For the second time in two weeks Nydia Velazquez tried to force her will to the detriment of small business. As you will recall last week she voted no on the Small Business Jobs bill. This week she tried to incorporate an amendment into a Continuing Resolution that would allow Venture Capital people regardless of size and with majority ownership to be eligible for Small Business Innovation Research money.
For those of you not familiar with SBIR it is a very successful program that allows small businesses to receive research and development money from a number of government agencies. I believe it is about 2.5% of the agencies research and development budget that is allocated to small business.
The SBIR has had 8 continuing resolutions because Ms Velazquez has continually fought to include Venture Capital firms and has fought the Senate compromise on Venture Capital firms.
Ms Velazquez wanted to hold off the vote until after the election. This would have at least shut the program down for at least a couple of months and at worst shut the program down permanently.
Yesterday all hell broke loose as a result of a call to action by Rick Schindel. There were calls from all over the country to pass S3839 without amendments. S3839 was another continuing resolution extending the program through January 31.2011.
House members Ed Markey and Niki Tsongas sent a Dear Colleague letter out to member asking for support of s3839 unamended.
Small Business California and its Business Innovation committee contacted the Speaker and Jackie Speier asking for their support. Jackie Speier gave us that support and while I did not hear directly from the Speakers office it seems quite apparent the Speaker also supported this.
Around 7PM Lydia Velazquez under pressure from her peers and the House leadership accepted the Senate’s bill.
Small Business California wants to thank the Speaker and Jackie Speier. I also have been in contact with Niki Tsongas' office and want to thank them and Ed Markey for their support.
The next step is to get a reauthorization bill per the Senate's compromise and not have to keep doing these continuing resolution.
Small Business California is the only Association in California fighting on behalf of SBIR firms. It is ironic because California receives more SBIR money than any other state. The National Small Business Association and board members Jere Glover and Les Bowan and Larry Nannis have also fought gallantly.
I want to also thank our board member Chris White and his Business Innovation committee for their tireless efforts on this issue.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Small Business California Chamber Booklet
The President is signing pretty much as we speak the Small Business Jobs bill.
It has been a long battle but there is relief coming to small businesses in the area of access to capital and tax credits. I am really guessing but I think over $1 million sole proprietors and partnerships in California will be getting a tax break of over $1000 for 2010 with the elimination on FICA in health premiums.
Thank you to everyone that helped get this passed.
One little known fact is that Small Business Development Centers around the country will get $50 million with no match requirement.. If the distribution is as it has been it would mean about $10 million to California. Also in the California budget it is possible the SBDCs will get $6 million.
This is very near and dear to my heart in that I served as the Chair of the SBA SBDC board.
Please see link to some incredible work SB California’s executive director Hank Ryan has done around identifying local chambers members that have been leading the Clean Energy Economy. Is your Chamber on the list?
Small Business California has published a new booklet 32 Examples of Chambers of Commerce & Chamber Members in California: Leading the Clean Energy Economy. The booklet profiles local California chambers of commerce and their members who are demonstrating how recovering profits through energy efficiency can help strengthen the chamber, its business members and the community.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
It has been a long battle but there is relief coming to small businesses in the area of access to capital and tax credits. I am really guessing but I think over $1 million sole proprietors and partnerships in California will be getting a tax break of over $1000 for 2010 with the elimination on FICA in health premiums.
Thank you to everyone that helped get this passed.
One little known fact is that Small Business Development Centers around the country will get $50 million with no match requirement.. If the distribution is as it has been it would mean about $10 million to California. Also in the California budget it is possible the SBDCs will get $6 million.
This is very near and dear to my heart in that I served as the Chair of the SBA SBDC board.
Please see link to some incredible work SB California’s executive director Hank Ryan has done around identifying local chambers members that have been leading the Clean Energy Economy. Is your Chamber on the list?
Small Business California has published a new booklet 32 Examples of Chambers of Commerce & Chamber Members in California: Leading the Clean Energy Economy. The booklet profiles local California chambers of commerce and their members who are demonstrating how recovering profits through energy efficiency can help strengthen the chamber, its business members and the community.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Friday, September 24, 2010
PELOSI -- Remarks at Enrollment Ceremony for Small Business Legislation
Please see below the Speakers comments at the signing ceremony.
You will see in the comments the Speaker mentioned myself and Todd McCracken the Executive Director of the National Small Business Association. As you know Small Business California is a CORE member of NSBA. Our two organizations fought hard for the passage of HR 5297 and NSBA deserves to be recognized.
It is also interesting to note that the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee Nydia Velazquez voted against the measure. She seems to be on the wrong side of small business interest consistently.
You have heard me talk about Volunteers In Medicine and many of you have contributed to Clinic by the Bay which is a VIM clinic in SF. For those of you that are new on this email tree Volunteers In Medicine is a program that takes retired doctors, nurses, dentist and lay professionals and gives them the opportunity to provide free health services to the working uninsured.
Clinic by the Bay will be opening shortly and will be the 82nd VIM Clinic in the US. I just heard yesterday we will also be opening a clinic in Palm Springs in the next month or so.
When I started working with the Volunteers In Medicine Institute about 12 years ago we had about 8 clinics. What is amazing is that we have been able to grow and start new clinics without taking any government money.
If you would like to contribute to Clinic by the Bay you can do so by going to http://www.clinicbythebay.org/ or sending a check to me. I will match all your contributions. If you contribute on line please let me know.
For information about Volunteers In Medicine go to http://www.volunteersinmedicine.org/.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Pelosi Remarks at Enrollment Ceremony for Small Business Legislation
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined senior Members of Congress and small business owners and advocates at an enrollment ceremony at the Capitol this afternoon to sign H.R. 5297, the Small Business Jobs Act, and send it to President Obama for his signature into law. The House passed the bill earlier this afternoon by a vote of 237 to 187, with only one Republican supporting the measure; the Senate passed the legislation on September 16. Below are the Speaker’s remarks.
“Good afternoon. I have often said to my colleagues that one of the most optimistic steps a person can take, except maybe getting married, is to start a small business. It is risk taking. It is entrepreneurial. It is in the spirit of our great country. And today, we celebrate that great spirit.
“I am proud to be joined by small business leaders and small business advocates and small businessmen and women. They represent the millions of small businesses nationwide that are the backbone of the American economy.
“In their name, today, Mr. Hoyer, our distinguished Majority Leader; Mr. Clyburn, our Majority Whip; the chairs of our Steering and Policy Committee, Chairwoman Rosa De Lauro and Chairman George Miller; the chairman of one of the committees of jurisdiction on this bill, Chairman Sandy Levin.
“In the name of America’s small business people, we will send to President Obama legislation that will unleash hundreds of billions of dollars in loans for America’s small businesses, create half a million new jobs, and provide billions of dollars in tax relief. And we are doing it in a fiscally responsible way—creating 500,000 jobs without adding to the deficit. It is paid for.
“Earlier this month, I joined, once again, over and over again all of us join our small business owners in our own districts to hear about the challenges they are facing. They told me, once again, about difficulties obtaining capital they need to keep their doors open and to grow. Indeed, 45 percent of small businesses seeking loans were unable to get their credit needs met last year.
“I heard that day from a longstanding leader for San Francisco’s and California’s small businesses, Scott Hauge. He said, ‘All we are asking for is this: lend us the capital so that we can create the jobs. It’s what we do best.’
“Today, we are doing just that: unleashing $300 billion in lending to small businesses and offering more than $12 billion in tax incentives to help small businesses grow, hire, and fuel our economy.
“The most eloquent voices in this debate have been the small business owners themselves. I am pleased that we have two such small business owners here. Frequently we talk about them from the podium, but I want you to hear from them themselves. First, we will hear from Mariana Huberman, an entrepreneur from right here in Washington D.C. And after Mariana, Todd McCracken will join us and tell us of his experience and why this legislation is important.
“Small businesses, as we know, are the backbone of our economy: they have created two-thirds of all the new jobs created over the last 15 years. Today, we are helping small businesses become what they have been all along but even stronger engines of our recovery.
“Shortly, I will sign the bill, but first we are going to hear from Mariana. Mariana, please join us. Mariana Huberman—owner of a UPS store in D.C.”
# # #
You will see in the comments the Speaker mentioned myself and Todd McCracken the Executive Director of the National Small Business Association. As you know Small Business California is a CORE member of NSBA. Our two organizations fought hard for the passage of HR 5297 and NSBA deserves to be recognized.
It is also interesting to note that the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee Nydia Velazquez voted against the measure. She seems to be on the wrong side of small business interest consistently.
You have heard me talk about Volunteers In Medicine and many of you have contributed to Clinic by the Bay which is a VIM clinic in SF. For those of you that are new on this email tree Volunteers In Medicine is a program that takes retired doctors, nurses, dentist and lay professionals and gives them the opportunity to provide free health services to the working uninsured.
Clinic by the Bay will be opening shortly and will be the 82nd VIM Clinic in the US. I just heard yesterday we will also be opening a clinic in Palm Springs in the next month or so.
When I started working with the Volunteers In Medicine Institute about 12 years ago we had about 8 clinics. What is amazing is that we have been able to grow and start new clinics without taking any government money.
If you would like to contribute to Clinic by the Bay you can do so by going to http://www.clinicbythebay.org/ or sending a check to me. I will match all your contributions. If you contribute on line please let me know.
For information about Volunteers In Medicine go to http://www.volunteersinmedicine.org/.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Pelosi Remarks at Enrollment Ceremony for Small Business Legislation
Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined senior Members of Congress and small business owners and advocates at an enrollment ceremony at the Capitol this afternoon to sign H.R. 5297, the Small Business Jobs Act, and send it to President Obama for his signature into law. The House passed the bill earlier this afternoon by a vote of 237 to 187, with only one Republican supporting the measure; the Senate passed the legislation on September 16. Below are the Speaker’s remarks.
“Good afternoon. I have often said to my colleagues that one of the most optimistic steps a person can take, except maybe getting married, is to start a small business. It is risk taking. It is entrepreneurial. It is in the spirit of our great country. And today, we celebrate that great spirit.
“I am proud to be joined by small business leaders and small business advocates and small businessmen and women. They represent the millions of small businesses nationwide that are the backbone of the American economy.
“In their name, today, Mr. Hoyer, our distinguished Majority Leader; Mr. Clyburn, our Majority Whip; the chairs of our Steering and Policy Committee, Chairwoman Rosa De Lauro and Chairman George Miller; the chairman of one of the committees of jurisdiction on this bill, Chairman Sandy Levin.
“In the name of America’s small business people, we will send to President Obama legislation that will unleash hundreds of billions of dollars in loans for America’s small businesses, create half a million new jobs, and provide billions of dollars in tax relief. And we are doing it in a fiscally responsible way—creating 500,000 jobs without adding to the deficit. It is paid for.
“Earlier this month, I joined, once again, over and over again all of us join our small business owners in our own districts to hear about the challenges they are facing. They told me, once again, about difficulties obtaining capital they need to keep their doors open and to grow. Indeed, 45 percent of small businesses seeking loans were unable to get their credit needs met last year.
“I heard that day from a longstanding leader for San Francisco’s and California’s small businesses, Scott Hauge. He said, ‘All we are asking for is this: lend us the capital so that we can create the jobs. It’s what we do best.’
“Today, we are doing just that: unleashing $300 billion in lending to small businesses and offering more than $12 billion in tax incentives to help small businesses grow, hire, and fuel our economy.
“The most eloquent voices in this debate have been the small business owners themselves. I am pleased that we have two such small business owners here. Frequently we talk about them from the podium, but I want you to hear from them themselves. First, we will hear from Mariana Huberman, an entrepreneur from right here in Washington D.C. And after Mariana, Todd McCracken will join us and tell us of his experience and why this legislation is important.
“Small businesses, as we know, are the backbone of our economy: they have created two-thirds of all the new jobs created over the last 15 years. Today, we are helping small businesses become what they have been all along but even stronger engines of our recovery.
“Shortly, I will sign the bill, but first we are going to hear from Mariana. Mariana, please join us. Mariana Huberman—owner of a UPS store in D.C.”
# # #
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Tax Legislation
Finally our Small Business Jobs bill has passed both the Senate and the House and will go to the President for his expected signature.
You have heard me talk about the lending side but I have not talked about some of the tax credits which are very significant. The expensing of $500,000 and the full deductibility of health insurance for the self employed.
Please see below a list of some of the credits. Thanks Rich for sending.
I want to thank Speaker Pelosi for her leadership in getting this through the House and Senators Boxer and Feinstein for their support.
Small Business California will continue to work on getting the filing of 1099s eliminated one way or the other.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
--------------------------------
Per my voicemail, here are some of the more common summary of the tax breaks for business in the Landrieu-Baucus substitute amendment to the House-passed jobs bill:
· For the first tax year of the taxpayer beginning in 2010, eligible small businesses could carry back unused general business credits for five years. Eligible small businesses would consist of sole proprietorships, partnerships and non-publicly traded corporations with $50 million or less in average annual gross receipts for the prior three years.
· For tax years beginning in 2010, eligible small businesses, as defined above, would be able to use all types of general business credits to offset their alternative minimum tax (AMT).
· Under current law, the Code Sec. 179 expensing limit for tax years beginning in 2010 is $250,000, and the maximum expensing amount is reduced (i.e., phased out, but not below zero) by the amount by which the cost of Code Sec. 179 property placed in service exceeds $800,000 (the investment ceiling). For tax years beginning after 2010, these amounts are to revert to $25,000 and $200,000 respectively. The substitute amendment would for tax years beginning in 2010 and 2011 increase the maximum Code Sec. 179 expensing amount to $500,000 and the investment ceiling to $2,000,000.
· For property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2009, for any tax year beginning in 2010 or 2011, qualified real property (qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property) would be eligible for $250,000 of expensing under Code Sec. 179. The dollar cap would apply to the aggregate cost of qualified real property.
· Bonus 50% first year depreciation would be extended to apply to property placed in service in 2010 (in 2011, for certain long production period property).
· For a tax year beginning in 2010, the deduction for startup expenses under Code Sec. 195 would be increased from $5,000 to $10,000 and the phaseout threshold would be increased from $50,000 to $60,000.
· For a tax year beginning after Dec. 31, 2009, but before Jan. 1, 2011, when calculating self-employment taxes, the deduction for health insurance costs of a self-employed taxpayer under Code Sec. 162(l) could be taken into account (i.e., could be deducted) in computing net earnings from self-employment.
· Cell phones would be removed from the definition of listed property under Code Sec. 280F, for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2009.
Revenue offsets. The substitute amendment would pay for its tax breaks with the following revenue raisers:
· For payments made after Dec. 31, 2010, persons receiving rental income from real property would have to file information returns to IRS and to service providers reporting payments of $600 or more during the year for rental property expenses. Exceptions would be provided for individuals renting their principal residences (including active members of the military), taxpayers whose rental income doesn't exceed an IRS-determined minimal amount, and those for whom the reporting requirement would create a hardship (under IRS regs).
· For information returns required to be filed after Dec. 31, 2010, the Code Sec. 6721 penalties for failure to timely file information returns to IRS would be increased. For example, the first-tier penalty would be increased from $15 to $30, and the calendar year maximum would be increased from $75,000 to $250,000. For small filers, the calendar year maximum would be increased from $25,000 to $75,000 for the first-tier penalty. The minimum penalty for each failure due to intentional disregard would be increased from $100 to $250. The Code Sec. 6722 penalties for failure to file information returns to payees would be similarly increased.
Source: Thomson Reuters
Rich Gunn, C.P.A.
Shareholder
Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc.
600 California Street, Suite 1300
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: 415-288-6218
Fax: 415-288-6288
rgunn@bpmcpa.com
www.bpmcpa.com
You have heard me talk about the lending side but I have not talked about some of the tax credits which are very significant. The expensing of $500,000 and the full deductibility of health insurance for the self employed.
Please see below a list of some of the credits. Thanks Rich for sending.
I want to thank Speaker Pelosi for her leadership in getting this through the House and Senators Boxer and Feinstein for their support.
Small Business California will continue to work on getting the filing of 1099s eliminated one way or the other.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
--------------------------------
Per my voicemail, here are some of the more common summary of the tax breaks for business in the Landrieu-Baucus substitute amendment to the House-passed jobs bill:
· For the first tax year of the taxpayer beginning in 2010, eligible small businesses could carry back unused general business credits for five years. Eligible small businesses would consist of sole proprietorships, partnerships and non-publicly traded corporations with $50 million or less in average annual gross receipts for the prior three years.
· For tax years beginning in 2010, eligible small businesses, as defined above, would be able to use all types of general business credits to offset their alternative minimum tax (AMT).
· Under current law, the Code Sec. 179 expensing limit for tax years beginning in 2010 is $250,000, and the maximum expensing amount is reduced (i.e., phased out, but not below zero) by the amount by which the cost of Code Sec. 179 property placed in service exceeds $800,000 (the investment ceiling). For tax years beginning after 2010, these amounts are to revert to $25,000 and $200,000 respectively. The substitute amendment would for tax years beginning in 2010 and 2011 increase the maximum Code Sec. 179 expensing amount to $500,000 and the investment ceiling to $2,000,000.
· For property placed in service after Dec. 31, 2009, for any tax year beginning in 2010 or 2011, qualified real property (qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property) would be eligible for $250,000 of expensing under Code Sec. 179. The dollar cap would apply to the aggregate cost of qualified real property.
· Bonus 50% first year depreciation would be extended to apply to property placed in service in 2010 (in 2011, for certain long production period property).
· For a tax year beginning in 2010, the deduction for startup expenses under Code Sec. 195 would be increased from $5,000 to $10,000 and the phaseout threshold would be increased from $50,000 to $60,000.
· For a tax year beginning after Dec. 31, 2009, but before Jan. 1, 2011, when calculating self-employment taxes, the deduction for health insurance costs of a self-employed taxpayer under Code Sec. 162(l) could be taken into account (i.e., could be deducted) in computing net earnings from self-employment.
· Cell phones would be removed from the definition of listed property under Code Sec. 280F, for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2009.
Revenue offsets. The substitute amendment would pay for its tax breaks with the following revenue raisers:
· For payments made after Dec. 31, 2010, persons receiving rental income from real property would have to file information returns to IRS and to service providers reporting payments of $600 or more during the year for rental property expenses. Exceptions would be provided for individuals renting their principal residences (including active members of the military), taxpayers whose rental income doesn't exceed an IRS-determined minimal amount, and those for whom the reporting requirement would create a hardship (under IRS regs).
· For information returns required to be filed after Dec. 31, 2010, the Code Sec. 6721 penalties for failure to timely file information returns to IRS would be increased. For example, the first-tier penalty would be increased from $15 to $30, and the calendar year maximum would be increased from $75,000 to $250,000. For small filers, the calendar year maximum would be increased from $25,000 to $75,000 for the first-tier penalty. The minimum penalty for each failure due to intentional disregard would be increased from $100 to $250. The Code Sec. 6722 penalties for failure to file information returns to payees would be similarly increased.
Source: Thomson Reuters
Rich Gunn, C.P.A.
Shareholder
Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc.
600 California Street, Suite 1300
San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: 415-288-6218
Fax: 415-288-6288
rgunn@bpmcpa.com
www.bpmcpa.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Small Business Jobs Bill/ Exchanges/ Names of people that have helped small business/Oct 8 Requirements
We are very hopeful and somewhat expect that the House will take up the Small Business Jobs Bill tonight. Among other things this will increase the SBA guarantees to 90%, waive the fees on SBA 7a and 504 loans, increase the size of SBA loans to $5 million and allow refinancing of 504 loans.. It is expected this will be passed in the House Thursday and signed by the President early next week.
I have a reporter from the LA Times looking for people that have applied for loans and are waiting for the passage of this bill. Please let me know if you are one of these businesses. Ideally she is looking for people in the LA area but if you meet the criteria and located anywhere in California please let me know.
The two bills that would establish the California Exchange[ SB900 and AB1602] are awaiting the Governor’s signature. I have been on a couple of radio programs in LA promoting these bills. There is strong opposition from the California Chamber and Anthem. We have also done Op Ed pieces in the SF Chronicle and Orange County Register. We expect to have an Op Ed piece in the Sacramento Bee in the next few days.
Two weeks ago I felt pretty confident these bills would be signed and I still believe they will but it is not the sure thing I thought it was.
Once a year I ask people on this email tree to identify people at any level of government that are helping small businesses. These can be elected officials or government employees. If you send me their names, what they have done and their contact information I will send a letter from Small Business California mentioning you and why you feel they deserve recognition.
For me the person who has done incredible things for small businesses in SF is Trent Rohr. As the head of Health and Human Services he has run a program called Jobs Now which pays employers 100% of the wages for individuals that are unemployed, have a dependent under 18 and live in SF. This program has generated over 4000 jobs. The reason though I am recognizing him is that he started the program and quite frankly there were problems. He listened to the comments of small business and implemented changes that made this in my mind the best program of its kind in the country.
Let me know who you would like recognized.
Lastly I mentioned the new amendments to the workers comp notice regulations that revise MPN notice requirements and require employers to replace their claims forms, new hire pamphlets and posting notices. You must do this by Oct 8 or be subject to fines up to $7000. For more information go to California Workers Compensation Institute website at www.cwci.org or the California Employers Association website www.employers.org
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
I have a reporter from the LA Times looking for people that have applied for loans and are waiting for the passage of this bill. Please let me know if you are one of these businesses. Ideally she is looking for people in the LA area but if you meet the criteria and located anywhere in California please let me know.
The two bills that would establish the California Exchange[ SB900 and AB1602] are awaiting the Governor’s signature. I have been on a couple of radio programs in LA promoting these bills. There is strong opposition from the California Chamber and Anthem. We have also done Op Ed pieces in the SF Chronicle and Orange County Register. We expect to have an Op Ed piece in the Sacramento Bee in the next few days.
Two weeks ago I felt pretty confident these bills would be signed and I still believe they will but it is not the sure thing I thought it was.
Once a year I ask people on this email tree to identify people at any level of government that are helping small businesses. These can be elected officials or government employees. If you send me their names, what they have done and their contact information I will send a letter from Small Business California mentioning you and why you feel they deserve recognition.
For me the person who has done incredible things for small businesses in SF is Trent Rohr. As the head of Health and Human Services he has run a program called Jobs Now which pays employers 100% of the wages for individuals that are unemployed, have a dependent under 18 and live in SF. This program has generated over 4000 jobs. The reason though I am recognizing him is that he started the program and quite frankly there were problems. He listened to the comments of small business and implemented changes that made this in my mind the best program of its kind in the country.
Let me know who you would like recognized.
Lastly I mentioned the new amendments to the workers comp notice regulations that revise MPN notice requirements and require employers to replace their claims forms, new hire pamphlets and posting notices. You must do this by Oct 8 or be subject to fines up to $7000. For more information go to California Workers Compensation Institute website at www.cwci.org or the California Employers Association website www.employers.org
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Friday, September 17, 2010
Small Business Paper - Final Version
I am sorry to send so many emails this week but a lot has been happening.
Please see an amazing outline of the new health law geared to small and medium sized businesses. It was put together by our good friends at the Insure the Uninsured Project. Small Business California is on their advisory board.
For those of you that are with associations I strongly encourage you to put this as a link to your website
http://www.itup.org/Reports/Health%20Reform/HCR_Sm_and_Med_Biz.pdf
This week the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau reduced their recommended rate increase about 2 point to 27.2%. This is recommended for January 1 on new and renewal policies. As I have said before the Insurance Commissioner will make his recommendations that will probably be significantly lower. The insurance companies do not have to take the Insurance Commissioners recommendations.
I do not expect rates to go up anywhere near 27.2% but the losses are getting worse in the industry and significant rate increase are going to occur at some point in the future.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Please see an amazing outline of the new health law geared to small and medium sized businesses. It was put together by our good friends at the Insure the Uninsured Project. Small Business California is on their advisory board.
For those of you that are with associations I strongly encourage you to put this as a link to your website
http://www.itup.org/Reports/Health%20Reform/HCR_Sm_and_Med_Biz.pdf
This week the Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau reduced their recommended rate increase about 2 point to 27.2%. This is recommended for January 1 on new and renewal policies. As I have said before the Insurance Commissioner will make his recommendations that will probably be significantly lower. The insurance companies do not have to take the Insurance Commissioners recommendations.
I do not expect rates to go up anywhere near 27.2% but the losses are getting worse in the industry and significant rate increase are going to occur at some point in the future.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Pelosi, Obama victory: $30 billion small business bill passes
As expected the Senate has just passed the small business jobs bill we have been fighting so hard for. It now goes back to the House and we expect that the House will concur with the Senate amended language.
See story below.
This is critical because session closes the end of the month and there is not time for the House to change the language.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/bottomline/detail?entry_id=72467
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
See story below.
This is critical because session closes the end of the month and there is not time for the House to change the language.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/bottomline/detail?entry_id=72467
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
We Won HR 5297 / Please help
Just in.
The Senate voted for closure on the Small Business Jobs Bill. We actually got 61 votes.
The bad news is the 1099 amendments to reduce the filing requirements both got voted down. We will be coming back on this.
The final vote should be coming if not today in the next couple of days and we expect passage. Thank you to all that helps us get this major win.
Small Business California needs your help. Please let me know if you could help.
SB 900 and AB 1602 are the bills establishing the Exchange. Please let me know if you can help and where you are located.
· We need to identify small business owners who can talk about how the new health care law will benefit his/her business.
We need small business owners in Sacramento and San Francisco on September 23rd for the health care fair news events when the phase one of the new law is implemented.
We also need a small business owner who could not afford to give employees health care benefits but now will because of new law. That person would be at the news conference with the Governor possibly signing SB 900 and AB 1602 on September 23. This person could also do “curtain raiser” stories with reporters before the 23rd.
· We also need small business owners who can talk about the new health care law and how it will benefit his/her business at the following briefings. Will make times available soon:
9/17 - SF
9/29 - Fresno
10/5 - Inland Empire
10/13 - San Diego
10/19 – Sacramento
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
The Senate voted for closure on the Small Business Jobs Bill. We actually got 61 votes.
The bad news is the 1099 amendments to reduce the filing requirements both got voted down. We will be coming back on this.
The final vote should be coming if not today in the next couple of days and we expect passage. Thank you to all that helps us get this major win.
Small Business California needs your help. Please let me know if you could help.
SB 900 and AB 1602 are the bills establishing the Exchange. Please let me know if you can help and where you are located.
· We need to identify small business owners who can talk about how the new health care law will benefit his/her business.
We need small business owners in Sacramento and San Francisco on September 23rd for the health care fair news events when the phase one of the new law is implemented.
We also need a small business owner who could not afford to give employees health care benefits but now will because of new law. That person would be at the news conference with the Governor possibly signing SB 900 and AB 1602 on September 23. This person could also do “curtain raiser” stories with reporters before the 23rd.
· We also need small business owners who can talk about the new health care law and how it will benefit his/her business at the following briefings. Will make times available soon:
9/17 - SF
9/29 - Fresno
10/5 - Inland Empire
10/13 - San Diego
10/19 – Sacramento
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Friday, September 10, 2010
Small Business Jobs Bill
Please see article on small business jobs bill. This will be coming up next Tuesday according to Ryan McCormick in Senator Nelson office.
Senator Nelson has put forth an amendment that would change the $600 1099 requirement such that 1099s will not be required beyond the current requirements for businesses with less than 25 employees. For those over 25 employees the threshold would be raised to from $600 to $5000.
To pay for this there would be an oil tax.
What is interesting is according to Ryan the oil tax has not been scored by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Tax Committee. This is important because if it raises $17 billion over 10 years it would replace the revenues the CBO says the 1099 requirement would have raised. While it is Small Business California’s position that regardless of how much money the oil tax raises there should be a full repeal of the 1099 requirement but certainly if it raises $17 billion there is no excuse that businesses with over 25 employees should be subject to the requirement.
One last fly in the ointment is that the Joint Tax Committee for some reason has scored the 1099 differently than the Congressional Budget Office scoring it as raising $19.2 billion. Kind of makes you wonder about numbers that come out of Congress.
We are watching this closely.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Senate must pass small-business incentives, Voinovich says
By Lori Montgomery Thursday, September 9, 2010; 1:33 PM Washington Post
Retiring Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) said he plans to help push a package of small-business incentives through the Senate next week, a move that would give President Obama and congressional Democrats a key victory on the economy in the final weeks before the November midterm elections.
In an interview, Voinovich said he could no longer support efforts by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to delay the measure in hopes of winning the right to offer additional GOP amendments. Most of the proposed amendments "didn't have anything to do with the bill" anyway, Voinovich said, and amounted merely to partisan "messaging."
"We don't have time for messaging. We don't have time anymore. This country is really hurting," Voinovich said. If a single amendment to reduce paperwork for business owners is considered on the floor, Voinovich said he told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) that he would add his vote to that of 59 Democrats. That would give the majority party the 60 votes needed to overcome possible a GOP filibuster and move the package to final passage when Congress returns to Washington next week.
The small-business bill is a top priority for Obama, who has called repeatedly on Senate Republicans to drop their "blockade" of the measure. He mentioned it again during a speech Wednesday in Cleveland, arguing that the weeks of delay in the bill's passage "is actually leading [small-business owners] to put off hiring."
The package of tax breaks and other incentives includes a new loan fund that would encourage community banks to provide up to $30 billion to small businesses, improving access to credit - a problem hurting small businesses in Ohio, Voinovich said. He cited the case of a constituent whose business was turned down for a loan by 42 banks.
"We don't have time anymore to play games," Voinovich said. "I happen to believe these small-business people can't get money to save their souls."
Voinovich, a longtime champion of federal transportation spending, said he also plans to work with Obama to pursue a six-year reauthorization of the federal highway bill, and to jump-start the measure with $50 billion in immediate spending. Voinovich said the president called him personally to ask for his support, but offered few details about his reauthorization plan - including how it would be funded.
The senator is a strong advocate of responsible budgeting and has long called for increasing the gas tax, the traditional financing source for the nation's roadways. He said he mentioned that in his phone call with Obama, who proposed financing the first $50 billion by eliminating tax benefits for oil and gas companies. The latter idea is likely to be more popular among voters.
"I made very clear he would be better off talking about a gas tax to pay for this than to come up with other ways of paying for it," Voinovich said, adding that the president "did not respond to that. He just listened."
Voinovich's staff has been working with Senate Democrats to craft a reauthorization of the highway act. Until now, Voinovich said, administration officials have shown little interest in the effort. But Voinovich said Obama now realizes that "it won't happen without his leadership. He understands he's got to get involved."
Senator Nelson has put forth an amendment that would change the $600 1099 requirement such that 1099s will not be required beyond the current requirements for businesses with less than 25 employees. For those over 25 employees the threshold would be raised to from $600 to $5000.
To pay for this there would be an oil tax.
What is interesting is according to Ryan the oil tax has not been scored by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Tax Committee. This is important because if it raises $17 billion over 10 years it would replace the revenues the CBO says the 1099 requirement would have raised. While it is Small Business California’s position that regardless of how much money the oil tax raises there should be a full repeal of the 1099 requirement but certainly if it raises $17 billion there is no excuse that businesses with over 25 employees should be subject to the requirement.
One last fly in the ointment is that the Joint Tax Committee for some reason has scored the 1099 differently than the Congressional Budget Office scoring it as raising $19.2 billion. Kind of makes you wonder about numbers that come out of Congress.
We are watching this closely.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Senate must pass small-business incentives, Voinovich says
By Lori Montgomery Thursday, September 9, 2010; 1:33 PM Washington Post
Retiring Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) said he plans to help push a package of small-business incentives through the Senate next week, a move that would give President Obama and congressional Democrats a key victory on the economy in the final weeks before the November midterm elections.
In an interview, Voinovich said he could no longer support efforts by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to delay the measure in hopes of winning the right to offer additional GOP amendments. Most of the proposed amendments "didn't have anything to do with the bill" anyway, Voinovich said, and amounted merely to partisan "messaging."
"We don't have time for messaging. We don't have time anymore. This country is really hurting," Voinovich said. If a single amendment to reduce paperwork for business owners is considered on the floor, Voinovich said he told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) that he would add his vote to that of 59 Democrats. That would give the majority party the 60 votes needed to overcome possible a GOP filibuster and move the package to final passage when Congress returns to Washington next week.
The small-business bill is a top priority for Obama, who has called repeatedly on Senate Republicans to drop their "blockade" of the measure. He mentioned it again during a speech Wednesday in Cleveland, arguing that the weeks of delay in the bill's passage "is actually leading [small-business owners] to put off hiring."
The package of tax breaks and other incentives includes a new loan fund that would encourage community banks to provide up to $30 billion to small businesses, improving access to credit - a problem hurting small businesses in Ohio, Voinovich said. He cited the case of a constituent whose business was turned down for a loan by 42 banks.
"We don't have time anymore to play games," Voinovich said. "I happen to believe these small-business people can't get money to save their souls."
Voinovich, a longtime champion of federal transportation spending, said he also plans to work with Obama to pursue a six-year reauthorization of the federal highway bill, and to jump-start the measure with $50 billion in immediate spending. Voinovich said the president called him personally to ask for his support, but offered few details about his reauthorization plan - including how it would be funded.
The senator is a strong advocate of responsible budgeting and has long called for increasing the gas tax, the traditional financing source for the nation's roadways. He said he mentioned that in his phone call with Obama, who proposed financing the first $50 billion by eliminating tax benefits for oil and gas companies. The latter idea is likely to be more popular among voters.
"I made very clear he would be better off talking about a gas tax to pay for this than to come up with other ways of paying for it," Voinovich said, adding that the president "did not respond to that. He just listened."
Voinovich's staff has been working with Senate Democrats to craft a reauthorization of the highway act. Until now, Voinovich said, administration officials have shown little interest in the effort. But Voinovich said Obama now realizes that "it won't happen without his leadership. He understands he's got to get involved."
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
IRS Releases Form to Help Small Businesses
Please see below updated information from IRS for tax credits from Health bill. For those nonprofits that are on the list note also that credit may be available for you.
I am looking to identify people that received a 7a or 504 loan prior to the suspension of the 90% guarantee and had their fees waived. I am also looking for businesses that are in the queue and waiting for the small business jobs bill to be passed to take out their loan.
For people that represent associations I have put together a phone call with Herb Schultz on Monday at 9:30. Herb will be discussing the new health bill and provide updates. If you represent an association and are available for the call please let me know by return email. We do have limited availability for this.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010
9:58 AM
Subject: IRS Releases Form to Help Small Businesses
The following information is for small businesses and tax exempt organizations.
The Internal Revenue Service today released a draft version of the form that small businesses and tax-exempt organizations will use to calculate the small business health care tax credit when they file income tax returns next year. The IRS also announced how eligible tax-exempt organizations –– which do not generally file income tax returns –– will claim the credit during the 2011 filing season.
The IRS has posted a draft of Form 8941 on IRS.gov. Both small businesses and tax-exempt organizations will use the form to calculate the credit. A small business will then include the amount of the credit as part of the general business credit on its income tax return.
Tax-exempt organizations will instead claim the small business health care tax credit on a revised Form 990-T. The Form 990-T is currently used by tax-exempt organizations to report and pay the tax on unrelated business income. Form 990-T will be revised for the 2011 filing season to enable eligible tax-exempt organizations –– even those that owe no tax on unrelated business income –– also to claim the small business health care tax credit.
The final version of Form 8941 and its instructions will be available later this year.
The small business health care tax credit was included in the Affordable Care Act signed by the President in March and is effective this year. The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have.
In 2010, the credit is generally available to small employers that contribute an amount equivalent to at least half the cost of single coverage towards buying health insurance for their employees. The credit is specifically targeted to help small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that primarily employ moderate- and lower-income workers.
For tax years 2010 to 2013, the maximum credit is 35 percent of premiums paid by eligible small business employers and 25 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations. Beginning in 2014, the maximum tax credit will go up to 50 percent of premiums paid by eligible small business employers and 35 percent of premiums paid by eligible, tax-exempt organizations for two years. The maximum credit goes to smaller employers those with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees paying annual average wages of $25,000 or less.
The credit is completely phased out for employers that have 25 FTEs or more or that pay average wages of $50,000 per year or more. Because the eligibility rules are based in part on the number of FTEs, and not simply the number of employees, businesses that use part-time help may qualify even if they employ more than 25 individuals.
More information about the credit, including a step-by-step guide and answers to frequently asked questions, is available on the Affordable Care Act page on the IRS website.
Internal Revenue Service
Governmental Liaison for California & Nevada
I am looking to identify people that received a 7a or 504 loan prior to the suspension of the 90% guarantee and had their fees waived. I am also looking for businesses that are in the queue and waiting for the small business jobs bill to be passed to take out their loan.
For people that represent associations I have put together a phone call with Herb Schultz on Monday at 9:30. Herb will be discussing the new health bill and provide updates. If you represent an association and are available for the call please let me know by return email. We do have limited availability for this.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010
9:58 AM
Subject: IRS Releases Form to Help Small Businesses
The following information is for small businesses and tax exempt organizations.
The Internal Revenue Service today released a draft version of the form that small businesses and tax-exempt organizations will use to calculate the small business health care tax credit when they file income tax returns next year. The IRS also announced how eligible tax-exempt organizations –– which do not generally file income tax returns –– will claim the credit during the 2011 filing season.
The IRS has posted a draft of Form 8941 on IRS.gov. Both small businesses and tax-exempt organizations will use the form to calculate the credit. A small business will then include the amount of the credit as part of the general business credit on its income tax return.
Tax-exempt organizations will instead claim the small business health care tax credit on a revised Form 990-T. The Form 990-T is currently used by tax-exempt organizations to report and pay the tax on unrelated business income. Form 990-T will be revised for the 2011 filing season to enable eligible tax-exempt organizations –– even those that owe no tax on unrelated business income –– also to claim the small business health care tax credit.
The final version of Form 8941 and its instructions will be available later this year.
The small business health care tax credit was included in the Affordable Care Act signed by the President in March and is effective this year. The credit is designed to encourage small employers to offer health insurance coverage for the first time or maintain coverage they already have.
In 2010, the credit is generally available to small employers that contribute an amount equivalent to at least half the cost of single coverage towards buying health insurance for their employees. The credit is specifically targeted to help small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that primarily employ moderate- and lower-income workers.
For tax years 2010 to 2013, the maximum credit is 35 percent of premiums paid by eligible small business employers and 25 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations. Beginning in 2014, the maximum tax credit will go up to 50 percent of premiums paid by eligible small business employers and 35 percent of premiums paid by eligible, tax-exempt organizations for two years. The maximum credit goes to smaller employers those with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees paying annual average wages of $25,000 or less.
The credit is completely phased out for employers that have 25 FTEs or more or that pay average wages of $50,000 per year or more. Because the eligibility rules are based in part on the number of FTEs, and not simply the number of employees, businesses that use part-time help may qualify even if they employ more than 25 individuals.
More information about the credit, including a step-by-step guide and answers to frequently asked questions, is available on the Affordable Care Act page on the IRS website.
Internal Revenue Service
Governmental Liaison for California & Nevada
Friday, September 03, 2010
Jobs Bill
This was sent to me by Chris Lucas in Senator Snowe's office. It is encouraging to see Senator Mitch Mc Connell saying that our Small Business Jobs Bill may pass.
This should be coming up the week after next. This is the first time a ranking Republican has made such a statement.
I make no comments about his other comments.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/09/sen-mcconnell-we-can-do-business-with-obama-if-he-moves-to-center.html
“So the question is whether it's a good idea to raise tax on the top two brackets in the middle of what most Americans think is a recession. If you do that, you will impact 250,000 small businesses. They produce 50 percent of small business income, and it affects 25 percent of the workforce. So the question we're going to be asking when we get back is, 'Do you think that is good for the economy? Do you think this will get the economy growing again?’ This is a debate we're anxious to have.”
McConnell said the small-business jobs bill the president is pushing for “may” pass later this month, but cautioned that “it shouldn’t be oversold.”
“There is a little itty-bitty small business bill that no one thinks will have much of an impact on the economy, because they want to stick into it a too-big-to-fail provision and did stick it in. But the larger question is that business is sitting there, hoarding cash because they are concerned of the health care taxes, the health care mandates, the tax increases that are coming in September potentially. This administration has done a lot to discourage business from growing and hiring, and that's the problem."
This should be coming up the week after next. This is the first time a ranking Republican has made such a statement.
I make no comments about his other comments.
Scott Hauge
President
Small Business California
2311 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116
shauge@cal-insure.com
415-680-2188
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/09/sen-mcconnell-we-can-do-business-with-obama-if-he-moves-to-center.html
“So the question is whether it's a good idea to raise tax on the top two brackets in the middle of what most Americans think is a recession. If you do that, you will impact 250,000 small businesses. They produce 50 percent of small business income, and it affects 25 percent of the workforce. So the question we're going to be asking when we get back is, 'Do you think that is good for the economy? Do you think this will get the economy growing again?’ This is a debate we're anxious to have.”
McConnell said the small-business jobs bill the president is pushing for “may” pass later this month, but cautioned that “it shouldn’t be oversold.”
“There is a little itty-bitty small business bill that no one thinks will have much of an impact on the economy, because they want to stick into it a too-big-to-fail provision and did stick it in. But the larger question is that business is sitting there, hoarding cash because they are concerned of the health care taxes, the health care mandates, the tax increases that are coming in September potentially. This administration has done a lot to discourage business from growing and hiring, and that's the problem."
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