Stimulus Plan Perks 101

A weekly look at the latest products and services designed to help you run a better business.

By Laura Palotie | 
 

Beyond their federal tax rebate checks mailed out this spring, entrepreneurs can also make use of extra stimulus package incentives designed especially for businesses. These added perks include a 50-percent bonus deprecation allowance on new equipment, and a boost in equipment costs business can now expense, among others.

To help small-business owners take full advantage of these tax savings, the Small Business Administration recently launched an online resource center that provides a fact sheet on small-business tax benefits, a deprecation calculator, and a virtual slideshow of tax benefits in greater detail.

These and other resources are online at http://sba.gov/stimulus.

Unlimited Possibilities

Verizon Wireless this week announced an additional incentive for its small-business customers. Businesses signed up to Verizon's unlimited long-distance service can now get unlimited incoming and outgoing calls between a wireless phone and up to five landline phones for a fixed rate of $4.99.

Currently available in 24 states, the service expands Verizon's roster of services designed especially for businesses with fewer than 20 employees.

For more information, see http://www.verizon.com/businesscalls15.

Linked In Job-Seekers

Taleo, a Dublin, Calif.-based talent management company, has launched a new version of its Business Edition recruiting software for small and medium-sized businesses. In addition to offering targeted pre-interview screening questions to help recruiters identify qualified candidates and an automated interview scheduling service, the new version also helps applicants connect with companies through LinkedIn.

The feature, called Company Insider, enables job-seekers to find existing contacts at prospective employers on their LinkedIn network. Companies can simply add the Company Insider widget on their job board sites.

Business Edition starts at $99 per month. A demo of the new Business Edition at is available here. To order a free 30-day trial go here.

Read more:

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