Education: AA Liberal Studies, Limestone University
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.
You will need to apply for forgiveness through the lender that serviced your PPP loan, not the SBA itself. To do this, you’ll need to submit one of the three available forgiveness application forms, depending on your circumstances: SBA Form 3508, SBA Form 3508S, or SBA Form 3508EZ.
Ever wondered what the difference is between a 1099 contractor and a W2 employee? Believe it or not, the answer is both easier — and more complicated — than you might expect. It all boils down to this: If you tell your workers both what to do and how to do it, then they are probably W2 employees. On the other hand, if you only control the results and not the process, then they are probably 1099 contractors. Read more about the 1099 VS W-2.
If you need a way to cover gaps in cash flow while waiting for your loan disbursement, which can take weeks to receive, there’s an option called a commercial bridge loan. Bridge loans are handy for several types of situations but remember that the terms are short and interest rates are high, so make sure this is really the option for you.
Instead of wasting time, energy, and office supplies sending out invoices and cashing checks, consider an online invoice payment solution. Sending invoices and accepting payments online is beneficial to you and your customers. And the best part? You can get paid faster — so why not give it a shot?
The Square debit card lacks a traditional application process that might harm your credit score. Plus, it bundles in tidy savings on certain purchases and lets you access the money your business earns through Square instantly. Plus, this card features 2.75% off purchases made at other Square merchants.
Financing allows those who are wavering on a purchase because of the price to buy from you right away and then pay for the goods/services in installments in the future. This way, you don’t lose a sale to sticker shock. This is called customer financing or, sometimes, consumer financing. Broadly speaking, you can provide customer financing yourself, or you can use a third-party financing specialist. As to how to do either, along with their pluses and minuses, read on to find out.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is bringing much-needed relief to small business owners affected by the coronavirus. Not only does this loan program provide funding to help cover payroll and other expenses, but if used for qualifying purposes, your loan will be forgiven. In this post, we’re going to help you understand how you can qualify for PPP loan forgiveness.
In response to the woes facing the economy, the US government has allocated funds to help support businesses throughout the country. Read through for the full details on how you can receive forgiveness on your EIDL emergency advance.
If you own a small business and have employees on your payroll, the PPP loan may benefit you. Keep reading to learn more about this program, how to know if you qualify, and how to navigate the application process with ease.
Many small business owners facing financial challenges have applied for the EIDL program. As with other SBA loans, the EIDL program isn’t exactly the fastest source of funding. The addition of the CARES Act and expedited processing of loans has made it possible to receive funds faster than ever, but many business owners are still in the dark about when funding will come through.
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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.