February 09, 2024

HR Minute for February 2024

Independent Contractor Final Rule Released. You may have heard that the Department of Labor (DOL) has published a final rule regarding the independent contractor classification that will take effect March 11. This rule has somewhat codified definitions and restrictions that were already effectively being used in audit and investigation. 

Although it is being challenged in both Congress and the courts, I still recommend small businesses review and prepare for compliance with DOL expectations https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/misclassification. Note that the sub-directory title “misclassification” is a strong clue to the continued focus for regulatory oversight.

Texas Comptroller Changes ‘No Tax Due’ Reporting for 2024

January 09, 2024

Texas Comptroller Changes ‘No Tax Due’ Reporting for 2024

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts recently announced that effective for reports due in 2024, taxable entities formed in Texas, or doing business in Texas, with total revenue that is less than or equal to $2.47 million (the “No Tax Due” threshold for 2024 and 2025), are no longer required to file a Franchise Tax Report (also known as a “No Tax Due” Report).

The term “franchise tax” may be confusing for business owners, especially if their business is not a franchise. Franchise Tax is a privilege tax imposed on each taxable entity and a “franchise” is the right granted to an entity to market their goods or services.

Cybersecurity: Two Factor or Multifactor Authentication, A Necessary Step

October 30, 2023

Cybersecurity: Two Factor or Multifactor Authentication, A Necessary Step

You may have noticed more and more businesses that you interact with on the internet are now requiring two-step verification before giving you access to their full site.

Some of this is because cracking passwords isn’t all that difficult in most cases. To avoid providing access to your bank or credit card accounts, or to other sources of sensitive information, the companies are striving to ensure that only authorized individuals are accessing those accounts or information. In short, it is just a way of making sure that the owner of the login is the one accessing the account or information.

Cybersecurity: Passwords Matter

September 21, 2023

Cybersecurity: Passwords Matter

There is so much that goes into starting and operating a small business besides the financial side. As a small business owner, you are responsible for inventory management (retail goods stores), marketing, market and industry research, human resources (if you have employees), and accounting and payroll.

Another responsibility is security. This responsibility is a big one and encompasses a lot more than some realize. Physical security is something that everyone is familiar with and probably comfortable with. It involves everything from door locks to alarm systems. It is generally easy to implement and not hard to remember to do. It used to be enough.

Do These Three Steps Before Establishing Your Business Brand Identity

August 09, 2023

Do These Three Steps Before Establishing Your Business Brand Identity

Branding allows you to build relationships with your customers by giving them something to relate to beyond the product or service they’re purchasing. Before solidifying your brand identity, do the research to avoid infringing on another business’s brand.

There are countless things to consider when starting a business. Which structure should I pick? Where do I find suppliers? How do I secure financing? Those are all very important, and often daunting, questions to answer while planning out your business concept and operations.

Hitting Your Target Market

July 06, 2023

Hitting Your Target Market

For any new business it is imperative that they understand their target market and that they know who their target market is. For some business and industries, this is easily determined. For others, it is more difficult.

For example, it is fairly obvious that an infant and children’s clothing boutique will target parents and grandparents with infants and children that are within a certain age range. For the business to succeed there must be enough parents and grandparents to generate sufficient demand for such clothing and an evaluation of the competitions strength and the number of competitors.

Promote Your Business with the Go Texan Program

June 01, 2023

Promote Your Business with the Go Texan Program

Are your products Go Texan eligible? Apply today to be a Go Texan partner and help promote your Texas made products.  

The Go Texan program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to identifying and supporting Texas-based businesses and connecting them with customers across the Lone Star State and around the world. The Go Texan program is dedicated to showcasing the diversity and quality of Texas – based businesses. Their efforts support business growth opportunities through developing new sales, establishing partnership relationships and encouraging customers to seek out the iconic Go Texan mark when making purchases. 

But they only worked for me for a week...

Human Resources

While the length of time the employee has worked may have an impact on an employer’s financial liability for an unemployment claim, it does not completely absolve the employer from the responsibility to respond to the claim.

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