Blog

• How Businesses Can Help Protect Themselves Against Civil Unrest

  Posted Date July 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readIf the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t a big enough strain on businesses trying to engage in commerce, whether it’s retailers, restaurants, manufacturers, or those in the service sector, civil unrest puts another strain on surviving the downturn. Based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Small Business Administration, businesses can prepare for civil unrest. While the British firm Verisk Maplecroft predicts that 75 countries will see civil unrest in 2020, the United States has already seen its fair share recently. While the future intensity of civil unrest can’t be predicted, businesses can... View Article

• Fileless Malware Poses New Threat to Computer Users

  Posted Date July 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readWith increased cyber threats, there is great awareness of malware that comes attached in files.  Individuals and businesses invest in security solutions to protect against malware. In fact, there are often company policies regarding opening attachments on emails; yet there is an increase in a type of threat (though not new), known as the fileless malware. What is Fileless Malware? A fileless malware attack is a type of threat that doesn’t involve executable files. Instead, these attacks include scripts that run on browsers, command prompts, Windows PowerShell, Windows Management Instrumentation, VBScripts, or Linux (Python, PERL). In... View Article

• Best Part-Time Jobs During Corona

  Posted Date July 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readEven though unemployment is still relatively high, there are still some great part-time jobs you can do that will help cover basic expenses. Here’s a list of the industries that are hiring right now: Paid Survey Participant If you like to share your opinions (and who doesn’t), this job is perfect for you. Companies are always looking for consumer opinions on a variety of things such as products, services, etc. Best of all, it’s completely online, so you can work from anywhere. Here’s a list of companies that are looking for your feedback: Swagbucks, PrizeRebel, SurveyJunkie,... View Article

• Helping Small Business Owners, Seniors and U.S. Hostages, and Limiting Intrusive Domestic Surveillance

  Posted Date July 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readPaycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (HR 7010) – Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN) introduced this legislation on May 26. This Act modifies provisions related to small business loans issued under the original Paycheck Protection Program. Specifically, the bill permits forgiveness of loans used to pay expenses incurred over a 24-week period, longer than the original eight-week limit, and extends the timeframe to pay off unforgiven loans from two to five years. This bill also increases the limit on non-payroll expenses up to 40 percent when used to pay for rent, utilities, mortgage interest, and similar... View Article

• How To Use Qualified Charitable Distributions For Charitable Giving

  Posted Date July 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readEach year, millions of Americans make donations to charitable organizations and receive something in return – a tax break. However, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act curbed this tax advantage because it reduced the number of people eligible to claim a charitable deduction by raising the standard deduction. For 2020, the standard deduction is $12,400 for individuals and $24,800 for married couples filing jointly. If your list of deductions is not greater than those amounts, there is no tax benefit to itemizing – which means you might not be able to claim your charitable donation.... View Article

• HEROES ACT Can Combat Economic Downtown

  Posted Date July 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readThe HEROES Act, otherwise known as the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, can greatly improve the benefits for the earned income tax credit (EITC) for eligible workers who don’t have children. This legislation would also help wage earners in the business-to-consumer and leisure sectors of the economy impacted severely by the coronavirus pandemic. Looking at the HEROES Act legislation and how it would help childless wage earners, we need to examine the rules surrounding the EITC and how many additional filers may qualify. While childless students pursuing formal education are still required to... View Article

• How IT Spending Will Change When Business Resumes

  Posted Date June 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readMost states are starting to relax stay-at-home restrictions. As such, businesses are developing plans for bringing employees back to work. Many businesses are already affected by the pandemic and their future looks grim. Specifically, we are going to look at the IT sector and examine what spending might look like in a post-lockdown economy. Disruption The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented disruption in businesses. As a result, management has tried to reduce costs to survive or risk shutting down. IT departments have suffered the most with major budget cuts due to a reduction in... View Article

• Understanding the Federal Government’s Proposal for Opening Up Again

  Posted Date June 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readAfter seeing a peak and then a sustained decline in coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths resulting from COVID-19, the White House and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has rolled out a three-tier approach to get the nation back to its pre-coronavirus economic activities. While this program is led by the Federal Government, it is ultimately up to governors how they will reopen states and localities. However, there are some universal criteria that states must follow to gradually reopen the economy. Before transitioning from the stay-at-home orders to the three phases, certain criteria must be... View Article

• How to Stay Productive When Working from Home

  Posted Date June 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 4 min readDue to the unprecedented effects of COVID-19, the line between our professional and personal lives has blurred. Trying to take care of job responsibilities from home requires new ways of navigating. Here are a few ideas to help you become more productive while working at home – and stay grounded in these uncertain times. Dress for Work As tempting as it might be to stay in your pajamas, don’t. Act as if you’re going into the office: shower put on your work clothes and head to your desk. You’ll feel more focused and professional. According to... View Article

• In the Wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Congress Passes the Most Expensive Single Spending Bill in American History

  Posted Date June 1, 2020 Posted Time 12:00 am Published in Service2Client

  🖨 Print⏱ 3 min readPaycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (HR 266) – This is a multilayered legislative bill divided into four distinct sections. Phase 1 authorized funding for coronavirus preparedness and response; specifically, for measures such as vaccine development and public health funding. Most of the money was allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services. Approximately 81 percent of funds were allocated domestically, with the other 19 percent allocated internationally. Phase 2 allocated $104 billion for three specific objectives: 1) Require private health insurance plans and Medicare to cover COVID-19 testing; 2) Expand unemployment insurance... View Article