Big Help for Small Businesses

(NAPS) — The complex forms, the piles of records and receipts, and the possibility of being selected for an audit all contribute to the feeling of dread that the words “tax season” conjure up in many Americans. This year, however, one company has assembled a group of resources to help small businesses tackle the challenge of preparing for tax season.

Throughout tax season, members of the Microsoft Professional Accountants’ Network will contribute to a growing list of tips and informative articles designed to help small businesses identify areas where they can improve their tax readiness. Tax preparation experts from across the country will be providing their thoughts on everything from little-known deductions to tips about software programs that help users better manage the complex tax filing process. The tips, articles and other resources can be accessed at http://sba.microsoft.com/taxcenter/.

"Few things are as taxing for a small business as the time and effort put into preparing a filing," said Bob Lewis, senior manager of accountant relations at Microsoft. “This resource, coupled with innovation built into our Microsoft Office Small Business Accounting package, is designed to provide small businesses with the tools to manage this critical aspect of their businesses.”

Each week, the site will feature a set of new tips corresponding to each day of the work week and will provide access to content from previous weeks. In similar fashion, a feature article written by a professional accountant will appear each week, discussing in detail valuable concepts that may require a more in-depth explanation.

FPO

Small businesses can get expert tax time assistance from a surprising source. The members of Microsoft’s Professional Accountants’ Network are familiar with the limitations and challenges commonly experienced by small businesses. Many small businesses may still rely on paper-based accounting methods and are forced to outsource a lot of the tax preparation process because they cannot weather the disruption to their day-to-day business. With such challenges in mind, Microsoft recently introduced one-year free, unlimited support and up to $100 in savings for its Small Business Accounting 2006 software at participating retailers for a limited time.

The Microsoft Professional Accountants’ Network is part of the Microsoft Partner Program, an industry-leading network of companies that use Microsoft software and provide services to small and medium-sized businesses. For more information about the Microsoft Professional Accountants’ Network, visit http://www.microsoft.com/mpan. For more information about Microsoft Small Business Accounting offerings, visit http://www.microsoft.com/office/accounting/prodinfo/default.mspx.

Did You Know?

To make tax season a lot less taxing for many small-business owners, the Microsoft Professional Accountants’ Network, a group of experts and a bunch of resources, has been created. It’s part of the Microsoft Partner Program, an industry-leading network of companies that use Microsoft software and provide services to small and medium-sized businesses. Tips, articles and other resources can be accessed at http://sba.microsoft.com/taxcenter/.

For more information on the network, visit http://www.microsoft.com/mpan. For more information on the Small Business Accounting offerings, visit http://www.microsoft.com/office/accounting/prodinfo/default.mspx.

Note: This information is provided to you by third parties for informational purposes only and shall not constitute tax or legal advice. Microsoft Corp. has not checked or verified any of the information provided and makes no representations or warranties as to its accuracy. Each individual’s tax situation is unique and you should check with your accountant or other tax professional for particular advice on your situation.