Karen Mills, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, has written an open letter to small business owners across the country advising them of a number of new tools and benefits under the Affordable Care Act aimed at helping them provide health coverage for their employees.

“The most immediate benefit you should know about is the tax credit to help you pay for up to 35% of your employee premiums starting this tax year,” writes Mills. “An estimated four million small businesses may qualify for these tax credits, totaling about $40 billion over the next 10 years.”

Small employers with fewer than 25 full-time equivalent employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000 that purchase health insurance for employees are eligible for the tax credit.

The maximum credit will be available to employers with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent employees and average annual wages of less than $25,000. To be eligible for a tax credit, the employer must contribute at least 50% of the total premium cost.

Links in the letter also provide information on state-based Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchanges that will be available starting in 2014 to small businesses with up to 100 employees.

These exchanges will include web portals that provide standardized, easy-to-understand information that makes comparing and purchasing health care coverage easier for small business employees, and they are geared to reducing the administrative hassle that small businesses currently face in offering plans.

Starting in 2017, businesses with more than 100 employees will be able to purchase coverage in these exchanges.

For a related story that appeared previously in NBN, click here.

Three New Biztools Business Guides Available Free to Members

Three new Biztools builder business guides ― created to help NAHB members manage their businesses more effectively and increase their profits — are now available free to members through the NAHB Web site.

The guides offer members tips on technology, business planning, how to ensure the financial health of their businesses and more.

Produced by NAHB's Business Management and Information Technology Committee and found in the business management resources section of the NAHB Web site, the new 2010 Biztools builder business guides include:

• “Business Management for Home Builders: Poising for Recovery as the Market Turns”
• “Financial Management for Home Builders: Measuring Key Metrics to Plan Your Path”
• “Information Technology for Home Builders: Using Technology to Better Market Your Business”

All three concise guides ― which include lists of other valuable NAHB Biztools resources ― are written by experts in the field and can be downloaded by members for free at www.nahb.org/bbg.

Free Earlier Edition Biztools Business Guides Also Available

The 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Biztools builder business guides are all available free to NAHB members and can be downloaded from the NAHB Web site in a PDF format only.

To view or download these guides, click here.

Improve Business Operations With ‘Cost of Doing Business Study’

The “Cost of Doing Business Study, 2010 Edition,” available through NAHB BuilderBooks, enables home builders to compare their business operations with like-sized builders across the country so they can fine-tune their businesses and boost profits.

The study analyzes several operational business categories ― including volume, operation type and land vs. no land costs ― and enables builders to identify their strengths and weaknesses, increase efficiency, set realistic budget targets and improve business practices.

The categories have been analyzed, where applicable, by average and by the top and bottom 25% of performers by net profitability.

Builders can use the study to develop proven strategies to succeed in an increasingly competitive market.

To view or order the “Cost of Doing Business Study” online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.

 NAHB Technology Solutions Directory Offers Easy-to-Find Technology Services

NAHB’s Technology Solutions Directory is an easy-to-use comprehensive directory of technology vendors that enables builders, remodelers, contractors and other industry professionals to find information on software, IT solutions and technology services for their businesses.

Listings on the directory, sponsored by the Business Management & Information Technology Committee, are now available at lower prices. 

Software and technology solutions providers interested in being listed can sign up for:

• Enhanced Listing — Listing includes company name, URL, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number, company/product description, company logo. Click here for more information.
   
• Standard Listing — Listing includes company name, software brand and phone number. NAHB members can post standard listings for free. Click here for more information.

For more information, e-mail Agustin Cruz at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8472.

The Technology Solutions Directory is solely for educational and informational purposes.  Nothing in the directory should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the listed software, IT service or the software/IT vendor.  The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained in this directory.