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This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. You've worked so hard to carefully craft a proposal that's certain to catch the attention of your prospects. All the pieces are in place, and all that's left is the waiting part. Except, there's always something you can do to improve your chances of success. Check out these quick-fire tips on getting the response you want. Go over the documentSending the completed business proposal without thorough proofreading is a common, frustrating mistake. Make sure to give the plan a once-over. Read it manually, then run it through a spell check. Then if possible, have someone you trust read it for you and point out areas of improvement. Clean copy makes you come across as professional, while typos look amateur. Don't make the mistake of leaving the previous client's name on business templates! This ensures a no-read and all your work will have been for naught. Do it first and foremost, no matter whether you're working via an interactive format, pre-designed templates, or cloud-based editing platforms. The best hand-off is to submit in person so you can address roadblocks and even close the deal right then and there. The next best thing will be to call the client and let him or her know that you're sending the business proposal, and that you'll be happy to address any questions they may have over the phone. Give an ultimatumDeadlines are useful tools as they prevent further unnecessary delays in the agreement process. The client may be more inclined to reach out as time passes and the set day approaches. Include an ultimatum in your plan, stating that the offer is only good within 30 days after reading the proposal. This adds a sense of urgency that prompts the client to take action even if it's a no in the end. Feel confident that your business plan is exactly what the client is looking for? Set a date for when you'll be working with the client on the said project. Tailor it around their goals, or set a suitable timeframe that's according to your client's need. This offsets the chances that your prospect will be put off by your boldness and setting arbitrary dates. Is your sign-off conducive To approval?Your sign-off should be made in such a way that it's painless for the client to approve it. Take advantage of modern technology to speed up the process instead of using traditional means that are tedious and cumbersome, i.e., having to send via courier, faxing it back and forth, emailing a statement of work, etc. If you haven't invested in a digital signature tool or an online signature system, now is the time to do so. This makes everything snappy and gives fewer reasons for the client to delay. Moreover, they won't have to scan or print papers to move forward with the project. Payment integrationsYou can include a button within the proposal that allows clients to pay for your goods or services without ever leaving the platform. Some modern templates have this feature so you can have improved chances of closing the deal. Moreover, the technology often allows for several payment methods such as bank transfers, credit card, and others. Use electronic signature softwareIntegrated digital signature software makes signing off easy and painless. It's safe, secure and is as good as a real signature. You can put in as many fields as needed to complete the online business proposal in a conclusive manner. Follow up with your clientFollowing up with a call as soon as the client receives the proposal can turn an improbable chance into a favorable agreement. Try to understand what the client is saying — are they hesitant? If so, ask why and try to convince them. If they wish to review other proposals, ask for a specific time on when you can get back to them. More engagement equals greater sign-off successYou might think that interaction with the client is a post-proposal process, but the fact is you'll be missing a lot of opportunity to seal the deal. You acquire the brief, then work on your own, only to learn in the end that the final design is not what your client had in mind. Sharing your work mid-plan may sound risky, but there's an upside to that. You can acquire valuable feedback and get them involved in what you're trying to do. Psychologically speaking, people who get involved usually feel a sense of ownership in the project, which increases your chances of getting the green light. Engaging the prospect will also give you the opportunity to let the stakeholder know about your decisions. The more they understand, the greater the chances of success, because the trust has been built even before you shake hands. Aaron Beashel is Head of Marketing at Qwilr, which produces intuitive sales and marketing documents that integrate seamlessly with your business. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/04/30/how-to-get-clients-to-approve-freelance-proposals/
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Today’s guest post comes courtesy of my wife Dr. Lisa Lewis who, later this summer, will be one of the presenters taking part in the Soul Sista Summit here in Boston the weekend of June 22nd. For more information go HERE. Leverage Your Strengths to Pursue Your GoalsAs a psychologist, a performance consultant, and a lover of personal evolution and enhancement, I often talk to clients, trainers, coaches, and students about their dreams and their endeavors. Whether they are personal, professional, or fitness-related…goals shape habits, require focus, motivation, and regulate how we execute all kinds of behavior. Typically, I hear people focus on their “weaknesses” – the barriers to behavior change, the “bad habits” that get in the way of change, the disappointments they feel toward themselves. This negativity bias is natural. We are inclined to focus on the negative, and for negative experiences and emotions to weigh more heavily on us than positive ones. Research on negativity bias demonstrates that a significantly higher ratio of positive emotions are required to counter balance negative ones – in other words, we need many, many more compliments than we do criticisms. We need more pats on the back, and less kicks in the ass. My clients will naturally beat themselves up, tear themselves down, and be hard on themselves, and have been working hard on those interventions prior to meeting with me. In my years of clinical and performance-enhancement work, I have come to see clearly that I will not add value or help to facilitate change by doubling-down on negative thoughts and feelings, or by centering goals around “weakness.” Instead, I utilize a strengths-based approach – creating goal-directed action plans around what the client excels at, enjoys, and executes easily. Because negativity will always creep into our thoughts and color our evaluations in a more intense way than positivity, focusing on strengths and capitalizing on what you do well will correct this imbalance, and allow for a clear, more efficient, and more productive approach to making change and facilitating growth. Here is an example:Jeff is 34-year-old investment banker who, when I met him, worked 90+ hours per week, lived alone in his city apartment, and spent Friday night through Sunday morning drinking to excess and using cocaine. When he first came to see me he had “tried everything” to curtail his drinking and stop his cocaine use. This included working longer hours, avoiding hard liquor and “only drinking beer” when he would go out out on the weekends, avoiding friends that used cocaine, and carrying around a mountain of guilt and shame wherever he went, because he “deserved it”. Jeff’s opinion of himself was highly negative, and he explained that he was often “on edge,” irritable and agitated easily, and anxious most of the time. He told me he wanted to “cut the shit” and “grow up.” His approach to addressing the problem had been punitive, and his feelings toward himself and his approach to “fixing” himself were negative. I proposed a different approach – one that utilized his strengths and would promote feeling good about himself. As you can imagine, this Type-A, high-achieving client was skeptical. He rolled his eyes at the idea of “positivity” and let me know he had nothing to gain from “going easy on” himself! But, my persistent, insistent, and consistent collaborative approach focused on negotiating for positivity and strength-building. In weekly sessions with Jeff, I encouraged adding and then increasing physical activity – something this collegiate athlete had been missing in his professional life. Despite his tendency to focus on negativity, I was persuasive, and eventually, he remembered being strong. Fast. Athletic. I wanted to capitalize on those positive qualities. First he added two cycling classes on mornings before work, and soon that increased to five days a week. Next, he added boxing a few afternoons, then added in some strength training, and finally a yoga class on the weekend. The more physically active Jeff was, the better all other aspects of his life. By adding something he loved (and was good at), other behaviors naturally changed. He was so exhausted in the evenings that he chose going to bed or watching a movie with a lady-friend over going out to drink and using cocaine. He was so drained from all that physical activity that he felt motivated to improve his nutrition, which also increased his motivation to limit his alcohol use. He enjoyed improved attention and mental acuity at work, which was noticed by his colleagues, and most importantly, he felt proud, engaged, and “on his game”. Today, Jeff works a bit less, drinks a lot less, and abstains from cocaine. He enjoys an even temper, low anxiety, and feelings of confidence and pride. He is planning to play on a community soccer team this summer, to train for his first boxing match in the fall, and to try the “Whole 30” diet during the upcoming month. These are goals that Jeff has identified as interesting, meaningful, or just plain fun. Although they may not look like treatment for substance abuse or anxiety at first glance, pursuing goals that result in positive feelings, behaviors, and self-appraisals led to a decrease in self-destructive behaviors and eradicated a self-reinforcing cycle of negativity. My advice to you is to adopt a similar approach in pursuit of your goals! Even though we may not know each other, I assume that, if you are reading this, you are goal-directed, driven, and probably tough on yourself. You have most likely exhausted all possible benefit there may have been from beating yourself up over your “weaknesses.” What Do You Have to Lose by Trying a Different Approach?Identify your goal. Be as specific as possible. Then, name the strengths and skills that you bring to the table. They may not seem directly connected in the moment, so think broadly, and then weave those strengths into your action plan. If you love to bake, transfer those skills into preparation for your upcoming triathlon by baking some delicious protein bars. If you were a dancer or a gymnast as a child, and you miss it, choose a dance-based exercise class to help you get back to regular exercise – don’t stress out about finding the “best” or the “right” workout. Thank you for reading! And best of luck in pursuit of your goals. Always remember that you have all of the ingredients you need, they’re inside of you, to make the change you want for yourself. If you want to read more from or about me, please visit my website: drlewisconsulting.com. Soul Sista SummitIf you are interested in hearing me speak, and learning more about personal growth and a strengths-based approach, register here for the Soul Sista Summit. This two day women’s only experience is designed for personal growth, and is hosted by Athena Concannon and Lauren Bradley. The summit consists of workshops and workouts, and an exploration into approaches to lifestyle, fitness, and nutrition that facilitate thriving. At the summit, I provide a 2-hour presentation on using mental skills to enhance motivation, persist in health- and goal-directed goals, and to stop and reframe negative thinking patterns that keep you from your goals. Learn to leverage your strengths and your passion in pursuit of your goals. The Soul Sista Summit is Saturday, June 22nd, and Sunday, June 23rd. If you are a woman and can make it to Boston this summer, I hope to see you there. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2019/04/leverage-your-strengths-to-pursue-your-goals/
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This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. Lead generation is essential to any thriving business. And as a freelancer, you need a consistent flow of qualified leads to find the few clients that drastically impact your revenue. The problem? A 2019 report found that 6 out of 10 marketers said generating new leads was their top marketing challenge.The other 40% stated that engaging those leads was their biggest problem. Typical lead generation tactics don’t work so well anymore because they are too ubiquitous to have an impact. So think out of the box, and put value first, with these three ideas. One of my favorite examples is an ROI calculator, like this one from FreshDesk. Companies drop in some basic details on how their current customer service reps are managed, then receive custom information that helps sell prospects on their value — like saving time, money, or improving key performance metrics: To translate this for freelancing, you can show that your value as a freelancer is much more cost effective than hiring someone in-house. Showcase that you can produce more for less, and/or that you are saving prospective hirers money on benefits, salary, and onboarding costs. The idea here is to create an engaging tool that leads will enjoy using, and learn from. But the kicker is:
Create a personalized quizQuizzes are few and far between as lead generation tools, but when done right, they can have great impact. You can create quizzes online with tons of different tools and platforms, from paid to free. With your quiz, it’s key to clearly state the end-value that users will recieve from completion — whether ebooks, custom reports, or templates. Turn your blog posts into PDFsReading online can be difficult, especially when content is long-form — which most of it is. According to Buffer, most people read less than 15 seconds of a post before leaving (please stay!). One reason is that the experience likely isn’t great. But to collect their email address, you need readers to stick around. One unconventional yet effective method, used by BigCommerce, is to offer offers each post as a downloadable, shareable PDF fit for any format and device: They drive lead generation by requiring you to fill out some basic contact information to download the PDF. And by providing value and another way to consume their content, I'm willing to be that they significantly drive up signups. With tools like SmallPDF, you can convert your word documents directly into PDF format in seconds, and avoid the costs and lag times associated with creating add-ons and ebooks. In conclusionLead generation is critical to a thriving freelancing business, but it’s also one of the most difficult aspects of marketing. So ditch the generic approaches and think value first. What is your favorite lead generation tactic? Addison Burke is a freelance writer who teaches businesses how to grow through better digital marketing. She writes on everything from SEO to WordPress and cybersecurity. Addi has written for websites such as SEO Hacker and Themient, and has also ghostwritten for industry-leading B2B executives. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/04/29/3-effective-ways-to-reach-the-right-clients-and-generate-more-revenue/
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This article was first published by the IRS and has been reproduced with permission. Subscribe to IRS tax tips here. From renting spare rooms and vacation homes, to car rides or using a bike... name a service and it’s probably available through the sharing economy. Taxpayers who participate in the sharing economy can find helpful resources in the IRS Sharing Economy Tax Center on IRS.gov. It helps taxpayers understand how this activity affects their taxes. It also gives these taxpayers information to help them meet their tax obligations. Here are six things taxpayers should know about how the sharing economy might affect their taxes: The activity is taxableSharing economy activity is generally taxable. It is taxable even when:
Some expenses are deductible.Taxpayers who participate in the sharing economy may be able to deduct certain expenses. For example, a taxpayer who uses their car for business may qualify to claim the standard mileage rate, which is 58 cents per mile for 2019. There are special rules for rentalsIf a taxpayer rents out their home or apartment, but also lives in it during the year, special rules generally apply to their taxes. Taxpayers can use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool, Is My Residential Rental Income Taxable and/or Are My Expenses Deductible? to determine if their residential rental income is taxable. Participants may need to make estimated tax paymentsThe U.S. tax system is pay-as-you-go. This means that taxpayers involved in the sharing economy often need to make estimated tax payments during the year. These payments are due on April 15, June 15, Sept. 15 and Jan. 15. Taxpayers use Form 1040-ES to figure out these payments. There are different ways to payThe fastest and easiest way to make estimated tax payments is through IRS Direct Pay. Alternatively, taxpayers can use the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Taxpayers involved in the sharing economy who are employees at another job can often avoid making estimated tax payments by having more tax withheld from their paychecks. These taxpayers can use the Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov to determine how much tax their employer should withhold. After determining the amount of their withholding, the taxpayer will file Form W-4 with their employer to request the additional withholding. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/04/26/6-things-you-should-know-about-how-the-sharing-economy-affects-your-taxes/
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BUT FIRST…CHECK THIS STUFF OUT1. (Even More) Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint – 2019 Locations & DatesPhiladelphia, PA: April 27-28th (<– THIS weekend, always room for more). Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: May 25-26th Sydney, Australia: July 13-14th at Clean Shred. Melbourne, Australia: July 19-21st and Melbourne Strength & Conditioning. (<— Includes bonus “Psych Skills for Fitness Pros” pre-workshop with Dr. Lisa Lewis). This workshop will piggyback on the material Dean Somerset and I covered in the original Complete Shoulder & Hip Blueprint. With this iteration, though, we’ll be going a bit deeper into the coaching and programming side of things:
Find out more details HERE. 2. Strategic Strength Workshop – Boston, MANOTE: The Early Bird rate of $100 OFF the regular price ends on May 15th. Luke and I did this workshop last summer in London and figured it’s only fair to bring it State side. Combined we have 30+ years of coaching experience (I.e., one Mike Boyle or Dan John) and this workshop will be two days where we uncover every nook and cranny as it relates to how we assess our clients/athletes and how we best prepare them for the rigors of every day life/sport. This will be a unique opportunity for people to learn from myself, but especially Luke, who is one of the best and brightest coaches I know. This will be his first time teaching in the States. For more information and to register you can go HERE. 3. FREE E-Course for Online TrainersThis is a free self-paced mini-course from Jon Goodman and his team at the Online Trainer Academy. They are the experts who have helped more fitness pros transition to online training than every other company and coach combined. You will learn: 1. The systems you need to repeatedly generate clients. —> Click here to get your free online training career blueprint SOCIAL MEDIA SHENANIGANS
STUFF TO READ WHILE YOU’RE PRETENDING TO WORKThe Message You Send to Your Kid When You Complain About Their Coach – Jason BacigalupoIt ain’t a good one. Under the Influencer: Why “Fitness Influencers Are Bad For Fitness and Humanity – Mike HowardThis was a really good and really entertaining read. Slow clap to Mike for writing this. MASS Research Review – Smart DudesThe guys who put out the MASS (Monthly Applications in Strength Sports) Research Review – Greg Nuckols, Eric Helms, and Mike Zourdos – are holding a TWO-YEAR anniversary sale (congrats guys!) where all new subscribers save 30% OFF their subscription. I can attest that this service is the SHIT. If you’re interested in being a better coach (and saving yourself a TON of time) this is a way to do it. This offer only lasts until May 2nd. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2019/04/stuff-to-read-while-youre-pretending-to-work-4-26-19/
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This is a post from a member of the Freelancers Union community. If you’re interested in sharing your expertise, your story, or some advice you think will help a fellow freelancer out, feel free to send your blog post to us here. Writing for brands has a funky reputation among freelancers. I’ve heard people refer to it as “soul-sucking,” “selling out,” or at the very least, “boring.” But as branded content becomes increasingly sophisticated and brands recognize the value of telling real, human stories, I’ve found that most content writing is anything but soul-sucking. If you’re feeling stuck in your freelance career and haven’t previously considered content writing, there have never been better reasons to start. Financial securityLet’s be honest — freelancing for only media companies is a really hard way to live these days. Unless you’re an established reporter with a regular column in a major publication, constantly pitching without the ability to set your own pay rates is exhausting and stressful. Even if you’re able to make a living writing only for media publications, the recent layoff epidemic has put plenty of freelancers on edge and in tough waters. Publications cutting costs only increases the unreliability of freelance assignments — plus, plenty of those ex-staffers have gone freelance, increasing the competition of writers vying for editor attention. That’s where content writing comes in. As Find A Way Media founder Chris Gillespie calculated, B2B writers spend only about 5 percent of their time pitching and the rest researching, strategizing, and of course, writing when they’re creating branded content. When brands decide to invest in content marketing, they usually have a good budget to do so that isn’t going anywhere. Securing a content writing client on retainer means freelancers can use their skills to pay their bills. And writing for brands doesn’t mean that media clients have to go out the window. Plenty of writers write branded content while pitching their passion-fulfilling media articles when they have the creative bandwidth. Content writing alone can make for a very fulfilling freelance career. It can also serve as a great financial base for those who still want to write for their favorite publication but are overwhelmed by the unpredictable media industry. Expand your skillsWhen I began my career as a content writer, I knew I could write a well-reported piece, but a whitepaper? A brand newsletter? A sales email? I was pretty lost on those fronts. In my two-ish years writing for brands, I’ve learned how to craft all kinds of copy and make even the most technical pieces of content tell a good story. Content writing often requires a lot of research, so if you’re a nerd about learning random new information, it’s an awesome way to gain knowledge about all kinds of industries you might never have otherwise encountered. Ever wondered about the future of chatbots in customer service? The hottest retail news? How environmentally friendly most marketing organizations are? Okay, so before writing about them I honestly hadn’t spent too much time thinking about these things either, but like most of my B2B writing assignments, I came out on the other side with a little bit more insight into how these different industries and the people behind them function. Going through the world with these strange bits of knowledge makes me more empathetic, curious, and engaged in ways I probably would never have thought to explore. Branded content means high qualityLike every content space these days, the branded content landscape is an oversaturated one. That means that in order to make it worth their money and time, brands are investing in really, really good writing. Mediocre content writing just won’t cut it, so as a content writer you can be sure your editors will task you with putting your best work forward. I’m always proud of the branded work I publish, even if it’s not as popular or exciting to my friends as, say, an op-ed I wrote about befriending an AI app. As a content writer, I approach every assignment knowing I’ll be challenged, and knowing my editors expect high quality work. There’s no cutting corners or scraping by, so my brain always gets the same writing workout I always expected writing reported pieces or longform essays. If you’re a reporter used to freelancing for media, transitioning to writing branded content can feel like a tough decision. But if you want to maintain your career autonomy while making good, consistent money, it’s an incredible way to keep your freelance lifestyle while spending less time pitching and stressing out about where your next assignment will come from. And remember, content writing doesn’t mean all other types of writing need to go down the drain. Pitching your lifestyle pieces or working on your novel while making a career out of branded content sounds like a pretty ideal freelance life to me. Tallie Gabriel is a freelance B2B, culture, and tech writer and social media editor. She currently works with Find A Way Media and Lighthouse Creative, and is a podcast producer for Unthinkable with Jay Acunzo. She's also a cellist and plays with the folk band Cardboard Rocketship. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/04/25/why-you-should-start-writing-branded-content/
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24 years ago one of my all-time favorite hip-hop songs, Mass Appeal, was released by one of my all-time favorite hip-hop groups, Gang Starr. Annnnnd, in one of the oddest (or appropriate?) segues I’ve ever attempted, two-years ago one of my favorite research reviews, MASS (Monthly Application in Strength Sport), curated every month by Greg Nuckols, Eric Helms, and Mike Zourdos (coaches who actually lift things), came to fruition and saved me from a world of ineptitude. I’m unabashed in advertising my disdain for reading research. I hate it. There are many things I’d rather do than sit down and read an entire research article. Watch NASCAR, stick my finger in an electrical socket, attempt to give my cat a bath, anything. That’s not to insinuate I don’t feel it’s important or worth my time. A coach (or athlete) who knows and truly understands the latest research has a huge advantage over his or her’s peers and competitors. I wholeheartedly feel that what separates the average/ho-hum trainers and coaches of the world from the excellent ones is What’s more, as Greg (Nuckols) notes:
What’s more (even morer), trying to keep up with the research on your own is overwhelming. There’s something in the ballpark of 50-60 journals which publish research that’s relevant to hypertrophy and strength on a regular basis. Conservatively that’s 1000+ articles per month. Going through all that and combing all the studies relevant to helping make people bigger, faster, and stronger is time & labor intensive, to say the least. Personally, the only way you could get me to do that is this: Which is why I can’t say enough great things about MASS. It saves you a metric shit load of time, and it makes you smarter. 2-Year Anniversary SaleIf you’re a coach, physique or strength athlete, or just someone who likes to nerd out and talk about actin/myosin chains at the dinner table this will be right up your alley. Starting TODAY (Thursday, 5/25) is your chance to take advantage of some BIG markdowns on the service:
This offer only lasts for a week (5/2). If you’re still on the fence you can check out the goods HERE for a free sample issue. Otherwise you can just trust that I have smart friends and excellent taste in the resources I recommend to people and go HERE to subscribe. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2019/04/mass-appeal-fitness-professionals-separate/
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I have to admit: This was pretty cool. A few weeks ago the guys who host the popular Barbell Shrugged Podcast – Anders Varner & Doug Larson – reached out because they were going to be in Boston and were wondering if I had interest coming onto the show?
Of course I’d want to come on. Barbell Shrugged #388Anders and Doug showed up at CORE, set up their mics and laptops, handed me a pair of headphones and this is the result….. None of us have pants on. Kidding. It was a treat to be invited onto the show and I think it came out really well. The three of us talk about everything from my start in the fitness industry to my early years writing for T-Nation (and meeting all the O.G’s of the strength & conditioning community) to Cressey Sports Performance to discussing a smorgasbord of coaching topics: training baseball players, adjusting technique to fit one’s anatomy, why most people don’t need to stretch to increase ROM, and how to implement warm-ups into programs. You can listen to the show directly HERE. If you’re an iTunes snob you can listen or download the episode HERE. Did what you just read make your day? Ruin it? Either way, you should share it with your friends and/or comment below.via Blog – Tony Gentilcore http://tonygentilcore.com/2019/04/barbell-shrugged-podcast-episode-388/
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According to The Edison Electric Institute, there are now more than one million electric vehicles (EVs) on U.S. roads. Another sign of the growing popularity of EVs? The IRS recently announced that General Motors, LLC (GM) has sold more than 200,000 vehicles that are eligible for the plug-in electric drive motor vehicle credit during the fourth quarter of 2018. As such, the tax credit allowed for purchasers of the new GM plug-in cars will be phased out. If you are looking to buy a new EV from GM (or another manufacturer) in the future, you should be aware of the tax incentives you may be entitled to because they could have a significant impact on your freelance taxes. Here’s the lowdown: Plug-and-play EV tax credits are availableThe plug-in electric drive motor vehicle credit is part of the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008. It provides a credit for eligible passenger vehicles and light trucks. Under this law, five quarters after reaching the sales threshold, the credit ends for the manufacturer. To use General Motors as an example: However, this type of tax credit isn’t limited to GM vehicles. The IRS federal tax credit offers $2,500 to $7,500 per new EV purchased for use in the U.S. The amount of the tax credit depends on the size of the vehicle and its battery capacity. You can see a complete listing on FuelEconomy.gov’s Tax Credits for Electric Vehicles and Tax Credits for Plug-in Hybrids pages. These tax credits will be available until 200,000 qualified EVs have been sold in the United States by each manufacturer. Once the threshold is reached, as it has been in GM’s case, the credit begins to phase out for that manufacturer. In addition to the federal tax credits and incentives for EVs, you may also be eligible for monetary and non-monetary incentives from your state, city, or even a local utility company. Depending on where you live you may be eligible for additional tax credits, vehicle or infrastructure rebates or vouchers, vehicle registration fee reductions, loans, and low-cost charging rates. On the flip-side, a few states also have fees specific to EVs, so be sure to check your state’s regulations and tax incentives related to EV purchases. An EV purchase may drive down your tax billIf you are thinking about joining this growing number of electric vehicle owners, be sure to consider how it may benefit your freelance taxes with any federal or state tax incentives you may be eligible for. This additional financial incentive will help to reduce the up-front costs of your plug-in electric vehicle purchase — a nice bonus to the inherent environmental benefits and gas savings driving an EV offers. Jonathan Medows is a New York City based CPA who specializes in taxes and business issues for freelancers and self-employed individuals across the country. He offers a free consultation to members of Freelancer’s Union and a monthly email newsletter covering tax, accounting and business issues to freelancers on his website, www.cpaforfreelancers.com — which also features a new blog, how-to articles, and a comprehensive freelance tax guide. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/04/24/an-electric-car-may-benefit-your-freelance-taxes/
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May 15 is the second anniversary of the enactment of the Freelance Isn’t Free law — NYC’s landmark legislation to protect freelancers from late and nonpayment. Freelance Isn’t Free has been successful for freelancers who have exercised their rights; 74% who have filed claims have been paid. But not enough freelancers are using the law. Collectively, we must make sure that every freelancer we know understands how to protect themselves. To this end, we are sharing success stories. To help us celebrate this hard-fought victory freelancers, and for Freelancers Union’s advocacy efforts, I invite you to share your Freelance Isn’t Free experience with us. Have you filed a successful Freelance Isn’t Free claim? We want to tell your story! Email us at [email protected] to help us raise awareness of the law, and encourage your fellow freelancers to hold clients accountable. Nonpayment isn’t just wrong. It’s illegal. Let’s show NYC’s freelance community how to fight back. via Freelancers Union Blog https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2019/04/23/have-you-used-the-freelance-isnt-free-law/ |
AuthorI have 5+ years experience working as a medical transcriptionist. When I am not working, I enjoy sports like playing basketball or judo. I love making friends and connections. Archives
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