Business Ttools

Business Owner

Articles

Benefits and retirement plans

Benefit plans for small businesses
Disability income insurance for the self-employed
Group health insurance: a valued employee benefit
Group term life insurance
Health insurance for the self-employed
Key employee life and disability insurance
Life insurance for the self-employed
Offering group disability insurance
Retirement plans for small businesses
Split dollar insurance plans
Understanding individual 401(k) plans
What employers need to know about workers’ compensation insurance

Insuring a business

Business automobile insurance basics
Business interruption insurance
Business liability insurance basics
Business overhead expense insurance
Commercial general liability
Do you need crime insurance?
Income tax tips: business insurance
Insurance tips for business travelers
Insuring your home business
Professional liability coverage
Properly insuring your business
Should you self-insure your business?
Understanding your business owners policy
Why insure your business?

Starting a business

Advantages and disadvantages of self-employment
Choosing an entity for your business
Funding a business
Hiring your first employee
Qualifying for the home office deduction
Record keeping for your own business
Starting or buying a business
Tax planning for the self-employed

Transferring or selling a business

Funding a buy-sell agreement with disability insurance
Funding a buy-sell agreement with life insurance
Transferring your family business

Decision Tools

Benefits and retirement plans

401(k) plans
Building a retirement plan for your business
Comparison of types of educational assistance
Individual 401(k) Illustration

Business planning basics

2003 numbers
Net worth calculator

Choosing an entity

Choosing a business entity
Comparison of LLCs, LLPs, and professional corporations
How C Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, and Limited Liability Partnerships Protect Personal Assets

Insurance planning

Business life insurance needs
Number of policies needed with a cross purchase plan

Tax planning

Accelerating deductions/postponing income
Accelerating income/postponing deductions

Transferring or selling a business

Business succession planning alternatives
Business succession strategy analyzer
Buy-sell agreement analyzer
Buy-sell planning questionnaire
How cross purchase plans work
How entity purchase plans work
Planning for succession of a business interest

FAQs

Advertising a business

How can I get free publicity for my business?
How do I know where to advertise my business?
What is the best form of advertising?

Employee benefits and other issues

How can I boost the morale of my employees without incurring huge expenses?
How can I find good employees for my business?
What are health reimbursement arrangements?
What are incentive stock options (ISOs)?
What benefits should I offer to my employees?

Home-based businesses

Can I deduct home office expenses?
If I work at home occasionally, am I entitled to a home office deduction?

Incorporating a business

Can I change my business from a C corporation to an S corporation?
Can I change my business from an S corporation to a C corporation?
Should I incorporate my business?

Insurance coverage

A cell phone and laptop computer owned by my company were inside my briefcase when it was stolen. Will my company’s insurance cover the loss?
Can I get disability insurance if I’m self-employed?
I drive my own car on company business. Whose insurance will pay for damages if I get into an accident?
I own a business. Are there any creative ways I can use life insurance in my business?
I use my laptop computer for my home business. Is it covered under my homeowners policy?
I’m an independent contractor. Where can I get health and disability insurance?
I’m thinking about opening a day-care business in my home. Does this raise any insurance issues?
What is errors and omissions insurance?
What is stop-loss insurance?
What kind of insurance coverage do I need for my small business?

Noncompetition agreements

I am buying a business. Can I make the seller sign a noncompetition agreement?
My employer wants me to sign a noncompetition agreement. What is it? Is it legally binding?
Why does the buyer of my business want me to sign a noncompetition agreement?

Partnerships

How does a limited partnership work?

Raising capital

Can I borrow money from my wholly owned business?
How can I raise capital for my business?

Starting a business

Don’t most small businesses fail?
How do I find good advisors such as lawyers and accountants to help with my business?
Is buying a franchise a good way to get into business?
Should I buy an existing business or start from scratch?
Should I buy or lease assets for my business?
What are the stages of business development?
What should I look for in a business location?

Transferring or selling a business

Can I transfer my business through my will?
How can I keep my business in the family?
What are some financing options for selling my business?
What is a buy-sell agreement?
What is a family limited partnership, and will it help reduce estate taxes?

Valuing a business

How can I determine what my business is worth for estate and gift tax purposes?