Home Community How Do I ... ? Find loans or grants Start a home-based business Register a business name Search or register a corporation Obtain a business license Get info on employment laws Bid on government contracts Get more answers Join Us on ... Twitter Facebook LinkedIn YouTube | This Week's Highlight Business.gov Metrics Dashboard Updated In support of Open and Transparent Government, Business.gov team has updated the Metrics Dashboard for the 1st quarter of fiscal year 2010. The Metrics Dashboard showcases relevant user metrics about the Business.gov website so that citizens have an understanding how Business.gov meets the needs of the nation's small businesses. Read more... Business.gov Resources for Tax Season The deadline to file taxes is April 15 this year for sole proprietors and partnerships. If you haven’t given taxes much thought this past year, don’t fret because Business.gov has a wide range of resources to guide you through the process. If you’re looking for general information, please visit our Small Business Tax Center or the IRS Small Business Virtual Tax Workshop. Have a specific question? Post it on the Filing and Paying Taxes board of the Business.gov Community. Recent Articles in the Community Small Business Matters Five Tips for Building your Small Business Brand Using its Best Advocate - You! Big brands have a lot going for them - their logo is instantly recognizable, their products and packaging are familiar, and they often have a brand advocate who represents the brand in its marketing outreach. Brand advocates don't just belong in the realm of big business, they can be equally valuable for small business, if not more so. You don't have to pay someone to do it for you - your greatest brand asset is you! Here are five tips for small business branding success from SBA Metro D.C. Small Business Person of the Year 2006, Warren Brown. Read more... New Recovery Act Funding Extension for SBA Loans - What it Means for Your Small Business On March 2, President Obama signed legislation extending the availability of Recovery Act funds for certain Small Business Administration (SBA)-guaranteed loan programs. This is the second time the U.S. Senate has approved additional funding for economic stimulus provisions related to SBA-guaranteed loans and is good news for small businesses seeking start-up and growth financing. This article explains what this funding extension means for small business loans now and in the future. Read more... Business Law Advisor Starting a Consignment Business Are you thinking about starting a resale consignment shop? Consignment is a resale business involving three parties - the owner of goods or items (consignor), the seller (consignee), and the buyer (customer). The most common consignment items include clothing, art, and antiques. However, many consignment shops sell cars, computers, electronics, crafts, musical instruments, and toys, as well. Consignment items can be old or new. Read on for a quick overview of the consignment business and steps to take to start your own shop. Read more... Small Business Cents Starting a Senior Care Business The dramatic increase in the number of people living past retirement age presents new challenges for families that are unable to provide relative-to-relative care. However, for entrepreneurs, this presents an opportunity to address a growing businesses market. Read on for a summary of popular senior care businesses and the steps you must take to start up in this industry. Read more... The Industry Word What to Do When You Don't Get Paid In today's tough economy, there is an unfortunate domino effect in accounts receivable - your customer is late in receiving payment so it becomes a late payer of your invoice; unless you receive payment you could be short of cash needed to pay your bills. If your business routinely bills for goods and services and you're sitting with accounts receivable that have begun to age, be aware of the practical and legal steps you can take to collect what you're owed. Read more... | For More Topics, Visit the Discussion Boards: | |