New York SBDC Research Network

The START-UP NY program* provides tax benefits to approved businesses that locate in vacant space or land of approved New York State public and private colleges and universities, approved strategic state assets, and New York State incubators affiliated with private universities or colleges that are designated as tax-free NY areas. This program will promote entrepreneurialism and job creation by creating tax-free communities across the state. START-UP NY is administered by New York State's  Empire State Development (ESD) . START-UP NY business tax benefits: Metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax (MCTMT) - exemptions  employers self-employed individuals (including partners) Organization tax and license and maintenance fees - exemption   Real estate transfer tax – exemption for leases Sales tax  – credit or refund Tax Elimination Credit – corporation and income tax   Telecommunication Services Excise Tax Credit   START-UP NY personal income tax benefit:

Too many people try to  start a small business  without first developing a clear roadmap for the trip ahead, making success that much harder.  Don’t be one of them! Take advantage of December as National Write a Business Plan Month and nail the  six steps to writing a solid business plan. Looking for more help? Check out this  step-by-step tool   for writing a business plan.

As of January 1, 2015  The links below lists the standard state level sales and use tax rates. Many states allow non-standard rates on many items including meals, lodging, telecommunications and specific items and services. These rates are not represented in the chart. The range of local taxes is also included as a quick reference. This can be used to determine the combined state and local tax rate maximums and minimums.  Sales and use tax rates change on a monthly basis. The chart is for informational purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your tax  adviser . Rate information is gathered from various State Department of Revenue materials and various rate providers including Thomson,  Sabrix  and Vertex, Inc. click here If you are seeking information on individual income tax, corporate income tax, sales tax, and/ or property tax collections this link will bring you to a site that will assist you. click here This link will provide you with state

SBA and Small Business Majority will host a free Affordable Care Act 101   webinar so small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how they can enroll in health insurance marketplaces. January 8 at 3:00 PM ET :  Click to Register January 15 at 2:00 PM ET :  Click to Register January 22 at 2:00 PM ET :  Click to Register January 29 at 2:00 PM ET :  Click to Register

From the US Department of Labor blog : Someone recently asked me to name the one thing I couldn’t live without at work. My answer?  Technology.  I couldn’t do my job – or live my life – as effectively as I do now without information and communication technology (ICT). Considering that I’m blind, this answer is sometimes met with surprise. Some people don’t realize that individuals with disabilities also rely on technology – as long as it’s accessible – to perform daily tasks. I certainly do. I use a screen reader to relay the information on my computer screen, a Braille note-taking device and a smartphone with built-in accessibility features. To say that I’d be lost without these innovations is an understatement. Technology is paramount for  all  of us – whether we have disability or not – and this is particularly true in the workplace. 

For millions of small business owners worldwide, it's decision time. Pretty much every business owner will want to do better in 2015, however, their decisions regarding how to improve things will differ massively. They will fit into one of the following 3 broad groups. Do any of these seem familiar to you? 1. Fear focused business owners More from SmallBusinessNewz

The most valuable business commodity is trust. Richard Branson, author and founder of Virgin Group says, “Building trust in your brand isn't easy to achieve and it may take time, but it doesn't have to come at a high cost. With honesty, ambition, hard work and attention to detail you can instill a level of trust that will enable you to move forward.” The fact is that integrity impacts all aspects of business and is among, if not the most important character trait for a company to have. It is the barometer by which your customers, lenders, potential business partners and employees evaluate you and your business. Trust in a business speaks volumes on how a company services and communicates with its customers. A trustworthy business can be defined many different ways depending upon the person, business, or organization reviewing it. More from Small Business Administration .