Business/ Negocio Business/Opportunity Updates GETTING STARTED WITH AN ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE March 8, 2011, from 6 to 9 pm, at the SBDC Workshop Room, 2579 S. Loop 289. FREE. For further details, please contact Elaine @ 745-1637 to make your reservation or visit our website www.ttusbdc.org FINANCING AND INFORMATIONAL WORKSHOP will be held March 30th. This workshop will be presented by counselors with the Small Business Development Center, U. S. Small Business Administration and S.C.O.R.E. No Cost, seating is limited. Class will be held from 6pm – 8 pm. To register or for more information, Call (806) 745-1637. Registration deadline Jan. 17th. LUBBOCK SCORE provides free counseling to individuals in starting a business. SCORE can help with your business plan to include market analysis and financial D & L projections. For more information please call (806) 472-7462, ext. 117, or visit us online a www.lubbockscore.org HELP FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND SMALL BUSINESSES The Lubbock Area Foundation Micro Business Program provides business education, guidance and access to business loans from $500 to $5000 for independent contractors and those starting or expanding a small business. For more information call 762-8061 or visit the Lubbock Area Foundation’s website at www. lubbockareafoundation.org BUSINESS COUNSELING Small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can discuss their business ventures and get expert advice from the SBDC staff and team of volunteers from the professional community. All information will be held in strict confidence. Counseling sessions can be arranged by calling the SBDC at (806) 745-1637. INCOME TAX PAYER CLINIC Learn how to avoid common mistakes and how to get the most out of your paycheck! Taught by the director and students of the TTU School of Law Low Income Tax Clinic. (No tax preparation.) The FREE workshops will take place at your community centers: ▪ The IRS and You & What is Income? March 1, 6 PM at TREJO. ▪ Who Needs to File? Getting Ready to File Your Own Tax Return March 8, 6 pm at TREJO. ▪ Exemptions, Deductions and Credits & Earned Income Tax Credit March 22, 6 PM at TREJO. ▪ Filing Status and Income Tax Consequences of Self Employment March 29, 6 PM at TREJO. Email your announcements to: latinolubbock@suddenlink.net, by the 21st. To advertise call us at (806)792-1212. Deadline is the 23rd.
SBA Announces Contracting Program For Women-Owned Small Businesses officers that they are eliomen-owned small gible to participate. The W businesses can beGeneral Services Adgin taking steps to participate in a new federal contracting program on Friday, Feb. 4, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced today. The new Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program will be fully implemented over the next several months, with the first contracts expected to be awarded by the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. The WOSB Federal Contract Program will provide greater access to federal contracting opportunities for WOSBs and economically-disadvantaged women-owned small businesses (EDWOSBs). The Program allows contracting officers, for the first time, to set aside specific contracts for certified WOSBs and EDWOSBs and will help federal agencies achieve the existing statutory goal of five percent of federal contracting dollars being awarded to WOSBs. During the ramp up period over the next several months, SBA is encouraging small business owners to review program requirements and ensure their required documents are uploaded to the repository. WOSBs also will need to update their status in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and the Online Representation and Certification Application (ORCA) to indicate to contracting
ministration is currently updating these systems and they are expected to be completed in April, 2011. To qualify as a WOSB, a firm must be at least fifty-one percent owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women. The women must be U.S. citizens and the firm must be considered small according to SBA size standards. To be deemed “economically disadvantaged”, a firm’s owners must meet specific financial requirements set forth in the program regulations. The WOSB Program identifies eighty-three four-digit North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) codes where WOSBs are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented. Contracting officers may set aside contracts in these industries if the contract can be awarded at a fair and reasonable price, the contracting officer has a reasonable expectation that two or more WOSBs or EDWOSBs will submit offers for the contract and the anticipated contract price is not greater than $5 million for manufacturing contracts and $3 million for other contracts. For more information on the Women-Owned Small Business Program, or an application, please visit www. sba.gov/wosb.
BY TRISTAN HOLADAY FOR LATINO LUBBOCK
erty valuation is done by your local appraisal district, headed by a chief appraiser. The appraisal district bases valuation of property largely on the budget needs of the community’s public services. After valuation and appraisals are proposed, citizens may appeal to an appraisal review board with any protests or concerns regarding the new tax rates. After several months of review, rates are finalized and payment required. For detailed information about property taxes, including your tax rights visit www.lubbockcad.org or call the Lubbock Appraisal District at (806)762-5000.
Understanding Local Property Taxes roperty taxes are a responsibility P that most property owners must comply with, yet it’s a law many do
not always understand. Why do we pay taxes, according to the State of Texas website property taxes “are the largest funding source for local services in Texas” including public schools, streets, and police and fire departments. The system of property tax goes through four steps: 1) property valuation; 2) a protest period; 3) tax rate adoption; and 4) tax collection. Prop-
Business & Tax Tips By Jaime D. Garcia REQUIRED RECORDS BY EMPLOYERS WHEN HIRING
any employers are not familiar with documentation required when M hiring an employee. Not having these records could expose them to fines and penalties imposed by federal and state enforcement agencies. The I-9 forms is always required. This form certifies that the employee is legally eligible to work in the United States. The form should be kept for a minimum of three years and one year after termination of employment. After the employee is hired then he is required to complete a W-4 form. This form indicates the filing status of the employee and the number of dependents he will be claiming. This form should be completed every year or if the filing status or number of dependents changes.
JAIME D. GARCIA has been the owner of Associated Business services since 1978. He earned a degree from Texas Tech University in Business Administration. He specializes in Accounting and Small Business consulting. Call (806) 744-1984 for more information.
To Advertise or Share News Call (806) 792-1212
email: latinolubbock@suddenlink.net, or online at www.latinolubbock.net
First in textile services worldwide
Call us for Your Uniform and Linen Rental Service Frank Garcia
Sales Consultant - Hablo Español 404 N. University Ave Lubbock, TX 79415 T 806.762.8751 F 806.762.1371 C 806.548.2100 E frank.garcia@alsco.com
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Lubbock County Employment
AVON To buy or sell Avon, please call
New & Refurbished Copiers for Your Business 1502 Avenue Q Lubbock, TX 79401-4730 (806) 747-1667 Lamesa (806)872-9507
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Susie Fernandez Rick Rangel Sales Consultant
Over 12 Years Experience Se habla español rrangel@ytom.com www.tascosaofficemachines.com
Certified Beauty Advisor for 24 years
(806) 747-6486 or (806) 543-4112 avonfromsusie@yahoo.com Copyright 2011 by Latino Lubbock Magazine. All Rights reserved.
For the application process and job details visit:
www.co.lubbock.tx.us Texas Public Information Act/ADA/EOE
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