Month: December 2018

Oh, the holidays can be a magical time filled with heart-warming moments, but they can also drive you crazy – especially as a business owner. For many businesses sales are fantastic, but the increase in traffic also equates to more fires to put out and also more of the business funds to be routed to things such as; extra help during the busiest times, equipment breaking down, and of course gift giving. You may often wonder how in the world you will make it out alive, but we have the inside scoop to help you retain at least enough sanity to enjoy the holiday fun.

1. Recycle

No, not plastics – people. Finding good help is difficult, so when you discover an individual who exercises good work ethic and output, keep bringing them back. It’s easier to teach a person new skills, than to instill honest and diligent work ethic. During high traffic times, such as the holidays, many businesses will hire seasonal employees to help ease the load. When it comes to these circumstances, keep a file of individuals with a proven record of working hard and maintaining a positive attitude. It’s rewarding to both parties and keeps consistency and predictability in high stress times.

2. Plan out Marketing Campaigns

When it comes to the fast pace of the holiday season, nothing will set you up for success like planning ahead. You can do this months in advance, before the stress begins to enter your workplace. Analyze your competition and your target market ahead of time to set up any promotions you may be running, as well as goals and sales projections. Having your marketing planned out and in place well before the season hits will not only alleviate some of your stress, but will keep all your goals visible to all involved. Coordinate your social media content, email marketing and paid ads, whether you have someone in-house to develop the content or even if you must bring on additional outside help to ensure that your campaign is created and executed flawlessly.  

3. Organize Your Appointments Schedule

Many resources are available to help you to rein in your appointments schedule. For example, Square’s scheduling software is one of many effective tools for those in the service industry to keep track of appointments. Your clients can book services at any hour, any day of the week, and you can sync your personal calendar for added convenience and clarity. Checking availability, confirming appointments and sending text or email confirmations are just a few of the advantages to using platforms like Square to manage your schedule. At your busiest times, any tool that can help you organize information is key to your success.

4. Budget for the Unexpected

Surprise expenses can pop up at any given time of the year, but during the holidays these types of unforeseen expenses tend to make more of an unscheduled appearance. From employee gifts or bonuses, to special promotions or even fixing equipment that has suddenly gone haywire, having a specific budget set aside for the holidays is the best way to prepare your businesses for all types of surprises. If don’t have the extra room in your budget, and especially if you are a small business or self-employed professional, you have the option to take out a Small Business Loan to cover your bases. If you are just beginning your business around this fast-paced holiday season, you can even build your financial foundation from the start by taking out a Start Up Loan or No-Doc Loan. We can guide you through the process to make sure you are able to prepare your business to flourish during this potentially profitable season!

Unsecured Finances has over 10 years in the consulting business! We specialized in educating and assisting clients on acquiring Unsecured Business Loans and Start-Up Business Specialty Loans including; Unsecured No Documentation (No-Doc Stated Income) Loans, Unsecured Business Loans, and Unsecured Start-Up Business Loans and Lines of Credit from $10,000 to $500,000 without Assets.

Apply on our website to find out if you qualify, or call today for a free consultation: 1-888-294-2584

As this year is coming to a close, many small business owners are examining their financials, and planning for tax time, which is fast approaching. If you are a new small business owner, this could be a confusing and overwhelming task, but we have some information that can help you navigate the process.

1. Know Who is Responsible for Paying Your Self-Employment Taxes

There are many advantages to having your own business, but there is also a brand-new bundle of responsibilities – paying your own taxes is one of them. If you are new to owning a business, this may come as a surprise, but certainly you are up to the task! Self-employment tax is comprised of Social Security and Medicare taxes and is paid by those whose income is not subject to employer withholding. This means that you are now responsible for both your portion of the self employment tax, along with the half that is typically paid by an employer.

Deducting the employer-equivalent component of your self-employment tax should be done routinely, to lessen the burden when tax time comes around. As a business owner, you can claim half they pay in self-employment tax as an income deduction. Make sure you are also taking advantage of business and startup expenses to limit net income and your self-employment tax burden.

If this is all entirely new to you, and a little overwhelming, you can hire an advisor to help you to create a workflow that will make everything easier to navigate throughout the year and leading up to tax time.

2. Your Legal Entity Affects Your Tax Burden

Not all small businesses endure the same tax burden. Depending on the legal entity that you elect to form can have an incredible effect on your tax liability over the years. From sole proprietorships and LLCs, to S corporations and partnerships, there are various business types, each with its own benefits and limitations. Make sure you are performing efficient research to determine what the best option will be for your business.

3. Deductions Can Be More Than You Realize

Small business owners must come up with methods of stretching their financial resources, especially when you are starting a new business. From raw materials, to employee salaries, to business rent, to utilities, the various operational costs of a startup can be overwhelming. Fortunately, as a new small business owner, you may be able to deduct a number of expenses in order to minimize your tax burden while maximizing company profits.

According to the IRS, businesses can deduct expenses deemed both ordinary and necessary. Ordinary expenses refer to those that are common to your specific trade, meaning what’s reasonable for one company may not be relevant for another. On the other hand, necessary expenses are helpful (but not always obligatory) in your field.

Some of the most common business deductions include rent on a business or home office, supplies, furniture and equipment, such as computers, copiers and fax machines. Additionally, many small businesses can deduct costs associated with providing healthcare benefits for their employees.

4. Make Estimated Payments

As a new small business owner, you probably know that it’s important to pay taxes accurately and on time. However, you may not realize that self-employed persons are responsible for making quarterly estimated tax payments throughout the year.

While startup founders are excused from making estimated tax payments in the first year of operation, they are responsible for submitting accurate quarterly payments in the years to come. Business owners filing as sole proprietors, partners and S-corporation shareholders must all make estimated tax payments if they anticipate owing $1000 or more for the tax year.

Filing estimated tax payments for the first time? You may want to use last year’s income, tax credits and deductions to calculate your expected tax burden. Business owners who fail to submit at least 90% of the taxes they owe may be subject to penalties, so perform your due diligence to ensure you’re in the clear.

What Does This Mean for Loans?

If you are a small business looking to acquire a Small Business Loan or a Startup Loan, there are options for obtaining your funds, even when you are writing off a large portion of your income. Our No-Doc Loan is a loan based off stated income.  Stated income means your true income.  The total income you made for the year.  Checks, cash, credit cards and any other income that you made.  Since its a stated income product you will not have to prove financial documents including taxes, w2’s or pay-stubs. Want to learn more about how these types of loans can work for your business? Give us a call!

Unsecured Finances has over 10 years in the consulting business! We specialized in educating and assisting clients on acquiring Unsecured Business Loans and Start-Up Business Specialty Loans including; Unsecured No Documentation (No-Doc Stated Income) Loans, Unsecured Business Loans, and Unsecured Start-Up Business Loans and Lines of Credit from $10,000 to $500,000 without Assets.

Apply on our website to find out if you qualify, or call today for a free consultation: 1-888-294-2584