Small Business

A Debit Card is an ATM bankcard used to purchase goods and services and to obtain cash. A debit card debits the cardholder's personal deposit account and requires a (PIN) Personal Identification Number for use. Debit cards branded with a bankcard logo can be accepted in Internet transactions without a PIN.

It depends on what property you are considering for a copyright. A copyright is a form of protection provided by U.S. laws to the authors of original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. Copyright protection begins from the time the work is created in a fixed form. When granted the copyright immediately and automatically becomes the property of the author who created it. Copyright registration is optional and generally not a requirement for protection. However, registration provides several advantages to copyright owners. It establishes a public record of the copyright claim and is necessary before any infringement suit may be filed in a court of law. Registration may be made at any time within the life of the copyright. If more information is needed speak to your local CPA or call the Copyright Office Public Information Office at (202)707-3000. or go to their Web site at http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/.

The standard mileage rate(s) for 2012 and 2011 is Charity = 14 cents a mile.

Small businesses especially those performing contracting services will be asked to bond their work in advance. In some states certain types of contractors are required to be bonded. A bond is sometimes referred to as a surety bond is a third party obligation promising to pay if a vendor does not fulfill its valid obligations under a contract. There are various types of bonds; (LICENSE, PERFORMANCE, BID, INDEMNITY & PAYMENT). A bond is a financial guarantee that you will honor a business contract.

A Performance bond is a guarantee that you will perform work in accordance with the terms of a contract. A BID bond is a guarantee you will perform work if the bid is won by you. A Indemnity bond promises to reimburse loss incurred if you fail to perform or if you fail to pay other vendors in the performance of the contact. A License bond is required by some states for certain businesses. In some cases you pay the state directly rather than obtaining a bond.A Payment bond promises you will pay all subcontractors and material providers utilized in the performance of a contract.

DBA is an acronym for "Doing Business As". It is also known as a Fictitious Name. Most states require that sole proprietorships and partnerships that are conducting business under a name other than the owner(s) must file for a DBA certificate in the county where business is conducted. The DBA certificate is generally obtained at the Clerk of Court of the county in which business will be conducted. Fees are typically between $100 and $225 and most courthouses have records that may be searched to determine if your suggested name will be unique.

SCORE or the SCORE Association was previously known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives, but is now recognized as SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business." It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring services to entrepreneurs in the United States. The organization also presents business workshops and seminars for a fee. Business mentoring services are provided by both active and retired business executives and entrepreneurs who donate their time and expertise as mentors to assist new and established small businesses. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration. An easy way to find a SCORE chapter near you is to visit their website at http://www.score.org

Worker's Compensation is a pretty straightforward type of coverage. It provides payment for all work-related injury medical bills, rehabilitation, and provides a certain amount of income after a waiting period (usually 7 days). It provides a death benefit, as well. Workers Compensation premiums are based on the payroll earned by employees during the policy period which usually is for one year. Rates are determined on the type of work performed. Your insurance agent can explain this coverage as it relates to the laws in your particular state.

DUNS stands for the Data Universal Numbering System. It is a database maintained by Dun and Bradstreet that is used by the Government to identify each contractor and their location(s). This number is required to register with the Central Contractor Register (CCR) that is used by the government's electronic commerce/electronic data interchange (EC/EDI) system called FACNET. You can obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling Dun and Bradstreet at 800-814-1435