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If there is one thing you as a taxpayer want to avoid, it is being audited by the IRS. While the chances of it are usually very slim, there are certain red flags that do get the attention of IRS officials now and then.

People become small business owners through several methods. Some inherit a family business when a parent or relative retire. Others launch an innovative new product and find themselves running a company without ever planning on it. But for some, those with money to invest upfront, they intentionally enter the small business world by becoming a franchise owner.

For some businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic changed things overnight. Employees went home with their laptops and some haven’t returned to the office in over a year. What people thought would be temporary is looking very permanent.

Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. You exist to provide them with the products and services that fulfill their needs, and your success depends on how well you identify and meet those needs. But your customers are not a monolith.

Parents and guardians who care for one or more children should know how valuable the child tax credit is. This tax credit is available for qualified filers who have a child under the age of 17. Since it was enacted in 1997 and since then has helped millions of people with the costs of rearing a child. Up to $2,000 is now available per child.

Many businesses are still struggling due to the financial restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. The severely reduced income combined with ongoing payroll responsibilities has led to many businesses having to shut down entirely. Those that are left standing are hanging on by a thread. Yet, hope is on the horizon.

Your business’ assets are one of its greatest strengths. They support your day-to-day operations, can collateralize a loan, and could manufacture inventory. It’s important to track and account for them accurately.

Maximizing customer value is an important part of maintaining and growing your business. Your customer value proposition is what keeps existing customers happy and brings in new business. Without a clear value proposition, you may have difficulties marketing yourself to new customers.

So, what if your customer value proposition? And how do you maximize it for better results?

If you are like many people, you are thinking about what may be ahead as you near retirement.  Whether you are within a few years of retirement or still have decades to go, contributing as much as possible to your retirement plans can pay off big in the years ahead.  But as you know, the contributions to various plans can change from year to year, so it's important to know what you can or cannot do regarding your 401(k), IRA, or o