• New to business or to Idaho? Start with the Business Wizard. It will give you a customized Checklist of local, state, and federal taxes and regulations that affect your business. You will also find information on licenses and permits you might need, as well as information on registering your business in Idaho and employee issues.
  

• The text, topic buttons (on the left), and tabs (at the top of the page) will provide answers to many common business questions.
  
  The What's New section below provides information on recent regulatory, licensing and tax changes that may affect your business and information on upcoming programs and workshops that may benefit your business.

If you find this site helpful, please send feedback so we can continue to meet your business needs. If you did not find the information you need, please let us know about that as well.

What's New for Idaho Small Businesses

• "How to Start a Business" Boot Camps - February 12 and March 12 at Lewis and Clark State College, Lewiston; March 4 in Moscow. For information, see www.idahosbdc.org/Events.aspxmode=3&area=Region+II&days=90
  
  February 9 and April 13 at the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. For information, see www.idahosbdc.org/Events.aspxmode=3&area=Region+IV&days=90
  
   

• DEQ 20th Annual Water Quality Workshop February 2-4, 2010. For information see www.deq.idaho.gov/water/assist_business/workshops/water_quality_workshop_10.cfm
  
   

• Principles of Cheese Making - two day course for beginning cheese makers March 9 and 10 in Twin Falls. For information and to register, visit http://www.techhelp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=calendar.detail&id=429
   

• Expanded Section 179 Depreciation Deductions - For tax year 2009, the federal Stimulus Act of 2008 allows expanded depreciation deductions for certain equipment purchases. For information visit the Taxes section of this Web site. 
  
  

• SBA ARC Loan Program - This is a new, temporary program authorized by the Federal Recovery Act. The program is designed to help profitable, established businesses (not start-ups) that are experiencing financial problems related to the recent down-turn in the economy. Up to $35,000 may be obtained in an interest-free loan with deferred pay-back of up to 18 months. Loan proceeds can only be used to make payments on existing loans, including credit card debt incurred for business purposes. For more information, contact your banker or visit www.sba.gov.
  
  

• The IRS announced several tax changes for 2009 that will benefit small businesses. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit has been expanded to include benefits for hiring veterans and certain unskilled youth. The Net Operating Loss Carry Back has been expanded to include losses going back five years. These and other tax changes can be found on the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.
  
  

• The Idaho Small Business Development Center at Boise State University has been awarded a Small Business Sustainability Initiative grant to offer energy efficiency audits to small businesses in Ada County. For information or to schedule an audit, call 208-426-3875.

This site is a major effort of the RIB Committee. Would you like the committee to address a particular business issue? Please click on the RIB logo for more information.