Newswise — “Wealth inequality is OK when the wealthy invest money in growing, small- to medium-sized enterprises that tend to create new jobs.

“What actually happens is that wealthier people tend to invest their money in ‘safe,’ mature companies such as Sears that are not significantly growing; or in fashion stocks such as Google that don’t produce many jobs; or the the money gets invested in consumer debt or government debt, neither of which creates jobs.

“The whole job-creation problem is compounded by the fact that small business owners can easily borrow on their credit cards but cannot get loans for their growing businesses.”
–Louis Hyman, expert in economic history and professor in Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations

New Book, “Can They Sell,” Helps Sales Managers Learn to Recruit the Best Sales Team

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Why do sales managers struggle to coach their sales teams to beyond-quota production?

“Most struggling sales managers have the necessary coaching skills to get their sales teams to high levels of production. Lack of coaching skills is usually not the reason sales teams aren’t hitting sales targets. It’s mostly lack of recruiting skills,” says recruiting expert Steve Suggs, partner at Sales Manage Solutions, who trains sales managers of both large and small companies on a best-practice recruiting system.

“You didn’t leave sales and become a sales manager to go home every day frustrated. You wanted to make a difference in the lives of the people you lead and bring value to your customers,” says Suggs, author of Can They Sell , a new book to help battle-weary sales managers learn to recruit the best salespeople. “The quality of the team you recruit will determine your level of success as a coach. Sales managers will learn to recruit and select the best from the rest.”

Suggs, who speaks and trains sales managers from a wide range of industries, says, “Sales managers struggle with three main questions – Where do I find enough great salespeople to interview? What are the traits and competencies of the best salespeople? What tools and questionnaires do I use to measure traits and skills during the selection process?”

“I have found that managers have a strong desire to recruit the best salespeople. They simply do not know where to get the human behavior knowledge and access to a best-practice recruiting system,” says Suggs. This lack of recruiting knowledge and resources motivated Suggs to invest eight months compiling his 28 years of sales, sales management, recruiting and consulting experience into this book and companion Field Manual.

Suggs says that there are more than 30 places to find great salesperson candidates other than the traditional sources of newspaper and Internet ads. Sales managers should always be in recruiting mode and building a network of referral sources.

When it comes to knowing what to look for, the best salespeople have a balance of these five dimensions: attitudes, motivations, character traits, personality traits and sales skills.

The steps to follow and tools to use while looking for these dimensions are found in a best-practice system that Suggs calls “The Recruit the BEST System.” The system contains steps and tools to measure the levels of the five dimensions in each candidate.

Stage 1 – Screening – by phone, email, in-person, by checking references.

Stage 2 – Profiling – Suggs uses and recommends the Craft Personality Questionnaire (CPQ) found at http://www.CraftProfiles.com.

Stage 3 – In-Depth Interviewing – Having all the right questions helps managers see through the spin during the interview process.

Suggs promises many benefits of mastering recruiting skills. Sales managers who use the “Recruit the Best System” have reported these changes:

They realize that they can’t change people. They can only create an environment in which people, who have an abundance of the five dimensions, can grow.
They love coming to work and going home energized with leftover energy for their personal interests and/or families.
It is easier to attract strong players onto a strong team.
Retention of salespeople and products sold are higher when you recruit the best salespeople.
The skills learned for recruiting increase coaching effectiveness.
Overall profits are higher with fewer salespeople when you hire the best.

To purchase the Can They Sell book and Field Manual with all the tools, go to http://www.SalesManage.com/CanTheySell.

Suggs offers phone coaching sessions while you use the recruiting system taught in this great resource.

InCharge Debt Solutions introduces tools to help consumers emerging from bankruptcy restore their creditworthiness

ORLANDO, Fla., April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — What happens after you are discharged from bankruptcy? With your credit score damaged and your financial life altered, how do you transition to a new life that includes the ability to qualify for low-interest rates, a good job, and a healthy bank account?

InCharge Debt Solutions, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping people find solutions to their debt problems, has developed an e-book titled, After Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know, that offers practical, step-by-step assistance to help bankruptcy filers transition to a better future.

“According to U.S. Bankruptcy Court data, personal bankruptcy filings in 2009 and 2010 were at very high levels, 1.58 million and 1.66 million respectively,” said Beth Mason, InCharge’s Director of Outreach for Bankruptcy Services. “While 2011 filings dropped to 1.37 million, the numbers are still very high. There are literally millions of people coming out of bankruptcy who need help learning new habits, managing money well, and rebuilding their credit, and our e-book is designed to help with those transitions in their lives.”

In addition to the e-book, InCharge provides both the Pre-filing Credit Counseling and the Pre-Discharge Course required for those filing for bankruptcy. InCharge’s bankruptcy education efforts have served over 800,000 clients at www.InCharge.org.

“InCharge is on the front lines of meeting the educational needs of those who have recently discharged their debts,” said Ms. Mason. “To demonstrate our commitment to help those in transition, we’re offering After Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know free as a download for the next week.”

To download a free copy of After Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know from now until April 25, 2012, click on this link: DOWNLOAD E-BOOK

InCharge has many other educational resources to help consumers learn how to manage their money more effectively and use credit responsibly. Additionally, financial literacy workshops and even interactive, educational video games are available on the organization’s website at www.InCharge.org.

InCharge Debt Solutions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, provides bankruptcy counseling, credit counseling, and housing counseling services to consumers and servicemembers in need of financial literacy education, money management guidance, and help finding the right debt solution for their specific situation.

For more information, contact InCharge Debt Solutions:

For bankruptcy services, call 866-729-0049.
For credit counseling, call 877-486-4924.
For housing counseling services, call 877-251-1882.
For servicemembers, call 877-258-9549.
Or visit us online at www.InCharge.org

One of the most important things you can do is to pay your bills on time

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Having a good credit score can make your life easier. You could qualify for loans with better interest rates, rent a house or apartment, and get service from telephone and utility companies. On the other hand, having a bad credit score can make getting all of this much harder.

So what should you do if you want to improve or maintain a good credit score? The following tips might help.

1) Request a free credit report

You can request a free copy of your report every 12 months from each of the three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The official website to get your free credit report is www.annualcreditreport.com.

2) Understand Your Credit Report

Understanding your credit report will help you make better decisions when it comes to your finances, because your credit score is based on your credit report. It includes personal information about you such as:

Your payment history.
How many loans you have and how much you owe.
If you have ever filed for bankruptcy.

3) Check Your Credit Report

Sometimes information on your credit report might be incorrect or incomplete. That’s why you should check it periodically.

If you do find a mistake, these agencies must:

Investigate the discrepancy usually within 30 days and correct it if necessary.
Notify the company that provided the incorrect information.
Provide you with a free copy of your credit report if changes are made.

The Federal Trade Commission has more detailed information on how to access free credit reports.

4) Pay Your Bills on Time

Paying your bills on time is an important factor in determining your credit score and showing your creditors that you are a responsible consumer. But there are other factors that might impact your credit score:

Be selective when you apply for credit as too many applications may negatively affect your score.
Don’t go over your credit limits. In fact, it is better to stay well below them.
Pay down your debt with regular payments.

5) Get Professional Help

A budget might help you pay your bills on time. If you owe too much or are unable to pay your bills, you might want to consider a credit counseling agency. They can help you to manage your finances or figure out a plan to pay off your debt.

Be careful when seeking out these services, they might charge excessive fees and that can put you deeper in debt. The Federal Trade Commission has more information about credit counseling agencies and how they can help you improve your credit score.

USA . gov and GobiernoUSA . gov are the U.S. Government’s official web portals in English and Spanish, and part of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

Request an extension online to avoid penalties

ALBANY, NY (04/16/2012)(readMedia)– The New York State Tax Department reminds taxpayers that the deadline for filing 2011 New York State income tax returns is tomorrow, April 17.

Taxpayers will avoid late-filing and late-payment penalties if they – or a professional tax preparer who files on their behalf – file and pay by midnight tomorrow.

The department expects to process approximately 9.7 million personal income tax returns this year – with hundreds of thousands of them filed in the remaining hours before the deadline. Of the returns filed to date, more than 4 million of them qualified for refunds.

More than 85% of the returns filed this year have been e-filed. E-filing is the safest way to submit your return – and the fastest way to receive a refund.

Extension of time to file

Taxpayers who can’t file on time should apply for an extension of time to file an income tax return. This automatic six-month extension applies to resident, nonresident, part-year residents and partnership returns. Filing the extension online at the department’s Web site, or through commercial software that allows e-file, is a fast, secure, convenient way to meet the deadline. E-file provides a taxpayer with a confirmation that the department received the extension request.

Payment plan

Taxpayers who can’t pay in full if they owe state income taxes should still file on time. They will then have the ability to contact our department to request an Installment Payment Agreement.

NOTE TO EDITORS – Your readers also may be interested in these helpful documents, free at the department’s Web site, www.tax.ny.gov

? Last Minute Tax Filing Tips for New Yorkers.

? For a document rich in current details about what forms to file, how to e-file, when to ask for an extension, what itemized deductions are allowed, and which income tax credits a taxpayer might qualify for, see Publication 80, General Income Tax Information – for Tax Year 2011.

? Beginning with tax year 2012, the New York State personal income tax rates have been reduced for all taxpayers. Middle-income taxpayers are seeing the lowest rates in 58 years. Rate tables and summary of changes.

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In addition, estimated tax rates are lowest for middle-class in 58 years

ALBANY, NY (04/12/2012)(readMedia)– New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox said today that millions of personal income taxpayers may qualify to prepare and file their state and federal tax returns for free.

“There are only six days left to file your 2011 income tax return. You or your family members may be eligible for the state and federal Free File program if you had earnings of $57,000 or less in 2011,” Commissioner Mattox explained. “You can complete your own returns, and file from home using your own computer.”

Because Free File is electronic, those who qualify for a refund will get it faster. Using Free File also reduces the number of errors on a tax return because the software checks and corrects common mistakes.

You don’t have to be a tax expert or computer savvy to use Free File. The commercial software companies that participate in the initiative offer user-friendly and secure online programs.

“When eligible taxpayers use Free File, aimed at helping lower and moderate-income New Yorkers, they also learn about important credits and deductions they might be eligible for, such as the earned income tax credit,” Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Thomas Mattox said. “Here’s an opportunity to save money, and make the filing process easier.”

Use state Web site to avoid charges

In order to file both federal and state personal income tax returns for free, eligible taxpayers must access Free File through the New York State Tax Department’s Web site – www.tax.ny.gov.

Lower income tax rates for estimated taxpayers

Individuals who file first-quarter estimated income tax payments will be the first to do so under new, lower tax rates.

Income tax rates will be lower than last year for individuals with taxable income greater than $40,000 for a married couple filing jointly, $30,000 for a head of household or $20,000 for single filers. The lower rates are already in place for those whose employers withhold their taxes.

As an example of the new lower rates, the tax rate for a married couple filing jointly with taxable income between $40,001 and $150,000 is now reduced from 6.85% to 6.45%.

The new rates were signed into law in December by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and represent the lowest tax rates for middle-income New Yorkers in 58 years.

Deadline

Taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 17 to file their personal income tax returns and estimated returns this year.

For more information

? Visit our Home page: www.tax.ny.gov

? Follow us on Twitter and YouTube

You are thinking-You might as well think BIG. [Make money by Dr. Harsimran Singh

How 12 Immigrants Made Billions From Zero to the Forbes List of Billionaires!
“Stay positive and avoid doubt.
Act with confidence not pride.
Be focused and aim high and success will seek you out.”

Oyster Bay, NY (PRWEB) April 06, 2012

Learn secrets to making money from an immigrant who migrated to the USA with a total of $8 and is now ranked #1 when one Googles, “Rich Immigrants.”

The following are some extracts from Dr. Harsimran Singh’s book,”How 12 Immigrants Made Billions-12 Keys to Success”.

Dr. Singh writes,”Sometimes significant thoughts, innovative ideas, and sources of inspiration come when you least expect them. Your ability to constantly remain positive, sure-footed, and open-minded will allow you to be free and receptive in your ideas for approaching and finding success. Form good habits and have a routine. Successful people stay focused and are confident that they can be successful and are capable of achieving further success in their lives. Psychologically, saturate yourself with the idea, concept, triumph, and rewards associated with success. This level of concentration and focus takes a large amount of commitment and fortitude that is gained over time through your newly found positivity and open-mindedness”.

“To have extraordinary success, you must strive to be an extraordinary person. Attribute to ordinary things your passion, great ideas, and fresh perspective to arrive at wonderful, brilliant ideas. The ingenuity and innovation that comes with new ideas harnesses a huge potential for paving a path to financial success. Moments of creativity present opportunities for newness of perspective. As seen in advancements in the technology and manufacturing industries, creativity and innovation can be very lucrative” says Dr. Singh.

Author writes,”People who, with the proper utilization of keys to success, demonstrate strengths and invest their energies into purposeful pursuits and thinking big are able to transform themselves into extraordinary individuals. It is through the power of positivity, thinking big, persistence, creating a success plan, and recognizing potential that you can and will become extraordinary”.

Many people want these things and quite possibly think they, in one way or another, deserve to have them. Dr.Singh writes, “Well, first you must think that an individual should aim higher than a million dollars. Despite the fact that it won’t buy you what it once could, there is no reason why you should not consistently think and reach higher. People who make bold statements by saying they want certain things will most likely not acquire them. Wanting something is very different than desiring something for there is so much more that can be attained through differentiating a want from a desire. The ‘rich’ understand these things and realize they must make sacrifices in order to create capital. Capital spent on assets will growth wealth whereas when your saved money is spent on cars and vacations, it can no longer work towards making you money. They can, of course, be one in the same but only if you can picture yourself being successful and have positivity, mindset, and focus in the pursuit of those finer things”.

About the author:

Dr.Harsimran Singh is a philanthropist who gave up millions of dollars for the establishment of charitable institutions and moved thousands of homeless people into decent housing. He has been featured in Fox News, CBS, many other TV and radio programs. The NY Times, NY Post and many other newspapers wrote full page articles on his rags to riches story. He has authored 13 inspirational books. Writing these books has been his way to give back to the people of America where he landed with almost nothing.

Through April 17th, eSmartTax.com is providing the latest tax guidelines, tips, and online tools to help taxpayers e-file.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — For e-filers who are just now thinking about their online tax return, stress not: eSmart Tax has you covered. There’s still plenty of time to e-file by the extended April 17th tax filing deadline. By filing online with eSmartTax.com, e-filers can avoid late fees or the rush to the post office. eSmartTax.com, an award-winning online tax provider backed Liberty Tax Service, is responding to the millions of Americans still needing to e-file and save on their tax return with comprehensive online tools for last-minute tax filing.

Available now until tax day, eSmartTax.com will be offering customer support assistance, important tips, and online tools for getting those vital questions answered.

“At eSmartTax.com, there’s no penalty for waiting until the last minute,” says Marketing Director, Paul Walters. “Our customer support staff is there to help give last-minute filers the advice they need combined with the right tools and products to have a hassle-free experience of online tax filing.”

In addition, eSmartTax.com offers free online chat that connects e-filers directly with technical and customer support specialists. eSmartTax.com also offers these 5 fundamental tools for e-filers to reap the most savings from their online tax return:

A majority of taxpayers wait until March or April to e-file and rely on simple tax preparation websites like eSmartTax.com to provide tips and online tools that make e-filing easy and fast.
Not sure which eSmartTax.com program suits your financial needs? eSmartTax.com’s online Product Wizard chooses what’s best for you: Basic, Deluxe, or Premium.
To use time wisely, refer to eSmartTax.com’s online checklist to help guide you through the filing process.
Use eSmartTax.com’s Smart Switch feature to transfer information from last year’s TurboTax, H&R Block at Home, or TaxACT return, free of charge.
Make sure you’ve claimed every permissible deduction, and if you’re unsure whether something is deductable, ask a Liberty Certified Tax professional via the tax support feature (included for free with Deluxe and Premium products).

Mar 24, 2012 06:14 ET
HOUSTON, March 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Spring has officially arrived, which means it’s time to clean house! According to a recent study offered by American Cleaning Institute, 74 percent of Americans believe in the spring cleaning tradition. The #1 motivation for spring cleaning is to maintain a pleasant appearance (71 Percent). Spring cleaning offers many more benefits, and not just for your living space. A clean and well-organized financial house provides a clear financial path for reaching your financial goals.

“Before you toss your financial file cabinet out with the other household clutter, you should know that some things are worth keeping,” advises Jo Kerstetter, vice president of financial education for Money Management International. “The key is to know which items to keep and which to toss.”

Keep tax returns for six years. The IRS can audit your return for only three years after filling, but they can challenge your return for up to six years if they suspect under reporting of income by more than 25 percent.

Keep investment records for seven years. Annual real estate statements and other records of investments may come in handy for tax purposes. Toss monthly statements, but keep annual correspondence for seven years post sell.

Keep W2s and tax statements until you retire. Income statements and other documentation is the best proof of earnings for social security benefits.

Toss paycheck stubs after bank deposit. In some cases a paycheck stub may be helpful in addressing errors concerning income reported on W2s, but a record of direct deposit can serve the same purpose.

Toss insurance paperwork after expiration. Liability policies with “occurrence” coverage are the only policies that should be retained after expiration. This type of liability protection covers you for damages occurred while the policy was in effect — even if the claim happens after coverage expires.

Toss credit card receipts after monthly statement review. Additionally, credit card monthly statements should be destroyed annually.

Finally, before taking out the trash, be sure that all personal identifying information has been destroyed to avoid any threat of identity theft. To keep your most valuable documents safe, consider opening a safety-deposit box at your local bank or credit union.

For more tips on maintain a clean and well-organized financial house, consider one of our free financial education webinars available on MoneyManagement.org.

ALBANY, NY (03/27/2012)(readMedia)– The Business Council of New York State, Inc. will hold its annual conference on State Taxation at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center April 25-26. Registration is still available.

The Honorable Thomas H. Mattox, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Tax & Finance, will be the keynote speaker during the luncheon on Thursday, April 26.

The conference will focus on the latest business and corporate tax issues and how they impact businesses in New York State. Agenda topics include the impact of federal tax reform on New York State; President Barack Obama’s tax proposal, the progressivity and “fairness” of New York State tax reform and the impact of state taxation on business and employment.

Discussions will be led by staff from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and Business Council staff.

“We believe this is a great way for businesses with complex tax issues to hear directly from state tax officials about changes in federal and state code,” said Heather Briccetti, President & CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. “The conference is also an opportunity for participants to learn about what may be on the horizon. They better they’re prepared, the better they can do business.”

The Business Council has sponsored this conference since 1984 and it has become the foremost event of its kind. The session is conducted in cooperation with the state Department of Taxation and Finance to give business tax professionals the opportunity to network with experts who write and implement state tax law.

Addressing Sales Tax reform will be Matthew DiDonato; From Ernst and Young, LLP and Deborah Liebman and Peggy Sherman from the NYS Dept. of Tax and Finance.

Sharing their expertise in Sales Tax reform includes MaryEllen Ladouceur from the NYS Dept. of Tax and Finance, and Maureen Riehl from COST after a break for refreshments.

The afternoon sessions turn to Business, Federal and NYS tax reforms. Of particular interest may be the Federal Tax Reform session which presents President Obama’s proposal and the NYS Impact /Responses.

Sponsors include Ernst & Young LLP; Experis, A Manpower Company; FTI Consulting, Inc.; The Helmus Group; Hodgson Russ LLP and Ryan.

Visit the BCNYS website for a detailed agenda and online registration.