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.
Loans expert Erica Seppala talks inflation with Nasdaq.
Financial expert Erica Seppala analyzes in Real Simple what people in their 40s can do to strengthen their finances.
Loans expert Erica Seppala tells Real Simple why an app might help people pay down their debt faster.
If you’re looking for an online bank with strong rewards, LendingClub should be in the running. LendingClub offers competitive rewards checking features with both APY and cashback earning potential, and while the high-yield savings rate is a bit lower than those of competitors like Live Oak Bank or Mercury, there’s no minimum or maximum balance limit for APY earnings.
Maybe your business has been generating a solid amount of income, and you’ve been storing that cash in a traditional business savings account. You want to make more passive income on your savings, but you don’t want to risk your funds evaporating in a volatile marketplace. A high-yield savings account is the middle ground for business owners in this scenario.
The most important kind of insurance for most small businesses is general liability insurance. Commercial property insurance is also important. You may be able to combine these two types of coverage into one policy, known as a business owner’s policy or BOP that lets you obtain coverage at a discount.
It can be harder for startups to qualify for business loans since many lenders want to that a business is profitable before they lend it money. One way to get around this Catch-22 is to use personal loans to finance the early stages of a business.
The most popular employee payment methods are direct deposit and paper check payments. However, other employee payment methods, including cash, cryptocurrency, and pay card payments are also used across the US.
If you’re currently using your personal savings or checking account as a savings account for your business, it’s time to start researching and deciding what bank is going to be best for you. Read our article on the documents needed to open a business bank account to learn more about your next steps.
While banks and credit unions are similar, certain features or perks may make one stand out to you more than the other. With this information, you can make an informed decision about which type of financial institution is the best fit for you.
Trying to lower your credit card processing costs is more important than ever, as inflation drives up the costs of goods and services, and credit card interchange fees continue to rise. We discuss the industry averages for credit card processing costs, which can show you how your costs compare to other businesses.
Small business insurance isn’t the same for everyone. If you are self-employed, check out Hiscox or Next. If your business is large and complex, you should look at The Hartford or Nationwide.
Yes, you can claim the R&D tax credit every year, provided you have qualified research and development expenses. In order to claim the credit, you must meet all requirements of the IRS and you must file the appropriate forms with your income tax return.
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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.
