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Why You Need an ITIN If You’re a Foreign Entrepreneur in the USA

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Francesco decided to take the adventure of a lifetime: becoming an entrepreneur abroad.

After many considerations, he realized it’s what he’s always wanted, so he decided to leave everything behind and get started. As a pastry chef, he knew he wanted to open a bakery like the one his grandmother used to have.

He now runs a successful one in the USA, but he doesn’t have a social security number (SSN). He has taxable income and needs to file a tax return but doesn’t know what to do.

If he doesn’t submit a tax return and pay taxes, he’s concerned this will negatively affect his immigration status. Many other foreign entrepreneurs face this same dilemma: they have no legal status as residents, but as owners of businesses, they know they need to pay taxes.

There’s a simple solution: he needs to file an ITIN application.

The nine-digit number referred to as “Individual Taxpayer Identification Number” is assigned to foreigners who haven’t obtained lawful status in the US. The number allows you to legally submit your tax return along with any tax you may owe.

The ITIN doesn’t prove legal residence but does offer benefits. Let’s see how it worked out for Francesco.

Francesco Wants to do Everything by the Book When it Comes to His Business

Working in the USA without having a social security number is a common concern among immigrants. When Francesco immigrated to the USA, he was excited about building a new future, starting a business, and earning income for himself and his family.

He has built up a reputable business in a short time but is worried about paying his taxes. He doesn’t want to tarnish his relationship with the government especially if not paying taxes affects his legal status.

Even though his bakery is doing well, he already knows he needs to borrow money to purchase more equipment, tools, and supplies. Unless he can gain access to cash, his business revenue could decline quickly.

Not having a social security number weighs on his mind. How can he submit his taxes without one?

Because he needs to apply for a loan, Francesco doesn’t see any way to meet a lender’s requirements. He knows he needs to establish a personal and business credit score before a bank can approve a loan.

These concerns make him feel overwhelmed until a friend tells him to file an ITIN application. Francesco had no idea the number even existed and is relieved to find out there’s a solution for his predicament.

By having an ITIN, Francesco can pay his taxes, open a bank account, build a credit score and apply for a loan. Plus, in five simple steps, he can apply for an ITIN and have the number in as little as six weeks.

The process involves filling out a designated form, providing required documents, and submitting the form. It’s even possible to submit his tax return when he completes the ITIN application. That’s because the IRS has simplified the process so it’s easy to file your tax return when you fill out the application.

This takes the stress off of immigrants who are employed gainfully in the USA. If you’re in a similar situation, you probably are relieved too.

Don’t Wait to Submit your ITIN Application

If you’re an immigrant without an SSN number, now you know what to do when you work and need to pay taxes.

It’s normal to be concerned about this process but the steps are straightforward and simple.

By finding out how to complete the application, you’re one step closer to earning income and building a life abroad minus the worry.

The adventure of a lifetime is waiting for you too. Why should you wait one more day?

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

6 Things to Consider when Choosing an Orthodontist for Your Family

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Finding a good orthodontist is extremely important if you want the best dental treatment for your family. Being born with perfectly aligned teeth is something that does not occur for everyone, and there is always a likelihood that a member of your family, especially children, will need orthodontic treatment down the line. To guide you in selecting the right orthodontist for your family, use the tips below.

1. Orthodontics is a speciality

In the field of dentistry, orthodontics is a speciality. Not all dentists who offer orthodontic services specialise in orthodontics. In finding an orthodontist Woodbridge VA practitioner, ask for credentials and determine if the dentist has indeed completed the necessary training to practice orthodontics.

2. Free initial consultation

You will not get fitted for braces right off the bat. Your dentist will usually refer you to visit an orthodontist for a consultation to determine whether you need them or not. Meeting an orthodontist for an initial consultation will give you an idea of what can be done to improve your smile or the recommended treatment to correct teeth alignment or bite issues. As much as possible, look for an orthodontist who offers free initial exams and consultations.

3. Check the clinic’s background and reputation

Dental clinics, especially those that practice orthodontics get reviewed by patients. Most reputable practitioners have an online presence where you can check past client testimonials and feedback. You may ask for referrals from your regular dentist or from friends and family. Some of the things you need to look into are the number of years in service as well as the availability of advanced orthodontic treatments and methods.

4. Do they work with both children and adult patients?

There are times when patients wait until they are adults to commit to orthodontic treatment. Sometimes, you may need it for health reasons and not merely for aesthetic purposes. Not every orthodontist caters to adult patients. It is best to look for a practitioner who caters to both kids and adults so that all the dental needs of your family are met.

5. Availability of different treatment methods

There is a wide range of options available if you are looking for an orthodontic treatment that will fit your lifestyle and needs. Look for an orthodontist who can offer you several options besides traditional metal braces. There are ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, and clear aligners available today, so you need not be limited to one or only two options when seeking treatment for malocclusion.

6. Quality of facilities and friendliness of the staff

Every patient wants to feel safe and comfortable when visiting the dentist. It is all the more crucial to check the clinic’s facilities first and determine if the employees are friendly and accommodating before you choose a practitioner in your area. If you have kids who need orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist, as well as the staff, should know how to make kids feel at ease. Look for a dental clinic which is well-maintained, clean, and also welcoming. The clinic should be inviting enough to make you look forward to every visit.

Different Types of Teeth Alignment Procedures

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Having perfectly aligned teeth is the dream of many. Fortunately, the many advancements in orthodontics make it possible to achieve a confident smile, with minimal discomfort. Orthodontic treatment is usually recommended while the patient is still young. And for a parent contemplating the available options, the following are types of braces many orthodontic practitioners today recommend.

Traditional metal braces

Orthodontic supplies used in creating conventional metal braces have gone through significant advancements over the years. Metal braces today are much lighter, and less conspicuous than earlier predecessors. Typically made using surgical stainless-steel, metal braces are attached to the teeth using some cement adhesive. Each bracket is connected to the other with a wire, which is responsible for creating the pressure that moves the teeth into position.

The wires connecting each bracket has elastics or ligatures which the orthodontist replaces every time the braces get tightened. There are other types of metal braces which do not use O-rings, making the appliance more attractive. These braces are also called self-ligating braces.

Ceramic dental braces

Ceramic braces work the same way as traditional metal braces. The main difference is that brackets are made using a transparent material. Ceramic braces are less visible, thus making this type of braces more attractive. Adults who wish to undergo teeth alignment treatment usually choose ceramic braces.

Damon Braces

Damon braces are a recent innovation in teeth straightening treatment popular with both patients and orthodontics because there is less discomfort and patients will not have to visit the dentist as often. Instead of traditional elastics used to connect the wires, Damon braces have a sliding mechanism that adjusts along with the teeth’s movement.

Other advantages of Damon braces include less friction and pressure exerted on the teeth, which makes the treatment process less painful. These braces are also easier to maintain and keep clean. Since the patient makes fewer visits to the dentist, you save money and time as well.

Removable clear aligners

Invisalign is a specific brand of clear aligners used as an alternative to conventional or Damon braces. These aligners look like mouth guards worn by the patient. The orthodontist will prepare a new set of aligners every two weeks depending on the teeth’s movement. However, clear aligners are not suitable for correcting serious bite issues. Nonetheless, orthodontists often recommend using clear aligners for maintenance after completing conventional teeth alignment using braces.

Forsus appliance for correcting serious bite issues

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get screened for orthodontic treatment as early as seven years old. Forsus appliances replaced headgear for correcting severe overbites. A Forsus instrument or spring is attached inside the cheeks and connected to the braces subsequently adjusting the lower or upper jaw and putting it into position.

Palatal expander

Overcrowding of teeth is another problem which makes teeth straightening more challenging. In the past, orthodontists would extract some of the teeth to create space for teeth to move in. These days, another method used by orthodontists is making patients wear palatal expanders for a period. This device puts pressure on upper molars to slowly move teeth apart.

Productivity Tips for Your Work From Home Business

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Working from home is one of the best ways of living life these days, which is why so many people are quitting their nine-to-five jobs and choosing to work remotely. You can wake up when you want, make time for the gym and responsibilities such as picking up the kids from school, and you can choose what pace you work at. It seems like a dream come true, and most of the time, it is. But a risk that goes along with working from home is that it can be easy to become unproductive. Especially if you’ve become burnt out from lots of work lately, or you’re juggling several projects, you can suddenly find yourself having trouble staying motivated.

Luckily, we’ve got some great tips you can follow if you want to get back on track. It’s all about trying them out and finding what works best for you–so read on to find out!

1 Create a daily schedule

When you work from home, it’s tempting to work whenever you feel like it. After all, why not stay in bed an extra hour, or take a Netflix break between assignments halfway through the day? There’s nothing wrong with breaks–a topic we’ll get to later in this article–but consistency is key to productivity. Create a daily schedule you generally follow and make to-do lists before each day so that you know what your goals are. 8 million Americans worked from home in 2017, so if you aren’t sure where to start, check out online examples of daily work schedules.

2 Have a dedicated workspace

One of the dangers of working from home is that it’s too easy to work from bed. Or to try to solve problems on the go, only to realize that you’ve left essential documents at home. By creating an at-home office or joining a coworking space that’s specifically dedicated to getting work done, you’ll feel ready to work the second you sit down. This, coupled with the daily schedule mentioned above, will give your work a sense of stability even if you’re a freelancer with a variety of clients.

Market researchers have predicted that, by the end of 2019, there will be 21,306 coworking spaces worldwide, so find out if there’s one near you.

3 Plan out your projects in advance

An additional organizational strategy is planning long-term projects. That way, you won’t get too overwhelmed when you’re working on several. If you’re running your own company, write up a list of milestones for the entire year, so that you can slowly work on them over time. For example, if you need to research what a podcast is used for before creating one, you can make that research one month’s work before deciding on your content.

86 percent of employees say they’re most productive when they work alone–and you can up that productivity even more by planning ahead.

4 Give yourself time off–and breaks

Once you have a set schedule and workspace, and your projects organized a few months out, you’ll be able to work regularly. But without time off, you’re likely to get burned out. After all, people who work from home don’t get paid days off the way people working in offices do. If you’re running your own business, then it’s easy to avoid taking any days off, out of the fear that you might miss out on a promising email or an exciting industry trend. But you need time off, so schedule at least a few weeks a year and a couple long weekends for vacation. Additionally, don’t forget the importance of breaks. Using a strategy like the Pomodoro Method, which splits up work with breaks in a productive way, keeps you from burning out on the daily.

Don’t forget that getting out of your head is a break too. Whether that means going to the gym three times a week or joining a book club, do an activity that gets you out of your isolated self-created office and into a different mental space. In a study, 82 percent of telecommuters reported lower job stress, which is no surprise considering that you can choose when to take your breaks and what they are.

5 Stay off your phone

Finally, stay off your phone when you’re working. It’s too easy to get distracted by Facebook or Instagram, and a quick unexpected call can waste that entire half hour left when you could have finished a project. And considering that the average person spends over four hours a day on their mobile device, which is half of a workday, it can be easy to use your phone way more than you realize. If you check your favorite website too many times, think about using a site blocker, too.

These are some of the best ways you can stay productive when you’re working from home so you can get everything finished faster and feel happier, too. What other strategies do you use to stay productive?

 

Are You Wasting Your Employees’ Time

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Employees across many different industries are forced to deal with a lot of work that wastes their time. As a result, the overall effort across the company ends up poorly optimized and unbalanced. A common problem that can be seen in multiple lines of work is that employees need to spend a lot of time looking up the same information over and over again. Another issue is the poor availability of certain working resources, sometimes requiring employees to jump through hoops just to get their jobs done.

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Streamlining Bureaucratic Work

Inefficient bureaucracy is by far one of the biggest issues for most companies out there. Depending on your company’s field of work, there might be a lot that you have to deal with in this aspect. From providing the right insurance plan for each employee to ensuring that legal considerations are taken care of, it might often look like the tasks just never stop coming in.

Taking advantage of certain modern solutions can improve your company’s work a lot in this regard. Benefits administration technology is something that few companies seem to be looking into as actively as they should, which is a shame given how much it can help both employees and the company alike.

Improving Access to Information

This can be extended to the overall access to information that employees in your company have. It’s important to pay attention to any complaints about the unavailability of critical pieces of data. These issues will only stack up and become more prominent in the future if you don’t address them early on. A centralized approach is often ideal here. You should have a knowledge base that can be accessed from anywhere in the company, one that provides each employee with answers to their questions.

The Benefits of Remote Work

Speaking of access, you should also pay attention to how easily your employees can get to the information they need when they’re not physically in your offices. Remote access can be a game changer when implemented correctly, although you should also be careful to avoid security issues. As long as you have a careful approach and do everything step by step, your employees will eventually be thankful for the increased access capability you’ve provided them with.

Remote work is becoming a popular concept across many different industries, and major companies are starting to experiment with integrating it into their workflow on an even deeper level. It will be interesting to see how the landscape looks just a few years from now.

The bottom line is, there are plenty of modern solutions to some of the common problems you’ll encounter as a leader of a company. Regardless of the size of your business, there are some things you’ll always want to pay attention to. And if you’re not sure how to go about implementing something, remember that you can always hire a specialist to guide you through it. Consultants of all types can be surprisingly affordable if you know what you want from them in the first place.

The Vital Role of the SEC Whistleblower Program

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To understand the SEC Whistleblower Program, a bit of context is necessary. In the aftermath of the second greatest financial meltdown in US history, as caused by all sorts of irresponsible, shady Wall Street deals. The SEC had existed in a more tame, obscure form for years, but it wasn’t until the President signed in the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform Act in 2010 that they were empowered to their current state and more widely publicized. It was then that the modern Whistleblower program was created as a part of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, an independent agency under the Federal Government

It was created to promote transparency and honesty in business, and to protect those who report malpractice in the financial sector. It forms one part of the safeguards established against history repeating itself, and its’ leadership prides itself on their position and performance; In less than a decade of operation, they’ve secured over one billion dollars in compensation from those found abusing the financial system and paid out $250 million dollars to whistleblowers across the United States. When you see backdoor deals, collusion and the like – the SEC is there to level the playing field between you and the powerful people who think they’re above the law.

They have an impressive, successful record of winning cases and defending freedom of information. They’ve successfully combatted corrupt titans of industry, guided faithfully by their original mission statement -“We seek to level the playing field, so SEC whistleblowers can successfully report securities violations—without personal or professional regrets.”

They refer to the ability of people to report without fear of reprisal; this is because the program will take anonymous reports and carry the burden of pursuing justice from there. They also refer to protect them from regrets, but I must regretfully inform the reader that they’re currently closed; the government shutdown has deprived this safeguard of the American economy of appropriations needed to pay their employees. Hopefully, such partisan fighting will soon come to an end and allow the men and women of SEC to do their good work, instead of being repaid for it by being made to fear for their ability to pay rent and provide for their families.

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How to Find a Job in Law

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Truth be told, it’s not always easy to find a job in law, no matter how hard you studied at law school or how determined you are. However, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances so you’re more likely to be hired.

Apply for Every Job

Not every job will appeal to you but it will not hurt for you to apply for them. Do not hold back and wait for the ideal law-related job to come along, it may never materialise. Look for any and every job and you’re more likely to be hired.

What’s more, is applying for jobs and going to interviews can be good practise. After a while you will know exactly what to write on those application forms and what to say at an interview.

Apply for a job even if you don’t think you’ll get it, it’s always worth a try.

Be Flexible about Where you Work

You may be tempted to look for work in your city but there may not be as many openings as you’d hope. Look for jobs outside of your city, even if they are a few hundred miles away. The more jobs you apply for the more likely it is that you’re going to be offered one. If you’re not sure you have the time to look for work in another city use a legal recruitment agency to help you search.

Apply to Those Small Law Firms

Yes it would be lovely if you could work for a large law firm but your dreams may not be realistic. Apply to those small law firms and take the interview just as seriously as you would applying for a large firm.

A small law firm may slowly but surely introduce you to the world of law and help you get on your feet.

Talk to Anyone who Works in Law

Do you know someone else who works in law? Talk to them, let them know you’re looking for work. Build those connections and you may well hear of a job opening that you like the sound of. There’s no harm in making sure more people know you are looking for a job in law, so start connecting with people who already are.

Dress Appropriately for Interviews

Whether you’re applying for a job with a small law firm or with the country’s most prestigious law firm you need to dress appropriately for interviews. Make sure you look and sound the part and really sell yourself, it’s not all about your resume. Let the interviewer know how they would benefit from employing you, ask them questions about the position and appear interested. You may not want the job in question but it never hurts to do your best at an interview. If you’re offered a job you’re not sure you want, take it, you could gain valuable experience.

Finding a job in law is not always as easy as you may have hoped. However, if you use the above tips when searching for a post you’re more likely to be successful.

 

The best things about visiting the UK

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The UK is a wonderful part of the world and is full of history, great landscapes and unique dishes. But what are the best things about the UK and where should you travel to? we’re going to take a look at this now:

It’s Easy to Travel in and Around the UK

The UK is quite small when you compare it to other countries and it has some great transport links. You can pretty much get anywhere in the UK by bus, train or car. Some cities even have trams that will take you from one side of town to another. What’s more, is some beaches have funiculars. A funicular is a type of carriage, similar to a train carriage that is operated by cables. These cables help the funicular move up or down a very steep slope.

If you plan to travel long distances you may want to think about jumping on a train. Trains in the UK can take you just about anywhere and in some cases, you may be helping to keep some of those quieter stations open.

It’s Home to Many UNESCO World Heritage Sites

If you want to find yourself a cheap break in the UK you may be pleased to know that this country is home to approximately 30 UNESCO world heritage sites. This means you have the opportunity to visit some incredibly beautiful and historic sites such as:

  • The Derwent Valley Mills – Known as the birthplace of factory systems, worker’s housing and the water frame.
  • The Lake District – Scenic landscapes, literature and visual arts.
  • The Forth Bridge – A cantilever railway bridge located in East Scotland.
  • Ironbridge Gorge – A transport infrastructure, worker’s homes, mines and the first bridge to be made from iron.
  • Saltaire – A village that was built by a mill owner for his workers.

Amazing Beaches

While the UK may not be one of the world’s warmest countries it still has some amazing beaches. With a coastline that’s almost 19,500 miles long, there are plenty of beaches just waiting to be visited. Beaches in Cornwall are particularly beautiful as are those in North Yorkshire and Saltburn-by-the-sea.

Diverse Cities

The UK is full of some amazingly diverse cities that offer something for everyone. London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and Cambridge, to name but a few. With 66 cities just waiting for you to visit them, if you want to stay in a city you certainly have a lot to choose from.

Every city in the UK is different and they all have a unique history, culture and story. Try to visit as many cities as you can as there really are some incredible sights to see. While many people stick to staying in London they are missing out. Travel further north or west and see what the UK’s cities have to offer.

The UK is full of great transport links, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, amazing beaches and diverse cities. Whether you already live in the UK or you plan to visit this country you are certain to have a great time.

 

Housing Forecast For 2019

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2018 was a slow year for the property market. With fewer houses for sale, deals taking a record long period of time to complete, and property being on the market for a significantly longer period, the UK housing market was widely regarded as subdued in 2018.

Unfortunately, there looks to be more of the same going forward into 2019. Of course, the market will continue – unfortunate scenarios in death and debt means that properties will naturally come onto the market. People will still need to relocate for work or education, but buyers will have limited options on the market.

Strict lending criteria will continue to make the purchase of property difficult. With a rise in people renovating and extending their homes, the property market will likely continue to ´tread water’.

We did see economic growth in some areas across the UK last year. Cities such as Manchester and Liverpool, those cities in the North, showed promising growth. House prices in London however slowed.

Prices in London are predicted to drop by a further 5% next year but rise elsewhere. The performance of a school or the level of crime will have an effect on prices.

There is no escaping the dreaded topic – Brexit. RICS were unanimous in blaming Brexit for the relative slump in the market. They say, “uncertainty created by the Brexit process is causing buyers and sellers to sit tight in increasing numbers.”

With house prices falling as much as 30% from a pre-Brexit level, if we are to have a “disorderly Brexit”, the effects are clear. If the UK’s exit is indeed disruptive, then the fall in property prices could be up to 14% in 2019.

The transition phase post Brexit is unlikely to see a recovery, either, as well as those with property assets abroad.

Young people wanting to get on the property ladder will continue to have a difficult time. Stricter lending criteria, affordability issues and a lack of secure employment makes saving for a house as hard as it has ever been, especially in the big cities.

This speaks volumes when first time buyers were actually the most active group in the property market for 2018 according to findings from Hometrack. Government help to buy schemes will have bolstered this demographic, with 1 in 10 buyers receiving help from the schemes. A property investment guide will help for those looking to enter the market and invest in property.

To contrast this, those with existing homes, particularly those under mortgage, saw little reason to move. With the relative unease in the climate, property owners took a safety-first approach to the housing situation.

It is worth noting that the political situation is in a massively unpredictable position. The result of this is that, the UK housing market is particularly tricky to anticipate. Not many will have full confidence in predicting where the housing situation will be at the close of this year.

Online Marketing Services Keep Any Business Ahead of the Competition

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How can you build your business to protect you from competition that you may never see coming? Today competition is as likely to come from China as it is from Chicago even if you are located in Saint Louis. You also have to worry about business that are not even in your industry coming in because they think that they think that there are inefficiencies that they can exploit or they simply want to use your industry products or services as a loss leader to build market value for their company.

For small businesses just trying to create and sustain success and perhaps get the wind under themselves and begin to start flying high, times today are very perilous. They must utilize their tight budgets to figure out how to hire passionate and skilled employees, create and sell products and services that resonates deeply with Target audiences, and figure out how to attract partners and vendors who act like company owners and who assist in growing their businesses.

Also and as importantly, a company must become graded marketing its products and services to audiences that are much more sophisticated about valuing and selecting what the company sells. What this means in today’s new media and internet world is that a company must excel at online marketing. In short the company must engage online marketing services that exceed their needs and get them ahead of the competition. Here are some of today’s hottest online marketing strategies and how they can keep a small business growing.

You Need to Do SEO

No matter how wonderful your products or services are, unless customers can find you on line your company will not be successful. Search engine optimization or SEO is a methodology that utilizes tools to help your company’s web pages list higher on the biggest search engines. Google, Yahoo, and Bing, utilize sophisticated algorithms that help them to determine which web pages should be at the top of the list when someone makes a search. These algorithms constantly change and take into account the keywords listed, the popularity and quality of the website, and the way the website and this web pages are built.

SEO agencies are experts at determining the formula that will get a search engine to place a particular web page high on a search. SEO agencies utilize a constantly changing set of parameters that they implement on behalf of their clients doubt them to get on the first page of a search. With more than 1.5 billion websites on the internet, it is important to have effective SEO or you will lose out on the majority of potential customers for your business.

Social Media Marketing Rules

You and probably everyone you know are members of at least one social network. It might be Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, or even Twitter. Today more than three billion people actively participate on social media groups and communicate with friends and family on these all inclusive websites. They congregate there for news, gossip and attainment, the average member spends nearly an hour everyday on one of these sites. Companies today must learn how to Market in social media environments simply because this is where all the people. Online marketing services sis companies with the complicated way to engage social media members. Strategies are often counterintuitive to the average business, Sol hiring a top online marketing firm is the smartest way to go.