Immigration isn't just a hot topic in the news—it has real impact on employers. All employers, including small businesses, are required to complete and retain a Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification for every person they hire to work inside the U.S. for pay or any other type of compensatio...
You and several friends start a new business and decide to operate it as a limited liability company (LLC). Now that you've completed the first step—choosing a business entity—it is now important to prepare an operating agreement. The operating agreement is a contract which governs the operation...
With the rising cost of health insurance, employers and employees alike are looking for the best ways to save money on medical expenses. One option that can be beneficial to both small business owners and their employees is the health savings account (HSA), which is available when an employee sel...
Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses, and small businesses are not immune from the threats posed by cybercriminals. Don't be complacent because your business is small: Almost half of all cyberattacks in the U.S. are directed at small businesses. In recognition of this serious problem...
The US Small Business Administration just announce the new PPP Loan Forgiveness Portal. The link is here: https://directforgiveness.sba.gov. Applications can be submitted starting August 4, 2021. The SBA also announced its Interim Final Rule on PPP forgiveness: PPP Interim Final Rule - COVID ...
More and more, transactions between small businesses and their customers, vendors, and service providers occur online rather than on paper. Yet some feel uneasy about the enforceability of these electronically-signed documents. Is an electronic signature as valid as a conventional handwritten sig...
If you are starting a new business, it is important not to overlook federal, state, and local business license and permit requirements. Almost every business, even one that is home-based, is required to obtain some form of license or permit in order to operate legally. Failure to do so can lead t...
As the economy improves, more and more entrepreneurs are considering starting or expanding their small businesses. However, most small business owners do not have the financial resources to do this without obtaining outside funding. If you are looking for funding for your business, you will need ...
You've worked hard to build your small business. Nothing is more frustrating than negative online reviews, particularly if you feel they are unjustified or have been posted in bad faith. There are several steps that you can take to prevent your business's reputation from being damaged by unfavora...
Federal law has required certain businesses to offer family and medical leave for decades. An increasing number of states have also enacted or considered passing laws requiring businesses to offer family and medical leave. For small businesses, these laws have distinct pros and cons. This article...
If you are starting a new business, the type of business entity you decide to establish will have an impact on the extent of personal liability, how the business is taxed, its management, the level of formality required, and many other factors. There are a wide variety of options, which can make ...
Small businesses make a huge contribution to the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, starting a new business is risky. Lenders view loans to small businesses, particularly start-ups, as among the riskiest they make, particularly when there is little or no credit history or business revenue on which to ba...
If your small business has non-exempt employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), you are required to pay those employees in accordance with its minimum wage and overtime requirements for all “hours worked.” This may seem like a simple requirement, but figuring out what is considere...
Wolf Administration: Pennsylvania Businesses, Events, Venues Return to 100% Capacity on Memorial Day; Masking Order Remains Until 70% of Adults Fully Vaccinated or June 28 The current order requiring masks for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals will remain in place until June 2...
As a small business owner, you have invested large amounts of time and money to make your business a success. Business insurance protects this investment in the event of unexpected damage to property or lawsuits, which could otherwise be devastating to your business. There are many types of insur...
The short answer is no. Businesses face potential lawsuits for business invitees, employees (WC or family) and others due the risk of transmission arising from business activities. Pennsylvania has not advanced legislation to protect business from liability suits. The only measure has been Go...
Are you considering leasing office or retail space for your small business? The terms of your lease can have a huge impact on whether your business succeeds or fails. There are several important provisions that should be considered before you sign on the dotted line. Leases of a certain duration ...
Unfortunately, most businesses must deal with non-paying customers at least occasionally. You can safeguard the time and money you have invested in your small business by taking several steps, both to lessen the likelihood of nonpayment and to obtain the amount owed once a customer has failed to ...
According to 2018 data provided by SCORE, the largest provider of volunteer business mentors in the United States, 77% of U.S. small businesses use social media for their sales, marketing, and customer service. If you plan to use social media to promote your business, a social media policy is ess...
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...
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.
