kim. Register the business name as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. You get legal protection for the business's name. Find out more at http://www.uspto.gov. Daily Overview: When naming yo... [Read Full Article]

  Government and Economy Small Business Help from the Government From tax advice to government contracting, the SBA, other agencies and advocacy groups are increasingly reaching out to small businesses online. BusinessWeek.com Treasury Secretary: Tax Hikes NecessaryPresident Obama's Treasury secretary is defending proposed tax increases on the wealthy by explaining that such increases are necessary to limit future budget deficits. USAToday.com Obam... [Read Full Article]