IRS Wins $62M GE Tax Shelter Case

The Patent Problem for Startups

Let me start by saying I'm a believer in openness and sharing. The concept of owning ideas seems to stifle innovation, and in particular, the emerging re-mix culture we're seeing explode seems like it's on a collision course with owning and controlling IP....

CLO activity jumps in February as credit market heats up

Amid strong credit-market conditions and falling senior liabilities, CLO activity is on the rise....

Oops, Interest-Free Loans Are Taxable

Suppose your employer loans you money, and like a good employee, you repay it. Neither event is taxable. But paying interest has tax effects to you both. What if you agree there’s no interest?...

Today's Common Investigative Side Effect: Getting Fired By Your Banker

Banks’ heightened concerns about their own exposure for facilitating client activities that could be claimed to constitute money laundering have resulted in what has become a very common new collateral consequence for individuals and small to mid-sized businesses that are touched by white collar c...

No More King Size Snickers, No More Taxes at J.K. Harris

All good things must come to an end. With calorie limits for candy bars in vogue, King Size Snickers are doomed. See Mars kills the King Size Snickers. At least we have a little time to adjust....

Top 5 Tips for Small Business CRM (Customer Relationship Management)

The top 5 tips weekly post is always full of hints and tips for small, home & micro business owners. 1. Talk to everyone who comes in contact with your business. If they purchase from you, find out why. If they don’t want to purchase from you, you should definitely find out why! 2. Try t...

The S Corp Deadline Approaches: Is It Right For You?

If your business is a corporation, you’re already aware that March 15th is the most critical tax deadline of the year. But March 15th is an important deadline for another reason…it’s the deadline for electing S Corporation status.

Small Business Hiring: Things Are Finally Looking Up

With large companies not stepping up to the plate as “job creators,” small business owners have been under a microscope, with polls and surveys monitoring our hiring actions and intentions as closely as Punxsutawney Phil gets watched on Groundhog Day.

Case Study: A Reluctant C.E.O. Hires His First Sales Rep

To help him develop a strategy, Mr. Woronka decided to retain a sales consultant who recommended that he hire a full-time sales rep immediately. But he went against the consultant's advice. ...

Top 5 Tips for Small Business Payment Processing

The top 5 tips weekly post is always full of hints and tips for small, home & micro business owners. 1. Allow customers to purchase from you in the way they want to, rather than just limiting them to one method. For example, if you only accept payment in person at your shop then you are excludi...