As a business owner, it is almost guaranteed that you will encounter some variation of the following scenario: You engaged a client and completed fantastic work. The products the client desired were delivered on time with practically no issues. To request the money the client agreed to pay you, you send an invoice or a bill. Unfortunately, your invoice is …
There are many essential tasks to complete if you are thinking of forming a new business. An important but often overlooked step is obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN is a nine-digit federal tax identification number obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It uniquely identifies a business entity and serves many purposes for a new company. The …
For individuals who own real estate, it is important to consider the best way to structure your ownership. When you are just starting out as an investor in real estate, you may hold title to the real estate personally, but that may not be the most advantageous method of ownership. Another option is to create a limited liability company (LLC) …
When you create a limited liability company (LLC) or a corporation, the concept of limited liability is one of the key rationales for those entity choices. Limited liability is typically available when you create distinct legal entities that separate your personal assets from your business assets, thereby limiting exposure to liability on both fronts. Even though this is a foundational …
Following the first surge of COVID-19 cases in the United States, many businesses financially impacted by the pandemic have applied for federal funds through the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). One key element of the PPP is loan forgiveness, but business owners who received PPP funds must apply for loan forgiveness. If you received funds and are in the …
The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in a wave of new teleworkers. This shift in the way employers conduct business brings new challenges as they seek to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirement of paying employees for all hours worked. In response, the Department of Labor released Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2020-5[1] (FAB 2020-5) to provide additional guidance …
I’m very proud of my Simmental roots and incredibly honored to have been featured in the October issue of the Register by the American Simmental Association. You can find the article on Page 20 of this issue. It highlights my activities with the American Junior Simmental Association, which played a significant role to my path to success, and what lead …
When starting a business, a business owner must first choose which type of entity to create. Two of the most popular entity types are the limited liability company (LLC) and the corporation. Choosing between these two types of entities can be difficult for business owners who are not familiar with the unique features of each type. To choose the right …
The limited liability company (LLC) is a popular business structure for new businesses, but what does it really mean to own an LLC? LLCs provide unique opportunities to customize business ownership to fit the particular needs and circumstances of the owners. Here is what you should know about LLC ownership. The Basics The owners of LLCs are often called members. …
Death is almost always a complicated event for the survivors, who have not only emotional but also logistical considerations to manage. However, when an owner (typically called a member) of a limited liability company (LLC) dies, it exacerbates the difficulties for the surviving members. In addition to bearing the loss, they must determine whether the LLC can or even should …
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 few months. Federal tax deadlines September 16, 2020 is the …
The decision to close a business is not to be taken lightly. Although most business owners hope that the process of closing their business will be quick and easy, that is often not the case. Business closures involve complex procedures that require time, energy, and organization. Failure to carefully adhere to these procedures could result in additional expenses and extensive …