Income tax

Nurturing Start-Ups is the Path to Creating New Jobs

by Fred Abramson on September 13, 2010 · 2 comments

Two-thirds of net new jobs are created by small businesses.  However, the National Bureau of Economic Research found that once the age of a business is taken into consideration, there is no systematic relationship between firm size and growth.

According to the New York Times, nearly all job growth occurs when businesses are starting up. When businesses mature,  job expansion essentially stops.

Our unemployment rate is at 9.6%. Any serious solutions for creating new must focus on how to create new start-ups and nurture new firms that are in their infancy.

Some argue that raising long-term capital gains, like the Obama administration is proposing, can hurt the prospects of start-ups.  Since angel investors calculate taxes when deciding how much to invest, they may decide to fund less start-ups.

On the other hand, most new businesses make  little or no income. Entrepreneurs focus on making it big, not on taxes. The  New York Times notes that when Microsoft started up, the top income tax rate was at 70%.

One cheap way of fostering start-ups is by granting more residence visas to skilled immigrants, especially those who attend American universities. On February 24, 2010 Senators Kerry and Luger proposed the Startup Act of 2010, which would permit immigrant entrepreneurs to stay or immigrate into the  United States if they have secured “significant” funds to start a new company. Since immigration is a sensitive issue and the mid-term elections are upon us, this bill seems unlikely to pass soon.

Start-ups are always in need of capital. Unfortunately, banks have tightened their lending to start-ups.  Since the private sector is unwilling to lend, the government may have to step in and start lending to start-ups.

Another possible solution is to provide funding for incubators. Currently, there is an excess capacity of commercial real estate. The government should provide tax breaks to landlords to provide below market leases to incubators. Incubators would be required to house no less than three different businesses and be in business for less than 3 years.

What to you think? Is funding incubators a good idea? What are your solutions for job growth?

Frederic R. Abramson is the principal of the Law Office of Frederic R. Abramson, which represents start-ups.

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Your Small Business Must be Aware of 6 New Tax Laws for 2010

by Fred Abramson on January 28, 2010

Seal of the Internal Revenue Service
Image via Wikipedia

2010 tax year brings several changes to small business tax law.  I know, the thought of taxes isn’t a pleasant topic to think about, unless you are an accountant. However, a look now at the tax position of your company can help you assess how your business can benefit and comply with the amendments to the tax code.

Listed below are 6 amendments to the 2010 tax laws that could have an impact on your small business. This list is subject to change, especially since President Obama outlined in his State of the Union address that there will be more aid for small businesses.

  1. Reduced Mileage Rates. The mileage rate that businesses can use to deduct for automobiles has been lowered.
  2. Home Based Businesses and the First time owner tax credit. If you run your business out of your home and plan to purchase a home for the first time, there is a $8,000 tax credit. Be aware that you need to purchase your home by April 30, 2010.
  3. Cancellation of some Business Debt. The rules are a bit complicated, but certain businesses can decide to delay recognition of income from the cancellation of business debt in both 2009 and 2010.
  4. Domestic Production Activities Deduction. “Domestic production” applies to a restricted group of businesses including architectural, construction, engineering or a few other companies. In 2010 this deduction is upped to nine percent of qualifying business net income.
  5. Tax Credit for Research and Development. This tax credit was set to end in 2009. The House of Representatives has voted to extend the credit, however the Senate has yet to vote on it.
  6. Depreciation and Section 179 Expenses. Small Business had been able to deduct up to $250,000 of the cost of machinery, equipment, vehicles, furniture and other such propertused during 2009. In 2010, this limit is due to drop to $135,000.

These are just a few of the changes.  For more see, Tax Changes for Business by the IRS or contact my office at 212-233-0666 if you are in New York State.

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