What Obama's Stimulus Plan Means for Business Owners

President-Elect Barack Obama has already outlined broad tax cuts and refunds that he would like to sign into law by early February. The proposed stimulus package would allow companies posting losses last year to get refunds on taxes paid as far back as five years ago. The plan would also award companies for hiring new workers by giving the company a one-year tax credit.

Individuals and couples would get tax cuts of about $500 for most workers and $1,000 for couples.

The total cost of the package could cost $800 billion or more. To find our more about the stimulus package, read the full article from the Associated Press here.

Sincerely,
MerchantCircle Community Relations

Introducing Social Networking to Business Owners

As part of our ongoing studies into our merchant base that represents local business owners in all 50 states and almost every county in the U.S., we recently conducted a study, in conjuction with Rapleaf, about our merchant demographics and their activity, or lack thereof, on the web. Our study on small business concerns during the Presidential Election was cited in a recent edition of The New York Times. We've also surveyed our 650,000 merchant base on their advertising spending habits and preferences. It's because of many of these MerchantCircle studies, we've been able to form a comprehensive view on merchants everywhere, and sometimes, become an advocate for local business owners as well.

We're humbled and grateful to be a voice to the largest social network of local business owners in the nation and we'll continue to innovate with your business suggestions. Below is the study conducted by Rapleaf, that shows we've introduced 'social networking' to over 400,000 business owner across the nation. The majority of the business owners we've brought onto the web are over 26 years old at a clip of 86%. 54% are older than 36.






Sincerely,
Kevin
Community Relations