IRS News 
Pre
Order the Tax Calendar for Small Businesses and Self-Employed - IT"S FREE!!!!
The 2011 Tax Calendar is
available for pre-order. If you order now, the English version of the 2011 Tax
Calendar will be shipped by early November. The Tax Calendar for Small
Businesses and Self-Employed is a 12-month
wall calendar. It is filled with useful information on general business taxes,
IRS and SSA customer assistance, electronic filing and paying options,
retirement plans and more. Copies
can be ordered online or from the IRS by calling (800) 829-3676.
IRS
Seeks New Issues for the Industry Issue Resolution Program
The IRS is encouraging
business taxpayers, associations and other interested parties to submit to the
Industry Issue Resolution (IIR) program tax issues for resolution involving a
controversy, a dispute or an unnecessary burden on business taxpayers. (IR-2010-93)
IRS.gov
checklists for small businesses
Checklists provide the basic
steps to follow when:
Return Preparer News
Proposed
regulations establish a fee for individuals who apply for
a preparer tax identification number (PTIN).The proposed regulations are the
first of a series of steps planned to increase oversight of
federal tax return preparation, including testing of some tax preparers. Visit the new Return Preparer Compliance and Enforcement: Information Center.
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Getting Back to Business
By: Rieva Lesonsky
Normally I wouldn't be comfortable telling you business owners,
"Let's get back to business," since it implies you've been somehow
slacking off. My guess is you've been doing everything but that.
However that's part of the problem. At times like these, when the state
of the economy weighs heavily on us and when you've likely been running
as lean and mean as you can, you're already doing everything you can to
stay afloat and not lose any ground. But at some point you realize,
you're stuck-and it's hard to move forward when you're so busy running
in place.
So when I say it's time to get back to business I mean it's time to
shift gears and look at how you're going to grow your company. First
take inventory. What haven't you done in the past two years that you
had originally planned on doing? Are your new ideas gathering dust on
the shelf? Have you been afraid to raise prices? Have you cut back on
marketing? Are you or your employees nearing burn out? And how are any
of these factors affecting your margins and your bottom line?
It is crucial for you to take a fresh and objective look at all
aspects of your business. It may be difficult or feel premature to get
out of survival mindset. But it's time. We have to stop thinking
recession and start thinking recovery, or we'll be stuck in neutral.
Getting back to business does not, however, mean doing business the
way you used to. Many American consumers have permanently changed their
buying behaviors and you need to accommodate for that. Value has become
the consumer mantra and you need to adjust your offerings accordingly.
That doesn't necessarily mean lowering prices, it might be bundling
items, offering free shipping or discounts for paying early or tweaking
your marketing messages.
If it's hard for you-and it may well be-to look at your business
with an objective eye then you need to get someone to help you do that. A SCORE counselor can give you that 3rd party objective perspective and help you figure out what you need to do to get back in gear.
BizSuccessTips Editor Rieva
Lesonsky is founder and CEO of GrowBiz Media, a content and consulting
company. A nationally recognized small-business expert, Lesonsky has
appeared on hundreds of radio shows and numerous local and national
television programs. Read more of her insights at SmallBizDaily.com.
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Success Stories: Going Mobile Grows Sales
 Kim Ima knew she had to act. SCORE helped get Ima's mobile bakery business rolling.
"One
of the best things I did when I decided to start Treats Truck was to
choose an advisor at SCORE. My advisor, Elliot Merberg of the NYC SCORE
office, has been an incredible source of advice, encouragement and
support. Whenever people ask my advice on starting a business, the
first thing I say is to go to SCORE!" Find out more.
Kim Ima, Treats Truck
Website: www.treatstruck.com
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Brought to you by SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business," a nonprofit association and resourc e partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SCORE is dedicated to entrepreneurship and the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide. Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 8 million entrepreneurs.
You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed at http://www.stlscore.org. To unsubscribe, click here. We do not sell, rent or trade the names on our email list. Your email address is only used to send messages from SCORE. Visit http://www.score.org to view SCORE's Privacy Policy.
© Copyright 2010. SCORE Association. All rights reserved.
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Upcoming Events - SCORE Chapter 21
Monthly Workshops to Improve Your Business!
REGISTER NOW !
"How to Start and Manage Your Own Business"
Saturday
Sept. 11, 2010
8:15 A.M. to 3 P.M
Fee - $50.00
St. Louis Community College at Meramec
11333 Big Bend Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo. 63122
Room SO - 105
Sept. 25, 2010
"Exporting"
Time: 9 am to 11 am
Cost: $20
St. Louis Community College at Meramec
11333 Big Bend Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo. 63122
Room SO 108
To learn more about any of these courses and dates, times and how to register - CLICK HERE
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 Did you Know? SCORE has a branch office inside the St. Charles EDC |
Resources For You
2010 Speed Coaching Event. Take
your business to the next level with this event from American Express
OPEN and SCORE.
One-on-one coaching, networking opportunities, resources and FREE Workshops to grow your business. Coming to St. Louis October 20th. More Information.
This event will be held at the St. Charles Convention Center and reservations are being taken now. Register Online Now
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