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."