San Mateo County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Announcements

Doing Business with the Federal Government: The Basics

Site Administrator — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:18:46 GMT

Did you know that the U.S. government is the world's largest buyer of products and services?

The Federal government spends more than $500 billion in contracting dollars every year.

U.S. law currently establishes a goal that 23% of prime Federal contract dollars go to small businesses, and yet, it has fallen short of this goal for the past several years.

Small businesses need to take better advantage of the Federal market place.

This practical guide is intended to:

Help small business owners de-mystify the Federal procurement process and increase access to federal contracts
Provide potential vendors with basic steps on how to become certified as a federal contractor
Offer resources on marketing and assistance with the bidding process
Highlight upcoming changes that will streamline the Federal procurement system

To read the full report: Click Here

Commercial News USA Online Edition - Jan/Feb 2012

Site Administrator — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:16:11 GMT

Commercial News USA is the official export promotion magazine of the United States Department of Commerce.

The magazine is designed to help American companies promote their products and services to buyers in more than 178 countries worldwide.

For the Jan/Feb 2012 Issue: Click Here

Financial Aid Resources for Latino Students - Updated for 2012!

Site Administrator — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:45:00 GMT

Start off the New Year right! Following is an updated list of information regarding financial resources and scholarship available to Latino students:

http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-scholarship-coach/2011/12/22/college-scholarships-abound-for-bilingual-students
http://www.latina.com/lifestyle/our-issues/we-heard-you-president-obama-guide-educational-resources-latino-families
http://www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/index.html
http://www.salef.org
http://www.cuny.edu/admissions/financial-aid/grants-scholarships.html
http://schools.houstonisd.org//site/default.aspx?PageID=14023
http://www.nygearup.org/collegesense/index.htm
http://www.ccc.edu/services/Pages/Scholarships.aspx
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml
http://www.ilrc.org/scholarship.html
http://cacesf.org
http://www.mahatmarice.com/scholarship
http://www.ecclf.org/award_program.htm
http://meritusfund.org/html/scholar_app.asp
http://www.princeton.edu/PrincetonPrize
http://www.chci.org/scholarships/
http://hsf.net/innercontent.aspx?id=34
http://www.chicla.wisc.edu/studentinfo.html#salas
http://www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org
http://www.laef.org/
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3undergr.htm
http://www.collegenet.com/mach25/app
http://www.careersandcolleges.com
http://www.siliconvalleycf.org/scholarships
https://webapps1.csus.edu/faid_general/pr_scholarships.asp (For CSUS students only)

Commercial News USA Online Edition - Nov/Dec 2011

Site Administrator — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:12:52 GMT

Financial Resources for Latino students

Site Administrator — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:54:56 GMT

Following is a list of information regarding financial resources and scholarship available to Latino students:

http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/
http://www.maldef.org/pdf/Scholarships_01252003.pdf
http://www.salef.org
http://www1.cuny.edu/portal_ur/content/immigration/tuition_memo.html
http://hs.houstonisd.org/debakeyhs/Departments/counselors/Undocumented.html
http://www.nygearup.org/collegesense/students/scholar_undoc..htm
http://www.ccc.edu/financialaid/nonres_scholarship1.shtml
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/undocumented.phtml
http://www.ilrc.org/scholarship.html
http://cacesf.org
http://www.mahatmarice.com/scholarship
http://www.ecclf.org/award_program.htm
http://meritusfund.org/html/scholar_app.asp
http://www.princeton.edu/PrincetonPrize
http://www.chicanalatina.org/index.html
http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarships_regional.htm
http://www.amigaslatinas.org/aixaform.htm
http://www.latinbayarea.com/channels/education/index.htm
http://www.fundsnetservices.com/2000/finaid06.htm
http://www.hsf.net/resources/links.php
http://www.chicla.wisc.edu/scholarships1.htm
http://www.latina.com/latina/toolsforsuccess/toolsforsuccess.jsp?genre=education&article=scholarships
http://www.chci.org/chciyouth/scholarship/scholarshiplinks_latinos.htm
http://www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org
http://www.laef.org/scholarships/other.html
http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3specpop.html
http://www.collegenet.com
http://www.usnews.com
http://www.careersandcolleges.com
http://www.siliconvalleycf.org/grants_studentsTeachers_SCHOL.html
http://www.csus.edu/sernacenter (For CSUS students only)

Video Series Helps Small Business Taxpayers Understand the Audit Process

Site Administrator — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 05:16:49 GMT

The IRS Small Business and Self-Employed (SB/SE) Examination Division is ready to launch a new online video series to help small business taxpayers and their tax preparers better understand the IRS audit process.

Ten video lessons are:

• What is an IRS Audit?

• You’ve Been Contacted. What Should You Do Next?

• Should You Get A Representative?

• How Do You Prepare Your Records For the Audit?

• What Happens When You Have An Audit At The IRS Office?

• What Happens When The IRS Audit Occurs At Your Location?

• What Happens After Your First Appointment?

• What Happens When You AGREE With The Audit Findings?

• What Happens When You DISAGREE with the Audit Findings?

• If You Owe, What Are Your Payment Options?

Click here for the IRS Video Portal

Resources for San Bruno Disaster

Site Administrator — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 01:45:07 GMT

Here is a list of resources that might be helpful for local residents:

To locate family or friends, please go to www.safeandwell.org or call 650-616-7180.
To volunteer, please go to www.thevolunteercenter.net or contact the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center located at 251 City Park Way at 650-616-7180.
Donations to the victims can be earmarked by contacting the American Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS and specifying "San Bruno Fire" or click here.
To donate blood contact Blood Centers Of The Pacific 888-393-GIVE http://bloodcenters.org
California Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-927-HELP (4357) for questions about insurance coverage and reimbursement for living expenses during the evacuation period.
To obtain a claim form from PG&E and receive financial assistance please call 415-973-8901.
For pets impacted by the fire contact SPCA at 650-340-7022.

Understanding Your IRS Notice or Letter

Site Administrator — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 05:23:37 GMT

About Your Notice

If you receive a letter or notice from the IRS, it will explain the reason for the correspondence and provide instructions. Many of these letters and notices can be dealt with simply, without having to call or visit an IRS office.

The notice you receive covers a very specific issue about your account or tax return. Generally, the IRS will send a notice if it believes you owe additional tax, are due a larger refund, if there is a question about your tax return or a need for additional information.

IRS Notice Redesign

Currently, the IRS is in the process of redesigning and revising its correspondence with taxpayers for clarity, effectiveness and efficiency. To start, the redesign affects nine notices. The new format includes a plain language explanation of the nature of the correspondence, clearly states what action the taxpayer must take and presents a clear, clean design.

Click Here for more Information

Support Elementary Students going to a National Math Bee

Site Administrator — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:41:20 GMT

San Mateo Park School students in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade have been competing in the National Math Bee and have been ranked in the top four spots in the state of California.

Thirteen students have been invited to the finals, which are taking place May 7th at the Dolphin Pavilion, which is located at the world famous zoo in Indianapolis, Indiana.

San Mateo Park School is currently attempting to raise $7,000 for the thirteen students and three staff members to attend the event.

Please support the students by making a donation.

Please contact the School Principal, Bob Abaya

San Mateo Park Math & Science Magnet School
161 Clark Drive
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 312-7577
babaya@smfc.k12.ca.us

Volunteer Project: East Palo Alto Charter School (“EPACS”) and East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy (“EPAPA”)

Site Administrator — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:14:59 GMT

East Palo Alto Charter School (“EPACS”) and East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy (“EPAPA”) comprise a K-12 educational community dedicated to preparing all students for acceptance and success at a four-year college of their choice.

Both EPACS (grades K-8) and EPAPA (high school) are looking for volunteer tutors (all academic areas, all grade levels), college mentors, and extracurricular activity supporters who can commit to consistent involvement with our students.

Please visit:
www.epacs.org
www.epapa.org

To learn more about our schools and for a listing of the wide array of opportunities to get involved with our school community, please contact:

Mike Berman (michael.berman@epapa.org, 650-400-6853)

Health Bill Small Business Tax Credits

Site Administrator — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:16:58 GMT

Tax credits are available to small businesses in two phases.

Phase One -if you are a business with 25 employees or less and average wages of $50000 or less and pay at least 50% of the total premium for your employees coverage you can receive a credit up to 35% of the premium cost between 2010 and 2013.

Phase Two - begins 2014 and if you meet the criteria you can receive a tax credit up to 50% of your health insurance cost. The full tax credit is available in both phases to employers with 10 employees or less who have an average wage of $25000 . The credit phases out for employers with between 10 to 25 employees with average wages between $25000 and $50000.

The tax credits can be captured by a deduction on your federal income tax liability and can be carried back 1 year and forward 20 years.

Volunteer Project:: East Palo Alto - San Francisco 49ers Academy

Site Administrator — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:43:11 GMT

San Francisco 49ers Academy has a variety of opportunities to tutor, assist with homework, coach, and provide other project leadership in our after school program.

Together we can improve skill levels and create a climate of hope and excellence!

Located in East Palo Alto and serve students in grades 1-8.

Volunteers are asked to commit 1-2 hours a week, usually between 3 and 5pm, and may work one-on-one with a student or with a group of students.

To volunteer, email Brian Scoles at bscoles@ravenswood.k12.ca.us or call him at 650-714-9503.

Visit our website at www.49ers-academy.org to learn more about the program.

Stutdent Summer Leadership Conference - Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project

Site Administrator — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:42:18 GMT

All California high school students currently in the 10th and 11th grade are invited to apply.

The Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project has successfully organized a week-long leadership training conference in Sacramento, through which over approximately 3,000 of California’s best and brightest high school students have been prepared for the many opportunities and challenges they face.

CLYLP Summer Conference Activities:

Legislative Day at the State Capitol: Students learn about the legislative process through active participation in mock hearings and interaction with legislators.
Campaign Development Workshops: Students learn skills and techniques needed to organize and run political campaigns. Students then use these skills at school for class and student body elections.
College & Careers Day: Students attend a College Fair and meet with community college, CSU, UC, and private college recruiters. College representatives, admissions staff, and financial aid experts provide students with information on how to apply for and succeed in college. Students also get exposure to various professional careers.

Click here: For more information and to Apply

Volunteer Program: After School Program - College Track

Site Administrator — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:21:03 GMT

College Track is an after school program working to increase high school and college graduation rates among low-income, under – resourced high school students.

College Track’s intended impact is to close the achievement gap and create a college-going culture for students who are historically and currently underrepresented in higher education.

The programs are designed to ensure that each student graduates from high school eligible to attend and prepared to succeed in the college of their choice.

Seeking volunteer tutors for grades 9 – 12th, workshop leaders for both academic subjects and creative workshops such as dance, art, or music and college advisors for our graduating seniors.

They provide training and on-going support for all volunteers.

Interested volunteers please contact: Mayra Diaz at mdiaz@collegetrack.org.or (650) 614-4878.

Employment Opportunities in the County of San Mateo

Site Administrator — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:42:46 GMT

Positions available in the County of San Mateo.

Interested candidate must meet ALL the following eligibility requirements:

1) Live San Mateo County
2) Meet the income requirements (income for the last 30 days)
3) Be a parent/guardian of a child/children 18 years or younger

Office/ Shop Assistant- (20-30 hours per/week)- $15/hr San Carlos
Position requires direct interaction with clients, greeting ,providing shuttle service, car washing/ cleaning, and shop assistance as needs.
Required to have a clean CDL and operate both manual/automatic transmissions.

Apprentice Technician (20-30 hours p/ wk) - $12/hr -San Carlos
Clean CDL and ability to operate both manual/automatic transmissions. Responsible for maintaining clean shop and assisting Service Managers and Technicians.

Data Administration Manager (FT) $30-45/hr- South San Francisco
Serves as primary technical resource, monitors the overall condition of the data in the organization's database.

Qualified and interested candidates, Please call:
650-877-Jobs(5627)

Employment Opportunity: Portuguese & Spanish Export Manager

Site Administrator — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 19:28:33 GMT

Looking for a fluent Portuguese & Spanish Export Manager.

The position is Direct Hire and pays between $60-$80K/yr.
They need to have at least five years of relevant experience.

Job Title Description:
Export Manager - Latin America and Canada
Work Location: Santa Clara

Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced, hands on export manager to oversee all in bound and out bound transportation services. This position will require direct communications with customers, freight forwards, distributor logistics personnel in the Latin America region, with the concentration in Brazil and Mexico region. The export manager computes duties, tariffs, price conversions, weight, and volume of merchandise exported/ imported to/ from foreign destinations. Examines various documents including invoices, bill of lading, and shipping statements. Ensures compliance with federal and foreign regulations governing the shipment, receipt, and documentation of imported/ exported products.

Manages and coordinates customs clearance activities in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Ensures compliance with federal and foreign regulations governing the shipment, receipt, and documentation of imported/ exported products being shipped through all distributors. Establishes, monitors, and revises policies, procedures and service standards for customs clearance operations. Arranges shipping details, such as export licenses, custom declarations, and routing of product. Ensures all policies and procedures are consistently administered.

Requirements:

· BA/ BS preferred and/ or 5+ years of relevant export licensing experience

· Experience in export trade compliance/ export controls/ international customs/ global logistics

· Excellent communication skills combined with customer service skills/experience.

· Motivated, able to multi task, organized, self-starter, excellent follow up skills

· Well developed oral and written communication skills

· Proficiency in English, Portuguese, & Spanish a must

· Experience in SAP

Contact Information:
Announcements@smchcc.com

American Opportunity Credit

Site Administrator — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:29:42 GMT

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more parents and students will qualify over the next two years for a tax credit, the American Opportunity Credit, to pay for college expenses.

The American Opportunity Credit is not available on the 2008 returns taxpayers are filing during 2009. The new credit modifies the existing Hope Credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, making the Hope Credit available to a broader range of taxpayers, including many with higher incomes and those who owe no tax. It also adds required course materials to the list of qualifying expenses and allows the credit to be claimed for four post-secondary education years instead of two. Many of those eligible will qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student.

The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is phased out for taxpayers with incomes above these levels. These income limits are higher than under the existing Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits.

TAX TIP: Ten Things the IRS Wants You to Know About Identity Theft

Site Administrator — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:40:24 GMT

Criminals use many methods to steal personal information from taxpayers. They can use your information to steal your identity and file a tax return in order to receive a refund. Here are 10 things the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming the victim of a scam artist.

Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including stealing a wallet or purse or accessing information you provide to an unsecured Internet site. They even look for personal information in your trash. They also pose as someone who needs information through a phone call or e-mail.
The IRS does not initiate contact with a taxpayer by e-mail.
If you receive an e-mail scam, forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
If you receive a letter from the IRS leading you to believe your identity has been stolen, respond immediately to the name, address or phone number on the IRS notice.
Your identity may be stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates more than one tax return was filed for you or the letter states you received wages from an employer you don’t know.
If your Social Security number is stolen, it may be used by another individual to get a job. That person’s employer would report income earned to the IRS using your Social Security number, making it appear that you did not report all of your income on your tax return.
If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft, but you believe you may be at risk due to a lost wallet, questionable credit card activity, or credit report, you need to provide the IRS with proof of your identity. You should submit a copy of your valid government-issued identification – such as a Social Security card, driver's license, or passport – along with a copy of a police report and/or a completed Form 14039, IRS Identity Theft Affidavit.
Show your Social Security card to your employer when you start a job or to your financial institution for tax reporting purposes. Do not routinely carry your card or other documents that display your SSN.
If you have previously been in contact with the IRS and have not achieved a resolution, please contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, toll-free at 1-800-908-4490.
For more information about identity theft – including information about how to report identity theft, phishing and related fraudulent activity – visit the IRS Identity Theft Resource Page, which you can find by typing “Identity Theft” in the search box on the IRS.gov home page.

When should you use Small Claims Court ?

Site Administrator — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:16:47 GMT

Small claims court is a special court where civil disputes can be resolved quickly and inexpensively.

Any mentally competent person 18 years of age or older may file a small claims court suit.

Persons who are under 18 years old or who are not mentally competent must have an adult guardian appointed by a judge to represent them.

Lawyers are not allowed to represent you in small claims court, but you may consult with a lawyer before you go to court.

Virtual Tax Workshop for the Self-Employed & Small Businesses

Site Administrator — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:12:02 GMT

Virtual Tax Workshop for the Self-Employed & Small Businesses

There are nine lessons covering the following:

Lesson 1: What You Need to Know About Federal Taxes & Your New Business
Lesson 2: How to Set up & Run Your Business so Paying Taxes Isn’t a Hassle
Lesson 3: How to File and Pay Your Taxes Using a computer
Lesson 4: What You Need to Know when You Run Your Business out of Your Home
Lesson 5: How to Set Up a Retirement Plan for Yourself & Your Employees
Lesson 6: What You Need to Know About Federal Taxes when Hiring Employees/Contractors
Lesson 7: How to Manage Payroll so You Withhold the Right Amount from Employees
Lesson 8: How to Make Tax Deposits & File Your Payroll Taxes Using a Computer
Lesson 9: What You Need to Know About Federal Unemployment Taxes (FUTA)

The Virtual Small Business Tax Workshop is available on IRS.gov:
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=200274,00.html