Hiring credits are available if you hire employees from certain targeted groups. These may include disabled veterans with qualifications, those who have been recently laid off or been threatened with layoff, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, summer youth hires as well as youth and young adults from designated communities, qualifying ex-felons, people who have recently been on food stamps, SSI or temporary assistance for needy families, as well as other qualified youth. Each of these qualified employees can earn your company that hires them up to $13,000 annually in Enterprise Zone credits.

Other tax credits incentives are available as federal hiring credits. WOTC California is the name of the program, and employees qualify based on similar groups as for the state tax incentive. For WOTC California, your corporation may earn anywhere from $2,400 to $4,800 per qualified employee.

Many of these hiring tax credits may be available to you for previous years as well. If you realize that you could have qualified for them three years or even more in the past, your accountant may file an amended return on your company’s behalf so that you can claim them. As well, if you want to carry over your tax credits so that they are available for your use next tax season, this may also be possible.

Other Enterprise Zone credits help your corporation save energy. When you purchase hybrid and diesel-powered vehicles for business use, your company may qualify for tax credits. If you install energy-saving equipment or pollution-controlling equipment at your place of business, you may then be able to claim Enterprise Zone credits and significant tax deductions. Companies located in an Enterprise Zone may also qualify for sales and use tax credits of up to ten percent of the purchase cost of research and development or manufacturing and processing equipment, as well as energy conservation or water or air pollution equipment.

You can discuss these and other tax credits incentives with your Long Beach accountant, who can provide more information.

Start Your Day Right

Experts all agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You can get your day off to a delicious start at one of the many outdoor dining establishments. You can enjoy a traditional American breakfast at Cousin Cheryl’s, where you can also shop for unique gift baskets. If you happen to be aboard one of the many boats that call Marina del Rey home, you can have breakfast delivered from the Waterfront Bar & Grill, otherwise you can make use of their patio for some boat watching as you enjoy your breakfast.

Brunch is a great way to start your day with a group of friends. This outdoor breakfast experience combines morning ocean breezes, soft sunlight, and a delectable smorgasbord of breakfast treats from places such as Stones Restaurant or Jer-Ne Restaurant + Bar. Of course, if you’d rather grab something on the run, you can get some fresh-from-the-oven baked goods from Noah’s New York Bagels or a gourmet coffee from Joni’s Coffee Roasting Cafe before heading to the beach.

Cafe Lunches, California Style

Nothing beats sitting at a waterfront dining facility in Southern California, watching the people pass, checking out the boats, and simply enjoying the good life. There are dozens of cafes in Marina del Rey that can provide you with an excellent outdoor dining experience. Cafe Mermaids offers gourmet toasted sandwiches and fresh salads on their waterfront dining deck. If you prefer spicy Cajun food, The Angler’s Choice is the place to go. This outdoor dining establishment is located conveniently in Fisherman’s Village and is also a popular stop for the nightlife crowd. For real California flavor, you can’t go wrong with the Organic Panifico Cafe. Panifico’s waterfront dining deck offers a beautiful view as you enjoy organic soups, salads, sandwiches, and Mexican treats.

If you’d rather be on the water, be sure to try Hornblower Cruises, where you can enjoy lunch, dinner, or even brunch aboard one of their luxury yachts. They also offer wine tasting, jazz, and sunset cruises. There’s nothing like dancing the night away as you sail through this mecca for movie stars, music legends, and royalty.

Dine In Style At The Water’s Edge

Waterfront dining brings the beach community into an entirely different light each evening. Boats cruise past, displaying colorful lights that reflect across the water. You can dine elegantly on steaks and seafood at the Chart House, or dine on the freshest sushi available at SugarFISH. If you prefer a contemporary Californian menu, you are sure to enjoy your outdoor dining experience at either the Warehouse Restaurant or the Waterfront Restaurant.

Whichever meals you get to enjoy during your Marina del Rey visit, you are sure to be delighted with all of the waterfront dining possibilities!

The first surprise is one you could only find in California. The LLC is charged an $800 annual fee for the “privilege of doing business in California”. Oh, joy. The fee is due not at the end of your first year, but within a few months of forming your business. Yes, the door is barely open and you are already getting hit with state expenses!

The next surprise comes when you start bringing in some business. The wicked surprise goes by the name “gross revenue tax.” In addition to your $800 annual fee discussed above, you have to pay a tax based on your gross revenues. The tax doesn’t start until you are bringing in at least $250,000 a year, but it is important to remember what we are talking about here. This is a “gross” revenue tax. An example will help explain the significance of this.

Imagine I have a store selling some high priced item. My business plan calls for me to lose money my first three years as business builds up. The first year I bring in $125,000 and lose $10,000 as expected. Then year two rolls around. I bring in $260,000 in receipts and lose another $10,000. Much to my surprise, I own an additional $900 in gross revenue tax. Yes, this is true even though I didn’t make a profit!

So, should you avoid forming a California LLC? No, not really. It is still a great choice. A corporation in California has to pay the same $800 fee, but not the gross revenue tax. As long as you know what you are getting into, the LLC is still worth the financial aggravation.