Opening your own business can seem scary and even undoable when you are first starting out. But it does not have to be. By investing in a franchise business you can rest assured that you are opening a business with a history of success, while still rewarding you with the pride of financial independence.

1. Tried and True
When you invest in an already created business model, you can have confidence the business will be successful if you work hard and follow the franchisor’s instructions. Franchised businesses typically have a proven track record of success and can support nationwide expansion.

2. Trusted Brand
Another big advantage of owning your own franchise business is that you are investing in an already recognizable brand. Unlike other small business owners who have to build recognition and a reputation, your business is likely to already be nationally known and recognized.

3. Higher Success Rate
Less than 5% of franchised businesses fail every year in the U.S. This is drastically lower than the percent of regular small business ventures that fail. For this reason alone, purchasing a franchised business is one of the most secure investments you can make.

4. Quick Cash
Getting financed for a franchise business loan is drastically easier than it would be if you were starting an independent business. Banks know the lower risk involved in a franchise investment and love to be involved with secure and profitable ventures.

5. Savings
Through your general franchise, you should be able to save on supplies and equipment needed to get your business started. Franchisors like to have their stores as close to the franchise guidelines as possible, and work with vendors to provide discounted products and services to their franchisees.

6. Independence
When you open a franchise business you will have independence, but you will not be alone. Although the franchisors have rules and guidelines, they are designed to help you achieve success. You will still have the independence of owning your own business.

7. Store Layout Help
Most franchises are business with in-store customers and clients, and require a friendly and efficient layout. Fortunately, most franchises have pre-determined store layouts available. Some will even work with you to maximize the potential of your location.

8. Full Support
With most new independent businesses, trial and error is the only way to learn what your business needs to grow. With a franchise, you will not only receive thorough training, but you will also have ongoing support from corporate and other franchisees.

Interviewing a potential employee can be just as nerve wrecking on the interviewer as it is on the interviewee. To avoid sweaty palms, it is a good idea to prepare yourself with organized questions and a well thought-out game plan. To help all of our WatchMeFranchise reads who are going to begin staffing their store, please consider these 7 simple tips on interviewing potential employees.

1. Prepare

Schedule the interview for at least a couple days after you have decided to review the applicant. Take the time to prepare the questions you want to ask, and make sure you ask questions related to the specific position you are hiring for.

2. Phone Interview

If you are hiring for a specific position then you may want to have a phone interview before an in-person interview. This will help you make sure the applicants are qualified, and get a good sense of their personality. If you decide during the phone call you that like the applicant much, then do not hesitate to setup a time for them to come to your office.

3. Stick to the Rules

Before holding any interviews, make sure that you reviewed all of your state laws on what questions you are not allowed to ask during an interview. Different states have different restrictions in addition to federally protected rights that you may not know about.

4. Standardize Questions

Have a standard list of questions you intend to ask all applicants applying a position in your company. Then you can add a few additional questions concerning specific positions easily when you need to prepare for an interview.

5. Keep it Light

When you interview a potential employee, make sure not to come off as too stiff or un-personable. It is a good idea to add a few light questions to keep the conversation fun. Not only will this make the applicant feel a little more comfortable, but will also give you a look into their personality and how quick they are on their feet.

6. Give a Tour

When you have an applicant in your office for an interview, feel free to give them a tour and introduce them to other employees. It will give the interviewee a good idea of what it will be like to work at your business. If an applicant decides the position or work environment is not right for them, it is best if they discover it now. You do not want to hire a new person and invest a week into their training before they find another job and quit.

7. Follow Up

Try to make your decision on which applicant to hire as soon as possible. Do this by scheduling interviews close together and taking good notes. If you find an applicant you think is perfect for the job, you will want to let them know as soon as possible as you never know if they are looking for employment elsewhere.

The video embedded below is the latest episode in our Business Tips Video Series. It features hostess Amanda Scarr discussing 10 common mistakes that new business owners make. We hope you enjoy these advice videos we publish, and if you are a fellow blogger then feel free to embed the video on your own blog as well!

Opening up a franchised business is an exciting and momentous time for a new business owner. But with all the excitement, prospective franchisees may overlook some possible obstacles and face them unprepared. To help prepare our readers who are thinking about opening a franchise, please enjoy this list of 10 common mistakes prospective franchisees make.

1. Over Investment
Over investing can destroy a project or business completely. Before investing any time or money into your franchise, create a basic budget plan to keep yourself on track. If you do not want to purchase software, there are plenty of websites, like Mint.com, that offer free budgeting tools.

2. Not Having a Business Plan
You never really know what is around the corner when you are starting your own business. Even so, having a basic business plan can help you a lot in the end. Where are you hoping to open your store? How many employees are you planning to hire? How much time, money, and patience are you willing to sacrifice? These are all questions you should be asking yourself when you develop your business plan.

3. Not Understanding the Franchise Agreement
The agreement you sign with a franchisor – the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) – contains massive amounts of information, but as a franchisee, you must understand everything it contains. When you sign the document you are making a legal agreement with the franchisor, so do not be afraid to seek out help from a legal expert.

4. Not Contacting Other Franchisees
When you are researching a potential franchise to invest in, you should always contact at least a few different franchisees. They can serve as good resources as they will likely give you blunt and honest answers.

5. Picking a Location far from Home
Although it may seem like a small sacrifice at first, having a long commute to the location of your store can wear you thin after awhile. There may be times when you get home only to have to turn around and go back to the office. Remember that you have to consider your own time – not to mention high gas prices.

6. Fearing Change
If you are afraid of changes or too scared to make big decisions, then get your emotions in check before you go into this endeavor. It is important to remember that you need to take risks to be a successful business owner. Owning a franchise is no different.

7. Not Taking Training Seriously
When you attend training, you will want to make sure that you are well prepared and pay plenty of attention. In the training classes, the franchisor will explain how to be successful at owning your franchise. If you are too tired or miss a day then it can hurt your chances of being successful.

8. There is no “I” in “Team”
Often new franchisees will take on too much by themselves and forget to rely on those around them. If you want to avoid burn out, then you will need to have a team of employees to support you. Try to just manage one task at a time and divide others between yourself and your employees.

9. Forgetting to Balance Time
Committing yourself to starting your own franchised business usually means new opportunities, exciting change, and long hours. If you have family or friends that you are used to seeing often, know that time with them will be cut shorter when you are just getting business started. Try planning to meet with your loved ones at scheduled times so that you can see them on a regular basis.

10. Expecting Everything to be Easy
With all the talk of a looming economic recession, you need to realize that getting your business up and running will be a struggle. Prepare for tough times financially and emotionally. Remember that opening any business requires a lot of hard work, but the benefits of being your own boss can definitely make up for it.

After filming a video with local franchisee Jodie Bohrer, the WatchMeFranchise team was also able to speak with her husband Rich on additional business services. As you can see in the video, the Bohrers are offering bookkeeping, prepaid legal, and debt settlement services. They found these additional services provide great opportunities for establishing relationships with clients that will likely lead to tax return preparations next tax season.

1. Tax Preparation

As we all know, the only things certain in life are death and taxes. As the United States population continues to grow, and the tax code gets more and more complicated, there are always going to be people who need their tax returns prepared.

2. Discount Stores

Today almost everyone is looking for a way to pinch a penny, and by opening a discount store you can cater to these potential customers. Any type of store that can offer a service or product at a significant discount is likely to attract these frugal customers and succeed in today’s economy.

3. Check Cashing

It is getting harder and harder for anyone living paycheck to paycheck, and some times everyone could use a little extra help between pay days. Check cashing, or payroll advance stores can help these customers while also providing a handful of other useful financial services.

4. Computer Repair

Nowadays almost everyone has a computer in his or her home, but most have no idea what to do when a problem arises. If you are the person who friends always come to for computer help, then this type of store could be perfect for you! And with rising gas prices, you might also want to consider a mobile service for people who do not want to drive to your store.

5. Debt Relief

When the economy gets worse, more and more people find themselves in debt with no possible way to get out. By opening a debt relief consulting business you can work to negotiate with creditors to lower your clients total debt. Not only will you be helping people who are struggling with their finances, but you can also get a hefty commission for those you assist.

6. Job Placement Agency

As unemployment rates continue to rise, people are frequently turning to job placement agencies to help find employment. If you are a people person, with a knack for helping friends find jobs then this could be a business you could excel in.

7. Home Repair

Everyone knows that record foreclosures are driving the economy down, but this does present a unique business idea for anyone that is handy around the house. Frequently when a homeowner forecloses on a home they will take anything of value and leave the property in very poor condition. By opening a home repair business that focuses on foreclosure restoration you could market to both banks and people interested in purchasing foreclosed homes.

8. Mediator

In an effort to save money any way possible, more and more people are turning to mediators to settle their disputes instead of attorneys. This type of business may be difficult to start and market, but once you establish yourself, there will likely be many customer opportunities.

9. Video Game Store

In spite of declining CD and DVD sales, the video game continues to exceed industry expectations. There are plenty of video game related franchises you could pick from, or you could even setup your own business plan based around video game sales and/or rentals.

10. Pawn Shop

Although this type of business might not be for everyone, there is a growing need in this country for honest pawnshops. In addition, by setting yourself apart from the traditional pawnshop reputation, you can gain trust from customers who will likely provide plenty of referrals.

Last week the WatchMeFranchise team stopped by another Roni Deutch Tax Center® owned by local franchisees Jodi and Rich Bohrer. In this video hostess Amanda Scarr interviewed Jodi on marketing and how to attract new customers while also staying in touch with current contacts. Be sure to check out Jodie’s advice for both new and existing franchisees at the end of the video.

While at their store, we also filmed another video with Jodi’s husband Rich. Be sure to check back soon for the next new video.

If you are thinking about investing in a franchise business, then it is important to do ample research before reaching out to one of the franchise’s sales representatives. To help with your research, we gathered the top 10 myths about franchising and debunked them for our readers.

Myth 1: All Chain Restaurants are Franchises
Whenever people see a chain restaurant, from Outback® to Olive Garden®, they always assume it is a franchised unit. However, there are two business models that these chains commonly use. The first involves selling franchises, and the other involves hiring individual store managers to run corporate owned locations. You might be surprised to learn that the following chains do not franchise: Cheesecake Factory®, Lone Star Steakhouse®, O Charleys®, and Bob Evans®.

Myth 2: Buying a Franchise Means Guaranteed Success
Although your odds of success are statistically higher with a franchised business, there are no guarantees. Even with a proven business concept, no business venture is without risks. Hundreds of franchised businesses close every month. However, studies show that the most common reason a franchise fails is because they do not follow the system.

Myth 3: It’s Wasteful to Invest in a Franchise, Just Open your own Business
All franchises have an initial fee that must be paid to open a location. Some people view this as a waste of money. However, studies show that nearly 95% of franchised businesses remain open for at least 5 years, and 94% of franchise business owners consider themselves successful. The money you give the franchisor lets you in on a proven business model that will make your business much more likely to succeed.

Myth 4: Starbucks is the Worlds Largest Coffee Franchise
As we mentioned in myth #1, there are two business models used by large chains, and although many people assume Starbucks® franchises their stores, they actually do not. The only Starbucks® locations that are not corporate owned are those inside hotels and grocery stores. There are numerous coffee shops that do franchise, but none of them is as massive or well branded as Starbucks.

Myth 5: All Franchise Business Models are Tested & Proven Successful
Unfortunately, there are no laws or requirements that say franchises must be tested or meet any success standards. There are very specific laws pertaining to the information given to prospective buyers in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), but none for gauging the success of the business structure.

Myth 6: You need to be Wealthy Already to Invest in a Franchise
Although it can cost tens of thousands of dollars – or even hundreds of thousands – you do not necessarily need to have that much in your bank account. There are multiple different ways you can finance a franchise. Examples include personal loans, self-directed investments, small business administration loans, and home equity loans.

Myth 7: Running a Franchise Business is Easy
Although a franchisor will provide the franchisee with training and direction, the day-to-day operation of the store is your responsibility as the owner. There is no such thing as an easy business opportunity. Even with a proven business plan, to be successful you are still going to have trials along the way.

Myth 8: Bigger is Always Better
When it comes to selecting a franchise to invest in, a recognizable brand can generate almost instant customers. However, these established franchises often have much higher fees and can be difficult to work with. Some actually prefer smaller franchises as they are easier to work with and have a more personal touch.

Myth 9: Opening a Franchise Business is Cheaper
Some people assume that opening a franchised business will be cheaper then opening up a traditional business since they will save on marketing costs. Unfortunately, even with a very well known franchise, you will still need to allocate funds for marketing. Additionally, royalties and fees can frequently offset these savings.

Myth: Higher Initial Fees Means Better odds of Success
The old saying, “the more money you invest, the more money you make,” is definitely not true when it comes to franchises. Just because the initial fee is sky-high does not mean that you will have better odds of success. As we mentioned before, all business ventures include risk, and there is never a guarantee that you will be successful, no matter what franchise fee you pay or what the franchisor tells you.

Now that summer is here, it is a great time to throw a theme party for your staff, and their friends and family. Throwing these types of parties can provide tons of benefits, most of which are outlined below. However, it is essential that the party still maintain a professional atmosphere. Remember that this is still a work function, and business codes of etiquette will still apply.

1. Happy employees
Throwing a party for your employees is a great way to say “thank you for all your hard work.” Providing alternative benefits, such as throwing parties, is a great way to keep your employees happy and feeling like a part of a family. It is also a great way to break up the day-to-day business interactions that you usually have with them.

2. Improved productivity
By rewarding employees with parties, and other fun events, it will help improve their overall productivity by making them feel invested in the company. And when employees feel this type of investment they usually want to see the business succeed and will spend less time slacking off when they are in the office.

3. Team bonding
Work parties, especially summer parties, present great opportunities for team bonding. While you are planning out a party, make sure that you include team building activities, such games or athletic challenges.

4. Opportunity to meet family
If you open up a work party to people besides just employees, then it can allow you to not only meet, but get to know your employees friends or family. And by getting to know the people close to your employees it can help you get to know them on a more personal level as well.

5. Tax breaks
Do not forget that you can write off half of all the expenses related to throwing an employee party. So feel free to go all out and throw the best summer party your employees have ever been to!

6. Connect with employees
By throwing a summer party, and more importantly by actively participating in the party’s events and socializing with your staff, you can connect with your employees on a more personal level. This will not only help them feel invested, but it can also give you an opportunity to get a feel for how they function in a non-office setting.

7. Stay outside the box
In today’s competitive business environment it is a good idea to have your business stand out from the crowd by offering modern benefits like parties or other team bonding events.

8. Why not?
With perfect summer weather, team bonding, and tax benefits, why not throw a party for your employees? The benefits are huge and with the right planning you can easily keep the cost relatively low. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a good summer party?

Embedded below is the next episode in the WatchMeFranchise Business Tips Video Series. Our goal with these videos is to provide useful information to business owners in an enjoyable format, and I think that with this new video we accomplish that goal. The topic of the video covers common mistakes that nearly all small business owners make, and how you prepare for them. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as hostess Amanda Scarr discusses the top 10 most common mistakes business owners make.

According to a DollarDays.com survey, over 85% of small business owners are already beginning to feel the impact of rising fuel costs. As gas prices continue to increase and the economy continues to weaken, small business owners will continue to feel the pain in more ways then one.

1. Direct Cost Increase
Whenever you drive for a business purpose – even to and from work – you are paying more then you did a year ago. This direct price increase may only be slight for wage earning employees, but small business owners typically drive a lot more. Between trips to the local Office Depot, frequent visits to their place of business, trips to the bank, and trips on behalf of customers, that extra $0.50 - $2.00 per gallon can really add up.

2. Increased Shipping Costs
One place the cost of fuel has had a direct impact on is the cost of shipping. This increase is passed-down directly to the consumer. This means that the price of everything is going up (i.e. price of supplies, inventory, merchandise, etc.), and the overall cost of running a small business will continue to reflect this problem.

3. More Reliance on E-mail and Fax
Due to the direct increase in shipping costs, small business owners are increasing their usage of e-mail and fax machines. Paying to ship large documents or contracts just costs too much these days. A lot of businesses are also turning to virtual fax machines that let you scan documents to fax out and receive faxes through one’s e-mail address.

4. Less Employee Candidates
Due to the high cost of commuting, people are beginning to only seek employment near their homes. This can drastically reduce the number of applicants who will apply for a position. It is especially troublesome for restaurant owners or stores that frequently hire teenagers.

5. Higher Wages for Employees
When you do find and hire employees, it is likely that you are going to have to pay them higher wages to compensate for the higher commute expenses. This is especially true for businesses located outside of a dense city and your employees must drive long distances to get to work.

6. Less Face to Face Meetings
Pretty much everyone in the country is looking to reduce his or her gas consumption and save money. This means business owners will need to adapt to more virtual means of communication that avoid the gas of driving to face-to-face meetings. Expect to conduct additional business calls, and even videoconferences. These forms of communication are less personable, thus reducing the chances that you will “win” a contract or a customer based upon your people skills.

7. Higher Prices for Prime Locations
The housing boom a decade away led the path to sprawl, where middle income Americans moved to the suburbs in record numbers. However, with record fuel costs, they are driving less. This means the cost of prime locations is likely to skyrocket. Consumers are no longer willing to drive long distances to get a good deal. In addition, advertising will waste money if your store is a long drive for potential customers.

8. Less Drive by Traffic
As consumers drive less and seek-out alternative modes of transportation, the importance of drive by traffic and advertising is going to be less and less effective. Instead, owners of brick and mortar stores are going to need to adapt to more results-driven forms of advertising.

9. Consumers with Less Disposable Income
Business owners that offer products or services deemed as “luxuries” are going to have trouble as people are beginning to cutout unnecessary expenses. Some business such as elite gyms and pricey coffeehouses are likely to feel this effect more so than fast food restaurants.

10. Less Profit per Sale
Between higher costs of production, clients with less disposable income, increased wages for employees, etc., your bottom line profit per sale is likely to decrease. However, with hard work and a savvy strategy, there are still plenty opportunities for success even in the current unstable economic climate.

While we were at the first annual Roni Deutch Tax Center® franchisee convention the WatchMeFranchise team was able to squeeze in one more video with our spotlight franchisee Heather Spell. In this video, Amanda and Heather just finished browsing the vendor exposition and as you can see, Heather stocked-up on promotional items. Be sure to check back in a few weeks for the next installment in our business tips video series.

Last week was the first annual Roni Deutch Tax Center® franchisee convention in Reno Nevada. The WatchMeFranchise team was on hand at the convention and we were able to get a couple of videos with our spotlight franchisee Heather Spell. In the first video below Amanda interviews Heather about her desire to open a second store, and what she has learned from going through the process already. Enjoy the video, and check back next week to see Heather and Amanda getting their fair share free gifts from the Vendor Expo.

1. Always Motivated
Everyone knows that you need motivation and drive to be successful in life. However, it is important to remember that when you are running a small business you will need to be able to not only motivate yourself, but motivate your employees as well.

2. Goal Oriented
Successful business owners are always goal oriented – they know what they want to achieve and how long it will take them to get there. Additionally, having clear goals for both yourself and your employees will help keep everyone motivated.

3. Time Management
When you own a small business, time equals money. If you want your business to be a success you will need to understand time management. You will need to plan how to best use your own time and the time your employees are on the clock.

4. Money Management
In addition to managing time, as a small business owner you also need to be able to properly manage your money. Although money should not be the only reason you open a business, you do need to be able to judge what is profitable and what is not. Fortunately, there are tons of accounting programs that can make money management a lot easier.

5. Personal Health
Many small business owners often forget to take care of their health when things get busy. Sure, it is easy to grab some food from the drive-thru on your way home, but picking this up as a habit can have a negative impact on your business. Poor nutrition can lead to a lack of energy and being susceptible to flues and colds. Remember, you are the leader of your business and need to be both mentally and physically able to lead.

6. Ability to Adapt
Having the ability to adapt is one of the most common habits of successful business owners. When something is not turning a profit, you need to be able to quickly drop it from your business and move on. On the other hand, when some new product or service comes out, adapting early can provide quick and easy revenue.

7. Risk Taking
Successful business owners need to be confident in taking risks. You have to take risks to reap rewards. However, keep in mind that there are times when a risk you take will blow up in your face. The most important lesson to learn is to get smarter, not “scared-er”. Learn from your experiences and move onto the next project. Do not become incredibly cautious or passive out of fear, otherwise you will never succeed.

8. Good Communication Skills
Being able to communicate well with others is a must. In addition to communicating with your staff and customers, you also need to be able to network with other business owners. You will have needs that you cannot efficiently or cheaply address on your own. That is why establishing healthy alliances with complementary business owners is key.

9. Open to Suggestions
In addition to being able to communicate with others, you also need to be able to listen. No one is ever-right 100% of the time, and there are times that even the most successful business owner will need to heed the advice of others.

10. Work Long Hours
Do not make the mistake of thinking that just because you own a business that you will be able to take tons of time off. Successful business owners are committed to their business and frequently work 60 or even 80-hour weeks.

Although taxes and the economy are gaining the attention of the media in their coverage of the presidential candidates (finally!), one important economic factor is still being neglected – small businesses. Presidential candidates have failed to address – and the media has yet to press the candidates – how their economic plans will impact this part of the economy that accounts for 50% of the private sector workforce and nearly 70% of the gross national product.

If you are a small business owner, you are probably going to want to know how each candidate’s proposals will affect your business. The largest issue that you should probably being paying attention to is the candidate’s view on health insurance. Studies show that health care is the most costly and unstable issue currently facing American’s small business owners. Therefore, it is no surprise that all the presidential hopefuls have now released health care proposals.

Democratic Candidates
Although Sen. Hillary Clinton’s chances of winning the nomination are diminished, she is still a candidate. However, since Clinton’s and Obama’s health care plans are so similar we have lumped them into one category. They both support plans that are based around the idea of a “pay-or-play” program where employers are either required to provide health care, or contribute to the cost of coverage. In addition, both plans offer tax breaks, additional requirements on insurance companies, expanded government-provided health care, and expanded use of technology in the medical industry.

Although there may be dozens of similarities, there are sizeable differences between Clinton’s and Obama’s health care proposals. Clinton’s plan calls for mandated health care, which means the government would essentially require everyone to have health insurance. She has compared her plan to current requirements that all automobile drivers have auto insurance. However, Obama’s plan does not have this requirement. Consequently, approximately 15 million Americans would “fall through the cracks”, as Clinton supporters like to point out. To counter, Obama suggests he will encourage families to obtain coverage but not mandate it. His “encouragement” would be in the form of $2,500 in tax incentives.

Another important factor small business owners should consider are the plans respective exemptions. Clinton’s plan would exempt some small businesses, but no official number has been announced. She would offer tax incentives to encourage those exempt to offer coverage anyway. Obama, on the other hand, states that he would exempt small businesses with fewer than 15 employees.

Republican Candidate
The issue of health care has been much less important to the Republican candidates throughout this election cycle. Although all the Democratic candidates came out with health care plans early in the election cycle, Republican hopefuls took longer. Sen. John McCain did not even release a health care plan until after he was considered to have won the nomination. Even then, the plan he released is light on details and contains mostly small modifications to the current code.

The McCain Plan essentially comes down to giving more responsibility and control to individual patients. It calls for removing current tax breaks given to employers to provide health insurance, and replace it with a $5,000 credit to families to purchase their own health care. He suggests that it would encourage choice and competition in the market, thus lowering current prices. “I’ll work tirelessly to address the problem,” Mr. McCain claimed in a speech at the University of South Florida. “But I won’t create another entitlement program that Washington will let get out of control. I won’t do it. Nor will I saddle states with another unfunded mandate.”

However, Democrats claim that by not compelling insurance companies to cover people who typically experience trouble obtaining coverage on their own is a glaring omission. In an even more competitive market, anyone with current health problems will be deemed high risk and experience unreasonable premiums. This could make coverage impossible for certain lower and middle-income individuals. Democrats point out that these individuals are what is causing the current health care crisis in America and The McCain Plan fails to even acknowledge it. In response to the criticism, McCain claims that it would be up to both the federal and state governments to help those who cannot get insurance on their own.

Below is a new video featuring our spotlight franchisee Heather Spell looking back at her success this tax season. In the video she talks about the lessons she learned from this season, and gives advice for other franchisees. At the end, she talks about how she has already begun looking for space to rent for her second store. Check back in the next few weeks as we begin to follow Heather as she expands her business and opens another Roni Deutch Tax Center™.

Happy tax day everyone! In case you have forgotten today is your last day to enter the 12DaysOfTaxes $500 gift card give away! Make sure to remind you friends and family to enter, if they have not already.

To celebrate the end of tax season most people will go out and blow all of their refund on something wasteful like a new car or television. But before you do, consider the following 12 smart ways to use your tax refund.

1. Pay down your credit card debt
2. Save it for a rainy day
3. Make an extra mortgage payment
4. Open an IRA
5. Invest in the market
6. Prepay major bills
7. Upgrade faulty appliances
8. Open a college fund
9. Service your car
10. Invest in yourself
11. Prepay a future vacation
12. Donate it to charity

To see more information check out 12DaysOfTaxes.com

Tomorrow is the last day of taxes, but as tax season ends it is still important to think about your finances all year long. Especially in the weakening economy, it is more important then ever to make sure and plan for your retirement. Below is a list of 11 common retirement planning methods, for more information including their tax advantages check out 12DaysOfTaxes.com.

1. 401(k)
2. Roth IRA
3. Roth 401(k)
4. Traditional IRA
5. Simple IRA
6. Social Security
7. 403(b)
8. 457 Plan
9. Thrift Savings Plan
10. Veteran’s Pension
11. Old Fashion Savings

Tax day is less than 48 hours away, but do not worry if you have no filed your tax return yet. With e-filing and federal tax extensions you are not late. However, if you wait until after April 15 to take any action, then you will likely face penalties and fees. Follow these top 10 ways to make your last minute filing adventures a little more EZ.

1. Gather all your important documents
2. Use last year’s tax return as a guide
3. Practice on paper
4. Do not rush, you will make mistakes
5. Visit a local CPA or tax preparation office
6. Do not just take the EZ route
7. Do not short-change yourself
8. Hold onto your receipts
9. File an extension
10. Prepare for next year

Today is the ninth day of taxes and to celebrate we are reminding everyone to include all available tax credits on your tax return. Below is a list of the nine most common tax credits, for more information check out 12DaysOfTaxes.com.

1. Earned Income Tax Credit
2. Lifetime Learning Credit
3. Saver’s tax credit
4. Environmental Credits
5. Child and Dependent Care Credit
6. Child Tax Credit
7. Additional Child Tax Credit
8. Hope Credit
9. Adoption Tax Credit

Below is the second episode in our Business Tips Video Series. This video features our hostess Amanda Scarr discussing the ten most common business tax deductions. With tax day less than a week away it is important to make sure you take advantage of all business tax deductions that are available to you.

On the eighth day of taxes the government gave to me… eight e-filers filing! With modern technology and the government’s e-file program filing your tax returns has never been easier! Below are the op 8 reasons to e-file this tax season.

1. Convenience
2. Speed
3. Less IRS Employees
4. Security
5. Faster Money
6. Delayed Payment
7. IRS Confirmation
8. State Returns

Today is the seventh day of taxes, and to help families dealing with financial trouble because of the housing market slump we have put together the follow list of tips t help lower your property taxes.

1. Understand Your Local Tax System
2. Review Tax Property Card
3. Think Twice About Remodeling
4. Limit Curb Appeal
5. Walk with the Assessor
6. File an Appeal
7. Move to a Lower Taxed Area

The 12 days of taxes is almost half way over, but do not worry you still have 6 more days to enter our contest for $500 in gift cards. Just check out 12DaysOfTaxes.com and tell us what is your favorite thing about tax season.

Today’s featured article discusses 8 different crazy taxes that are levied upon citizens of this country. The 8 taxes are listed below, but for a full explanation check out 12DaysOfTaxes.com.

1. Illegal Drug Possession

2. Profit from Illegal Drug Dealing

3. Utah Nudity Tax

4. Money received from bribes

5. Jock Taxes

6. Stolen Property Taxes

7. Alabama Card Tax

8. Maine Blueberry Tax

Tax day 2008 is just one week away! If you are stressed about tax season then take a deep breath and head over to 12DaysOfTaxes.com. You can enter to win $500 in gift cards, and enjoy our videos and articles. Today’s featured article is “5 Legal Ways to Lower Your Adjusted Gross Income.” Below are the 5 different tips, but to check out the full version head over to 12DaysOfTaxes.com.

1) Take all available deductions

2) Make charitable contributions

3) Pay extra into your 401(k)

4) Defer income until next year

5) Use your credit card for year-end expenses

Last week, the WatchMeFranchise team stopped by Heather’s store for another video blog entry. Heather was swamped with work, but, fortunately, her husband Gentry was available instead. In the video, hostess Amanda Scarr spoke with Gentry on the different ways they have been marketing their business. As you will see, the Spells have used the corporate marketing materials, internet marketing, and a few other actions to further promote their business. I hope you will enjoy.

Today is the fourth day of taxes, and the featured topic on 12DaysOfTaxes is the covered the top 10 mistakes people make on their tax returns.

Below is a list of the top 10 mistakes, to check out the summary of each mistake head over to 12DaysOfTaxes.com.

1. Math Errors
2. Sign and Date Your Return
3. Attach Forms
4. Social Security Number
5. Check Subject
6. Verify Check Amount
7. List all Dependents
8. File Form 8606
9. Save Copies
10. File on Time

The government gave to me… Three French returns, two W-2’s, and a partial payment in a money tree! Today is the third tax of taxes, and the featured video surrounds the idea that taxes are not just something we have in the United States.

Today’s featured article is titled “Average Tax Rates of 70 Countries around the World,” and includes the average personal and business income tax rates of 70 different countries. Check out the full table by clicking here.

Today is the second day of taxes, and the featured article at 12DaysOfTaxes.com is titled, “9 Ways to Cut Down on Paper Usage this Tax Season.” Below is a summary of the article, but be sure to check out 12DaysOfTaxes.com for the full version along with details on how you can win $500 in gift cards!

1. Keep all important documents and tax forms in a designated file, drawer, or even box.

2. E-file your state and federal income returns.

3. E-file quarterly tax payments.

4. Save copies of online purchases on CD-R and thumb drives instead of printing them out.

5. Use software or electronic payments for payroll taxes.

6. Use a virtual fax instead of a fax machine that prints out on paper.

7. If you intend to buy a new car, consider making the purchase online.

8. Paper has two-sides: use both!

9. Print preview before every print.

This year the employees of the Roni Deutch Tax Center™ are taking a unique approach to tax season. We have launched a new interactive website at 12DaysOfTaxes.com to encourage taxpayers across the country to celebrate tax season instead of fearing it. To help get people celebrating, the site will feature a new video and advice article each day leading up to April 15th. We are also sponsoring a contest to win $500 in gift cards, where all you need to do to win is tell us what is your favorite thing about tax season