Know You Need to Say Something, but Not Sure How to Say it?

Alethia Hummel, of Aha! Marketing and PR, grew up in Somonauk and now resides in Sandwich. Hummel graduated from the University of Nebraska with an English degree and a love for writing. Hummel then got a taste for marketing with her first job. She traveled and landed in New York City where she was presented with opportunities to work with national brands such as: Mars and Pedigree. With her love of writing and her new found knowledge of marketing, Hummel wanted to be more in line with her roots and moved back to Illinois. Hummel found enjoyment in working with small businesses and assisting in a variety of marketing needs such as: marketing plans and how to execute them, social media, press releases and educating her clients on opportunities for publicity. She shared with Leads Group 2 members the basics of publicity and many of the opportunities available locally, as well as, tips on writing newsworthy stories. Hummel’s focus is on content/copywriting for PR materials such as: brochures, websites, press releases, etc. To begin writing your memorable and meaningful copy today, contact Alethia Hummel at 815-326-0613 or send an email to alethiac2000@yahoo.com.

Colanne Schwemlein, of Colanne’s Accounting and Tax Services, has been a certified as a CPA for over nineteen years. She has a passion for helping businesses navigate thought the stresses of tax season. Schwemlein recently spoke at YACC’s Leads 2 Group meeting, educating it’s members on some of the new tax laws for 2011. She specializes in small business and individual returns. The number one tax tip she shared was to keep your paperwork timely and organized, especially if you are a business owner with employees. All W2’s and 1099’s are to be finalized by the end of January and all tax returns are due to the government by April 18. On the personal side, Schwemlein said to look for changes in the Home Energy Credit, which has been extended for this year. Tax Tip: You can submit multiple times for the The Home Energy Credit as long as it is for different items. Another tax rule that has change is how deductions are handled for HRA accounts, over the counter medications are no longer eligible. On the business side, Corporations will be affected by the state tax increases, but not S-Corps. Tax Tip: Commuter miles are counted for you driving to where you earn your money. (Example: As a landscaper, money it made while on a client’s property, therefore, the miles driven between clients are commuter miles.)

For assistance in your business and/or personal tax returns, please contact Colanne Schwemlein at Cpscpa@comcast.net or at 815-786-6050.