IRS Offers Small Business Tax Workshop on May 18
May 11, 2011
I have known for a while that the Internal Revenue Service is offering workshops for small business and I think these can be very useful. Today I was notified about an upcoming webinar (notice they are embracing new technology that we virtual assistants use regularly 
The free webinar is being held next Wednesday on May 18 at 11am pacific / 2pm eastern , entitled:
Small Business Advantage: Put Our Knowledge to Work for You
It will be presented by Phyllis Grimes, Director, Small Business/Self-Employed Communications. Sign-up is required through the IRS Webinar Registration portal. You can find out about more small business tax workshops and webinars in your state at the Internal Revenue Service site.
IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2011
December 31, 2010
The IRS has published their new standard mileage rates for 2011. Thankfully, they have increased from last year, with the exception of the charitable mileage rate, which stayed the same. The IRS has combined the Medical and Relocation rate.
Business Mileage Rate * – $0.51/mile
Medical or Relocation Mileage Rate – $0.19/mile
Charitable Mileage Rate – $0.14/mile
Happy Driving!
* Can be used only if taxpayer owns/leases a passenger auto, van, pickup, or panel truck not for hire (e.g, as a taxi) that was not depreciated under ACRS, MACRS or Sec. 179 in earlier years.
IRS Standard Mileage Rates for 2010
January 8, 2010
The IRS has published their new standard mileage rates for 2010. They have dropped with the exception of the charitable mileage rate, which stayed the same.
Business Mileage Rate * – $0.50/mile
Relocation Mileage Rate – $0.165/mile
Medical Mileage Rate – $0.165/mile
Charitable Mileage Rate – $0.14/mile
I was a bit disappointed to see the rate drop, but it’s to be expected. Happy Driving!
* Can be used only if taxpayer owns/leases a passenger auto, van, pickup, or panel truck not for hire (e.g, as a taxi) that was not depreciated under ACRS, MACRS or Sec. 179 in earlier years.
It’s Official…I’m Master Cart Certified!
July 17, 2009
As a Virtual Assistant, I have learned that the growth of my business truly relies on my ability to continue my education. When I review my goals and budget throughout the year, I incorporate training that reflects those goals for growth or expansion into complimentary areas.
Last year, several of my clients requested shopping cart and affiliate management assistance for their online businesses, as a companion to their bookkeeping tasks. I decided to educate myself beyond my self-starter adaptability and enrolled in several cart courses. I am proud to note that I have now completed Practice Pay Solution’s Cart Strategist and Cart Technician training to become Master Cart Certified in the 1ShoppingCart brand system. I am happily displaying their logo!
And very shortly, I will be even prouder to display another cart certification … but I’ll leave that a surprise. Go ahead … toot your own horn, and let me know what you have in the works.
Has Your Client Asked You to Charge Less?
June 26, 2009
This is a comical video for anyone who has ever had a client request that you lower your rates.
As business owners, we do need to be able to identify areas where deals can be negotiated, but it is much more important to be able to identify areas where scrimping can actually hurt your business. Spend your money where you will receive the most value, whatever that may be: increased productivity, improved time management, or greater quality of life. The benefits to move your business forward will far outweigh the cost. Watch and learn. am5nr293hu
Intuit Small Business Town Hall on Using Social Media
June 23, 2009
I am happy to say Intuit, makers of QuickBooks software, is continuing to improve. They are building their Small Business Community with town hall events, webinars, training, conferences, Ask the Expert events and more. This Thursday, June 25 at 9am PT (12pm ET), the Town Hall topic will be Using Social Media to Grow Your Business. Join Michelle Long, CPA and the following guests as they discuss how to use social media such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, for effective marketing.
- Scott Wilder – Small Business Group at Intuit
- Chris Kim – Senior Marketing Manager with Intuit
- Dante Layton – Owner of Dante Layton, Inc.
- Ruth Perryman – Owner of the QB Specialists
Cost is free and there will be a Q&A session following the discussion. Hope you can make it!
Adding To My Ideal Client Profile
June 22, 2009
Have you started developing your ideal client profile? It is important for every business owner to identify who that ideal client is and create a list or profile. At first, this was a challenging concept for me to grasp coming from the corporate world where I really had no choice in who I worked with. As a Virtual Assistant, I work with many different clients and have been continually learning who meshes with my personality. When our partnership is successful, I make note of those characteristics. Having this profile has helped me initiate conversations with potential clients as well as feeling comfortable letting clients go if our styles don’t blend.
Most recently, I added a very key characteristic to my client profile. A potential new client noted that she was direct. A bell went off in my head because I am too, but I hadn’t identified it. As a bookkeeper, I find this works very well with several of my extremely busy clients. I like to be quick and to the point in my emails. My questions are small and words few but there is no love lost in the directness of my message or their quick reply. We are not ego involved in the communication.
I struggle with email because fluffy writing does not come naturally to me. In fact, I normally don’t charge for my email time because I know this. I must carefully craft emails writing and rewriting sentences to get my message across. Just this past month, a client let me know they prefer email over phone contact and it proved to be more than challenging. I was told I spent too much time answering an email. Initially I felt discouraged but now realize that had I relayed my direct communication style to this client ahead of time, I may have been able to spend less time crafting and worrying if I was going to offend her in some way. Adding directness as a core characteristic to my client profile will definitely encourage me to seek such partnerships with my future clients. What characteristics would you include?
Remember to Send Your Second Quarter Tax Payments
June 12, 2009
If you are required to send in quarterly estimated tax payments, June 15 is the due date.
- Individuals - Pay your 2nd quarter estimated tax for 2009
- Corporations – Deposit the 2nd installment of estimated tax for 2009
Home Based Tax Savings Courses
June 8, 2009
Last month I finished Dr. Ron Mueller’s Tax Savings Basic Essentials Course with the hopeful goal of saving a few thousand dollars on my taxes this year. I was not disappointed in his thorough review of tax deductions and simple record keeping requirements. I was able to read through his book “Home Business Tax Savings Made Easy!” in 2 days. Dr. Mueller arms you with the knowledge and confidence to take those known tax deductions without fear of the IRS. I’ve never written off my home office but now that I understand the IRS tax code requirements better, I will realize more tax savings this year.
Ron explains better than I can, so here is his message to all of us! The BIG bonus is that I am now armed with the IRS tax code to share with my clients This course will seriously pay for itself by the time you have finished it. Let me know what you save.
