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.
Even though financing may be limited, it is possible to get a cannabis loan for your existing dispensary or startup business. Find out what funding options are available in this high-risk industry and how to get funds for your business.
With Chase Credit Journey, Chase offers free access to your VantageScore 3.0 powered by Experian, with updates available weekly when you log in. You don’t need a Chase account to use Chase Credit Journey, though existing Chase customers can access it directly from their Chase account. Let’s take a closer look at what Chase Credit […]
A business line of credit offers flexible access to funds, but not all lines of credit work the same way. Revolving and non-revolving lines of credit differ in how funds are reused, how interest accrues, and how businesses typically use them. Understanding the difference can help you choose the option that best fits your cash […]
Discover Credit Scorecard is a great way to keep an eye on your FICO score and the factors that go into determining your FICO score.
A merchant account is designed to temporarily hold funds from credit and debit card transactions until they can be settled. When processing is complete, these funds will then be deposited into the merchant’s business bank account.
More business owners are moving away from traditional banks and are turning to credit unions for their business financing needs. Offering many of the same services as traditional banks, credit unions are becoming the go-to resources for smart business owners.
Human resources and discrimination-related lawsuits often settle for large amounts of money. If you have employees, an EPLI insurance policy should be a must for your risk management plan. Without it, you will have to pay to settle these lawsuits out of pocket which could close your small business’s doors forever.
If a third party is injured as a result of your business, and your business is found liable, then liability insurance covers the legal and medical costs associated with physical harm. It does not cover negligence, business malpractice, employee injuries, or vandalism.
Bobtail insurance is a commercial truck insurance endorsement that provides trucks with liability coverage while they’re traveling on the road without a trailer or cargo attached. Bobtail insurance is relatively inexpensive, and most drivers will pay in the ballpark of $400 a year. Factors that determine your cost are your driving record, how often/how far you expect to bobtail, and your policy’s coverage limit.
Does your restaurant have the right insurance? In our complete guide to restaurant insurance, we’ll cover which insurance policies you need, how much it’ll cost you, and where to get the right insurance for your business.
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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.
