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.
Restaurants can use self-ordering systems — or kiosk POS software — to run their businesses more efficiently. See whether a kiosk POS is right for your eatery, discover the best options, and learn how you can afford the investment.
Business owners need to be proactive in managing their credit card processing accounts. Learn what risk factors processors look for to keep your merchant account safe and what to do if you do run into a funding hold or account termination.
Need help with payroll taxes? Learn what payroll taxes are, which taxes you are legally required to pay, how to calculate them, and more.
Using PayPal to accept donations online is super easy, but nonprofits can also take advantage of PayPal’s many tools and features to fundraise pretty much anywhere.
If you can’t afford restaurant equipment up-front, an equipment lease is a great way to get the appliances you need. Find out how restaurant equipment financing works and check out some of our favorite lessors in this article.
An SBA 7(a) Loan is a finance option offered to small businesses, backed (or guaranteed) by the Small Business Administration to reduce the risk involved on the part of the lender. 7(a) products are intended for businesses that may be unable to procure other, more traditional, loans. The loan guarantee provided by the SBA gives business owners a chance to fund their small business needs.
Kickstarter can be a great way for small businesses to raise funds — but it’s not the only crowdfunding platform available. Take a look at the best sites like Kickstarter before you launch your next crowdfunding campaign.
OnDeck is a great resource for many small businesses that need a loan, but it’s not right for all businesses. Take a look at some of our favorite competitors to OnDeck before you apply for your next business loan.
Working in the tight quarters of a food truck means optimizing every bit of space for efficiency. But have you taken the same approach to your POS system? See why these point of sale apps are the best options on the market for food trucks.
If you’ve decided that Kabbage Funding isn’t right for you, or you want to take a look at Kabbage competitors before choosing a business lender, the following seven lenders are for you. Take a look at the best alternatives to Kabbage available to small businesses right now.
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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.
