How do I go about filing taxes for a small cleaning business? -

I own and operate a home/office cleaning small business. I don t make that much,...but, I m sure I have to pay taxes on what I have deposited in the bank. Plz, does anyone know how I go about it? I have not kept track of mileage or supplies.

It depends on how you operate your business. Let s assume that you are a sole proprietor. Then everything you deposit is income, but you have to really start keeping track of your expenses. Mileage, cleaning products you purchase, advertising you do (business cards and fliers), cell phone, uniforms, auto repair, etc.If you haven t been keeping your receipts you need to start doing so now, for next year. If you re not using a simple bookkeeping program like Quicken then you need to start at least keeping a daily journal of jobs you do each day. your starting mileage and ending mileage for the day. Any money spent on the business. Keeping the receipts in an envelope with the items circled that you used in your business. Keeping your cell phone bills. etc.I also suggest, if you are going to continue with this, that you open up an LLC, get insurance (you re working in other people s places of business and homes. If you break something how do you pay for it?). It is best to sit down with a good business coach, if you don t know one, message me and I ll connect one with you. One that can set you up to keep good records, and help you with your taxes so you can keep the most of your money that you can.

How can I know whether my employees emails contain business secret or not? -

I am suspecting one of my employees of mailing my business data to my business competitors? How can I know whether their emails contain business secret or not?

I agree with certain aspects of anti_anti s and eight fingers responses. Even if your employee s have not been specifically told that their email is subject to monitoring, if they are using company resources (ie pc, email account, internet access), then they have no reasonable expectation of privacy.You should limit the access to sensitive information and certain aspects/functions of your office pc s like eight fingers suggested.You should also consult with your legal and IT departments to protect yourself now and in the future.And to protect myself, none of the above information should be construed as or taken as legal advice. I m not a lawyer, I don t play one on TV and I didn t sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

As a small business you should set up a business mail account for all emplyees. you set the passwords and can monitor any mail you feel suspicious.if they are not dealing with sales or customer relations, do not have e-mail access on all computors and do not allow usb cards for personnal use. If there is data that needs to be keep secret, restrict his access to it.If it continues confront the person and see how there reactions are, if this does not comfort you, fire them. Business data is YOUR data, not his and I would not let this person abuse that trust.ball is in your court !

Have they already been noticed that all e-mail is subject to monitoring? Contact your lawyer if you have any questions. This is not legal advice.

Tips for a Garage Sale? -

my friend is moving out and needs to sell- thousands baseball cards- golf clubs- outdoor chairs- Shoes/Clothes/Blankets- Tools- Tv s - Expensive China and platesI figure a 2 day garage sale on Thursday and Friday...I ll put an ad in the newspaper and online as well. I will also label everything with the price...any more tips? thanks

You may want to hold it on weekend, maybe Friday Saturday. Attendance depends on advertising, so put out the items, but keep the expensive stuff in the back. In fact, you may want to advertise some of the stuff on Craigslist or whatever.

You ll definitely get more traffic if you hold it on a weekend. Remember, people with money usually work on Thursday and Friday. Also, when you put a price on everything be sure that it is at least 5% higher than what you want. People will not pay the price that is marked they will want to get a bargain. Also, some of this stuff will sell way quicker on Craigs List than at a garage sale. Like the baseball cards. That is a niche and it s not likely that you ll get the money they are worth selling them at a garage sale.

Make sure you have a BIG sign, and have signs to match posted at every turn from the nearest major road... (Make them visible and high-contrast, but still eye-catching, like HOT PINK with thick black words or something)

How do you make profit from a website? -

Just a question, how do some websites like youtube or facebook make money just by gaining popularity. Is it because of the ads that pay them or something else?

Yes, advertising for now. But the long term plan is to make big bucks; they are still trying to figure out how. YouTube is experimenting into getting into the online movie rental business (great idea). Facebook also has been accused of taking personal information and selling it to marketing companies for mailouts or market research.

You don t know??Advertisements!Do yourself a favor and stay out of the business until you fully understand it. noobIn fact stay out of starting all businesses until you get some common sense in your head!!!You are a disaster waiting to happen.

Yes. Advertising is a big part.

Is the retail business in the down mode or up mode? I just started a catalog business? -

looking to see if I did the right thing

Its in a slow upward mode.

Laws about credit card limits at stores? -

So at my work we have a rule that you have to purchase at least $10 worth of stuff before you can use your credit card. Well lately we have had a lot of people come in and tell us that it is illegal to do that.And that we have to except a credit card for any amount of money.So i was wondering if anyone knew of a law that states this.Or if it really is a law.If it helps i live in Michigan. It would be really appreciative if someone also had a website that states this so i can print it off to show my work. Thanks!

I am not sure if it is a law but the rules of carriage for the ability to accept a credit card, state you can not do this--that you are required to accept a card for any amount of purchase, if you accept the card at all. Contact your business manager at your credit card servicer for the exact details; but you can be reported to the card (ie VISA) and they can pull your right to accept that card as payment.

I don t believe that the business is violating any law if it is accepting credit cards only above $10. In fact, some businesses ask for a photo ID above a certain amount, and one might question the legality of this too. I think a business has the right to set its policy in this matter.In any case, unless you are the owner, you should approach your supervisor about this issue.

Oregon website business advice? -

I am starting a website doing general sales using drop shippers as sources. I live in Oregon and will be operating alone, no employees or others involved. The more I read and research, the more I have questions. Should I register a business name? LLC? Go as a DBA? I am wondering what has worked best for others, and want to avoid anything un-necessary or that puts me at any risk for higher taxes, liability, etc. Links are nice but I bet I have been there, I am trying to apply this information to my circumstance, and hope to hear from others who have started here as well. Thank you.

Definitely form an LLC for legal protection, you can do this yourself, forms available on the Oregon secretary of state website

What are some (free) good website builders? -

i need a new website for my school.please attached links to your answer!

If you want it to be in a form of a blog check:Blogger http://www.blogger.comorWordpress http://www.wordpress.comYou could also check: http://www.webs.com

I have a number of my own sites. I am a big fan of Yola.com They give you a large amount of space and all the tools to help you build quickly.

Check out www.viviti.com for an ecommerce web builder with shopping cart and PayPal options.Good luck!