New Business Workshop set for Tuesday

Published 7:26 pm Saturday, January 10, 2009

People who start new businesses have several things to worry about.

Other than attracting and retaining a customer base, they have to think about their employees, profit margin, insurance and most importantly — how to pay their business taxes.

The Alabama Department of Revenue is offering help with a New Business Workshop at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Wallace State Community College, room LG-4.

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“This is a good opportunity whether you’re a potential business owner or someone who has been in business for several months or years,” said Carla Snellgrove, spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Revenue. “You can meet face to face with representatives from our department and ask any questions.”

The free workshop will cover a variety of state tax information topics, including employer withholding taxes, state and local sales taxes, property taxes and business licensing requirements. An overview of Alabama’s business tax electronic filing programs will also be presented.

There is already help available for people who are just getting business off the ground, according to Lauri Cothran, president of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce. Through a partnership with the Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network at the University of Alabama, the Chamber offers a software program called Business Plan Pro. The software allows users to write business plans, and Chamber also makes accessible research materials necessary for small business owners.

The workshop will make two speakers available, one for income tax and another for local sales tax laws.

With the economy taking its current turn, preparedness is more important than ever.

“I think it will definitely help people,” Snellgrove said.