Taxes

Here is some information about tax filing sent to me by an associate, Chuck Powers, CPA:

The start of the 2011 filing season will begin in January for the majority of taxpayers. However, last week’s changes in the law mean that the IRS will need to reprogram its processing systems for three provisions that were extended in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Re-authorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 that became law on Dec. 17.

People claiming any of these three items — involving the state and local sales tax deduction, higher education tuition and fees deduction and educator expenses deduction as well as those taxpayers who itemize deductions on Form 1040 Schedule A — will need to wait to file their tax returns until tax processing systems are ready, which the IRS estimates will be in mid- to late February.

The IRS will announce a specific date in the near future when it can start processing tax returns impacted by the late tax law changes. In the interim, people in the affected categories can start working on their tax returns, but they should not submit their returns until IRS systems are ready to process the new tax law changes.

The IRS urged taxpayers to use e-file instead of paper tax forms to minimize confusion over the recent tax changes and ensure accurate tax returns.

Taxpayers will need to wait to file if they are within any of the following three categories:

• Taxpayers claiming itemized deductions on Schedule A. Itemized deductions include mortgage interest, charitable deductions, medical and dental expenses as well as state and local taxes. In addition, itemized deductions include the state and local general sales tax deduction extended in the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 enacted Dec. 17, which primarily benefits people living in areas without state and local income taxes and is claimed on Schedule A, Line 5. Because of late Congressional action to enact tax law changes, anyone who itemizes and files a Schedule A will need to wait to file until mid- to late February.
• Taxpayers claiming the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction. This deduction for parents and students — covering up to $4,000 of tuition and fees paid to a post-secondary institution — is claimed on Form 8917. However, the IRS emphasized that there will be no delays for millions of parents and students who claim other education credits, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit.
• Taxpayers claiming the Educator Expense Deduction. This deduction is for kindergarten through grade 12 educators with out-of-pocket classroom expenses of up to $250. The educator expense deduction is claimed on Form 1040, Line 23, and Form 1040A, Line 16.

For those falling into any of these three categories, the delay affects both paper filers and electronic filers.

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Chuck Powers, CPA, Powers Accounting

6101 NE 34th St., Vancouver, WA 98661

Web: http://www.ChuckPowers.us/

Email: info@ChuckPowers.us

Phone: (360) 314-6744

FAX: (360) 326-1799

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TAXES

The end of 2010 is upon us and there have been lots of tax changes. Here are some of the latest:

IRS Helps Small Employers Claim New Health Care Tax Credit; Forms and Additional Guidance Now Available on Small Business Health Care Tax Credit

Payroll Tax Cut to Boost Take-Home Pay for Most Workers; New Withholding Details now available on IRS.gov

To stay up-to-date on the latest changes, the IRS Newsroom is a great resource.

Business Development

'tis the season for training!

There are a lot of opportunities for developing your business in the coming weeks. Clark College has also released its Fall schedule.

JULY

July 29; Longview
How to Start a Business, SBDC

AUGUST

August 11-12; Seattle
Automated Export System Compliance Seminar and AESPcLink Training, US Census Bureau and Association of Small Business Development Centers

August 10; Spokane
August 12; Seattle
Marketing in the Real World of Small Business, Washington SBDC

August 12; Longview
Get HUBZone Certified; SBA, SBDC, hosted by Lower Columbia College Business and Industry Center

August 12; Vancouver
Building and Updating a Business Plan; SCORE

August 16 and August 19; Longview
Internet Marketing for Small Business, Lower Columbia College

August 21; Seattle
Franchise Opportunities Seminar for Veterans, Minorities, and Women; Washington SBDC and other partners, hosted by International Franchise Association and sponsored by Coca Cola and ExxonMobil

August 26; Longview
How to Start a Business, SBDC

SEPTEMBER

September 7; Longview
NxLevel Entrepreneur Certification (approved for SEAP); SBDC

September TBD; Vancouver
International Exporting 101, CREDC and Impact Washington

September 30; Longview
How to Start a Business, SBDC

OCTOBER

October TBD; Vancouver
Succession Planning 101, CREDC and Impact Washington

Management

Building a business plan

Don't miss the SCORE workshop on July 15 on "Building and Updating a Business Plan." The program is being offered at the Camas Library and is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Call 360-834-4692 to register.

Another opportunity for building a business plan is being offered by Washington State University instructor, Cal Meek. Mr. Meek teaches MgmtOps 492, a Business Policy class that affords students an opportunity put their business knowledge to practical use and help a local business person create a business plan. The class will be in session from August to December 2010. Contact Cal Meek at calmeek@wsu.edu for details.

Marketing

Government Contracting 101 Seminar

If you want to increase sales by selling to the government, there is a seminar next week to help you gain tools and an understanding of that market segment. (Keep in mind the city, county, state, and federal governments buy LOTS of goods and services!)

The seminar is called "Government Contracting 101, the basics of selling to the state and federal government." It is sponsored by the Columbia River Economic Development Council and presented by the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

Seminar location is at the CREDC, 805 Broadway, Ste. 412, Vancouver and will be held Thursday, June 10, 2010 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The seminar is FREE but there is only room for 20 people. Register soon! Call Tiffany Scroggs at 360-754-6320 in Olympia or email tscroggs@thurstonedc.com.

Human Resources

From the Washington Department of Labor and Industries

Learn workers’ comp and more at L&I employers’ workshop

Business owners! Learn to navigate workers’ compensation, contractor registration, wage & hour rules and more at a free Department of Labor and Industries workshop in Vancouver. This free workshop will be held from 9 a.m. – Noon, Wednesday, June 9 at the L&I Vancouver office, 312 SE Stonemill Dr., Suite 120.

The new “Employer’s Introduction to L&I” is geared both for new businesses and those hiring for the first time.

The workshop covers an employer’s rights and responsibilities and gives an overview of the free business services L&I provides. Employers who attend will also learn about workplace safety and health requirements, claims management strategies, risk management, and workers’ comp quarterly reporting requirements.

To register, please visit www.Workshops.Lni.wa.gov . For more information, contact Ron Langley, L&I Small Business Liaison, 1-800-987-0145.

Technology

How to Commercialize Technology

On June 14th in Seattle and June 15th in Spokane, WSU Small Business Development Center, Washington Technology Center and SIRTI are offering "How Small Businesses Can Successfully Commercialize Technology" seminars based on Foresight Science & Technology's instruction to SBIR awardees.

This will be an overview of the process of commercialization including how to: Determine entry markets; Find customers; Develop a commercialization strategy; Find commercialization partners and funding; Value your technology; Determine royalty rates; Develop a term sheet and Conduct negotiations. The presentation includes many real-world examples and attendees are encouraged to ask questions.

Cost is $25 per session. Two different sessions per day will be offered. Register online for one or both:
REGISTRATION WEBSITE: wsbdc.org/training-calendar – Please register by June 9th

International Trade

Export Training

Business owners, managers and employees, and career professionals can learn about the export process and how to overcome common mistakes made by exporters at two international trade seminars in May in Spokane.

The “Washington State Export Certification Course,” certified by the Washington State Department of Commerce, will take place May 10-11. “Exporting Under NAFTA” will take place May 12. Both courses will be at Washington State University Riverpoint Campus in Spokane, WA. Go to www.wsbdc.org to register.

Finance

Current News on Relief Programs

Loans

From the U.S. Small Business Administration

On March 26, 2010, the President signed legislation (H.R. 4938) that permits SBA to use up to $40 million of existing appropriations to fund new 7(a) and 504 loans under Sections 501 and 502 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Recovery Act”). Specifically, these funds are available for the payment of certain 7(a) and 504 loan fees and a higher SBA guaranty for eligible 7(a) loans.

In addition, this legislation extends SBA’s authority to provide a higher guaranty for eligible 7(a) loans to April 30, 2010. Go to the SBA website for details.

Tax Credits for Hiring

From Sentator Cantwell's office

The HIRE Act creates a payroll tax exemption and tax credits for employers that meet certain eligibility requirements. The legislation immediately enhances employers’ cash flow by permitting employers to retain the 6.2% employer portion of the Social Security tax.

Social Security Tax Exemption: The 6.2% employer Social Security tax exemption applies to previously unemployed individuals hired after February 3, 2010 who have worked less than 40 hours during the 60-day period prior to employment and whose 2010 earned wages after March 18, 2010 and before January 1, 2011 do not exceed $106,800.

Employers can save the 6.2% Employer Social Security Tax, whether they hire a $40,000 worker, or a $90,000 worker. Employers, including nonprofit organizations, and colleges and universities, would not have to wait until 2011 to benefit from this tax relief because savings would accrue with each payroll processed.

The legislation also encourages businesses to hire workers earlier in the year because the tax benefit will be greater. For example, a $60,000 worker hired on April 1 saves an employer about $2,800 in taxes. Delaying the hiring until June 1 would reduce savings to about $2,200.

This exemption has no cap or limit as to the total amount of tax benefits that can be claimed by an employer. Employers can save up to $6,622 per qualifying worker, whether they hire one worker or hundreds of new workers.

Tax Credit Employers will receive an income tax credit, which is either $1,000 for each qualifying worker hired after February 3, 2010, and employed for at least 52 consecutive weeks, or 6.2% of wages paid to the qualifying worker over the 52-week period, whichever is less. Wages during the last 26 weeks must be at least 80 percent of wages paid for the first 26 weeks.

Any new hire must certify "by signed affidavit," under penalties of perjury, that he/she has "not been employed for more than 40 hours during the 60-day period ending on the date such individual begins such employment."

Neither the 6.2% Employer Social Security Tax exemption nor the retention tax credit is permitted if a person is hired to replace another employee "unless such other employee is separated from employment voluntarily or for cause."