Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Weed Out The Scam : Find The Real Virtual Homeshoring Career

While there are plenty of legitimate virtual homeshoring opportunities for those who want to work from home, there are plenty of scams as well. Fortunately, there are resources you can use that can help during your search. The Better Business Bureau  or Rip Off Report  are sources you can use online to learn more about a company before applying for a job. Not only will these help you know if the work from home offers are legitimate homeshoring jobs, you'll also be able to find out what, if any, unresolved complaints customers and clients may have about the company.

By searching for a company using these databases, you will be able to obtain basic information about a company including how long it has been in business, if the company exists under a different name, and if there are any complaints about the company or its employees filed by others looking for a work-from-home opportunity.

Finding Legitimate Homeshoring  Jobs:

In order to find legitimate  virtual homeshoring jobs, you need to take the time to research all companies you are interested in working for. Even though an ad may seem legitimate, it may not be. It is only by researching the company that you will be able to determine if you are being scammed.

The first step is to visit the company's website. If they do not have a website, then you should conduct a company search on the Better Business Bureau or the Rip Off Report site. In addition to company profiles, you can also read customer or employee complaints and learn if the company is being sued for any reason.

After visiting the company's website, you should call the department that's hiring and ask questions about the position. If the hiring manager is unavailable or doesn't provide you with much information, it's best to find another opportunity. When companies hire for virtual positions, they're prepared to most questions applicants have. Many hiring managers are able to send you additional information via email or regular post as well.

Never give out personal information over the phone when speaking with a hiring manager. If they ask for your social security number or bank account information, it is probably a scam.

You can use the Better Business Bureau or Rip Off Report to file a claim if you have been scammed or if you want to warn others. Filing a claim is easy and free. Your claim will be investigated and the results posted on the websites.

Questions to Ask about Virtual Homeshoring Jobs
When speaking to a hiring manager include the following:* What is the company's web address?
* How long have they been using virtual employees?
* What is the starting salary?
* Type of experience needed
* Types of training provided
* Application process

While many potential virtual employers require you to pay for a background check, never send money upfront. If you are asked to send money upfront, you should consider the position to be a scam. Legitimate companies never ask for money from their applicants before they have started the application process. If a background check fee is required, it is usually near the end of the actual interview process  after you have spoken with company representatives and completed skills tests. I'll say it again never pay a company an upfront fee just to apply to work for them.

Once you've determined the company to be legitimate homeshoring company, you should proceed with the application process. Finding a virtual position that allows you to work from home can be a dream come true. But when looking for a job, it is best to vigilant and research all companies so you don't become a victim of the latest scam.
Your comments are welcomed.  Let me get your feed back as the tools you use to help you weed out the scam homeshoring companies . 

Friday, January 14, 2011

10 Ways To Reduce Tax Burden For Your Homeshoring Business

All taxpayers worry about filing taxes and are always looking for ways and means of reducing the tax burden. As the owner of your homeshoring  business  you must up date your knowledge of tax laws that pertain to “small businesses.”  In addition  you must understand clearly about accounting systems and tax planning. Sit down with your accountant and plan on ways of maintaining business expenses, filing receipts, planning on “tax saving” investments, and a strategy for running  the business in the most beneficial way.

Did you know that:

1).        According to law you can reduce your tax liability by hiring family members to carry out work in your business. Pay your children and spouse to perform assigned duties. This way you can shift from higher tax rates to lower ones.
 
2).        Consider hiring independent contractors instead of employees. You will save on payroll taxes. However ensure that you meet the IRS’s criteria.

3).        Think about “deferring income” postpone receiving money to January instead of December. This means that payments received will be up for “tax” calculations a year away.  However ask your accountant’s advice as the benefits are dependent on profit and losses for the year and your corporate legal structure.

4).        Take advantage of tax deductions allowed for charitable donations. Make donations in November or December instead of January so that you can include the donations for tax deductions in the current year.

5).        Maximize your expenditure on equipment and office supplies. Buy in advance for a quarter and use the tax deductions allowed in the current fiscal year.                    

6).        Include expenses of business related travel in the current year.

7).        Pay all bills due before the end of the year. Payment to cell services, rent, insurance, and utilities related to the business can be included for accounting and applicable tax waivers.

8).        Plan a retirement plan and make payments before the end of the year. This will reduce your income for the year and proportionately the tax due. Be sure to check on the limits. Plan a feasible and beneficial strategy with your accountant.

9).          Be sure to deduct from your taxable income money paid to licensing fees, businesses taxes, and annual memberships to businesses related organizations. Be sure to deduct interest paid on borrowings for running the business and related fees. Insurance premiums paid to insure the business office and machinery are eligible for tax deductions. Make a list of your memberships and check which ones are eligible for tax deductions.

10).       Check whether you have deducted management and administration expenses as well as money spent on maintenance and repairs of equipment.

When setting up your small business always solicit the advice of a tax and accounting professional as to which accounting system would be most suitable.
 

Monday, January 10, 2011

Is Your Source Of Income Secure?

Does this sound like your situation? You have put in many years of hard work, you find yourself at the top of your field, but your income is riding on one customer, one job, or one avenue of revenue?  Are you looking forward to retire in a fee years and is now is faced with the rude awakening that Congress is planning on  increasing the retirement age?   How is this fitting in you plan?  If you answer yes to ant of these questions, then maybe it is time that you seriously consider a job that will creating multiple streams of homeshoring income.  

What if one day, unexpectedly, you are “down sized”, “cut loose”or “let go”. Call it what you like.  The bottom line is you find yourself without a job, without income.  I know what it is like and I do feel your pain.  this has happened to me.  You see I did not understand that there is no such thing as job security.

So what do you do when you are caught in this web?  First, you panic, then you get really mad and finally you settle down and realize that  you better do something and  fast. For many, this has been a very real life experience, one that we wish never occurred.

Most people find it difficult at best, to find a job that will replace the income they had and changing careers is very frightening. So what do you do? You might find another job that you feel is suitable, but in the long term, it is not always, what you thought it was going to be.

What about starting your own business?  This seems to be the next logical, and in most cases, the better choice. Whether you choose to start a homeshoring based business, a service business or online business, pick your choice but you must make one.

Multiple streams of income are imperative, not just for survival, but in order to secure your future. So start now, make the decision that you will develop other ways of producing income for you and your family.

You cannot let a bad situation get you down and keep you on the ground. Make a decision to get up and turn things around starting today. Without action, nothing changes.

Whatever you choose to do, whether a homeshoring business or a new job and career, just do it! but you must do it with all your might. Weighed all your options and if a  homeshoring based business is your decision then take a look at the eBook An Inside Job to see all the options available to you.  Check it out here!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Home Based Business: Your Ultimate Tax Shelter

Starting and operating your own home based business is the ultimate tax shelter.

1. Non-Deductible Personal Living Expenses

All of us have expenses that we incur in everyday living.
Either you rent an apartment or house or you own your residence. Utilities, insurance, rent, mortgage interest, property taxes, maintenance and repairs are typical costs of operating your home.  You may also be lucky to have a vehicle for  which you also have to outlay a lot of cash for upkeep.   if you add, dining out, entertainment, gifts, alcoholic beverages, office supplies, telephone and many other expenditures, you have a significant cash outflow.

For most W-2 employee, retired person, investor, student, or homemaker, few of these expenses are tax-deductible to you.  This means that you pay your income taxes first, and then use what is left to pay all your expenses.  Some employees contract of employment may  allow them to write-off some of their employment related expenses.  However, even in this situation the tax deductions are very limited.

2. Your Own Home Based Business Means Tax Deductions

Now consider the situation where you decide to start your own home based business.  Suddenly, many of your everyday expenses are now being used for business purposes and are now tax-deductible.  If one quarter of your home is used exclusively for business, you will be able to deduct (or write-off) one quarter of all related occupancy costs. These expenses may include maintenance and repairs (that are not capital in nature), rent, mortgage interest, house or apartment insurance, power, heat, water, and property taxes.

Your vehicle expenses used for business purposes are another tax write-off.  If you use your car ninety percent for business purposes, you can deduct ninety percent of your vehicle insurance, gas and oil, maintenance and repairs, car washes, license and registration, auto club, loan interest (within certain limits), and other costs from your income. You may also write-off one hundred percent of your business related parking. Capital Cost Allowance (C.C.A.) on your vehicle is also allowed for income tax purposes, depreciation is the accounting term for this  tax deduction.  Other tax-deductible items are business related telephone expenses, Internet access, office supplies, travel, books, memberships, and a host of other expenditures.

3. Income Splitting with Your Home Based Business                                                      

If you have a high paying job, you will pay higher taxes because the rates of tax increase as your income goes up.  With your own business, you can pay reasonable wages to your spouse and children. In this way, you can legally divert income taxed at your higher rate to your family members that are in a lower tax bracket.  This tax saving technique is called income splitting. It is another good reason why your own home based business is the ultimate tax shelter.

4. Even a Part-Time Home Based Business Works

If you have a full-time job, running a part-time business can be advantageous.
Of course, you must actually run a real, moneymaking business. Any attempts to write unprofitable hobbies off will ultimately fail with the taxation authorities.

If you earned eight thousand dollars during the year from your part-time business and were able to deduct eight thousand dollars in car expenses, home office expenses, entertainment costs, office supplies, and other business related expenditures, you would have a net business income of nil. You would pay no tax on this additional income.  Don`t miss this important point!  Although these tax deductions are actual, legitimate business expenses, these are expenditures you would probably have made anyway, whether you had a business or not.

By rearranging your affairs to start and operate a home based business, you have been able to convert non-deductible personal expenditures into legally deductible business expenses. You have successfully sheltered your income from tax and have split your income with family members in lower tax brackets.
Yes, indeed, your home based business has become your ultimate tax shelter.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Homeshoring Telecommuting Jobs - Answer For The Disabled

Even with the price of gasoline dropping recently, employers and employees are increasingly interested in the benefits of telecommuting. This a great opportunity for those of us who are tired of the nine to five schedule and hate the exhausting commutes back and forth to work.

Why does the new American workforce dig telecommuting so much?  Employees love telecommuting because it creates flexibility to balance work and personal life, saves money, protects the environment, and reduces commuting time.
Bosses dig telecommuting because it can help them to expand their office hours, reduce absenteeism, expand their labor pool and workforce without having to buy new buildings, and reduce their need for other additional supplies and space.  

If you’re one of the millions of Americans that is searching for reasonable accommodations due to a disability, telecommuting probably has more meaning to you than just saving time and money. It also has an air of freedom and dignity – you’ll be able to start a new career, with part or full-time hours, as well as benefits. Telecommuting jobs can provide a person with reasonable accommodations and the skills to have a lifelong career working from home.  You can probably earn much more to supplement your SSDI or SSI check, with potentials for full benefits.
There are many different types of work from home opportunities available via new technology.  Some common work at home positions may include:                                           
• Customer Service/Call Center                             
• Sales and Marketing
• Virtual Assistant / Administrative Assistant
• Online teaching / Tutoring

Of course, as with any position, it is expected that you will have the skills necessary to complete the job’s tasks successfully, so you may need some formal job training before performing a job search and applying, otherwise, you may be sorely disappointed. Before applying for any telecommuting job on line, keep the following questions in mind:

• Do you have an up to date computer that can handle software required to   work from home?
• Do you have a reliable, high-speed internet connection?
• Do you have a phone line that can be dedicated exclusively to your work?
• Do you have a quiet and organized space in your home to designate as your home office?
• Do you have the organizational and computer skills required to work from your home?
• Are you a self-starter?
• Are you able to stay on task and not get easily distracted?
If you’ve answered no to any of these questions, then you may need to spend a little more time in preparation, and you may want to get some assistance from some of the following resources:

Your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Office
Your local VR office can help you secure a job that is in line with your abilities and skills and can help identify job skills training programs.

National Telecommuting Institute (NTI)
One program your VR counselor should look into is the National Telecommuting Institute (NTI). They work with vocational rehabilitation agencies to enable individuals with disabilities to train for and work online.  For more information, visit NTI at  http://www.nticentral.org.   

Your Local Center for Independent Living (CIL)
CIL offers a range of services to people with disabilities. Most CILs offer employment counseling can refer you to employment programs in your area.

Your State Telework Financial Loan Program
The Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) oversees grant programs that help individuals with physical or mental disabilities obtain employment. One program funded by the RSA is the
Telework Financial Loan Program, which assists individuals with disabilities purchase computers and other equipment needed to work from home. To identify the organization that administers the program in your state, contact the RSA office at 202-245-7468.