Fiser Group - Articles
Business Owner Articles
 Advantages and Disadvantages of Self-Employment
You've grown tired of commuting to a job where you sit in a cubicle and do someone else's bidding. You've got a better idea, you can build a better mousetrap, you know you have the knack for being in the right place at the right time, and so you're thinking of self-employment. But how do you determine if this is a pipe dream or an idea worth pursuing?
Read More
Choosing an entity for your business
Basically, three separate categories of entities exist: partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. Each category has its own advantages, disadvantages, and special rules. It is also possible to operate your business as a sole proprietorship without organizing as a separate business entity.Now that you've decided to start a new business or buy an existing one, you need to consider the form of business entity that's right for you.
Read More
Funding a Business
Aside from using your own funds and borrowing from friends and family, there are numerous routes that you can take, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the major options available for funding your small business, and some of the pitfall contracts to avoid. You've got your business plan written. You're excited about your business idea, and now it's time to get started. One problem: You don't have the financing to fully realize your idea. What are your options?
Read More
Qualifying for the home office deduction
Working from home can certainly provide you with personal benefits, such as a flexible schedule and more family time. But increasing numbers of people are discovering the tax advantages as well. It's no secret that you generally can't deduct certain personal expenses (e.g., homeowners insurance, utilities, and home repairs) on your federal income tax return. But if you're using part of your home as a home office, you may be able to write off part of these expenses. To qualify for the home office deduction, you must first understand the IRS requirements.
Read More
Record Keeping for Your Own Business
Keeping good business records will not only help you stay in business but may also help you increase profits. Your business records let you analyze where your business is and where it's going. They point out potential trouble spots and serve as a guide to where you want your business to be.
Read More
Business Benefits of the Stimulus Act
As you have probably heard, the recently enacted Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Stimulus Act) provided tax rebates for millions of individuals. The Stimulus Act also provides some generous tax breaks for businesses, particularly small and medium size businesses. These business provisions are intended to encourage investment and generally provide for faster depreciation (expensing) of qualified business equipment.
Read More
Business Buy/Sell Agreements
It is important that businesses with more than one owner have a written buy/sell agreement specifying what happens when an owner withdraws from the business. A buy/sell agreement is a contract between the owners (or the owners and the business entity itself) that establishes rules and restrictions applicable to changes in ownership.
Read More
How Earned Income Impacts Your Social Security Benefits
If you are a social security beneficiary under full retirement age (currently age 66), an earnings test determines whether your social security retirement benefits will be reduced because you earned more from a job or business than an annual exempt amount (discussed below). A different earnings test applies to individuals entitled to disability benefits.
As a general rule, the earnings test is based on income earned during the year as a whole, without regard to the amount you earned each month. However, in the first year you receive benefits, they are not reduced for any month in which you earn less than one-twelfth of the annual exempt amount.
Read More
Less Common Mortgage Options
Sometimes the more common fixed or adjustable rate mortage aren't advantageous or aren't available because of your circumstances. Here are some less common mortgage alternatives and their characteristics.
Read More
Personal Finance Decision Tools
Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?
To determine if refinancing your home mortgage is worthwhile, you'll have to weigh the costs of refinancing against how long it will take you to recoup those costs.
Read More
|
