Every Friday we highlight interesting questions, helpful answers, and insightful comments from the Outright Community. Check here every week to see if your quotable queries or word of wisdom are highlighted! We’ve also added an “Outstanding Opportunities” section to our Roundup this week, in case you missed the two job/contract opportunities posted over the past week.
Most Answered Questions
- Do you have a day job in addition to your business on Outright? Outright’s own Ryan asked the most popular question of the week. This question resulted in some fascinating stories about Outright Community members, and we’d love to hear your tale of two jobs.
- How do you prefer Outright displays your eBay fees? – Outright using eBayers are encouraged to read this blog post about eBay fee displays in Outright and then pick a favorite. Get your vote in now because this is a hot topic.
- Startups – Getting Trademarks and Copyrights? When do you need a trademark or copyright? When should a lawyer get involved? Find out here!
- How Important is your Formal Education When it Comes to Running Your Business? This question generated quite a bit of discussion among two different camps. Add your two cents in the education debate.
- How do you note donations to charities on your tax return? Harley’s Handmades wanted to know, and the community came through. Speaking of charitable donations, you may be able to include your donations to Haiti on your 2009 tax refund, even though the tragedy occurred in 2010. Go here for the 10 important facts you need to know about charitable donations to Haiti.
Top Vote Getters
- Which categories are you having trouble matching to the Schedule C? The Outright Community receives tons of questions about what categories to classify certain expenses under. If you’re running into your own problems (such as “What to categorize shipping as?”) then leave a comment there or ask your own question.
- Do you file tax returns even when you didn’t make any money? Wray Rives of NeedaCFO.com blogged this week about why you should file a tax return even when you didn’t make a cent. Do you follow his advice? Why or why not?
- Is the fee I pay my agent tax deductible? Are you an entertainer or artist like face painter and Outright community member Karissa A Peters? Then find out from the experts whether you can deduct your agent’s “percentage off the top.”
Perplexing Puzzlers
Are these questions unanswerable? We’ll let you decide.
- Are web banners a viable source of income?
- What attributes should I look for when looking for a great accountant? This question only has one answer, but we think our community has more to say about accountants than that. What do YOU look for when looking for an accountant?
- What, in your experience, is the most profitable online selling platform? Does eBay rule the web or have you found a more lucrative alternative?
- EBay Sellers working with Trading Assistant. How could Outright help? We’re all about making life easier for the eBay sellers who use Outright. Help us help you use Trading Assistant.
Want to try your hand at more perplexing puzzlers? Click here for more unanswered questions at the Outright Community.
Outstanding Opportunities
Outright users are looking for you. Pitch your services!
- Are you a numbers maven with a yen for classic Hollywood icons? MODA Entertainment is looking for a CFO.
- Christof of Nex9, LLC is looking for a bookkeeper. Visit his Community post to find out more about this bookkeeping job opportunity.
Support Questions – Answered!
We encourage you to ask your general support questions in the Community. Be sure to tag all of your support questions “Outright” and “Support” so that our crack support team sees them ASAP. Here’s a brief sampling of this week’s support questions:
- Does Outright produce a Schedule F?
- How do I redact a submitted 1099?
- How can I transfer Quicken 2003 files to Outright?
Sagest Advice
- Should small businesses depend on loans for start-up & expansion, or should they start from scratch? In answer to this question, John Girton (AKA the Outright Community’s very own Professor!) gave questioner Trans Financial Solutions LLC an extremely balanced response. It’s a must read before deciding on a financing solution for your business.
Run into a particularly vexing question this week? Ask away at the Outright Community. Who knows? If you’re question is particularly interesting or challenging, you may see it right here next week.
Attending the South by Southwest Interactive Festival (SXSWi)? Friends of Outright are cordially invited to attend the SXSBW event hosted by Outright and other Small Business Web members. Click here for all the gory details about SXSBW. And be sure to RSVP and invite your SXSW-attending friends by tweeting this post!