Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Income Tax Credits</h1> <article> <h1>Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Income Tax Credits</h1> <p>Kelly Brooks — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:48:03 GMT</p> <p> Over the past week or so, I’ve heard from several readers who are somewhat confused about refundable vs. non-refundable tax credits and, ultimately, what it means to “pay taxes.” As a quick reminder, tax credits directly reduce your tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis. In contrast, tax deductions reduce your taxable income (and thus result in a fractional decrease of your tax liability).</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Do you experience a boom during the holiday season?</h1> <p>Kelly Stevens — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:38:19 GMT</p> <p>If your business experiences a boom during the holiday season, what are you doing, if anything, to prepare for this year? What steps do you take? When do you normallly begin your preparations? When do you see the most business, before or after Christmas? </p> <p>For those of you that don't experience an increase in business during the holiday season, when is the most profitable time for your business?</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Cyber Monday</h1> <p>Kelly Stevens — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:33:18 GMT</p> <p>For anyone who has an online store, how has "Cyber Monday" gone for you? Have your sales exceeded your expectations? How have your sales been so far this holiday season? <br /></p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>How do you find good office managers?</h1> <p>Larry Simon — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:23:44 GMT</p> <p>I'm currently looking for a new office manager after my last one relocated to another state (her husband got a new job, so I don't believe it was to escape from me. She had been with us for 6 years.)</p> <p>The office manager needs to be my right hand person. Things from answering the phone, doing the invoices, keeping everything humming along (I am away for up to a week at a time), representing the company professionally, understanding our services, and being able to talk about them, managing our advertising, just generally being the business owner when I am not around.</p> <p>I think it's a pretty interesting position and I provide a good salary, with the stability of a 15 year old and growing business. It is M-F, 9am - 5.30- ish hours. We are in a small town, but I know a lot of people commute to larger towns, so would think it would be an attraction to work locally. I am flexible on time off as I have another person who can cover as needed but doesn't want a full time job. We have a lot of fun ( I think) and I pay for benefits plus lunches from the local deli.</p> <p>I've posted this position several times in local papers and online. Maybe my ads aren't clear, but I'm getting some really dismal responses. I'm getting a lot of applicants but most of them can't even put together a decent resume or string a sentence together. Now I'm wondering if I was just spoiled by my last office manager and my expectations are too high.</p> <p>If anyone has ideas on good places to look, or suggestions (such as I'm considering whether to make it two part-time positions) please let me know.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Larry</p> <p>PS - Our business is installing satellite equipment for other businesses.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Is small claims court worth my time?</h1> <p>Kelly Stevens — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:36:13 GMT</p> <p>I own a condo and have been renting it for the past two years. I recently had a tenant move in and then break the 12 month lease after only two months. I finally found a new tenant but I am now out $2000.00. Due to the current economy, the choice of tenants I have is not that great and this person does not have good credit. Will taking my claim to small claims court be worth my time? Has anyone had success in their business getting money that is owed to you in small claims court? I have no doubt that I will win my case, but I am concerned about getting paid on the judgement since the court will not assist you with that.<br /></p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Running Background Checks</h1> <p>Kelly Stevens — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:55:58 GMT</p> <p>I am a landlord of a single property and I was wondering if there are any other landlords out there who can suggest a good agency/website to run background and credit checks on my potential tenants. Also, what criteria do you look for in tenants for your properties?</p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Need advice: Unpaid client invoice.</h1> <p>Sian Simon — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:27:55 GMT</p> <p> I have a client who is claiming that an invoice I submitted several months ago is not valid, and I'm looking for some advice. </p> <p>As background, the client and I have a consulting contract in place for time and materials. I did some preparation work and attended meetings on the client's behalf, and then the project was cancelled. The client is claiming that the invoice for my time is not valid, that it was part of my "bidding" on the project and therefore a cost of doing business. I do not agree, and the contract is not worded this fashion. </p> <p>I have never, in over 10 years consulting, experienced a situation like this, so I have never engaged a debt collection or factoring service. The invoice is not for a large amount, so for a one-off situation, I am not inclined to find such a service. </p> <p>The client has paid another invoice for some technical copywriting services I provided. I don't intend to do any more work for them as there were other things I wasn't happy with, so I am not concerned with burning any bridges. I have sent an e-mail to my contact and asked him to forward it to the CEO, who is blocking the payment. In the e-mail I explained that we had an agreement for time and materials, that the invoice is valid and that I expect to be paid for my time.</p> <p>Any suggestions on other avenues I can investigate? As I mentioned, it is not a large invoice, but it is a matter of principle to me at this point......</p> <p>Thanks!</p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> </main></body></html>