U.S. Government News

Healthcare Tax Credit:IRS Releases Form to Help Small Businesses Claim New Health Care Tax Credit

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:55:00 PST

The Internal Revenue Service 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.

U.S. Postal Service: New Mailing Rules for Tobacco Products Set for Summer

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:29:31 PST

The Postal Service will no longer be allowed to accept or transport packages containing cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products. The general mailability ban will extend to cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco. The prohibition does not include cigars.

Starting a Home-Based Business? Make Sure You're Properly Insured

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:08:39 PST

With the national unemployment rate lingering around 10 percent, millions of Americans may be tempted to start a home-based businesses. But studies show that less than half of them have any type of insurance coverage for their new endeavor, and others wrongly believe a homeowners insurance policy is sufficient.

Free Continuing Education for Small Businesses

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:27 PST

Network with other local small business owners and tell hundreds what you do. Establish a profile and bring greater exposure to your business.

Customer Alert – Misleading Business Solicitations

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:15:13 PST

The Secretary of State's office has been advised that solicitation letters are being sent to California businesses encouraging them to comply with their California Corporations Code filing obligations by submitting fees and documents to a third party rather than by filing directly with the Secretary of State's office.

Free Workshop For Local Businesses Set For February

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:33:52 PST

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering a free workshop for local businesses interested in government disaster contract work.

2009 Brings Changes to State Laws for Contractors

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:05:30 PST

The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is advising contractors about some of the changes in California law during the 2008 legislative session that may impact them and/or their business practices.

New Small Business Blog Launched By Advocacy

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:42:20 PST

The Office of Advocacy has launched a new small business blog focusing on regulatory issues, small business research, state regulatory activity, and more.

Illegal Contractors may Face Felony Charges

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:20:39 PST

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is keeping its pressure on phony contractors who try to profit from the recent Southern California wildfires. CSLB teamed with the Department of Insurance, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles Police Department to conduct an undercover sting operation on Wednesday. The operation targeted illegal operators advertising for construction work in the fire.

Business Opportunities in Egypt

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 11:18:58 PST

With a real GDP growth of 7.1% in 2006-07, 7.5% the first nine months of 2008, and a population of 80.3 million -- Egypt offers great potential for U.S. companies. And that is precisely why, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service and the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, Ex-Im Bank has organized the "Egypt-U.S. Finance Conference" on Wednesday, November 12, at the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel in Cairo

Contractors State License Board Issues Double Warning about Illegal Contracting In Mariposa County Wildfire Zone

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:15:47 PST

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is warning illegal contractors to stay away from the wildfire zones in Mariposa County and other parts of California. Illegal operators face serious prison time if caught working or trying to get contracting work over $500 in a declared disaster or State of Emergency area. The CSLB is also cautioning fire victims to beware of unscrupulous or unlicensed operators who may try to take advantage of them.

Information Security for Small Businesses

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:57:06 PST

You’ve worked hard to get your business up and running. You’ve built a base of loyal clientele and have a solid business plan. But what would you do if your business computer got a virus and crashed?

Domain Registrations Scam: FTC Halts Cross Border Con Artists

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:45:28 PST

Thousands of Small Businesses and Nonprofits Billed for Domain Registrations They Didn't Get

FTC Secures Full Proceeds of Business Opportunity Scammer’s $100,000 Performance Bond

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:50:51 PST

The Federal Trade Commission today announced that it has successfully secured the proceeds of repeat offender Richard Neiswonger’s $100,000 performance bond. Last year, in a civil contempt case brought by the Commission, a U.S. district judge found Neiswonger in contempt for violating the terms of a 1997 permanent injunction by deceptively marketing business opportunities and failing to provide proof of his bond to the Commission, among other things. Until now, the company that issued the bond had refused to pay the Commission in full.

Online Training Program for Exporters

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:41:56 PST

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry (BIS) today unveiled additional training modules to complete its series on the basics of export control available at the BIS Online Training Room training room. More than twenty thousand visitors have viewed one or more of the initial group of modules since the training room was unveiled in March.

SEC Broadens Opportunities for Small Business Financing

Fri, 16 May 2008 03:18:41 PST

The Securities and Exchange Commission today broadened small business financing opportunities by adopting a rule amendment under the Investment Company Act to increase the availability of capital to certain smaller companies that may not have ready access to the public capital markets or other forms of conventional financing.

Work-At-Home Marketer Settles FTC Charges in Envelope-Stuffing Scheme

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:44:11 PST

Byron C. Peterson has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges for his role in an operation that allegedly misled consumers with false earnings claims for an envelope-stuffing business opportunity.

Inland Empire Minority Businesses Prepare for Expo

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:39:11 PST

The biggest minority business expo in the Inland Empire gets under way May 16 with more than 100 exhibits of products and services and seminars on procuring government contracts and surviving and succeeding in slower economic times. Assembly Member Carter is a supporter of the event. With more than 95,000 minority businesses in the Inland Empire, “It is important to support the growth of minority businesses to become an even greater economic force in the region,” said Assembly Member Carter.

IRS Launches Campaign to Help New Small Businesses

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:15:07 PST

The Internal Revenue Service today launched a campaign to help educate new self-employed small business owners about federal tax responsibilities.

Free Small Business Workshop to Help Small Businesses Get Funds for Tech Research

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:36:02 PST

Small, high-tech firms interested in developing and commercializing cutting-edge energy and environmental technologies can attend a free workshop on April 22 to learn how to win funds to hone their concepts.