​Start your journey to success with BBB Learning’s on-demand courses, certificates, pre-approved credits, webinars, and networking events focused on leadership and ethical business practices. Whether you’re launching your own venture, leading teams, or tackling business challenges, BBB Learning offers opportunities to help you thrive in today’s competitive landscape. 
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BBB Learning focuses on building trust, promoting ethical leadership, and helping businesses address key challenges. These challenges include managing finances (particularly costs), growing and marketing the business, and hiring and retaining employees, as identified in a recent study of 13,000 BBB Accredited Businesses (Source: IABBB Research).

Eligible Projects:
Projects must serve at least one of the following primary purposes:

• Reduce crime/vandalism OR replace, repair, or rehabilitate property due to crime/vandalism
• Deter theft or unauthorized access.
• Improve commercial property cleanliness or hygiene
• Enhance the safety of critical systems, including electrical, fire suppression, and other essential systems.
• Structural improvements for entrance/egress
• Occupational safety
• Mobility, Sensory, and Access Improvements
• Enhance exterior appearance through professional cleaning (e.g., power washing, graffiti removal, refuse clean-up)

Reimbursement Eligibility
Expenses for eligible projects completed within 6 months before the application date may be reimbursed, provided the applicant can submit:

• Itemized receipts or paid invoices
• “Before” and “after” photos or videos of the completed work
• A brief written summary of the project and its impact

Reimbursed projects must still align with the program’s goals and meet all eligibility criteria.

Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:

• A clear description of the proposed safety or cleaning project
• A contractor’s quote, invoice, or cost estimate with itemized materials or services
• "Before" photos or videos of the area to be improved
• Proof of business address (e.g., utility bill, lease, or deed)
• Timeline for project completion

Program Guidelines
Open to all businesses located within the City of Bloomington City Limits

• Projects must be completed within the funding period outlined in the grant agreement (MOU).
• “After" photos and a brief completion report must be submitted by the end of the MOU term
• Grants are one-time per year per business.
• Funds may not be used for weapons, harmful devices, or other ineligible expenses.
• The program administrator reserves the right to deny funding for any project deemed inappropriate or outside the scope of this grant.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.  

"One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage," said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. "I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans."

SBA’s EIDL program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Beginning Tuesday, June 3, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center in the primary county of Monroe to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
The DLOC hours of operation are listed below:

Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)  
Monroe County
Ivy Tech Community College Room B201
200 Daniels Way
Bloomington, IN 47404

Opening: Tuesday, June 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday, Closed.
 Permanently Closing June 18 at 3 p.m.

Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is July 29, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Mar. 2, 2026.

​During National Small Business Week, May 4-10, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes the hard work, ingenuity, and dedication of America’s small businesses, and celebrates their contributions to the economy. National Small Business Week includes in-person events and an educational virtual summit on a variety of business topics. 

• Correctly classify your business. Decide on the appropriate business entity (sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, S corporation or LLC) to determine tax filing requirements and legal considerations.
• Get your employer identification number (EIN). An EIN, also known as a federal tax identification number, is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, and now you may apply online. This is a free service offered by the Internal Revenue Service, and you can get your EIN immediately. You must check with your state to make sure you need a state number or charter. If you lost or misplaced your EIN, follow these steps.
• Keep adequate records. Good records will help you monitor the progress of your business, prepare your financial statements, identify sources of income, keep track of deductible expenses, keep track of your basis in property, prepare your tax returns and support items reported on your tax returns. Choose a recordkeeping system that clearly shows income and expenses.
• Hire the right tax professional. Choosing the right tax professional is essential for small business owners to ensure accurate and timely tax preparation. By asking the right questions and verifying credentials, businesses can avoid potential scams and protect their financial interests.
• Resolve debt and prevent new liabilities. If you owe a tax debt and can't pay all or part of it, the IRS can help. You have options to resolve your tax bill.
  • Pay what you can now to help avoid interest and penalties. Then choose one of these options:
    • Apply for a payment plan, also called an installment or online payment agreement, to pay off your balance over time. Fees may apply.
    • An offer in compromise lets you settle your tax debt for less than you owe. This used to be called the Fresh Start program.
  • Ask to delay collection. If you can't afford to pay now because of your financial condition, you can ask us to temporarily delay collection.
  • If you disagree with the information on your tax bill, call the number on the notice or visit your local IRS office. Be sure to have a copy of the bill and any tax returns, cancelled checks or other records to help us understand why you believe your bill is wrong. If we find that you're right, we'll adjust your account and, if necessary, send a revised bill.
  • Request spouse relief. If your spouse made errors on your joint tax return and you didn't know about it, you may qualify for tax relief for spouses.
  • If you're in bankruptcy, please let us know immediately. We may temporarily stop collection. Call the number on your bill or 800-973-0424. Have this information ready: location of court, bankruptcy date, chapter and bankruptcy number.
  • If you don't pay the amount due or contact us. We may take collection actions.

Plan for next year. You should pay taxes as you earn or receive income during the year. You can do this by having your employer withhold tax from your wages or by making estimated tax payments. For details, see IRS Tax Withholding Estimator and Estimated taxes.

A suite of digital tools and technology designed to assist small businesses is available to help manage their tax responsibilities efficiently. The IRS’s digital tools save small businesses time by allowing them to avoid wait times and mailing in documents. Examples of these include:

• Business Tax Account. A new, secure platform where business owners can view tax information, manage accounts, make payment and communicate with the IRS. Initially available to sole proprietors, this digital tool continues to expand with additional services available.
• E-file information returns for tax years 2022 and later with the Information Returns Intake System (IRIS). This system lets you file corrections and requests automatic extensions.
• Digital and mobile adaptive forms. The IRS now provides certain forms in mobile-friendly options that allow taxpayers to easily complete and submit forms from their computer, cell phone or tablet. This gives taxpayers a safe and fast way to electronically engage with IRS. For forms that require signatures, you need an IRS Online Account to complete the mobile friendly forms.
• IRS Secure Messaging is a secure service for taxpayers and authorized representatives of a taxpayer/business to directly interact with IRS representatives. Messages can be securely sent to you by IRS representatives.

In Support of National Small Business Week, and In Partnership with SBA and TAS, IRS presents: Small Business, Big Tools: Free Resources from the IRS That Will Lead to Success
Thursday, May 8, 2025
 2:00 p.m. Eastern, 1:00 p.m. Central, 12:00 p.m. Mountain, 11:00 a.m. Arizona and Pacific, 10:00 a.m. Alaska, 8:00 a.m. Hawaii

(75 minutes)

NO Continuing Education (CE) Credit/Certificate is offered for this webinar

 
The goal of today's webinar: 

• How to use IRS tools made for small businesses.
• Where to get free help when you run into tax problems.
• How the SBA and SBREFA give your business a voice.
• Simple tips to stay ready tax time.
• Raising awareness of resources for small businesses related to regulatory enforcement and fairness, particularly how to get assistance from the Office of the National Ombudsman.
• Raising awareness of resources from the Office of Taxpayer Advocate.

 

Offered with closed captioning.  Closed Captioning displays the words that descrbe the audio portion of the program for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Captions are available in English only.


NO CE credit/Certificate is offered for this webinar.

Planning what to do in case of a disaster is an important part of being prepared. These simple steps can help taxpayers and businesses protect financial and tax records in case of disasters PDF:

• Take advantage of paperless recordkeeping for financial and tax records. Store critical documents in waterproof containers and duplicate important paperwork.
• Document valuables and business equipment. After a disaster hits, photographs and videos of a home or business's contents can help support claims for insurance or tax benefits. The IRS disaster-loss workbooks can help individuals PDF and businesses PDF compile lists of belongings or business equipment.
• Get IRS support during disasters. Following a federal disaster declaration, the IRS will automatically provide administrative disaster tax relief and special tax law provisions. This grants additional time for individuals and businesses to file returns, pay taxes, and perform certain other time-sensitive acts to taxpayers affected by a federally declared disaster. Taxpayers living in a federally declared disaster can visit IRS Tax relief in disaster situations or Around the nation to check for the available disaster tax relief.
• Check whether your employer has an employer fiduciary bond. Employers using payroll service providers should check if their provider has a fiduciary bond in place to protect the employer in the event of a default by provider. Employers are encouraged to create an Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) to monitor their payroll tax deposits and receive email alerts.

Upcoming webinars
In support of National Small Business Week, and in partnership with SBA and TAS, IRS presents:
Small business, big tools: Free resources from the IRS that will lead to successThis free 75-minute webinar is open to all, and will overview:

• How to use IRS tools made for small businesses
• Where to get free help when you run into tax problems
• How the SBA and SBREFA give your business a voice
• Simple tips to stay ready tax time
• Raising awareness of resources for small businesses related to regulatory enforcement and fairness, particularly how to get assistance from the Office of the National Ombudsman
• Raising awareness of resources from the Office of Taxpayer Advocate
• Plus, a live Q & A

Register and attendSmall business, big tools
2 p.m. Eastern, 1 p.m. Central, 12 p.m. Mountain, 11 a.m. Arizona and Pacific, 10 a.m. Alaska, 8 a.m. Hawaii
Closed captioning will be offered
CE will not be offered
Questions? Email us at cl.sl.web.conference.team@irs.gov
Email: cl.sl.web.conference.team@irs.gov
Sponsored By: IRS Stakeholder Liaison
Date: 5/8/2025
Time: See event information
Location: Your home, office, or mobile device, any, nationwide

Small business workshops, seminars and meetings, designed to help the small business owner understand and fulfill their federal tax responsibilities, are held at various locations throughout the country. These events are sponsored and presented by IRS partners specializing in federal tax. On occasion, IRS participates in these events in person or by virtual technology.
Topics vary from a general overview of taxes to more specific topics such as recordkeeping and retirement plans. Although most are free, some events have fees paid directly to the sponsoring organization, not the IRS.
If you live near a state line, please look for workshops in nearby cities of the bordering state.

The IRS offers several e-News subscriptions on a variety of tax topics. Below are links and information about subscribing.
When you subscribe, you will receive a confirmation message by email. Remember, you must respond to this email to verify your subscription. You can easily unsubscribe from any of the offerings.

If you use your car for business, charity, medical or moving purposes, you may be able to take a deduction based on the mileage used for that purpose.
2025 mileage ratesThe standard mileage rates for 2025 are:

• Self-employed and business: 70 cents/mile 
• Charities: 14 cents/mile 
• Medical: 21 cents/mile 
• Moving (military only): 21 cents/mile 

Find out when you can deduct vehicle mileage

Up-to-the-minute tips to help taxpayers and businesses.
Along with IRS.gov, the IRS routinely publishes helpful information on YouTube, Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

​The IRS has options to help taxpayers pay their tax bill

Tax Tip 2025-29, May 5, 2025 — Tax returns for 2024 were due on April 15, 2025, with exceptions for taxpayers in a disaster area, combat zone or living and working abroad. Taxpayers who couldn’t pay their tax bill by the deadline shouldn't panic – the IRS is here to help. There are several options to help taxpayers meet their obligations.

Taxpayers should check their withholding now to prepare for next year

IRS Tax Tip 2025-28, April 22, 2025 — Proper tax withholding now is key to avoiding surprises when taxpayers file next year. Making any needed adjustments early means taxpayers won’t have to make a big change later in the year to catch up.

Taxpayers who missed the April tax filing deadline should file as soon as possible

Tax Tip 2025-27, April 17, 2025 — Taxpayers who missed the April 15 filing deadline should submit their tax return as soon as possible. Those who missed the deadline to file but owe taxes should file timely to avoid penalties and interest.

Taxpayers who need more time to file a federal tax return should request an extension

Tax Tip 2025-26, April 15, 2025 — Taxpayers who need more time to file should request an extension by the April 15 deadline.

Tips and resources to help last minute tax filers

Tax Tip 2025-25, April 14, 2025 — The IRS reminds last-minute tax filers that the April 15 tax deadline is a day away, and there are a variety of free tools to help them, including the Let us help you page, on IRS.gov.

Get ahead of the tax deadline: File, pay or ask for an extension now

Tax Tip 2025-24, April 10, 2025 — The April 15 tax deadline is right around the corner – but there’s still time for people to file their federal income tax return electronically and request direct deposit of any refund.

Review the education credits before filing a federal tax return

Tax Tip 2025-23, April 3, 2025 —There are two tax credits designed to help taxpayers reduce education costs: the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.


Options for free filing and tax help

Tax Tip 2025-22, April 1, 2025 — Taxpayers looking for help with their taxes have several options for free filing and return preparation.

Tax tip archive

IRS tax tips from January 2011 forward.

SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, we have provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs.
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SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Thanks to this generous support from the SBA and because of the selfless contributions of our more than 10,000 dedicated volunteers, we are able to deliver most of our offerings at no cost.

The South Central SCORE is hosted in Columbus, Indiana, but has virtual options.

Contact:
Fred C. Stadler
500 Franklin St.
Columbus, Indiana 47201
Appointment: 812-372-4457

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (Indiana SBDC) was created to have a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of small businesses in Indiana, and to help Hoosier Entrepreneurs start stronger, grow faster, and work smarter.

The Indiana SBDC creates a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of Indiana’s small businesses by providing entrepreneurs expert guidance and a comprehensive network of resources.

The South Central ISBDC is hosted through Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington. 

501 North Profile Parkway
Bloomington, IN 47404
(812) 330-6261
southcentral@isbdc.org