US Business Law / Taxes: Most Popular Articles

Business Startup Step by Step
Here are the steps you need to take and the important decisions you will need to make in order to start your new business.

Business Organization Forms
If you are having trouble figuring out the different legal forms of business organization, this explanation of differences and checklist can help. Forms of organization are compared, to help you make the right decision on which forms to choose.

DBA Fictitious Name Filing
Has someone told you that you must file a Fictitious Name or DBA? This section will give you information on the Fictitious Name and DBA filing process.

Setting Up a Payroll System
The process of calculating a payroll begins with a calculation of gross pay, then determinations to reduce gross pay with withholding, FICA, and other deductions, to arrive at net pay.

How to Calculate Depreciation
Depreciation is the value of the assets your business owns, expensed over the life of each asset. Here is how to determine depreciation on your business assets.

Create a Biz Accounting System
To save money on taxes and keep track of your business, you must first set up a workable recordkeeping system. This means your system must record the information you need and it must be easy to use. Here are step-by-step instructions for creating a business recordkeeping system.

Starting a Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is the easiest and least complex form of business. Here is an explanation of the sole proprietorship, along with advantages and disadvantages of this form of business organization.

Startup Funding Q&A
Do you want to start a great business but you need funding? Read this article to learn more about the possible funding sources for businesses.

Setting Up Your Payroll System
Employers are required to pay employees, deduct taxes, and report and pay these taxes to appropriate agencies. Learn about these taxes and how to set up a system to pay employees and to collect, report, and submit these taxes.

Starting a Partnership
If you are considering starting a partnership, here is everything you need to know, from partnership agreements to income percentages.

Commonly Missed Deductions
Many businesses pay more tax than what's needed because they miss these deductions they could have taken.

Business with Family or Friend
Here are some tips to help you avoid destroying the relationship if you go into business with a family member or good friend.

Business Plan Step by Step
To find funding for your business startup you will need an excellent business plan. Here are the steps to creating that business plan, following a general SBA format.

S-Corporation vs. Corporation
Learn about the difference between a regular (or C) Corporation and an S Corporation.

LLC vs. Corporation
There are several business organization forms to choose from, and the differences and similarities are confusing. Learn the difference between a Limited Liability Company and a Corporation.

Salaried Employee/Salary
salaried employee

Break-even Analysis
If your company is producing products, you need to know how to determine your break-even point with each product. This article shows you the information you need to do this calculation.

Commercial Lease Negotiation
Questions to ask and points to cover when negotiating a commercial lease

Gross Pay
Gross Pay

Monthly Business Expenses
Although businesses differ in the types of expenses they have, many businesses have common monthly expenses.

New Hire Paperwork
Are you confused about the paperwork that must be completed for new hires? Here is a list of the information you need each new employee to fill out.

Business Valuation Methods
If you are considering selling your business, you will need to know the various methods of business valuation. This article can help you determine a value for your business.

Employee or IC?
The IRS sets requirements for categorizing workers as independent contractors or as employees. Here is a brief discussion of the distinctions.

Starting a Corporation
Steps in forming a corporation

Paying Payroll Taxes
As a business owner, you have several ways to pay your employment taxes. Here are your options.

Taxes for Business Types
How is a sole proprietorship taxed? What about a corporation? An LLC? This article will give you the information you need to prepare taxes for each legal form of business.

How to Start an LLC
Here is the process for forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Self-Employment Taxes
The term "self-employment taxes" is confusing to new business owners. This article explains the terms and how and when to pay self-employment taxes

Commercial Lease Terms
Some common leasing terms to help you negotiate a commercial lease.

Sub-chapter S Corp Status
A sub-chapter S corporation is a special form of corporation for small businesses. Learn how to elect sub-chapter s status here.

Trademark Registration Process
If you have a trademark or service mark that you want to register, here is the process to use.

SBA Loan Guarantees
If you are having difficulty getting a bank to finance your business startup or expansion, you may be eligible for an SBA loan guarantee. Learn more about SBA guarantees and other assistance here.

Financial Prep for the Banker
Before you take your business plan to a bank to discuss financing, you have some personal financial papers to prepare. Get your credit rating in order, prepare a personal financial statement, and set your personal budget.

Forms and Steps State-by-State
You have decided to voluntarily end your business. What is the process of doing this? This article will give you the information you need and the steps you need to take.

Create an Introduction
Create employee policies to provide employees information on everything from dress codes to vacations

Step by Step Business Startup
You may have already begun working on cost estimates for startup, but before you can create a business plan you will need to formalize these estimates. This section will take you through the process of determining what you will need to start your business on the first day.

Commercial Lease Documents
After you have negotiated the lease terms, you will have a lease document to review and sign. Here are common sections to commercial leases.

Car/Truck Expenses
Here is a brief overview of car/truck expenses you can deduct for business use.

Pay Decisions
How and when will you pay employees? Learn here about the tax and benefit implications of these decisions.

Employee Income Reports
Employers must provide W-2 Forms to employees, and W-3 Forms to the IRS, and 1099-MISC forms to Independent Contractors. Here is the filing information and deadlines.

Advertising Expenses
Advertising Expenses: What you can and cannot deduct, and some special notes.

Capital Expenses
Capital expenses

Meals and Entertainment
Meals and Entertainment Expenses

What is a Non-compete?
Many partnerships, business sales, and employment contracts include non-compete agreement. Here are the elements of these agreements

Giving a Deposition
If you have to give a deposition, here are some things you need to know.

FICA Taxes
FICA taxes explained

Securing a Copyright
Here is the process to use if you want to secure a copyright on a creative work

Expensing vs. Depreciating
This article describes the difference between taking deductions for current expenses and depreciating assets (capital expenses).

Accounts Receivable Aging
Accounts Receivable Aging

Business Contract Essentials
Here are the essentials of a business contract, including the elements that make it enforceable.

Before You Lease Space
If you are considering leasing office space for your business, here are some factors to look for and some questions to ask before you sign that document.

Business Tax Checklist
Are you scurrying around trying to finish your business taxes? Here is a checklist to help you complete your return and make sure you have taken all possible deductions and credits.

Collections Management
Monitoring receivables, billing, and collections and setting up processes is a key to keeping your business profitable. Here is the way to set up this system

Section 179 Deductions
Section 179 deductions are an important benefit for small businesses. Here is a brief explanation of how they work.

Commissions and Fees Expenses
An explanation of the allowable deduction for commissions and fees paid to independent contractors.

Cash Flow
Cash Flow

Employment Taxes
Before you hire your first employee, here are the types of employment taxes you need to know about.

Business Insurance Expenses
Here is a brief discussion of business insurance expenses you may be ale to deduct.

Sole Proprietorship
Sole Proprietorship

Office Supplies and Materials
This article explains office supplies and materials deductions

Sub-chapter S Corporation
sub-chapter s corporation

Negotiating Business Sale
As you work through the process of negotiating the sale of your business, there are many considerations to discuss. Here is a list of the most common ones.

Marketing Plan
marketing plan

Per Diem
Definition of Per Diem

Leasehold Improvements
Leasehold Improvements

Political/Lobbying Expenses
A brief explanation of political and lobbying expenses, which are not deductible business expenses.

Business Startup Deductions
Expenses from your business startup can be deducted. Here is a list of common startup deductions.

Amending A Business Tax Return
If you have found an error on a business tax return you already filed, here is how to amend the return.

Local Market Research
If you are selling to a local market, you need to do some market research. Here are some things you need to know about this market.

Business Bankruptcy Types
If your business is overwhelmed by debt, you may be considering bankruptcy. Here is a discussion of the types of bankruptcy available to businesses under the IRS code.

Small Claims Court Process
If you have a customer who owes you money, you may have considered taking this person to small claims court. Here are the details of the small claims process.

Pay Period
Pay Period

State Dept. of Revenue Sites
Find information on taxes in your state by using this listing of state departments of revenue

Find a Bookkeepr and CPA
As you start your business, you will need someone to keep your business books and someone to review those books and help you with business taxes. Here is what to look for in a bookkeeper and a CPA.

Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable

Trademarks and Service Marks
If you have created a trademark for your business, you want to protect it. This article discusses the difference between a trademark and a service mark and on filing a trademark or service mark application.

Save Taxes by Going Green
You want to save the environment and still get tax credits and deductions for your business. Here are some tax savings ideas to help you do this.

Payroll
Payroll

Legal and Professional Fees
Here is a brief description of deductions for legal and professional fees

Home Office Expense Deduction
Here is a brief discussion of the home office expense deduction.

Employer Responsibilities
Every business that employs individuals has specific responsibilities for paying and reporting. Here is a list of those responsibilities.

Accrual Accounting
Accrual Method of Accounting

Three Tips to Avoid Audit
To avoid an audit, here are some tips.

Overtime/Overtime Pay
Overtime/Overtime Pay

Leasing Questions
As you are looking for space to lease for your business, you need to know what questions to ask and what to look for. Here is the informaton you need for this important decision

Capitalize
Capitalize

Going Concern
Going Concern definition

Working with Business Advisers
Here are some suggestions for working with a CPA, tax adviser, and attorney.

Hourly Employee
Hourly Employee

Secretary of State Website
The website of your state's secretary of state has a lot of information you can use for your business.

Intangible Asset
intangible asset

Demographics
demographics

Using Copyrighted Work
If you want to use copyrighted work in your business, you should be aware of the fair use doctrine.

Business Lease Questions
If you are considering leasing space for your business, here is a list of factors to consider and questions to ask.

Current Ratio
Current Ratio

US Business Law / Taxes - FAQs
An index of FAQs for the US Business Law / Taxes guide site.

US Business Law / Taxes - Articles
An index of Articles for the US Business Law / Taxes guide site.

Patent Registration Process
If you have discovered or invented something you use in your business, you can register the patent for this invention. Here is the information you need to register this patent.

US Business Law / Taxes - StepBySteps
An index of StepBySteps for the US Business Law / Taxes guide site.

Payroll Taxes
Payroll Taxes

Net Pay
Net Pay

Business Interest Expenses
Here is a short discussion on deducting interest on business debts.

Education Expenses
Here is a discussion of deductible education expenses.

Employee Benefit Expenses
Here is a brief discussion of employee benefit expenses you can deduct.

Overhead
overhead

Orphan Works
Orphan Works

Balance Sheet
balance sheet

Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of Goods Sold

Double Taxation
Double Taxation

W-2 Or 1099-MISC?
Explains the difference between using a W-2 to report income to employees and a 1099-MISC to report income to independent contractors.

Revenue
Revenue

Mediation and Arbitration
Many business contracts today include an arbitration or mediation clause. You need to know what these terms mean. Here are descriptions of how the processes work.

Work with a Business Broker
If you are considering selling your business, you probably will need a business broker. Here is what a broker can do for you, and some tips on how to work with this person to get the best deal for your business.

Books, Software
Deducting costs for books, magazines, newspapers, software

Unique Selling Proposition
Here is a definition of the term Unique Selling Proposition

State Laws by Subject
Here is a great resource for state laws, by subject.

Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable definition

Cash Accounting
Cash method of accounting

Asset
Asset

Earnings Per Share
earnings per share

Equity
eqity

Financial Statement
Financial Statement

City and County Ordinances
If you need to know about zoning, local option taxes, and other city/town/county information, here is the place to look.

Venture Capital
Venture Capital venture capitalist

Work Week
Work Week

LLC
Limited Liability Company LLC

Pass-through Taxes
Pass-through taxes

Goodwill
goodwill

Prime Rate
prime rate

Unemployment Taxes
Definition of unemployment taxes

Current Assets
current assets

Disabilities Access Credit
Take a tax credit for improving your business facility or purchasing equipment to improve access for disabled employees and customers.

A - B
A - B

Uniforms and Clothing
Deducting costs for uniforms and clothing

Buyout
Buyout

Health Savings Account
Health Savings Account

C-D
C-D

Travel Expenses
Travel Expenses

Gross
gross

Independent Contractor
Independent Contractor

Target Market
target market

A Resource for Your Business
Use the U.S. Business Information website, Business.Gov, to find information on state and local agencies.

Trademark
Trademark

Profit
Profit

SBDCs
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)

SCORE
SCORE

B
Glossary Page B

Q-R-S-T
Q-R-S-T

U-V-W-X-Y-Z
U-V-W-X-Y-Z

Personal Documents for Loans
Here is a list of the personal financial documents you need to prepare to take to the bank when you apply for a business loan.