If eligible, your business can receive a federal tax credit for up to 35% of your health care premium costs in 2010, increasing to 50% in 2014.

An employer may qualify for this new tax credit if they meet the following requirements:

1. The company has no more than 25 full-time employee “equivalents” (FTEs) for the tax year;
2. The company provides health care coverage to its employees under a qualified group health plan and pays at least half (50%) of the insurance premiums for employees at the single (employer-only) coverage rate;
3. The company’s employees must average less than $50,000 in annual wages per FTE employee.

To see if you may be able to claim the Small Business Tax Credit, complete the attached 3 Simple Steps worksheet. Then, we recommend you contact your tax professtional, or visit the IRS web site at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0 for additional information. You can also contact us, and we will send you a list of frequently asked questions to help you determine if your business qualifies.

Thank you for choosing Peoples First as your Employee Benefits Specialists!

But the process can be time-consuming and difficult. The Insurance Information Institute’s Know Your Stuff tool can make doing a home inventory a breeze.

Know Your Stuff helps you enter items by room and upload photos or scanned receipts. Once the information is in the system, items can be sorted by price, date of purchase or type (silverware, major appliances, etc.). You can even customize your own categories.

Once completed or updated, the Know Your Stuff report also can be printed, saved on a computer, e-mailed, burned on a CD or given to your agent to keep on file.

The site has an informative video about the Know Your Stuff tool, giving you a quick look at the process and the importance of doing a home inventory!

www.knowyourstuff.org

The ladies of Peoples First pose with Martha Nunnery to commemorate her 60 years of service.

On May 4, 2010, Peoples First will host its 7th Annual Peoples First Golf  Tournament benefitting the United Way of York County.  The event will be held at Waterford Golf Club in Rock Hill, SC.  For more information, please contact Tim Sturgis at 803-324-5262. 

Here are some suggestions for an effective spring safety sweep:

Check fluids- Look under sinks, in bathrooms, closets, garage and basement for liquids that include chemicals. Look for potentially hazardous liquids including: cleaning solvents and disinfectants; oil-based paints, primers and thinners; gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, anti-freeze, windshield washer, and other car products; insecticides, pesticides and fertilizers; and charcoal lighter fluid.

Safely discard any liquids that are unneeded or expired, based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Proper disposal is usually best accomplished with a community-based program. Typically, pouring hazardous materials down a sink, on the ground, or in a storm sewer—or placing them in the garbage—is not a safe option.

Cap, label and raise safety cap containers containing chemicals of any kind. If these materials need to be kept, make sure they are labeled correctly. Raise up (out of the reach of children and pets) any containers with hazardous materials.

Ventilate- Make sure petroleum-based products and other products with noxious fumes are not stored in a confined space such as a basement or closet. Nor should they be near a heat source. Springtime also is a good time to have chimneys professionally cleaned.

Check alarms- Housing codes typically require smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms in a residence. Consider adding these safety devices in garages and basements. Check the batteries in all smoke and CO alarms.

Clean up clutter- Many trip-and-fall or fall-from-above accidents happen because houses are cluttered near doors. Garages, basements, and attics are places where many homeowners put things out of the way—only to find them “by accident” come springtime. Clean up for safety’s sake.

Separate for safety- In the garage and basement, make an area for bikes, balls, and toys—away from potentially dangerous areas and items such as fuels, paints and power tools.

Prepare for an emergency- Make sure all entrances and exits to your home, including through the garage or basement, are clear. Place a first-aid kit and flashlight in the garage and basement. Mount a fire extinguisher in the garage, and train adults how to use it based on manufacturer’s directions.

Check appliances- Check appliance hoses for dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers. Danger signs: crimping, cracking or other damage on power wires, supply/discharge hoses, and vents. If you have a sump pump, test it—before spring downpours and melting snows do.

Talk to your Peoples First agent for additional tips on how to protect your family and home!

Peoples First was recently named the March 2010 Business of the Month by the Greater York Chamber of Commerce.  With a 104 year history of service to the community, we are proud to support many local organizations. The Greater York Chamber of Commerce has allowed us to serve as active participants, not only as Summerfest sponsors and workers, but also as past board members and as a continuing financial contributor. This chamber helps us get our message out to the business community, acts as a liaison for us at the local and state government levels, and serves as a resource for business news in Western York County.

kcushman@peoplesfirstinsurance.com
803-817-5919

mellerbe@peoplesfirstinsurance.com
803-817-5925

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