Best Small Business Services

05/31/2026

🏪 Consumers Are Choosing to Shop Local

Supporting local businesses does more than help a single company—it strengthens the entire community.

According to a recent OnDeck survey, approximately $68 out of every $100 spent at local businesses stays within the local economy, compared to just $43 spent at national chains. That's a powerful reminder of the impact consumers can make when they choose to shop locally.

The survey identified the top 10 "Shop Local" states as Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Oregon, Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Nebraska, and Washington. Researchers also examined Instagram activity using hashtags such as and to measure local business support and engagement.

Whether you're a business owner or a consumer, supporting local businesses helps create jobs, strengthen neighborhoods, and keep more money circulating in the community.

At Best Small Business Services, we're proud to help entrepreneurs and small business owners grow through marketing, funding, and business support solutions.

🌐 Best Small Business Services: www.BestSmallBusinessServices.com
🌐 The Content Creation Company: www.TheContentCreationCompany.com

Source: OnDeck Survey www.ondeck.com/resources/shop-local

Richmond, Va., is America’s capital of , with 68,263 posts per 100K population.

05/20/2026

Help your employees become AI fluent with training from Google through Coursera. Businesses can take advantage of the Google AI Professional Certificate program, which includes 7 courses and more than 20 interactive activities designed to build practical AI skills.

The program is free, and eligible small businesses also receive 3 months of complimentary access to Google Workspace Business Standard and Google AI Pro.

👉 Learn more and get started below:

Explore training and tools to grow your business and online presence and learn digital skills to grow your career and qualify for in-demand jobs.

05/18/2026

The SBA now offers a portal that helps connect small businesses with verified U.S. manufacturers, producers, and suppliers. 🇺🇸

This resource is designed for manufacturers sourcing components or materials, product-based businesses looking for more reliable suppliers, and entrepreneurs interested in finding products made in the USA. The SBA also provides a helpful handbook with guidance on bringing supply chains back to the U.S., gaining access to capital, and strengthening business operations.

👉 Click the link below to learn more and access the SBA resources.

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05/18/2026

A small business owner who operated a specialty boutique used personal credit cards for business expenses after being unable to secure a business line of credit. Unfortunately, the Tax Court ruled that the credit card interest and finance charges were not deductible because they were considered her personal debt — not the business’s debt.

💡 Lesson for business owners: Keep your business and personal finances separate. Businesses should have their own credit cards and avoid using personal cards for business transactions whenever possible.

👉 Click the link below to learn more.

Cathryn A. Simmons v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-34 (April 22, 2026) In a recent memorandum decision, the United States Tax Court addressed recurring substantiation issues surrounding closely held entities, commingled funds, and rental real estate deductions. The taxpayer, Cathryn A. Simmons, p

05/17/2026

Form W-9 helps businesses collect the correct tax identification number (such as a Social Security number or Employer Identification Number) from independent contractors and certain other individuals or entities. This information is used to properly report payments made to contractors on forms like the 1099-NEC.

The IRS has released a draft version of Form W-9 with a June 2026 revision date. One notable update is the addition of a new exempt recipient category related to digital asset (DA) sales. If your business plans to hire independent contractors in June or later, now is a good time to review whether the updated form should be used.

👉 Click the link below to access the form and learn more.

04/25/2026

🚀 50 Business Ideas for 2026 and Beyond

Ready to launch a successful business in 2026? The opportunities for entrepreneurs are bigger than ever — especially for those who are willing to adapt, innovate, and take action.

From digital services and AI-driven solutions to local service-based businesses and scalable online ventures, this list of 50 promising business ideas is designed to help you find the right path for your goals. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to expand, the key is choosing a business model that fits both the market and your strengths.

👉 Read article below and discover the right business idea for you.
https://www.uschamber.com/co/start/business-ideas/top-trending-business-ideas

At Best Small Business Services, we’re here to help you every step of the way — from marketing, funding, to legal solutions that protect your business.

👉 Get started today with a FREE Social Media & Marketing Audit and set your business up for success.
🌐 http://www.BestSmallBusinessServices.com

📞 818-219-4165

Ready to launch a successful business in the coming years? Check out our list of 50 promising business ideas that will thrive in the years ahead.

04/11/2026

On Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, the SBA and America's SBDC will host the free National Small Business Week Virtual Summit.

This year’s summit will feature educational workshops, access to critical federal resources, and networking opportunities to help our nation’s entrepreneurs start, grow, and expand their businesses. Register now below!

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04/11/2026

Small businesses can file their own information returns directly with the IRS through a portal called IRIS (Information Return Intake System). There’s an introductory online program that ran last year that you can view for information, which explains how to apply for a transmittal code needed to submit forms.

With this code, you can get started, as explained in IRS Publication 5717. The IRS is offering a new webinar designed to review IRIS and explain its new features on April 14 from 12:30 pm to 2 pm EDT. Register below.

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04/11/2026

Compliance Requirements a Big Problem for Small Businesses

According to LegalZoom survey, a third of small businesses said compliance prevented them from pursuing business opportunities (e.g., securing new partnerships or investment (44%); hiring (43%); launching new products or services (41%).). Nearly half said compliance is taking more time than it did last year, with 32% spending up to 20 hours per month on compliance-related tasks. Read more here:

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 26, 2026--LegalZoom.com, Inc. (Nasdaq: LZ), America’s #1 online legal services company, today released a new survey revealing that 33% of small business owners say compliance requirements have prevented them from pursuing new business opportunities. The most often miss...

03/16/2026

🚀 Thinking about starting your own business?

Starting a business can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin. From choosing the right business idea to registering your company, setting up finances, and protecting yourself legally, there are several important steps every entrepreneur should take.

This step-by-step guide breaks down the process to help you move from idea to action and build a strong foundation for your new venture.

If you’re starting a new small business, find out where to begin and how to achieve success.