small business owners

Italian businesses are facing the September 30 deadline for paying the stamp duty on electronic invoices, but not all VAT-registered companies are required to pay it. Tax information sites are clarifying which categories of professionals and firms are exempt and who must settle the amount by the end of the month, prompting questions among accountants and small business owners.

South Korea's government under President Lee is restructuring its small and medium enterprise support programmes, directing more funding toward technology and startup ventures while cutting back on traditional loans and employment subsidies. The policy shift signals an effort to prioritise innovation-driven growth over broad-based business aid, sparking debate over whether conventional small businesses will be left behind.

U.S. Bank has introduced new credit cards aimed at small businesses, responding to growing demand for rewards programs among business owners. The launch positions the bank to compete more directly in the small business banking segment, where rewards and cash-back benefits are increasingly seen as key factors in card choice. Details on specific reward rates and card features have not yet been widely reported.

The National Federation of Independent Business brought small business owners to the US Capitol for a healthcare summit focused on health coverage costs and policy affecting small employers. Participants are expected to meet with lawmakers and discuss rising premiums and healthcare access as key concerns for small businesses.

The city of Stanton, California is considering new business license requirements aimed at reducing crime at known trouble spots. Under the proposed rules, businesses in areas flagged for repeated criminal activity would face stricter licensing conditions, giving the city more leverage over problem locations. Local reporting has drawn attention to how the measure could affect small business owners and city enforcement.

A bipartisan bill in Maryland aims to protect deposits held by small businesses in the state. The measure, reported by the Maryland Daily Record, would shield small business deposits, though details of its provisions and sponsors remain limited. The legislation comes amid ongoing concerns about banking security and access to funds for smaller enterprises.

Meta is expanding its Muse AI agent to serve small businesses, according to a Reuters report. The move would give smaller companies access to automated AI assistance for customer and operational tasks, widening Meta's AI push beyond large enterprise clients. No further details on pricing, availability or features have been reported yet.

The Governors Small Business Summit is scheduled to take place in Dalhart, Texas on Thursday. The event will bring together state officials and small business owners, with the governor's office expected to engage directly with local entrepreneurs. The gathering is part of efforts to support and hear from small businesses across the Texas Panhandle region.

Small businesses on Kauai are asking visitors to come back following Hurricane Lowell, saying the island is ready to welcome them with aloha and some patience as recovery continues. The appeal reflects concern that travelers may cancel trips even where damage was limited, hurting shops and restaurants that depend on tourism.

A new report highlighted by InvestmentNews finds that most business owners want integrated advice covering their finances and operations together, but almost half are not receiving it. The finding points to a gap between what small business clients expect from advisers and the fragmented service many actually get, prompting discussion in the financial advice industry about how firms should restructure their offerings.

Meta has introduced an AI agent designed for small businesses, built to learn the specifics of each company's work and assist with their operations. The move extends Meta's AI push into the small-business market, where owners often lack resources for dedicated support tools. Coverage so far focuses on what the agent can do and what it means for smaller firms competing with larger companies.

A dispute has broken out among small business owners in San Francisco over the opening of a new gift shop on a quiet street. Local merchants are publicly clashing over the shop, with the conflict drawing attention in local media. The exact grievances behind the feud have not been detailed in available reporting.