Sat.Oct 06, 2018 - Fri.Oct 12, 2018

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Articles of Incorporation: Everything You Need to Know to File Them

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What Are Articles of Incorporation? Articles of incorporation, also known as certificate of incorporation or corporate charter, are a legal document that you file with your state’s business filing agency to establish a C-corporation or S-corporation. The document contains basic business information, such as company address and number of shares. Once approved by the state, the articles of incorporation legally establish your corporation.

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SBA Form 413: A Step-by-Step Guide to Filling It Out

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Of the many forms you can expect to complete for your SBA loan application , SBA Form 413—which you may also know as the SBA financial statement—is one of the most essential: This personal financial statement factors into how the SBA determines your ability to repay an additional debt and, by extension, your eligibility for an SBA loan. SBA Form 413 is made up of eight sections.

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The Ultimate QuickBooks Pro Review for 2018

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Supported by thousands of accountants and bookkeepers, choosing one of QuickBooks’ platforms as your business accounting software virtually guarantees that you’ll find the accounting solution you need. With more than 2 million users worldwide , Intuit’s QuickBooks products are by far the most popular small business accounting software in the U.S.—and there are lots of QuickBooks products to choose from.

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How to Accept Credit Card Payments

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These days, accepting credit card payments for your products or services is a virtual requirement. In fact, some businesses have begun to do away with cash transactions entirely—perhaps because researchers have found that people overspend with credit cards. (Good news for you as a small business owner, but maybe something to keep an eye on for you as a consumer.) .

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Gusto Payroll Reviews: All 3 Versions of This Payroll App, Reviewed

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What Is Gusto Payroll? Gusto payroll is an online payroll app that provide payroll and HR services in three tiers—Core, Complete, and Concierge. The cost of Gusto will depend on which of the three tiers you opt for, how many employees you have in your system, and whether or not you add on any additional benefits. Of all the jobs you have to take care of as a small business owner, making sure you pay your team on time and in full is one of the most important.

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SunTrust Business Checking Accounts Reviewed

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If you’re a small business owner in the southeast, you’re probably curious about your SunTrust business checking options. After all, a SunTrust business bank account could be perfect for your company if you’re near any of their 1,250 bank branches or more than 2,100 ATMs throughout the 11 states in which they operate. There are perks to banking with regional and community banks that offer more intimate relationships with customers.

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How to Find a Trademark Lawyer

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A trademark lawyer can help you protect your business’s valuable intellectual property assets. A trademark is a word, symbol, phrase, or design, such as a logo, that identifies your business’ goods or services and distinguishes them from competitors. The best way to protect your trademark is by registering it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

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How to Get a Business Auto Loan Without a Personal Guarantee

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Owning your own business means trying to keep your personal and business finances separate , but it can be hard to do so entirely. Depending on your business entity, you should have plenty of distance between your company’s dealings and your own personal finances, but there are still cases in which the two are invariably intertwined. This is particularly true with business auto loans.

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Schedule K-1 Tax Form: What It Is and What You Need to Know

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What Is the Schedule K-1 Tax Form? Owners of pass-through entities must file the Schedule K-1 tax form along with their personal tax return to report their share of business profits, losses, deductions, and credits. Beneficiaries of trusts and estates must also submit a Schedule K-1. March 15 is the deadline for receiving a Schedule K-1. If you are an owner of an S-corp or partnership or a member in an LLC, then you’ve probably received a Schedule K-1 in the mail.

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Should Small Businesses Offer Trade Credit?

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In an ideal world, trade credit probably wouldn’t exist. Businesses would always have enough money in the bank to buy raw materials, supplies, and inventory. Merchants wouldn’t have to wait to get paid on net terms. Everyone would settle their accounts immediately and move on. Things don’t quite work that way, though. For many businesses, cash is a luxury.

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The 4 Best Payroll Software for Small Business in 2018

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What Is the Best Payroll Software for Small Business? Gusto offers the fullest packages for your small business payroll software—at the most reasonable price. Intuit QuickBooks Payroll is the best fit for business owners who use Intuit QuickBooks accounting software. Patriot Payroll is the best low-cost payroll software for small businesses. Payroll4Free is the best free payroll software.

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10 Businesses to Start Now to Be Rich in a Decade

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Starting a business is always a gamble. Even if you have lots of money to work with and a product or service that will benefit consumers, it’s hard to say whether your business will take off. It’s even harder to predict how things will look a year from now, let alone 10 years into the future. A lot can happen in a decade, and most businesses don’t even make it that far.

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The Entrepreneur Salary: How Much Should You Pay Yourself?

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How Much do Entrepreneurs Make? Unlike the typical 9-5, an entrepreneur salary can come in many forms. The IRS requires different types of owner compensation based on how the business is structured. Generally, there are two main ways that entrepreneurs pay themselves: through a salary method (like a typical payment structure) or an owner’s draw method (where the owner draws from the company’s profits).

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Profit and Loss Statement: Your Guide to Understanding and Preparing One

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Confused by your profit and loss statement? If you don’t have a numbers background, the accounting jargon can be a little confusing at first. But once you learn the terminology, you’ll have a much better understanding of the information contained in these documents. Use this guide to ensure you can translate a profit and loss statement like a pro, and as a reference if you need help preparing one.

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Which of the Best POS Systems Is the Perfect Fit for Your Small Business?

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As a small business owner, you’re probably spending a lot of your time, effort, and attention on the process that leads up to the point when a customer makes a purchase. But what about that very moment? The exact point of sale? With all of the effort poured into getting to that point, it’s crucial that the transaction itself runs smoothly. That’s where the very best point of sale systems—or POS systems—for small business come in.

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IRS Form SS-4: What It Is and How to Find Yours

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What Is Your Form SS-4? Form SS-4, or “Application for Employer Identification Number,” is the IRS form that businesses use to apply for an employer identification number (EIN). You may need to provide your business lender with your Form SS-4 notice. That way, they can verify your EIN when they evaluate your loan application. Applying for a small business loan can be overwhelming, but there are a few things you can do in advance to make the business loan application process go smoothly.

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The Comprehensive Guide to Chase Merchant Services (Formerly Chase Paymentech)

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As you make key financial decisions for your small business, it will be almost intuitive to search for recognizable, incumbent names for each product and service you need. On the other hand, it’s also enticing to opt for industry disruptors that are changing the game—especially when any form of financial technology is involved. Chase Merchant Services (formerly Chase Paymentech) can offer the best of these two worlds.

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A Guide to the First National Business Credit Cards

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Already have a business bank account with First National? If so, you might be curious about the bank’s business credit cards. The First National business credit card program isn’t just for existing customers. In fact, the bank’s four business credit cards offer a range of terms and rewards that could tempt business owners who bank elsewhere, too. To sort through the bank’s four offerings, we’ll break down each card for you here.

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How to Find the Perfect Mentor in 8 Easy Steps

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When finding a mentor for your small business, it can be hard to determine who will best fit your needs. Whether you want to launch your startup or take your company to the next level, it’s helpful to remember that you don’t need to find someone who will solve all your problems and answer every question you have. Many professionals have multiple mentors over their careers as their needs and goals change.

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Sole Proprietors Guide: Legal, Financial, and Business Risks to Know

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What Is a Sole Proprietorship? A sole proprietorship is an unincorporated business with one person or a married couple as the owner. Sole proprietors, also known as solopreneurs or sole traders, report business income and losses on their personal tax return and are personally responsible for the business’s debts and legal obligations. Sole proprietorships are very easy to form.

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How to Pick the Best Small Business Health Insurance [Infographic]

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How to Pick Small Business Health Insurance. Determine your budget. Gather information about your business and employees. If you’re self-employed, consider an individual plan or (in some states) a group plan of one. Get plan options using a broker, PEO, purchasing alliance, or SHOP exchange. Choose a plan type, such as HMO, PPO, or POS. When comparing plan options, consider your employee demographics and health needs.