15 Nov
How are Business Credit Cards Being Affected by the Recession?
Posted in Business by video 18 CommentsQuestion about business
What kind of business license do I need for an internet business or ebay business?I am planning a business. I will start out with baskets for new babies and if all goes well I will make the extra investment for wedding baskets, and then so on and forth. By baskets I mean gift baskets. I have researched local business license, but I am not sure if a local business is the right way to go, so I am thinking internet or Ebay. What kind of license do you need for these types of businesses.
The recession’s impact on personal credit cards has been well documented over the past few months – in fact the responsibility for the ‘credit crunch’ has been squarely laid at the feet of inappropriate credit lending by the banks. Many people are receiving letters from their credit card lenders informing them of an increase in interest rates as the lenders try to recoup some of the substantial losses incurred as the financial crisis deepens, but what effect has the general fiscal malaise had on business credit cards?
The economy still needs to operate to fight off the worsening financial picture, and businesses (particularly small businesses) will still need lines of credit. With the Bank of England base interest rate at a record low, business leaders are now calling on the government to cap interest rate charges on business credit cards to give them a little bit of breathing space. The government has consistently resisted the calls on the grounds that a cap could harm the consumers they are designed to protect by restricting access to credit and also reducing the transparency of charging structures.
Credit cards – particularly for small businesses – are an additional form of financial income, allowing short-term flexibility and playing a vital role in keeping other lines of credit open to a business. Using a business credit card can enable a small business to ensure that suppliers are paid on time whilst giving the business an interest-free period in which to bring in sufficient funds to pay off the credit card debt. Although this may sound like a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, this financial juggling act is what keeps many businesses trading and can avoid them having to take out costly loans or charge-laden overdrafts. But as the recession really begins to bite, businesses may find that obtaining a business credit card in the first place becomes far more difficult.
The worst thing a budding entrepreneur can do is to use their own personal credit card to finance their business. This makes it very difficult to separate business and personal finances and makes the businessman personally responsible for the debt. Business credit cards also have similar offers to personal credit cards, including interest-free periods, balance transfer facilities and often additional perks as well. This makes them ideal for short term, small credit payments and for larger businesses it enables a number of employees to use the same facility through multiple card access. As the full effects of the recession begin to be felt, business credit card users may see some of these perks start to disappear as card issuers attempt to cut the costs of their cards and reduce their exposure to potential bad debt.
Some businesses are using business credit cards to pay their tax bill, which is tempting as it avoids any fines for late payment. However, HMRC has become more flexible as the recession showed that many businesses were struggling with their tax bills, and have introduced a deferred payment scheme. Before putting the tax bill on a business credit card it may be worth investigating this option first rather than incurring interest charges on the amount via the credit card.
As financial belts tighten, business credit cards may start to become more of a luxury rather than a necessity for many businesses. Although there are still plenty of opportunities for small businesses with a good credit record to take advantage of business credit cards, lenders will invariably be stricter in their acceptance criteria than during the credit boom of the eighties and nineties. Before applying for any form of credit it would be wise to take the time first to ensure that you meet all the requirements for acceptance, as repeated refusals will damage your credit rating further. Credit needs to be used wisely, and careful management of a business credit card is still a good option for small and medium size businesses that want an additional line of funding available to them for everyday use.
About Author
Hannah Callen has published many articles on Business Finance issues and enjoys breaking down the jargon surrounding business credit cards. You can find out more on business credit cards here.
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Chev
on November 15 2009
Hi,
i have found a site to be usefull, just check this out
nacao
on November 15 2009
yea im the same
Ken
on November 15 2009
You need to keep accurate records when running a business. This will be your best defense if you ever get audited.
For IRS purposes, you need to make a profit every 3 out of 5 years to have the IRS prove that you are not running a business. Otherwise, it is up to you to prove that you are running a business and not doing a hobby. You can prove that you are running a business by keeping your business accounts and personal accounts separate.
You can write off any legitimate business expense including dinners with clients, car expenses, equipment, etc.
Having a separate checking account and credit card is a good idea. However, it isn't necessary. You can comingle your business and personal expenses using your personal accounts. But, if you do this, then it will be harder for you to prove that you are running a business.
For your revenues, you don't need a corporate account to make you deposits. You just need to make the deposits in your separate account that you use for business.
You can read Publication 334 for more information.
guzen
on November 15 2009
It is. really. this song describes my life so much
psychic
on November 15 2009
i neva thought i would like a song like this but damn …its really good
rails
on November 16 2009
omg i freakin LOVE this song its totally awsome
Mikelo
on November 16 2009
How about a book store, if you are looking retail?
I cant say if it would work in your town, you need to do marketing research to see what would succeed in your town.
Also in business .. Location, Location, Location is VERY important to success .. not only do you need the right business, you need the right location ..
Passion, YES .. you do have to work long hours but passion because you believe in what you are doing.
I work from home and have the utmost compassion and belief for what I do, I believe that is what brings me success ..
If you don't like books, don't like to read .. then a book store probably wont make sense. Did deep .. Only you know what you really want to do.
GL!
Austinite
on November 16 2009
You can't post a Proposal for Sale of Business here. It is a comprehensive document similar to a business plan with dozens to hundreds of pages. Contact a broker like VR Business Brokers and see if you can get help. Yours is a unique business driven by personal contacts and is not easily sold.
urbantool
on November 16 2009
made a personal ring tone from 0:34 to 1:05 on zutone(.]com
SarahR
on November 16 2009
Hiiiiiii..
I think you have to choose the Marketing section in Human Resource Management(HRM) because in marketing you get the nice job in the good reputed company on a high post..
Wayne R.
on November 17 2009
Yes, the courses you speak of will help you to become a Business Analyst.
A BA can be on the client side or the IT side. If on the client side, they are interfacing with work group domains that process the work and review what they need. They generate requirements and then work with the IT side to update or generate processes and applications to fullfil the business needs.
If you're a BA on the IT side of the house, then you're taking all the requirements and developing processes and application solutions. Your job is to work with the client to generate a business solutions document (there are many names for it) and get signoff. Then, you need to make sure that solution becomes reality by working with systems analysts, programmers, and testers. You're generally responsible for the delivery of the solution. Although, if the solution revolves around process changes with other work group domains, you normally work with a PM (Project Manager). Never the less, you have end to end responsibilities for the IT delivery to insure the client gets what they need (and paying for).
With the offshoring of work to cheap labor, to remain associated with software development, the BA role is a good profession.
The Invisible Woman
on November 17 2009
The requirements vary according to your state. Call the business license office for your county and just ask them if you need a business license to operate an internet store. I live in Georgia, and in my county, you do.
cooolioooo
on November 17 2009
business school is the right field to study, if you choose your college carefully, some have an entrepreneurship track/program
earthlink
on November 18 2009
it is awsome
Gina G
on November 18 2009
Are you asking the same question or was my answer deleted? YOU CANT COLLECT ONCE BANKRUPTCY IS FILED.
corpo
on November 18 2009
second chances they dont ever matter ppl never change once a whore ur nothing more im sorry that will never change……………….it so true
jpro
on November 18 2009
love this song and i love paramore
truth
on November 18 2009
i luv this song! It makes sense……It happens all the time.