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The Chamber View: ‘Fiscal cliff’ deal is no friend to small businesses

Last week we covered how the "fiscal cliff" deal may affect individuals. This week, we examine how the deal may shape small businesses in 2013.Since small businesses are owned by individuals, the changes shared last week will essentially be the same. However, impacts on business owners directly correlate to the success and growth of their businesses.Adjusting the alternative minimum tax thresholds annually for inflation is helpful to businesses that pay taxes through the individual tax system because they now know what they are dealing with and can plan accordingly. However, other ...

Business / In Brief • Jan. 18, 2013

AARP Foundation offers tax prep aidAARP Foundation volunteers will offer free tax preparation assistance in Central, South and West Maui beginning next month.The program is open to the public, and all volunteers are certified through the AARP Tax-Aide Program. AARP is targeting low- to moderate-income people.The service will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon at:* Kahului Union Church, rooms 11, 12 and 13, 101 W. Kamehameha Ave., Saturdays Feb. 2 to April 13 (except March 30) on a first-come, first-served basis. Do not call the church office for information.* Kaunoa Senior Center, ...

Small business award nominations due Feb. 11

Nominations are being accepted for the 2013 Mayor's Small Business Awards, the county Office of Economic Development announced Tuesday.The business recognition program for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees is being held in partnership with the Maui Chamber of Commerce. Nominees also must have had a state general excise tax license for no fewer than two years.The program is designed to recognize businesses that demonstrate leadership in a changing economic environment, create a quality work environment for their employees, exhibit the aloha spirit and exemplary customer service, ...

Thielen seeks to curb utilities costs

HONOLULU - Hawaii Rep. Cynthia Thielen is questioning whether the Public Utilities Commission is properly regulating the cost of electricity in the state.Thielen says she plans to introduce a bill Wednesday to create a task force to examine guaranteed returns for electric utilities.Thielen says the commission has rarely denied rate increases proposed by Hawaiian Electric Co. She says the utility's rates have consistently gone up, creating hardships for residents.Thielen says the law guarantees a reasonable rate of return on the utility's rate base but doesn't provide standards for what ...

The Chamber View: What does the fiscal cliff deal mean to us?

What the fiscal cliff would mean and how it would impact us was a question on the minds of many as the debate ensured. With a deal reached and the fiscal cliff averted, we can now seek to better understand what lies ahead.The deal preserved Bush-era tax cuts for many Americans, raised taxes on "wealthier" individuals, and delayed automatic spending cuts that were set to take place on Jan. 1.It also provided assurances to an estimated 30 million Americans who, for the last 12 years, have had uncertainty about their taxes given the annual drama of whether Congress would extend the ...

Business / In Brief • Jan. 11, 2013

HONOLULU - Construction is expected to begin this month on a solar park containing 21,000 panels on 20 acres near Oahu's Ewa Field.The location is the former World War II-era Marine Corps airstrip.The commander of Navy Region Hawaii has approved the Kalaeloa Renewable Energy Park's environmental assessment.The Hawaii state Public Utilities Commission in November approved a power-purchase agreement between the power producer and Hawaiian Electric Co.- From The Maui News and its news services