Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
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Tax credits are a great way to lower the amount of taxes you owe the IRS and can even increase your tax refund if you’re lucky. With over 30 tax credits available to small business owners, it can be overwhelming to learn which tax breaks you should (or are allowed to) take.
A tax deduction is a business expense you can use to reduce your total taxable income. According to the IRS, expenses that qualify for deduction must be “both ordinary and necessary.” Expenses that meet these requirements can be written off on your tax return, saving you hundreds or potentially thousands of dollars each tax season.
QuickBooks Money is a free business banking and payments app that draws much of your business finances into one easy-to-use dashboard. Like the best business bank accounts we cover, QuickBooks Money offers free banking services that will meet many small business owners’ needs.
How much does payroll software cost? It varies by business, software, and personal requirements, but in general, you can expect to pay around $44/month + $6/employee per month for payroll software that offers essential payroll software services.
To choose payroll software for your business, you’ll need to assess your business’s payroll needs, determine which payroll software meets those needs, narrow down your options, and make a final decision.
There are four types of payroll software systems to choose from: traditional payroll software, industry-specific payroll software, payroll software for accountants, and professional employer organizations (PEOs). Each option will make it easier to process payroll for your business, but may be designed for specific users or provide advanced services.
Payroll software is a good investment for most businesses looking to streamline their payroll processes. However, the learning curve and cost of payroll software may be enough to cause some small business owners pause.
Small businesses with more employees and more complex payroll needs (think: multiple pay rates and schedules, remote employees across different states, etc.) may need payroll software to save time, money, and reduce the chance of expensive payroll errors.
Choosing the right card reader for your business is a good first step towards meeting your customers’ needs. Making the right choice involves knowing how a card reader works and understanding the different fees and rates involved.
Mobile credit card readers offer flexibility and efficiency for businesses of all sizes and types. From saving on processing fees to enhancing customer experience, the advantages are clear. And as technology continues to evolve, staying updated with tools like these can significantly benefit your business’s bottom line. Before making a choice, it’s wise to explore the best credit card reader options tailored to your business needs.
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The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
