MAE ANDERSON

AP Business Writer

FILE - A person walks past an ice cream stand on the boardwalk, Thursday, June 2, 2022, in Ocean City, N.J. A type of bankruptcy protection filing that made it easier for small businesses to seek relief has expired, which will complicate filing for small businesses with more than $3 million in debt. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Small businesses could find filing for bankruptcy more difficult as government program expires

A type of bankruptcy protection filing that made it easier for small businesses to seek relief has expired, which will complicate filing for small businesses with more than $3 million in debt.

Chris Langer, top right, co-founder of CMYK, a digital design agency, speaks with an staff member at their office in New York, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Last year, Langer started hearing chatter about the four-day work week, so he decided to try it out during the summer. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Summer hours are a perk small businesses can offer to workers to boost morale

With summer having gotten off to a scorching start, workers across the country may be dreaming of a seaside escape or cutting out early to watch a movie in an air-conditioned theater. For some, that can be a reality.

Small Business Administration offers $30 million in grant funding to Women’s Business Centers

The Small Business Administration will offer $30 million in grant funding for Women’s Business Centers for a variety of projects, including funding to open a center in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

FILE - A sign for the Internal Revenue Service is shown on the agency's building on May 4, 2021, in Washington. The IRS said Thursday, June 20, 2024, a review of 1 million claims for the Employee Retention Credit representing $86 billion shows the "vast majority" are at risk of being improper. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

IRS says ‘vast majority’ of 1 million pandemic-era credit claims show a risk of being improper

The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday a review of 1 million claims for the Employee Retention Credit representing $86 billion shows the “vast majority” are at risk of being improper.

FILE - Shoppers carry bags after making purchases in Bradenton, Fla., Feb. 9, 2024. "Buy now, pay later" services are a popular way that shoppers pay for goods. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

What the new ‘buy now, pay later’ rule means for small businesses offering the service

“Buy now, pay later” services are a popular way that shoppers pay for goods. Because shoppers like the service, offering it can be a plus for a small business.

This cover image released by Penguin shows "The Friday Afternoon Club" by Griffin Dunne. (Penguin via AP)

Book Review: Glamour and tragedy intertwine in Griffin Dunne’s memoir ‘The Friday Afternoon Club’

Actor and producer Griffin Dunne grew up in New York and Los Angeles with the glitterati all around. His father, Dominick Dunne, liked to hobnob with the rich and famous.

This cover image released by St. Martin's Press shows "Miss May Does Not Exist: The Life and Work of Elaine May, Hollywood's Hidden Genius" by Carrie Courogen. (St. Martin's Press via AP)

Book Review: ‘Miss May Does Not Exist’ is an engaging study of enigmatic Hollywood figure Elaine May

Groundbreaking comedian, writer and filmmaker Elaine May charted her own fearlessly original path in Hollywood and the theater world throughout decades.

FILE - Beachgoers sit on chairs and under umbrellas at Ocean Grove, N.J., beach on Sunday, May 26, 2024. As the temperature heats up and summer approaches, small business owners may be considering offering summer hours, such as an early release on Fridays, for employees to help combat burnout. (AP Photo/Tassanee Vejpongsa, File)

Summer hours can be a way for small business owners to boost employee morale and help combat burnout

As the temperature heats up and summer approaches, small business owners may be considering offering summer hours, such as an early release on Fridays, for employees to help combat burnout.

Minority Business Development Agency’s acting head on what’s next for the 55-year-old agency

The Minority Business Development Agency serves the nation’s nearly 10 million minority business enterprises. In March, a federal judge ordered it to start serving people regardless of race.

FILE - This combo image shows, from top left; Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden; Advanced Micro Devices CEO Lisa Su; Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser; from bottom left; General Motors CEO Mary Barra; and United Parcel Service CEO Carol Tome. Warden, Su, Fraser, Barra, and Tome were the top five highest paid women CEOs in an Associated Press survey. (AP Photo, File)

More women made the list of top paid CEOs in 2023, but their numbers are still small compared to men

More women are reaching the top ranks of the corporate suite of S&P 500 companies, but their numbers are still miniscule compared to their male counterparts.

FILE — The typical compensation package for chief executives who run companies in the S&P 500 jumped nearly 13% last year. AP's CEO compensation study included pay data for the top earners, who include, top row left to right: Hock Tan, of Broadcom Inc.; Tim Cook, of Apple Inc.; Hamid Moghadam of Prologis Inc.; Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix. (AP Photos, File)

CEOs got hefty pay raises in 2023, widening the gap with the workers they oversee

The typical compensation package for chief executives who run companies in the S&P 500 jumped nearly 13% last year, easily surpassing the gains for workers at a time when inflation was putting considerable pressure on Americans’ budgets.

FILE - In this March 27, 2020, file photo, a man walks past the Cafe Du Monde restaurant, which was closed but has since reopened, in the French Quarter of New Orleans. With stubborn inflation and higher costs, layoffs at small businesses are sometimes a necessity. U.S.-based employers announced 64,789 cuts in April, down 28% from 90,309 cuts announced in March, according to a report by global outplacement and business and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

Layoffs can be part of running a small business. Some tips for owners on handling them

With stubborn inflation and higher costs, layoffs at small businesses are sometimes a necessity. U.S.

FILE - Fans wait to go through security before Taylor Swift performs at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on July 28, 2023. The 2022 fiasco after there were a myriad of problems with fans trying to buy tickets for Swift's massive "Eras" tour shone a light on cracks in the ticketing system. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via AP, File)

The Justice Department is suing Ticketmaster and Live Nation. What does that mean for concertgoers?

Will the Justice Department’s lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation give concertgoers, sports fan and theater patrons some relief from surging ticket prices? The lawsuit could potentially lead to a breakup of Live Nation Entertainment.

FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, mostly masked northern Nevadans wait to vote in-person at Reed High School in Sparks, Nev., prior to polls closing. early voting, Sunday, March 15, 2020, in Steubenville, Ohio. Small business owners are more undecided about the election than the general public. That's according to a new survey by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices. (AP Photo/Scott Sonner, File)

Small business owners are more undecided about the election than the general public

Small business owners are more undecided about the election than the general public. That’s according to a new survey by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Voices.

Mechanic Lizzy Thomson works at University Bicycles in Boulder, Colo., Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Bike stores quickly sold out of their stock early in the pandemic and had trouble restocking because of supply chain issues. Now, inventory is back, but demand has waned. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)

Bike shops boomed early in the pandemic. It’s been a bumpy ride for most ever since

For the nation’s bicycle shops, the past few years have probably felt like the business version of the Tour de France.

FILE - A shop holds a sidewalk sale on Feb. 10, 2023, in Providence, R.I. Federal grants can be a huge boost for small businesses. And some federal agencies do better at giving grants to small businesses than others. The Small Business Administration released its annual scorecard measuring how well federal agencies meet their small business contracting goals each year. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Ten federal agencies receive ‘A+' in annual scorecard measuring small business contracting goals

Federal grants can be a huge boost for small businesses. And some federal agencies do better at giving grants to small businesses than others.

FILE - An order is entered by an employee at a diner on Nov. 17, 2020, in Philadelphia. It's never fun to be scammed, but if you're a small business owner falling for a scam can have long-lasting effects on a business, damaging client relationships and profit. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

Fraudsters target small businesses with scams. Here are some to watch out for

It’s never fun to be scammed, but if you’re a small business owner then falling for a scam can have long-lasting effects on a business, damaging client relationships and profit.

FILE - The Federal Trade Commission building is seen, Jan. 28, 2015, in Washington. U.S. companies would no longer be able to bar employees from taking jobs with competitors under a rule approved by the FTC on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, though the rule seems sure to be challenged in court. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

How US changes to ‘noncompete’ agreements and overtime pay could affect workers

For millions of American workers, the government took two actions this week that could bestow potentially far-reaching benefits.

FILE - A person works on a laptop in North Andover, Mass., on June 19, 2017. Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It’s a troubling trend that can be very costly and time consuming if owners don’t have a plan to deal with them. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

Cyberattacks are on the rise, and that includes small businesses. Here’s what to know

Cyberattacks on businesses are rising, including small businesses. It’s a troubling trend because a breach can be very costly and time consuming if owners don’t have a plan to deal with one.

FILE - Lacey Larrick poses outside the Still Meadow Boutique, Dec. 17, 2021, in Winchester, Va. Larrick's business started in 2019 with a website and a few social media channels selling women's clothing. Record numbers of people are starting new businesses, and more and more of them are women and minorities, according to a new study. (Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star via AP, File)

Business boom: Record numbers of people are starting up new small businesses

Record numbers of people are starting new businesses, and more and more of them are women and minorities, according to a new study. New business applications jumped in 2020 as the pandemic started, and have continued to be filed at a record pace.

Momofuku backs down from defending its ‘chile crunch’ trademark after outcry by small businesses

Momofuku, a food and restaurant brand started by chef David Chang, says it won’t defend its trademark on the name “chile crunch” after it sparked an outcry by sending cease-and-desist letters to other businesses using the term.

FILE - The fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is pictured Sunday, March 31, 2024, where divers assisted crews with the complicated and meticulous operation of removing steel and concrete. The Small Business Administration is offering assistance to those affected by the bridge collapse in Maryland. Small businesses in the Mid-Atlantic region will be eligible for low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million. (AP Photos/Mike Pesoli)

The Small Business Administration offers assistance for small biz hurt by Maryland bridge collapse

The Small Business Administration is offering assistance to those affected by the bridge collapse in Maryland. The bridge was a key transportation route in the region.

FILE - A sign outside the Internal Revenue Service building is seen, May 4, 2021, in Washington. The IRS says it’s making progress with initiatives to claw back money improperly distributed under the Employee Retention Credit. The ERC was designed to help businesses retain employees during pandemic-era shut downs, but it quickly became a magnet for fraud. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

IRS claws back money given to businesses under fraud-ridden COVID-era tax credit program

The IRS says it’s making progress with initiatives to claw back money improperly distributed under the Employee Retention Credit.

FILE - A cash register is seen on the front counter at the Alpha Shoe Repair Corp., Feb. 3, 2023, in New York. As Tax Day, April 15, approaches, there are plenty of things small business owners should keep in mind when filing taxes this year. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

Correction: Small Business-Tax Season Tips story

As Tax Day approaches, there are plenty of things small business owners should keep in mind when filing taxes this year.

FILE - Job seekers line up for a career fair in Oak Brook, Ill., July 2, 2009. Hiring woes may be easing for small businesses. The CBIZ Small Business Employment Index reported a seasonally adjusted increase of 0.17% in February, 2024 as the U.S. economy stays strong despite high interest rates. Small businesses have a tougher time retaining workers since they often can’t offer higher salaries or other perks like health insurance. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

Small business hiring woes show signs of easing as economy stays strong

Hiring woes may be easing for small businesses. The CBIZ Small Business Employment Index reported a seasonally adjusted increase of 0.17% in February as the U.S. economy stays strong despite high interest rates.

FILE - This April 22, 2005, file photo, shows logos for MasterCard and Visa credit cards at the entrance of a New York coffee shop. Visa and MasterCard announced, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, a settlement with U.S. merchants related to swipe fees, a development that could potentially save consumers tens of billions of dollars. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Visa, Mastercard settle long-running antitrust suit over swipe fees with merchants

Visa and Mastercard have announced a major settlement with U.S. merchants, potentially ending nearly two decades of litigation between merchants and the major payment companies over credit card fees.

FILE - A shop holds a sidewalk sale on Feb. 10, 2023, in Providence, R.I. Inflation remains a top concern for small businesses, which reported lower optimism in February. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Inflation remains a headache for small business owners

Inflation remains a top concern for small businesses, which reported lower optimism in February. The National Federation of Small Business Optimism Index fell to 89.4 in February, the 26th consecutive month below the 50-year average of 98.

Customer Amy Ashcroft looks at a plant at Flowercraft at Flowercraft, a garden center, on March 13, 2024 in San Francisco. Garden centers enjoyed a pandemic boom, particularly with millennials, as people looked for outdoor activities during lockdowns. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)

Gardening bloomed during the pandemic. Garden centers hope would-be green thumbs stay interested

Garden centers enjoyed a pandemic boom, particularly with millennials, as people looked for outdoor activities during lockdowns.

FILE - Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen receives a briefing during a visit to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in Vienna, Va., Jan. 8, 2024. The National Small Business Association has won a court challenge against the Corporate Transparency Act, a law designed to combat money laundering. A federal court in Alabama on Friday ruled the legislation unconstitutional. The Corporate Transparency Act requires businesses to report owners and beneficial owners to an agency called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, file)

Small biz advocacy group wins court challenge against the Corporate Transparency Act

The National Small Business Association has won a court challenge against the Corporate Transparency Act, a law designed to combat money laundering. A federal court in Alabama on Friday ruled the legislation unconstitutional.

This undated photo provided by Laura Levitan shows herself in a self portrait. Levitan, the owner of Mod L Photography in Addison, Texas, uses Facebook and Instagram to correspond with potential clients. When the Meta outage happened on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, she was in the middle of posting and replying to inquiries. (Laura Levitan via AP)

Social media outages hurt small businesses -- so it’s important to have a backup plan

The Meta outage that affected Facebook, Messenger and Instagram for a few hours on Tuesday was an inconvenience for most. But businesses that rely on the platforms for advertising, client communication or direct sales lost out more.