http://www.sparkplugging.com/government Home Business Support & Resources from Business.gov Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:40:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Believe it or not, the federal government is making it easier for contractors to conduct business online. There are several tools that allow contractors to submit information to the government over the web. Here's an overview of some helpful tools: FBO.gov - FedBizOpps is the single government point-of-entry (GPE) for federal ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/online-resources-for-federal-contractors/ After reading a recent article in the NY Times regarding staying healthy in a poor economy and all the talk that generally surrounds us on food, cost of living, gym memberships, etc., I thought it was good timing to bring up the popular topic of health benefits. I mean, the ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/the-basics-of-health-savings-accounts-for-home-business-owners/ I wanted to blog about a great new tool that was launched by the SBA's Business Gateway Program to help small business owners find government loan, grant and venture capital programs. So many business owners are looking for financial resources and assistance that new tools are being developed all the ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/new-loans-grants-search-tool-provided-by-the-government-%e2%80%a6-and-other-cool-tools/ Hiring new employees can be ... scary. Someone who seems smart and personable during the interview process may have skeletons too big to fit in the company closet. Pre-employment background checks are absolutely essential. Sometimes, however, it may be hard to know just how deep you can dig. While it's perfectly ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/pre-employment-background-checks-how-deep-can-you-dig/ Good Credit & Loans The need for financing is a critical and perennial concern for the owners of small businesses. Many government resources, including guides, exist for small businesses. Many of these tools explain how to shop for and obtain credit, how to maintain a good credit rating, how to dispute ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/managing-business-finances-%e2%80%93-credit-guide-for-small-businesses-and-minorities/ In today's economy, borrowing money from your local bank isn't as easy as it used to be. For the small business owner without much collateral, the alternative to a bank loan might be to consider a government-backed loan. The good news is, there is a loan program from the SBA - ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/securing-a-small-business-loan-quickly/ If you've considered doing business with state and local government, but haven't taken the plunge yet, now might be the right time. Despite a gloomy economic forecast in other sectors, analysts still forecast that the local government market will remain strong through 2009. While the U.S. federal government remains the largest ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/finding-work-in-your-own-back-yard-doing-business-with-state-and-local-government/ If your business is growing and you need to supplement your core capabilities and services with extra personnel, there are many benefits to hiring an independent contractor. Bringing on a self-employed contractor, instead of adding to direct employee headcount, can save a small business owner as much as 30 percent (per ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/working-with-independent-contractors-understanding-tax-requirements/ The question "should I incorporate my small business?" is a consideration that can weigh heavy on the mind of many a budding entrepreneur or established small business owner. Whether you are the sole employee of your enterprise or you have several employees, incorporation can bring legal and tax protection for you ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/should-i-incorporate-my-small-business/ Few of us ever test our powers of deduction, except when filling out an income tax form," or so the joke goes. Now may not be the time when small business owners give the 2008 tax season too much thought. But a little tax preparation now - in the midst of ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/%e2%80%98tis-the-season-%e2%80%a6-to-get-ahead-on-tax-preparation/ Hopefully by now you have taken advantage of year-end tax saving tips that will put you in good shape for the 2009 tax season.  There are many short-term fixes that can help reduce tax liability, including deferring recognized revenue and accelerating business expenses through the closing hours of 2008. But the ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/5-strategic-ways-to-lower-your-business-taxes/ The financial news these days is nothing but grim.  With Wall Street facing the most uncertainty since the Great Depression and credit not being readily available to those even with good credit, what do you do?  I'm sure some of you are feeling more than a little seasick from the ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/federal-resources-for-minority-owned-businesses/ After getting positive feedback on my initial post on Government Resources for Non-Profits, I've decided to continue the topic. As we have all experienced, it's not always easy trying to work with the government and it can often be frustrating. Keep in mind that although the government can be a ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/government-resources-for-non-profits-part-2/ Non-profit businesses are eligible for certain benefits including grants, loans, government surplus, and tax exemptions. There are a lot of resources available and the key is navigating the maze. We'll run through some great non-profit resources below offered by the government. All government resources are free - one of the ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/government-resources-for-non-profits/ Background Everyone is looking for a grant or loan for their business. In future posts, I will discuss some government grants/loans tools that will be launched for assisting businesses in locating what is available and how to apply. However, given these times of reduced government spending and difficulty in securing loans ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/venture-capital-funding-for-small-businesses/ Nobody likes to talk about insurance. Too often it feels like money down the drain, money that could be used so much more effectively elsewhere - particularly to help grow your business. But, as a small business owner, you've got a lot at stake. It's worth taking the time to ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/choosing-small-business-insurance/ If you're a business owner, chances are the simple mention of the word "forms" will send shivers down your spine. Filling out forms - often a barrage of forms - can feel like the necessary evil of business. Larger companies have different departments in charge of handling their own required forms. ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/easy-access-to-federal-forms/ Today's discussion is around another important topic for small business owners and how to protect their valuable assets, particularly for new business owners. As we discussed in the first segment, new business owners have a lot to consider and so much red tape to navigate. Intellectual property is a term used ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/business-law-basics-for-new-business-owners-part-2-%e2%80%93-patents-trademarks-copyright/ When beginning a business, there's a lot you need to consider and subsequently plan. Today, we'll run through a few of the basics such as what type of business entity to establish, which determines the amount of regulatory paperwork you have to file, your personal liability, and your taxes. Below ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/business-law-basics-for-new-business-owners-%e2%80%93-types-of-business-naming-state-registration/ [caption id="attachment_52" align="alignright" width="178" caption="Home office energy efficiency"][/caption] We all know times are tough right now and it's not only consumers who are pinching pennies. Even businesses are tightening their belts. With this in mind, sometimes, being energy efficient means doing our part to help the environment but it also means ... http://www.sparkplugging.com/government/energy-efficiency-saves-home-business-owners-valuable-dollars/