Top stories for you from Barbara this past month:

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Health Care Confusion for Small Businesses


The Affordable Care Act, or ACA, also known as Obamacare, was intended to bring down the cost of coverage for small businesses and encourage them to provide health insurance for their workers. 

How's that going? 

Things are very confusing ... 
Congress' Budget Deal Includes Tax Changes

The budget deal passed by Congress, called the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, funds the government for two years and extends the debt ceiling to March 15, 2017. Included in the measure is $80 billion in new spending (half for defense and half for social programs). The new rules also let the IRS collect any adjustments from the partnership rather than the partners, likely at the highest individual income tax rate.
Equity Crowdfunding Now?

In April 2012, the JOBS Act authorized the SEC to promulgate regulations that enable businesses to raise capital from the public without going through extensive and costly registration. Variations on this crowdfunding theme have been clarified since then (as discussed later). On October 30, 2015, the SEC published the final rule for crowdfunding. Understand what the regulations allow small businesses to do and then decide whether this funding option makes sense if you need capital now.
  
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Is It Time to Make Changes in Your Business?

Albert Einstein said: "insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Many small business owners try to grow their business or overcome problems by putting in more hours and working harder. Is this insanity? A better course of action is to know when it's time to make changes and find workable solutions that will move you forward.
Apprenticeships: Can They Work for Your Business?

Ball clubs have farm teams that they use to develop talent. Small businesses can do the same with apprenticeships to cultivate well-trained employees. Recently the U.S. Department of Labor proposed revisions to the equal employment opportunity regulations; they haven't been updated since 1978. Here are some thoughts that you can use to consider implementing apprenticeships at your company and what government rules apply.
 
Helping Employees Save if You Don't Offer a Retirement Plan

Many small businesses offer 401(k)s or other qualified retirement plans so that owners and employees can save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. However, start-ups and struggling companies may be unable to offer this benefit. There's now a way for these companies to help low- and middle-income employees begin to save for retirement; it's called a myRA (pronounced My-Ra). 

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Remember our Veterans

Veterans Day, November 11, a day to remember all of our veterans. It is a federal holiday, and there are parades and celebrations in many localities across the U.S. For me, it's a day to express gratitude to those who have fought to protect my freedom. As a small business owner, there are some tangible things that can be done to show this gratitude.

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Thanksgiving: Why I'm Grateful to be a Small Business Owner 

Last week was Global Entrepreneurship Week, a worldwide celebration of entrepreneurship in which 160 countries participated. It was an opportunity to see what's going on entrepreneurship-wise in the U.S. and abroad. Here are some reasons why I'm grateful to be a small business owner in the U.S. 
 
J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2016

There's no need to wait -- the new edition is here!  

Stop overpaying on your small business taxes!

Get the expert help you need now to begin preparing your 2015 tax return. And find the critical answers you need for year-round tax planning. 
Year-End Tax Planning Now

It's that time again for owners to think about taxes. It may not be the most enjoyable endeavor of the year but it's certainly one that will put money in your pocket. The sooner you get started, the more opportunities you'll have and the less stressed you'll be. Here are some basic planning ideas that you can use now to improve your tax picture for the year.
Being the Administrator of Your Company's Retirement Plan -- What you Need to Know

In small businesses, it is common practice for owners to be the administrators of their 401(k) or other qualified retirement plans. What does this role mean for owners in light of long-standing laws and some recent developments?
5 Things to Know about Your Business Vehicle

According to a recent Manta survey, 54% of small business owners need to use their cars, trucks, or vans to conduct business and serve their customers. Using a vehicle in your business entails business and tax considerations. Here are five things you need to know.
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December, 2015 | Copyright ©Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc.