Most small business owners will occasionally have to face the unpleasant task of firing an employee. Small businesses, in particular, rely heavily on each employee. An underperforming employee may not only lower the morale of other employees who have to pick up the slack, but may also jeopardize ...
As a small business owner, you may be considering using virtual workers to expand your workforce. A virtual worker is an employee who uses technology to complete their duties outside of the traditional workplace setting. Many businesses today find this workforce model quite attractive for severa...
A small business that has invested substantial resources in developing a product or a customer base could be devastated if its employees then go to work for a competitor down the street or set up their own competing business. A noncompetition agreement is an important tool that could protect you...
There is no legal requirement for businesses to offer paid or unpaid vacation time to employees, but it is common knowledge (and common sense) that employees who occasionally take time off are more productive and engaged when they return to work. If you decide to offer vacation time to your emplo...
As your small business expands and evolves, it may make sense to consider changing its structure. Many small businesses start out as sole proprietorships or partnerships, with only one or two owners and no employees. Over time, as your business grows and changes, a more complex business structure...
Despite your best efforts to work only with customers or clients you believe will pay for the goods or services your business provides and to diligently collect delinquent amounts owed, you will almost inevitably have to deal with bad debts on occasion. In some circumstances, the IRS allows you t...
For a small business to grow, it is often necessary to borrow money. In fact, the Small Business Administration reports that the inability to obtain funding is one of the main obstacles that prevents small businesses from expanding their operations. To increase your business's chances of obtainin...
The economy is booming, which is excellent news for small businesses, right? In general, it is great news for all businesses. However, it also presents some challenges, particularly for small businesses. According to the June 2019 National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Jobs Report, ...
You have spent years building your small business, but have you taken time to consider what will happen to it when you retire, become disabled, or pass away? Although it is often hard to fathom an event that may not occur for many years, it is important to put plans in place in advance. The failu...
On March 6, 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Here is the official summary from Congress.gov. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 This bill provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the economy, public hea...
Busy small business owners have many tasks on their plates: A significant one is staying on top of important tax and filing deadlines. These important dates may vary depending upon the business' structure. Here are some of the most critical deadlines business owners may need to meet over the next...
Do you have certain key employees who help make your family business a success? Keeping those employees may be essential to a successful transition of ownership and management to your children or another new owner when you retire or pass away. A “stay bonus” (also called a retention bonus) is a s...
Thirty-three states and 150 municipalities and counties have enacted “ban-the-box” laws precluding employers from including questions about criminal history on employment applications. In many of these states, ban-the-box statutes apply only to public employers, but 13 states (including some of t...
Information is instantaneously available due to the rise of the internet. Additionally, many services that were not available in the past, including do-it-yourself (DIY) legal forms also exist. As a result, it is tempting to think that the forms provided by these DIY services can be a low-cost su...
The location of your small business is an important factor in whether it succeeds or fails. Accessibility to customers, vendors, and employees, proximity to competitors, and zoning restrictions are just a few of the factors you have likely considered. Once you have determined the best location fo...
Many small business owners contend with collecting, reporting, and paying sales tax. Although there is currently no federal sales tax, 45 states, and many localities, as well as the District of Columbia, have a sales tax. Different taxing authorities have their own regulations, tax rates, exempt...
At the end of September, the Department of Labor issued a new overtime pay rule that will take effect on January 1, 2020. According to the Department of Labor, the new rule will make 1.3 million American workers newly eligible for overtime pay. It is important for small businesses with employees ...
If you are interested in starting a new business, you may be attracted by “out of the box” business opportunities offered by sellers that promise immediate success. Some of these schemes have rightly earned a bad reputation, for example, false promises that you will make thousands of dollars per ...
Tax season is just around the corner, so now is a great time to make sure that you are retaining all the documentation you need to back up the income, deductions, and credits listed on your small business's tax return. Keeping the proper records is not optional—it is required by the Internal Reve...
On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the Act). Included among the Act's nearly 5,600 pages are provisions related to COVID-19 pandemic relief. Key tax provisions include: (1) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) updates, including...
Among those who desire to own their own business, many attempt to build a company from scratch. That, however, is not the only available option. Purchasing a company that is already in existence is a valid alternative. If you are interested in potentially acquiring a business instead of starting ...
After months of anticipation, on December 21, 2020, Congress finally addressed several long awaited unresolved issues surrounding much needed economic relief to workers and businesses. Tucked within the 5,593 page ‘‘Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021'' Bill, you will find SEC. 276. CLARIFIC...
As baby boomers begin to retire, the burden of making management decisions regarding their retirement assets may seem daunting. This is especially true for those who choose to forego using professional investment advisors and instead self-manage their assets. Despite the challenges, there are ben...
If you are considering expanding your physical business or starting a home-based business, selling your products online is a great way to reach additional customers. Before you begin to sell products online, there are several legal issues you should be aware of to ensure that your business is com...
Data privacy laws requiring businesses to take steps to safeguard customers' and employees' personal information and to notify them if a breach occurs have been on the books for years. Recently, however, a new California privacy law—the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)—was enacted guarantee...
Creenan & Baczkowski, PC can represent you and your organization in Real Estate/Construction, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, and Business law issues in Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties, in Pennsylvania. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
