Information for Small Businesses in Massachusetts
Best Bets
Massachusetts Business Resource Team Mass. Office of Business Development. "The Massachusetts Business Resource Team (BRT) is your single point of contact for help to relocate, expand, grow and maintain your business in Massachusetts."
Forming a Business Step by Step, Mass. Economic Development Business Resource Team. Covers choosing an entity type, choosing a name, obtaining licenses and permits, DBA certificates, obtaining an EIN, and registering with the Department of Revenue.
U.S. Small Business Administration. Great site for business planning and management. Includes resources for starting a business, paying taxes, managing employees and much more. Also provides guidance for particular types of business owners, such as women, veterans and minorities. Extremely broad and deep coverage of small business issues.
Small Business Taxation
Home Business Tax Deductions, Nolo, 2010. Deducting assets, home office, expenses and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Tax Savvy for Small Business: Year Round Tax Strategies to Save Your Money, Nolo, 2007. Includes information on business losses, corporations, partnerships, family business, buying a business, selling a business, retirement plans and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Nolo, 2011. Includes information on Insuring your business, self -employment tax, copyrights, client agreements, licenses, permits, and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Other Web Sources
Becoming a Sole Proprietor in Massachusetts, Citizen Media Law Project. An outline of the requirements, with links to key Federal and state resources.
Business Buyout Agreements: A Step-by-Step Guide for Co-Owners, Nolo, 2010. Includes An overview of buyout agreements -- Limiting the transfer of ownership interests -- Providing the right to force buyouts -- Structuring buyouts -- Funding buyouts -- How to set the buyout price in your agreement -- Choosing payment terms for buyouts -- Completing and updating your buyout agreement -- Income and estate tax issues -- Lawyers, tax specialists, and resources. Requires Library Card for access.
Complete Guide to Selling a Business, Nolo, 2008. Covers pricing, finding a buyer, structuring the sale and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Doing Business in Massachusetts: A Guide to U.S. and Massachusetts Law for Non-U.S. Businesses, Foley Hoag, LLP, 2011. Covers everything from forms of business to employment, real estate, financing, taxation, antitrust, immigration and more.
Form a Partnership: The Complete Guide, Nolo, 2008. Includes information on partnership agreements, partnership disputes, taxes, partnership name and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Hiring Your First Employee: A Step-by-Step Guide, Nolo, 2008. Includes: Deciding Whether to Hire an Employee; Avoiding Legal Pitfalls; Setting the Pay Rate; Considering Benefits to Offer; Getting Ready to Hire; Screening Applicants and Making a Job Offer; Preparing for Your Employee's First Day; Maintaining Employee Files; Dealing With Safety and Health Concerns; Paying Your Employee. Requires Library Card for access.
How to Write a Business Plan, Nolo, 2007. Includes information on choosing the right business, the benefits of writing a business plan, selling your business plan and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Legal Guide for Starting and Running a Small Business, Nolo, 2011. A good overview with chapters on insuring your business, resolving legal disputes, home based business and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Legal Forms for Starting and Running a Small Business, Nolo, 2010. Contracts, employment, leases and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Marketing Without Advertising: Easy Ways to Build a Business Your Customers Will Love and Recommend, Nolo, 2008. Presents different ways to market your business without traditional advertising. Requires Library Card for access.
Save Your Small Business: 10 Crucial Strategies to Survive Hard Times or Close Down and Move On, Nolo, 2009. "You’ll see how to cut costs effectively, take steps now to protect your personal assets from business creditors, and keep a step ahead of the competition."
U.S. Small Business Administration: Boston. Includes information on buying an existing business or franchise, starting a business, financing, organization and more, with links to state and municipal forms.
Work from Home Handbook: Flex Your Time, Improve Your Life, Nolo, 2008. Includes: Can You Really Make It Work?; Working at Home: The Win-Win Solution; Are You Ready for Life Without the Water Cooler?; Can You Do Your Job at Home?. Requires Library Card for access.
Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Nolo, 2011. Includes information on Insuring your business, self -employment tax, copyrights, client agreements, licenses, permits, and more. Requires Library Card for access.
Wow, I'm in Business, Nolo, 2008. Includes information on working from home, leasing space, insurance, trademarks, hiring help, licenses and more. Requires Library Card for access.