Career Articles & Advice

How To Avoid Being Targeted By The IRS In Your Home-Based Business! by Scott Letourneau

If you run a home-based business, you might be confused about what you can and cannot deduct as reasonable expenses. Some home-based businesses make critical mistakes and are red-flagged by the Internal Revenue Service. However, with a little guidance, you can start a business that will stay under the radar and keep you out of hot water:

Understand home office deductions. While you don’t have to have a separate room as a home office, the area you use must be used exclusively for conducting business. This includes a place where you meet clients, patients, or customers. You can also claim a home office deduction if you store inventory for your business. In the strictest sense of the word, a home office cannot include personal items, such as personal mail, your children’s toys, etc.

Incorporate your business. The IRS keeps an eye on home-based businesses. In fact, sole proprietorships, especially those that are home based business owners, are more frequently audited than corporations. One tactic that you can use to decrease your chance of an audit is to incorporate (form an LLC or corporation) your business. Incorporated businesses are audited far less frequently than home-based businesses. The IRS is more likely to question deductions in a home environment than a corporate setting.

Keep separate bank accounts for personal and business use. One of the biggest mistakes that small businesses make is to combine both personal and business expenses. Keep separate accounts for personal and business use. In case of an audit, it’s much easier to refer to an account that is used for one purpose than to wade through 12 months of personal and business expenses and attempt to separate them.

Deductions should be reasonable for your business. Avoid extravagant deductions. Another red flag for you home business is when the deductions are high in comparison to your income or the industry norm. Obviously, you’ll have deductions, but over-the-top claims will catch the eye of the IRS. If you have large deductions, keep the proof on file for at least three years.

Use specific amounts. Most costs don’t end in rounded numbers. Be specific. Rounded numbers imply estimates, and this could flag your business for an audit. Also, if you believe that a deduction will flag you for an audit, attach proof to substantiate your claim.

File online. Math errors are another audit magnet. While one small error probably won’t create a problem, multiple errors will most likely bring attention to your business. When you file online, the software will do the math for you, eliminating the margin of error.

Don’t underreport earnings. Keep in mind that in this technological age, the IRS can easily find your earnings. Don’t be tempted to underreport your income, or you could find yourself at the losing end of an audit.

Run your business like a business, not a hobby! Use some type of accounting software to track your monthly revenue and expenses so you can track your profit and loss. Running your business based upon your online checking account balance and ‘let’s just see how it goes,’ sounds more like a hobby to the IRS vs. a real business.

Operating a home-based venture is a rewarding experience and doesn’t have to create IRS headaches. Know the tax laws, keep good records, and your home business will thrive. For more information about what you can and cannot deduct as a business expense, go to the Internal Revenue website and download Publication 587: Business Use of Your Home.

Scott Letourneau is the CEO of Fast Business Credit, Inc. and has a valuable free guide to help small business owners get access to capital plus a new program to help business owners understand the importance of credit! Go to our Business Credit Program page for powerful details!

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

Be Patient Finding Your Perfect Work At Home Job by Chris Simpson

Search anywhere on the internet these days and you’re sure to find information about working from home. This is a very popular idea since there is so much information available on the web but to be successful working from home, you have to do research, make a plan, and be patient.

Many people question the validity of working from home. They think it’s a great idea but don’t fully understand how you can make any money. It might sound too good to be true. These would be people don’t fully understand the impact and scope of the internet.

Sure, some so-called “gurus” will try to sell you products to teach you how to make millions of dollars overnight. These types of gimmicks are the “too good to be true” variety. However there are products and training programs out there that for a small fee that will definitely help you get there faster but there is no such thing as “getting-rich-quick” unless you happen to win the lotto.

Any business owner, either online or offline, will tell you that time is an essential part of any business venture. Try to do things too quickly and you’ll suffer the consequences.

Do Your Research

Not everyone who works from home is a business owner. That’s certainly one avenue to consider but along with owning a business comes a lot of legalities and paperwork. However most that do, see the financial rewards in the end, even if it’s only on a part-time basis.

Here are some popular ideas for work at home jobs:

1. Rebate processor - Large processing facilities often hire virtual workers to help process rebates. No doubt you’ve sent in your fair share of rebates and then have waited the 8-10 weeks to get your money back. Hundreds of people are needed to handle the volume of rebates received each year. This is a perfect work at home job because you can often pick which hours you want to work and since it’s all computer-based, you can even work at night while your family sleeps.

2. Freelance writer - Writers are in huge demand with website owners needing a steady stream of new content for their readers. Being a freelance writer allows you to have multiple clients and the ability to pick and choose which jobs you want to accept.

3. Paid online surveys - Marketing companies will reward survey participants with either cash or reward points for taking the time to answer some questions. Again, you get to pick and choose which surveys to answer and you can register with multiple survey companies.

Make a Plan

Whether you decide to start your own business or work a variety of different internet jobs, you’ll need a plan of action so you can work efficiently and increase your earnings. Decide what hours you’ll spend working from home; do you have daytime hours or are you limited to nights and weekends? Make a list of which opportunities you would most like to work at and start the process. Write down some income goals you’d like to accomplish and find ways to make those a reality.

Be Patient

Earning good money online doesn’t happen overnight. Set some realistic goals for your first month and revisit those goals every month. If you want to earn more money, find ways to do that. Learn how to work most efficiently so you can finish more assignments in a shorter amount of time.

There are numerous online jobs available. It’s up to you to find them and do the necessary work involved to get to where you want to be. With a plan and some patience you can start to earn money by working from home.

Chris Simpson is dedicated to helping people find honest and legitimate work at home opportunities and home based business ideas. Find legitimate paid online surveys and many other great opportunities to make money online today at: www.HomeNetPro.com

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

Employee Surveys: Find Out How To Motivate Employees by Andy West

Every business owner is thankful for loyal employees. Loyal employees are committed to their job and take pride in their efforts. A great technique to improve staff loyalty is to create an ambition and reward system. Creating employee goals helps workers commit to their tasks and clearly establishes what you expect of them. It gives employees a desire to succeed and boosts morale. In addition, goal setting inspires workers on a personal and professional level. Many longtime, loyal employees have started out at the bottom of the corporate ladder and worked their way up the ranks through hard work and dedication. Employee surveys help companies determine which incentive programs their staff prefers. Depending on the budget, incentive programs can range from a gift certificate to a week in Maui. Rewards and incentives are great tools to keep employees working hard.

Setting goals directs workers to see their daily tasks as accomplishments. Another confidence builder is creating a mission statement for the company. A mission statement defines the companies’ values and overall ambitions. Make sure your staff knows and understands the value you place on them, and how they fit into the overall mission of the company. Loyalty is built through time and commitment to a common idea or ideal. Time plays an important aspect when setting them. When developing staff objectives make sure to establish a time frame, beginning date and end date, in which achievement must take place. Weekly and monthly aspirations help employees to stay on track for daily tasks. Quarterly is great for larger projects and keeping momentum. Owners want to set attainable ambition that will both challenge workers and build their confidence.

To help your staff achieve what you’ve set for them create a plan of action. Meeting them successfully involves a step by step process. Help workers make a list of steps they must follow to achieve their goals. There is nothing as satisfying as crossing tasks off a list. The action plan helps employees to track their forward momentum, see their part in the company and establishes a sense of accomplishment.

Many companies set up a smart plan for their workforce to follow. The smart plan divides goal setting into five steps. Step one is to be specific about what you want accomplished. Clearly define what the company is striving for with the plan. Step two is measure out the steps so you can establish what has been achieved. Step three is to set achievable and realistic goals. They should be challenging and attainable. Step four is making sure all are working together and not against one another. Your personnel must understand the underlying point of the objective and how it will affect the company. Step five is time bound management. All objectives should fall within a realistic timeframe. The timeframe should be a well thought out plan to ensure success.

If you find that your aspirations are backfiring, then restructure your overall plan and add flexibility. When setting them include some flexibility and make sure they are realistic. Working toward objectives should be progressive steps forward, but missteps can occur. You cannot expect perfection from personnel, but you can inspire perseverance. Tracking morale helps employers know if their goal setting techniques are inspiring or frustrating. Employee surveys helps companies monitor workers morale and determine the level of job satisfaction. Keep them actively involved in aspiration setting, will help build team morale, and develop a loyal, long term workforce. Creating and tracking realistic goals for employees can boost performance and loyalty within the work place. A loyal and motivated employee is an asset to any company.

NBRI, offers the best selection in customizable options for your surveying needs. Whether you’d like to organize a survey on receipts, or complex employee surveys , they can help! Visit NBRII.com for more information.

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

Goal For the Singles by Louisa Chan

No, I don’t think there is anything intrinsically abundant about being a single. However for those who are single-hearted, devoted and focused in purpose, mind and intention, there can be much abundance. Read on and you will know what I mean.

Anyone who has been watching the Olympic athletes these past days will undoubtedly notice the intense focus and concentration that each athlete has as they each prepare for the kick off of their event. I love watching the camera zoom in onto their facial expressions just before the gun goes off. The real game has started long before the actual event on the track took place. The mental game that of conquering the inner voice in their heads will determine a great part of where they will end up in the final analysis.

That focused concentration and undivided attention got them through the many difficulties, barriers and the distractions as they tear down the tracks on unfamiliar grounds under hot and humid weather in Beijing. What’s the application for us?

As we go through each “game” of our everyday lives we can:

1. Keep Your Focus with single and undivided devotion on what counts; keep focus on that which you want and pursue

Without the crystal clear vision of what it is that you want, you will be discouraged by every obstacle and barrier that comes along your way. Know what it is that you want to pursue and why that is important then fix your gaze on goal. Let nothing pull or push your gaze and attention away from your vision.

2. Turn Distractions Into Your Allies; Noise into Cheer

Every distraction that tempts you away from moving towards your original course will cost you your prized goal. Everyday, there are distractions from all directions, and the biggest challenge that I see is the noise and critical voices that go on in your head. That can cripple and paralyze you from going forward. I wonder if these athletes have somehow learned to turn the static noise from the crowd into cheers that propel them towards their focused goal?

The next time you hear critical voices with negative conversations in your head, turn the dial and tune into a channel with a chorus of cheers which motivates you forward. Reprogram that critical voice into the cheer leaders’ song.

3. Approach Obstacles With Tips From The Guides; there is a way to overcome

Every obstacle course in outward bound looks daunting and insurmountable at first blush. However, most if not all participants are able to conquer the obstacles after the Guides show them the way to approach the obstacles. How is that possible? There are tips and guidelines available, and I believe that the obstacles in our path are not there to stop us but to provide us an opportunity to approach it in a new and creative way.

Every invention starts with a problem. Every obstacle has object lessons. How do I reach the goal? Reach out for guidance and support and learn from those who have been there, done that. Find a coach in your area, get guidance and be supported.

To claim your free personalized strategy session with Coach Louisa you can contact her at AbundantLivesCoaching.com. You can also claim a free mini e-course and audio on practical stress relief tips. Louisa is a Certified Professional Coach, Your Partners For Success.

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net

Who Has The Best Job by Shaun Parker

You know, there are a lot of jobs in this world that are the envy of others - most of them consist of the types of jobs that look like they require very little effort for a great deal of money!

Take the job of a celebrity for instance. There are so many people that rate TV and film personalities as people to be looked up to that they would do anything for a piece of their action. They see them swanning around in nice clothes, attending fancy functions and generally living it up and this is what they believe they get paid for.

Personally speaking, I think those that offer high class cleaning services have a pretty enviable job! Work your way up in the cleaning world and you become privy to a lot more than the general populace see on a daily basis.

Take, for instance, those celebrities we talked of earlier. Now, very few of them are going to be cleaning their own homes. They will call in the cleaning services from their area and have their laundry picked up, their baths cleaned, their carpets vacuumed and their pets walked - all to make their lives easier.

The lucky company that gets a cleaning services contract with a celebrity becomes party to all manner of the inner workings of their lives and believe me the shine soon wears off! They have the same toilets to clean, the same toenails to vacuum up and all the other business that goes with it. You get to see the inner workings of a celebrities life and you realise they are no different to us. They still look rough when they get up in the morning and they still row with their partners!

However, working for cleaning services when you are doing this type of work can be fun, it can get you near to the rich and famous like you wouldn’t normally have thought possible, but it also comes with a degree of responsibilities.

These celebrities know that their cleaning services have to supply trustworthy people. After all, their homes are full of celebrity memorabilia that could easily be sold on the black market should it be stolen. No-one in the public eye wants their laundry or their rubbish scrutinised yet some moral free people would do this to make fast money.

An actor’s life may well be full of shows and events but they do still have to work. We might watch a two hour film and think we could get paid for doing that but it certainly doesn’t take two hours to make. It can take a year or more to make one film and the actors have to be available at all times. It takes a great deal of research to get into the role of a particular character, everything from mannerisms to accent to walks need to practiced and practiced and practiced. Lines have to be learnt.

All these things will take up at least the amount of hours an average person works in a menial job, if not more. This is exactly the reason why they would need to employ cleaning services instead of being able to do it themselves. Acting is not really the type of job you can easily switch off to, particularly those who are in the middle of forming a character. Therefore, this is one type of professional who would absolutely value the cleaning services of a professional company.

Shaun Parker is a leading employment expert with many years of experience in domestic staff placements. Find out more about cleaning services at http://www.pro-ductclean.com

Article Source: ArticlesArticles.Net