Tomorrow is the two year anniversary of a landmark case that opened the floodgates for money in politics. While you may not think small business owners have a horse in that race, you would be wrong. What do they really think about the ruling?
Also, with millions of Americans doing their taxes soon, it’s time to think what you’re going to do with your potential refund. Don’t just want to throw it away on your ceramic elephant collection this year? Read on for some ideas…
Tax Watch
What to do with your refund? This is a seemingly simple question to answer but gets more complicated the more you think about it. Should you save it? Spend it on your business? Buy a ticket to Cabo and enjoy the springtime weather?
While we here at Outright are huge advocates of NOT getting a refund (if you do your taxes right, you should come out even), sometimes you’re forced to take money from the government. What a bummer! In this case, why not do the responsible thing and pay off outstanding debt? It may not be as fancy as a trip to the beach, but you’ll certainly feel better in the long run.
An improvement on your business could also be a boon – just make sure it’s something you either really need or will increase sales or productivity somehow in the new year.
Around the Entrepreneur Web
6 Tips to Avoid IRS Audits for Freelancers – Want to do your taxes right the first time and avoid that uncomfortable interview later on? Try these 6 tips (plus, try out our 1099 widget!)
What To Do When You Underbid on a Project – Have you ever signed a contract and immediately regretted the numbers on the page? Here’s how to follow up on that feeling.
Small Business News of the Week
The two year anniversary of the Citizens United case, which opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate spending when it came to elections, comes tomorrow. What does the average small business owner think of the ruling? Politics and parties aside, most think that it has had a negative effect on business – over 2/3 said the ruling actively harmed small business.
This has to be frustrating, as we are constantly told small businesses are the “backbone of America.” That adage has proven to be true during the economic crisis, as small businesses are the most likely to hire new employees and even give benefits where others won’t. So why the gap? Might just be political talk, but don’t expect this to be the last you hear of the Citizen United case.
Outright Pro Tip of the Week
What’s the next big idea in advertising? Mobile marketing of course! With smartphones quickly become the norm rather than the exception, more companies are turning to mobile solutions to spread the word of their company.
Whether it’s getting involved with a mobile network, buying an ad in a mobile game, or even developing their own app, businesses everywhere are finding the phone market is the way to go. In 2011, it yielded over $3 billion, more than double the numbers from 2010. And it shows no sign of slowing down.
What are some ways you can take advantage of this new market for your business? Do you think there are any limits to it that traditional companies may have issues with?
That’s all for today’s Outright Weekly Round Up. See you next week, and don’t forget to check out our Tax Resource Center!