Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and 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.
As a small business owner, you know the importance of financing to expand your business or start your next project. While there are many options available to provide you with the capital you need to start a new business or grow an existing business, one of the best options is a loan through the Small Business Administration.
There are general requirements set by the SBA that all applicants must meet in order to receive a loan. There are also specific underwriting requirements by loan type that must be met.
Businesses that need $500,000 or less should consider applying for the SBA Express loan. Loan approval is guaranteed within 36 hours, while approval for an SBA 7(a) loan may take several weeks. However, businesses that are willing to wait and need a larger loan should look into the 7(a) program.
Fast business loans can be a lifesaver, whether you’re ready to grow your business or you need financial assistance to make it through the end of the month. If you don’t have time for a bank loan, consider working with an alternative online lender. Alternative lenders can put money in your account within a couple of days. But this speed comes at a price — specifically, higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms.
Looking for a line of credit? We have searched out and evaluated the best credit lines currently available to businesses of all sizes — from startups and incubator businesses to stable and established operations.
With so many great options for a cash flow loan, it can be hard to know which is right for your business. Read this detailed post and know about the factors that will play a role in deciding which lender you should go after.
Need cash flow to make payments on time, operate your business, or secure that dream loan you’ve been waiting for? Get your business’s finances on track with these 12 tips for improving cash flow.
LendingTree is an online platform connecting individuals and businesses to a wide range of financial products through its lending partners. It has relaxed loan qualifications and ideal for new businesses. Be cautious of its non-transparent terms and fees.
Read on for a breakdown of the four different QuickBooks Online (QBO) plans. We’ll discuss how to know which plan is right for you and what additional costs to expect, so you can know precisely what you’re getting into before deciding to purchase QuickBooks Online.
QuickBooks Premier is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that have outgrown QuickBooks Pro and need more users, more reports, and industry-specific features. The downsides? More features come at a higher cost and there’s still a learning curve.
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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.
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