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Small businesses

Many small businesses that closed at start of pandemic may never reopen

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
May 5, 2021
The New York Fed said each additional week a service business is closed cuts its chance of reopening by 2 percentage points.
Some businesses that closed at the beginning of the pandemic have been forgotten by their former customers.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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Back to Business

Businesses that have survived the pandemic are spending. On themselves.

by Justin Ho
Apr 21, 2021
Many businesses are pumping money into much-needed improvements, and that spending is rippling through the economy.
Some changes businesses made during the pandemic, including in the food industry, will improve operations over the long term.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
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Small business coalition says Amazon brands are unfair competition

by Justin Ho
Apr 6, 2021
"It's a basic conflict of interest," says one small-biz advocate.
Is Amazon selling its products alongside small businesses' healthy competition or a conflict of interest?
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
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New small businesses have helped P2P payment apps boom during the pandemic

by Justin Ho
Apr 2, 2021
Business formation doubled between April and July last year, thanks in part to small businesses relying on P2P apps to get revenue.
Apps like Venmo, Zelle and PayPal are increasingly becoming businesses' preferred method of receiving payment.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Estimated taxes might be harder to figure out this year

by Justin Ho
Mar 30, 2021
Estimated taxes are usually predictable, but not this year because many businesses' 2020 income was so erratic.
Although the deadline for individual taxpayers was deferred, many businesses have to pay their quarterly estimate by April 15, and this tax season has been unpredictable.
Joaquin Corbalan/Getty Images
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COVID-19

PPP loan deadline extension would help banks process more applications

by Justin Ho
Mar 29, 2021
The latest loans have moved more slowly than the previous round, due in part to additional compliance checks to prevent fraud.
Larger companies initially took advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program, which was intended to offer forgivable loans to smaller businesses.
Kameleon007 via Getty Images
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For the smallest businesses, an exclusive chance to line up for PPP loans

by Justin Ho
Mar 9, 2021
Companies with fewer than 20 employees have had an exclusive two-week PPP loan application window.
The Small Business Association's two-week application window for the smallest small businesses ends tonight.
andresr via Getty Images
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Some businesses that could use the help aren't eligible for new PPP loans

by Justin Ho
Feb 23, 2021
Businesses can only apply for the latest round of loans if their revenue fell 25% or more.
The pandemic has had varying affects on businesses' earnings. Some have seen modest revenue declines but are still in jeopardy.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
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For Texas small businesses, the storm's yet another trial

by Samantha Fields
Feb 23, 2021
Some pivoted to help their communities. Others have received support from their customers.
The freeze has imposed a major setback on Texas businesses that depend on farming.
Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images
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Running an online business ... when the power goes out

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban
Feb 18, 2021
Jess Evans, who runs an Austin trivia company, is "so cold and so worried about the business." A strong internet connection is her priority.
A polar vortex storm has brought historic cold weather and power outages to Texas. Above, a State Highway 195 sign in Killeen.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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