Resources

Employment Laws
Every small business owner should know about these Federal and State laws that govern your workplace and affect your relationship with your employees. Read this article by David R. Feakes, Esq.

Model Sexual Harassment Policy
Use this format to create and publish your company’s specific written sexual harassment policies (required for employers with six or more workers).

Paying Your Payroll Taxes
Read this article for suggestions that might make this painful chore easier.

Quickbooks^TM Tips
This section of my website is devoted to providing hints and suggestions on using Quickbooks accounting software.

Does It Pay To Be Charitable?
Giving to charity can be simple or complex. This article discusses the different ways to donate money or goods and the possibility of deducting donations as a business expense.

Meeting Bingo
Do you keep falling asleep in meetings and seminars? What about those long and boring conference calls? Here’s a way to change all that.

IRS Employer Identification Number
You are required to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you have any employees, have a partnership, corporation, trust, or limited liability partnership (or corporation). You are not required to have an EIN if you are running a business as a sole proprietorship (self employed individual) without any employees. You are also not required to have an EIN if you have subcontractors (not employees) since you can use your social security number to identify you as the person paying the subcontractor.

We suggest “don’t get into the IRS’ computer unless it is absolutely necessary!” In other words get an EIN only when you absolutely, positively have to have one.

You need to fill out form SS-9 to apply for an EIN. You can get the form by calling 800-TAX-FORM (isn’t that cute). You can get it online, you can mail it in, or you can even call the information in and get an EIN immediately instead of waiting six weeks for the IRS to respond. You also can fax it in. Call your local IRS office to get the numbers.Email me if you’re in Massachusetts and I’ll email it back.

Deduction for Self-Employed Health Insurance
You can take a deduction on the front of Form 1040 for health insurance and reduce your Federal gross income. In most cases this is the best way to show the cost. However, if you have large medical deductions and can itemized them on federal Schedule A, then you may reduce your overall taxes by not showing the health insurance on the front of your return. Check it out. Questions? Call or email me for an appointment.

FAX those W-4s
Did you know that you are required to fax or mail copies of a new (or reinstated) employees W-4 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? This must be done within 14 days of the person’s hiring (or rehiring).

Fax the form to 617-887-5049 or mail it to Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 7032, Boston, MA 02204.

You must include your name, address and employer identification number, the employee’s name, address and social security number and the date of hire.

Disaster Planning 
We have seen many surprise disasters the last few years.  Be safe and prepared. Check this list for items you should consider.

Tips for Check Writing
The next time you order checks, have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. So if someone takes your checkbook, they won’t know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name (but your bank will know).

When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. Your credit card company knows the rest of the number and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won’t have access to it.

Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your social security number printed on your checks. You can add it if it is necessary, but if you have it printed on the checks, anyone can get it.

If Your Wallet Gets Stolen
Having your wallet stolen puts you at risk of financial loss and other fraud. Here are some ways to protect yourself.