Three Ways Small Businesses Are Saving Money by Going Green

Saving the planet doesn’t just, well, save the planet – as many companies are learning, going green can cut costs, help marketing and improve employee morale. No wonder many small businesses are giving eco-friendly practices the green light.

From putting timers on computers to implementing recycling programs, companies find that saving energy reduces costs that affect the bottom line. Even better, many consumers prefer to buy from companies that embrace a green philosophy, as it makes them feel that their money’s supporting responsible businesses. When a company switches to hybrid cars or recycled paper, their employees think more highly of the organization to which they belong. Even small businesses who rent their facilities and can’t, say, install low-flow toilets or devote entire departments to reducing their carbon footprint can take small steps that make a big difference.

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Small Business Tax Tips That Add Up to Big Savings

<b>Small Business Tax Tips That Add Up to Big Savings</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – In small business, it’s not about how many units of goods or services are sold. It’s about how much is left in your pocket, making every tax break matter. With small businesses still struggling to stay afloat, new laws to reduce federal taxes have come at an ideal time.

Among the provisions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) scheduled to expire for 2010 returns are decreased estimated tax payments for certain small businesses and additional Section 179 expenses. The expanded Net Operating Loss carrybacks will also expire. However, if you filed your 2009 tax return on time without electing the carryback, you have until Oct. 15. 2010, to make the election for either 2008 or 2009 losses.

One ARRA change carrying over to 2010 returns is the capital gains tax break for individual investors selling or exchanging small business stock. Stock must be acquired after Feb. 17, 2009 and before Jan. 1, 2011, and held for more than five years. Up to a 75 percent gain can be excluded on individual returns, but is limited to the greater of 10 times the taxpayer’s basis in the stock, or a $10 million gain from stock in the small business corporation.

The health care reform legislation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, enacted a tax credit for small businesses and tax-exempt organizations paying at least half the cost of single coverage for employees. To qualify, businesses must have less than 25 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees earning wages averaging less than $50,000 per employee per year. Because the credit is FTE-based, the business may have more than 25 employees. The maximum credit is 35 percent of premiums paid in 2010 and 25 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers.

The 2010 standard mileage rates are lower than 2009 rates to reflect lower transportation costs. Beginning Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for use of an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes became:

* 50 cents per mile for business miles driven

* 16.5 cents per mile for medical or moving purposes

* 14 cents per mile in service of charitable organizations.

Consider using do-it-yourself tax preparation software like TaxACT Home & Business Bundles that cost under $55. Each Bundle includes TaxACT Deluxe and State, and your choice of 1065, 1120S or 1120C software. TaxACT releases preview versions of its federal programs each October, which allows small business owners to get a head start on their returns and create a year-end tax plan. Visit www.taxact.com for details.

Restaurant Chains Responding to Healthier Lifestyles

div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/HealthyRestaurant.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Recent studies indicate that as many as one-third of all American adults are obese. And while healthier diets provide an obvious antidote to their …/div/div

Pierda el Equipaje Antes de su Proximo Vuelo

<b>Pierda el Equipaje Antes de su Proximo Vuelo</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – Nunca ha sido más difícil empacar para un vuelo. La regla de tres onzas de las aerolíneas, que prohíbe cualquier líquido o gel en una botella de tamaño mayor a tres onzas, significa reempacar productos personales o comprar muestras de los productos para su equipaje de mano. Al mismo tiempo, la mayoría de las compañías aéreas ahora cobran por las maletas chequeadas y hacen cumplir las rígidas restricciones de altura y peso.

Sin embargo, algunos estadounidenses inteligentes, han comenzado a ganarle al sistema – al enviar su equipaje hasta su destino. De hecho, Pak Mail, una empresa de embalaje y envío, con locaciones a través de los EE.UU. y alrededor del mundo, informa sobre un incremento en el número de maletas, palos de golf y equipo de buceo que los clientes envían a los hoteles y resorts.

El envío de equipaje reduce los problemas que los viajeros enfrentan en los aeropuertos. Los que envían su equipaje no tienen que hacer largas filas en los mostradores o en los reclamos de equipaje. Y son menos propensos a decir que las maletas se han perdido o dañado en el camino.

Por esta razón, muchos viajeros de negocios ahora optan por enviar sus presentaciones y muestras antes de tiempo, para que sepan que su equipo llegará a tiempo y en una sola pieza. Los padres también han descubierto que el enviar su equipaje hace viajar con niños pequeños menos estresante, ya que no tienen que hacer que los niños esperen en las líneas o cargar al mismo tiempo a un niño y una maleta.

“Nuestros clientes disfrutan de los beneficios de enviar antes sus pertenencias. Eliminamos el temor de pérdida de equipaje y la tensión de arrastrar bolsas pesadas a través de los aeropuertos y las líneas de seguridad”, dice Adriene Thompson, Directora de Mercadeo de Pak Mail. “Hemos enviado todo, de tabla cuerpos hasta mostradores de feria a cunas, todos llegan a su destino, libres de daños y a tiempo”.

Sin embargo, los viajeros deben mantener algunas cosas con ellos en todo momento. Nunca registre artículos relacionados con dinero, como las tarjetas de crédito o chequeras, joyas, ordenadores portátiles y otros aparatos electrónicos, medicamentos u objetos personales importantes tales como gafas, pasaportes, llaves, juguetes favoritos o documentos importantes.

Para obtener más infor-mación y locaciones, visite www.pakmail.com.

Pierda el Equipaje Antes de su Proximo Vuelo

div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/ShipLuggage.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Nunca ha sido maacute;s difiacute;cil empacar para un vuelo. La regla de tres onzas de las aeroliacute;neas, que prohiacute;be cualquier …/div/div

Do Travel Web Sites Offer the Best Bargains?

div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/WebTravel.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Before Americans hop aboard planes, they go online. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the Internet was the nation’s top-ranking source of …/div/div

Small Business Tax Tips That Add Up to Big Savings

div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/SmallBusinessTax.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – In small business, it’s not about how many units of goods or services are sold. It’s about how much is left in your pocket, making every tax break …/div/div

Want Your Own Business? Consider a Franchise

div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/Franchise.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Entrepreneurs hoping to become their own boss know that it can be difficult to get a leg up in the business world. But there are ways to improve …/div/div

Find a New Career Without Giving Up Your Day Job

<b>Find a New Career Without Giving Up Your Day Job</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – Unhappy at work? Many Americans stay in careers that they consider ‘just bearable’ for fear of unemployment, but doing so compromises their well-being. Life is just too short to spend eight or more hours a day in misery, and work-related stress can reduce quality-of-life.

Today’s Americans can’t exactly bank on early retirement. Employment remains uncertain in the current economy, and many companies are cutting retirement benefits. Current employees will need to stay in the workforce longer than previous generations. The wrong career choice could mean decades of unhappiness and frustration.

And while the down economy might seem to limit options, it actually expands them — there has never been a better time to pursue your passions, further your education or look for employment in a new field.

Those who are unemployed may be able to take a break from the workforce, choosing to volunteer or travel as a means of self-discovery. Americans considering a career switch might want to “try out” a job or two. For example, someone considering a new career in teaching could substitute teach a few classes or become a volunteer educator at a children’s program.

Even those who continue to support themselves can find ways to set the foundation for a career change. Online courses, for example, allow full-time workers to learn on their own schedules, and without the expense or inconvenience of commuting to campus. One accredited online university, American Public University, offers 76 degree programs and 51 certificates, including programs in business, criminal justice, sports and information technology, as well as grants to reduce textbook prices.

Panteha Vaghedi is pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management at American Public University. “Accepting the responsibility of becoming a student — in addition to continuing as a business owner and full-time mother — is made easier in part because of the options APU offers.”

For more information, visit www.studyatapu.com.

Healthcare Execs Favor Reform Initiatives

<b>Healthcare Execs Favor Reform Initiatives</b>“></td> <td> <p>(<a href=NewsUSA) – Hospitals, group practices, nursing facilities, medical device makers and other healthcare companies agree — by a near two-to-one margin, they favor President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform initiatives.

The President hopes to ensure near-universal health coverage, improve quality, lower costs, support technological development and research, and improve preventative care. And most middle-market healthcare companies — those with annual revenues of $25 million to $1 billion — believe that Obama’s plan will be good for business.

According to the research report “U.S. Middle Market Outlook 2009: Resiliency in the Healthcare Sector,” 56 percent of respondents call for reform in general. Released by Forbes Insights and CIT, a leading provider of financing to small businesses and middle market companies, which surveyed more than 100 healthcare executives, the study noted that the executives also supported some of the specifics outlined in Obama’s plan.

Eighty percent of hospital and medical center executives think that the plan’s push for electronic health records would help their businesses while also reducing errors and ensuring privacy. A greater focus on preventative care, like routine screenings and better nutrition, will give healthcare companies regular business.

On the other hand, only 28 percent of executives want to see Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements changed.

Still, the healthcare industry remains positive about its prospects, even in the economic recession.

“Middle market healthcare executives are optimistic about the positive impact that the Obama administration’s plans for healthcare reform will have on their businesses,” said Margaret Au Brown, president and co-head of CIT Healthcare. “While other industries have decreased borrowing activity, we see our middle market healthcare clients continuing to borrow at a steady pace as they prepare for the costs associated with these healthcare reform initiatives.”

The healthcare industry has several reasons to feel hopeful. Unlike many other industries, people cannot opt out of healthcare when they need medical service. Also, the current workforce may allow companies to recruit new talent — healthcare companies are still hiring, with 43 percent planning to expand their workforce in 2009.

For a complimentary copy of “U.S. Middle Market Outlook 2009: Resiliency in the Healthcare Sector,” visit http://middlemarket.cit.com.
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