Is Telecommuting Bad for a Company: A Look at Yahoo!’s Decision to Ban It

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Several weeks ago, Marissa Mayer’s decision to send a memo to all Yahoo! employees letting them know that effective June, 2013, there would be no more telecommuting allowed set off an Internet fire storm.

A barrage of articles hit the web arguing everything from the fact that this memo would not be an issue if Mayer was a man instead of a woman with a young child to the fact that this decision could spell the beginning of the end for Mayer’s career and Yahoo!.

Now that the dust has settled, so to speak, and emotions have cooled, it’s time to take an objective look at the decision.

Is Telecommuting Beneficial to a Company?

On the surface, it appears that telecommuting isn’t really beneficial to a business.

Having everyone working in the same building where they can be watched and where they can interact with one another seems best, which is Mayer’s argument.  But is it best?

There are three distinct advantages for companies that allow their employees to work from home at least part of the time:

Performance

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New Options for Taking the Home Office Tax Deduction

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Even as you gather your documentation to prepare your 2012 tax return, it’s time to look ahead and begin planning your tax situation for the next tax year.

One of the things to consider as you plan for this year is the new option for taking the home office tax deduction.

There are a number of tax-deductible business expenses that you can claim with your home business.  One of those is a deduction for the cost of the space you are using in your home.

If you plan to take the home office tax deduction, you are required to fill out Form 8829, which consists of 43 lines and can include depreciation and carryovers of deductions you haven’t used.  In some cases, the IRS even acknowledges, figuring the deduction can be a bit complex.  Plus, if you make mistakes on this form, it can red-flag your return for an audit.

Recognizing that home offices are becoming increasingly popular for the growing number of self-employed taxpayers, as well as for telecommuters, the IRS has released an optional method of claiming the home office tax deduction.  It comes into effect this year, in 2013, so you will be able to claim it (if you choose) early next year when filing your 2013 tax return.

New Option for Claiming the Home Office Tax Deduction

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Blogger Tax Deductions You Should Be Looking For Come Tax Time

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At first glance, it may not seem that you are spending a great deal on your blogging endeavors.

However, the fact is that blogging does incur costs.  And, if you are making income from your blogging, you might want to offset some of that with the help of tax breaks for your costs.

Before you go claiming tax breaks, though, it is a good idea to double check to make sure that the items you claim truly are related to your blogging efforts.

If you are looking for some blogger tax deductions, here are some things to consider:
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How to Blog and Make Money – 5 Ways to Use Your Blog to Make Money

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By now, many have recognized the potential for blogs as a money maker.

While many people don’t actually end up getting rich off their blogging efforts, there are some who manage to build home businesses around their blogs — or at least use their blogs to make a little more money from their business efforts.

If you are looking for ways to use your blog to make money, you might be surprised that it isn’t all about affiliate marketing (although that can certainly be part of it).  The big question of course is how to blog and make money?

Here are 5 ways that you can use your blog to make money:

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Why Do Women Make Less Money Than Men? Are We Training Them to Earn Less?

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That women generally earn less than men is a well known fact. 

Many people attribute the income difference to the fact that women are more likely to leave the job field to become caretakers, either for their children or their parents.  In fact, Time reported that “over a period of 15 years, according to a 2004 study by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), a full 52% of women in their prime earning age range of 26 to 59 go through at least one full calendar year earning nothing at all, compared with just 16% of men.”

Of course, that absence in the work place can account for some difference in pay, especially when women stay out of the workforce for several years while their children are young.

However, women leaving the work field to care for others is only part of the story.

When Does the Wage Gap Between Men and Women Begin?

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Chase Ink Cash® Business Card – Review

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Small business owner?  Looking for a line of credit as well as helpful tools to manage your business?

Take a serious look at the Ink Cash® Business Card.

Here’s a card for your small business offering a nice introductory bonus right now.  This one’s a credit card (as opposed to the Ink Bold® Business card which is a charge card and you must pay in full every month) and it has the added benefit of no annual fee.

Reward Yourself With Cash

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Chase Ink Bold® Business Card Review

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Are you a small business owner?  Interested in a small business card that can help you manage your business AND earn you rewards on expenses?  Looking for a great travel rewards card to maximize your business travel?

How about one that is offering a great bonus right now?

The Chase Ink Bold® Business Card is offering 50,000 bonus points when you open an account and spend $5,000 in the first 3 months.

50,000 points will get you $500 cash back or $625 towards travel rewards.

Chase Ink Bold® Business Card Review – The Nitty Gritty

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The Best Small Business Credit Cards

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Having a line of credit handy is extremely important for a small business.

Honestly, you never know what kind of expense may creep up that you can’t cover with your cash flow at the moment.  But it’s not easy or practical to get a business loan in a tight jam.  What to do?

Enter small business credit cards.

Not only do they provide credit, you can also find benefits such as cash back, rewards, flexible payment terms, separate tracking for business expenses, and more!

Is a business credit card always the best option for you?

No.  The CARD Act of 2009 put consumer protections in place for consumer cards but those protections aren’t mandatory for business cards.  Also, if your business expenses don’t justify a line of credit then you may be fine without a business card.  You may also find that you would be better off with a specific airlines miles card or travel rewards card that gives you better suited benefits than a card for your small business.

But if you are looking for a line of credit that’s separate from your personal cards or you are looking for a card that offers small business tools that will benefit you, like discounts or employee tracking, then a small business credit card can be a great choice.

Below are some of the best small business credit cards.  See which one best suits your business needs.

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How the IRS Decides Whether You Have a Business or a Hobby

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As the end of the year approaches, and tax season rears its head, it’s important to start figuring out what deductions and credits you are eligible for.

Many consumers are excited to learn that they can take deductions for hobbies as well as for businesses.

However, what is allowed when it comes to these tax deductions depends a great deal on whether the IRS thinks you have a legitimate business, or whether what you are doing is really a hobby.

Tax Deductions: Business vs. Hobby

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Have You Thought About the Costs of Being Self-Employed?

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The dream of self-employment is something that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years.  Thanks to the Internet, almost anyone can start a side hustle from home.

Not only is it technically easy to become self-employed, it’s also relatively inexpensive — depending on the strategy you use.

A number of side hustles require only a computer and a fast Internet connection.  Even if you choose a more expensive venture, you can still save money by starting out at home.

Because of the ease involved, and the low startup costs that are possible, many would-be solopreneurs fail to account for other costs that they might run into.  While being self-employed works for many people, it isn’t the only satisfying career path.  And there are costs involved that you might not have thought about.

Some of the costs of being self-employed include:

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