Starting and Running a Business
Starting and running a business means turning an idea into a legal, operating company and keeping it in good standing. Government appears at every stage. States register companies, federal and state agencies tax and regulate them, and programs at several agencies offer loans, training, and contracts. The rules depend on the kind of business, its size, and where it operates.
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All Articles on Starting and Running a Business
Are Tariffs Taxable? A Guide for U.S. Businesses and Consumers
It sounds like a riddle: Can you tax a tax? When it comes to tariffs, the answer isn't straightforward. A tariff is already a…
Who Wins and Loses When America Raises Tariffs?
Tariffs can protect American producers while raising costs for consumers, manufacturers and exporters. The gains depend on who sells, buys and pays.
What’s the Difference Between a Tariff and a Tax?
At first glance, the relationship between a tariff and a tax seems simple: a tariff is a type of tax. While this is technically…
A Guide to the Provisional Patent Application
One of the most useful tools for safeguarding an invention is the Provisional Patent Application, or PPA. A PPA isn't a type of patent…
The Cost of Getting a Patent: What Every Inventor Needs to Know
While that idea in your head could be worth millions, it turns out turning it into a legally protected asset comes with a price…
A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a U.S. Trademark
A trademark is a business asset that functions as your identifier in the marketplace. It can be any distinctive word, name, symbol, or device—or…
A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a U.S. Patent
A United States patent doesn't give you the right to make or sell your invention. Instead, it grants something potentially more valuable: the power…
Attract Foreign Investment with SelectUSA
SelectUSA, housed within the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, serves as America's official investment recruiter. The program works as a government-wide concierge service for…
A Guide to Participating in U.S. Trade Missions
A trade mission is a government-led export promotion event that introduces US companies to lucrative foreign markets. These structured overseas trips connect American businesses…
The U.S. Commercial Service: A Guide for American Exporters
American companies that export grow faster, create more jobs, and are more resilient during economic downturns than their domestic-only counterparts. Exporters tend to pay…