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Starting a Cleaning Business: Residential vs Commercial Services

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When it comes to the world of cleaning, there are two major types of professional services: commercial and residential. Though both can be profitable, there are several benefits to owning and operating a commercial cleaning business.

High Demand for Commercial Cleaning Services

Commercial cleaning services cover a number of different industries from schools and colleges to medical facilities, offices, and warehouses. Having this range of opportunities means you’ll never run out of potential clients. Commercial janitorial services will always be in demand, even during a world-wide pandemic! During the last few years, the need for professional cleaning and disinfection grew, rather than shrank, showing that commercial cleaning needs are not going away any time soon. This means stability and profitability to a commercial cleaning business owner and their employees.

Commercial cleaning, when it really comes down to it, is a necessity. Residential cleaning is often seen as a luxury. If things change within the economy – when we see things like the high inflation rates happening today – luxury items are usually the first thing to be cut. People will clean their own homes or task their children with that chore. Commercial facilities usually must hire outside businesses to clean, and when they do, our Franchisees are the ones ready and waiting to provide that service.

Commercial Cleaning: Selective Clientele and Scheduling Flexibility

Servicing a wide range of industries also means that you can be a little more selective when choosing your clients. If you don’t like working in schools or medical facilities, no one is going to make you clean them. You get to decide what accounts you take on and which ones you leave for others. As a franchise owner, you are the boss and can make those decisions for yourself and for your employees. Having such a variety of potential customers is an advantage of the commercial cleaning industry.

Another benefit of a commercial cleaning business is that, typically, cleaning is done during the evening or night, allowing for more scheduling flexibility. Franchise owners can hold a day job and run a successful money-making janitorial business during the evenings. You can decide when and where you are working, meaning this job is more agreeable to some people over a 9-5 gig.

When working in someone’s home, the client can be much more demanding and pickier, watching your every move. You are, after all, in their personal space. When working commercially, cleaning crews are usually scheduled at night when the workspace is empty.

Though a great cleaning job is expected by commercial clients, being in a working environment rather than a personal one can mean there isn’t an emotional attachment to the space and provides the cleaner with more wiggle-room in the way the space is cleaned. This arrangement can be very beneficial for families when someone needs to be home during the day to care for children or other family members. A commercial janitorial company can be a great way to maintain a two-income residence without having to spend money on day care or in-home health care.

Starting a Cleaning Business: Lower Financial Risk and Brand Recognition through Franchising

Opening a commercial cleaning franchise is also a smart financial investment. With relatively low start-up costs and financing options available through Franchisors, like Corvus Janitorial Systems, a person can start their own business and start making money with relatively low capital. Owning a business doesn’t necessarily mean having to start from scratch. Buying a franchise allows ambitious individuals to benefit from the success of an established brand. It’s often an easier, less intimidating solution than the traditional route, especially when becoming part of a company that offers high-demand solutions like janitorial services.

A Commercial Cleaning Franchise Gives You Additional Training & Skills Development

Purchasing a franchise can be more affordable than building a cleaning business from the ground up. You also get to take advantage of the marketing and administrative services included with franchise ownership. Don’t know how to run an email campaign or generate invoices? Let Corvus Janitorial do that for you, and you can focus on providing a good clean. Franchisees have a higher average success rate than standalone businesses. Franchises also come with lower risks than independent businesses. FranNet ran a study that found that 92% of franchises were still operating after 2 years and 85% were still going after five years. Conversely, a quarter of independent businesses fail within their first year and 50% were closed within 5 years.

Cleaning does not require a ton of training, but working with a commercial janitorial company means that you not only get name recognition with an already established, reputable brand, but you also get additional training from the professionals to add to your quiver of skills. Learning how to do floor stripping and waxing makes you a more skilled and valued service provider. Deepening your cleaning knowledge can also lead to more one-time work, which is a good money maker that does not require you to commit to long-term projects.

Commercial Cleaning Franchising: Specialization and Keeping Up with Trends

As a commercial cleaner you can be as specialized or as general service as you’d like. Being a good, quick cleaner is the most important part. The commercial cleaning industry is constantly changing, which means that there are always new trends to watch out for. This growth is due to the fact that businesses are realizing the importance of keeping their premises clean and orderly. By staying up on the latest trends and innovations in cleaning, you only put yourself at an advantage.

There are plenty of similarities between residential and commercial cleaning, but in the end, they are some stark differences between the industries. Commercial businesses tend to have more leeway and flexibility for those wishing to start their own franchise. If you’re an entrepreneur ready to embrace everything that janitorial franchises have to offer, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Start Your Commercial Cleaning Franchise with Corvus Janitorial Systems

You can fill out our contact form online or call us today to schedule a meeting with a Corvus representative who can tell you everything you need to know about starting a self-owned janitorial business with the help of the established Corvus Janitorial Systems brand!

Using Your Tax Refund to Start a Commercial Cleaning Franchise

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April showers bring May flowers! And if you’re like many Americans, April also brings the biggest “bonus” check of the year…aka your tax refund. Let’s be honest- the temptation to spend this extra chunk of change on frivolous, in-the-moment purchases is very real. But when used wisely, a tax refund can put you in the position to achieve long-term, financial success. What if we told you this success also includes perks like flexible hours and being your own boss? How, you might ask?

Answer: Start Your Own Commercial Cleaning Franchise.

Read on to discover five reasons why using your tax refund to start a commercial cleaning franchise is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make.

1. Experience the Perks of Entrepreneurship

As mentioned above, one of the major perks of starting a cleaning franchise is reaping the benefits of entrepreneurship. Sure, taking a job as a janitor requires zero cost upfront. It does, however, bind you to what many consider burdens of the traditional workplace (think: reporting to a supervisor, a set schedule, and challenging co-workers, just to name a few.)

When you invest in yourself, you become your own boss and can take control of your career. You can set your own schedule and decide which tasks to prioritize, allowing you to balance your work with your personal life. Additionally, you can take pride in building a business from the ground up and watch it grow and thrive over time. Sounds pretty great, right?

2. Become a Part of a Supportive Community

Perhaps there is a part of you that has always dreamed of being a business owner, but when it comes down to it, you have no idea where to start. And understandably so! Between finding customers, knowing what equipment and supplies to purchase, and managing billing, it is an overwhelming process to say the least. The good news is you don’t have to do it alone.

When you join a franchise, you gain access to a team of experienced professionals who can help you navigate the ins and outs of running a successful business. You don’t have to start from scratch and figure out everything on your own. Instead, you can rely on the support of your fellow franchisees and the franchisor to help you get started and succeed.

By starting your commercial cleaning franchise with a company like Corvus, you are joining a community of experienced professionals who will provide you with the marketing, accounts, financing, and other resources required to succeed. That way, you can focus on what’s most important to you: providing high-quality service to your customers.

3. The Demand Has Never Been Higher

If high inflation rates and talks of a recession worry you, know that you are not alone. Job security is needed now more than ever, and janitorial services are always in demand. In fact, the contract cleaning market size was valued at $343.34 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a rate of 6.3% from 2023 to 2030.

The effects of Covid-19 showed the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic workspace, proving just how essential the work of a professional cleaner is. This trend is expected to continue, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be more than 236,500 new janitorial positions by the end of 2023.

4. Experience Job Satisfaction

Resting your head at night knowing that you’ve made an impact is a great feeling. By providing high quality cleaning services, you are positively affecting everyone who steps foot in that facility. Take Corvus of San Antonio Franchisee Jorge Rodriguez, for example, who recently received this (raving) review on Google:

“Our school is cleaner than it has ever been. I am so impressed. I am increasing our time to 5 days a week starting in June. I am a happy customer, and our teachers are thrilled to have their classrooms so clean. It matters!”

5. Achieve Financial Freedom

Becoming a Franchise Owner does not guarantee immediate financial success, but it certainly has the potential to become a lucrative endeavor. Franchisees often start their cleaning business as a way to earn supplemental income, but in the 20+ years that Corvus has existed, we’ve watched numerous men and women turn their franchises into full-time jobs by which they support themselves entirely. Whether you’re looking for a new side hustle or hoping to change your day job entirely, opening a cleaning franchise is a sure-fire way to do just that.

Conclusion

Investing in yourself is the best investment you will ever make. The list above only begins to touch on the benefits of using your 2023 tax refund to open a commercial cleaning franchise with Corvus. Contact your local Corvus office today to learn more.

About Corvus Janitorial Systems

Corvus Janitorial Systems is a franchisor of commercial and office cleaning systems which delivers customized janitorial and office cleaning services to a range of industries and organizations by its national network of locally owned owner-operated franchisees. The company has 21 regional support offices across the United States with more than 1,000 franchisees. Corvus has been recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2023 lists: Franchise 500, Top Ten Franchises for under $50,000, and Fastest Growing Franchises. Other recognition includes Top Disinfection and Sanitization Company by HR magazine and Most Trusted Disinfection and Sanitization Companies by The Enterprise World. Existing ownership and management have been in place since 2004.

The Five Step Franchise Sales Process Infographic & Guide

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Starting a new business can be overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it by yourself. At Corvus, we’ve helped hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs start their own successful cleaning businesses through our office cleaning franchise program. To help you get a sense of what’s involved in becoming a Corvus Franchisee (or a franchise owner in general), we’ve put together this quick five step franchise sales process infographic and guide.

Franchise Sales Process Infographic from Corvus. Step 1. Inquire Step 2. Set a disclosure meeting Step 3. Attend disclosure meeting Step 4. 14 day waiting period Step 5. Purchase your franchise

Step 1: Inquire

The first step in the franchise sales process is also the easiest. Let the franchisor know that you are interested in becoming a franchisee! For Corvus, it is as simple as filling out our contact form with your name, phone number, email, and closest metro area. After we receive your info, we’ll give you a call to set up an initial discovery meeting at one of our regional offices.

Steps 2 & 3: Set Up and Attend a Disclosure Meeting

During your initial discovery meeting you’ll meet the regional team and start learning more about the business, including things like fees, schedules, and expectations. We’ll also be happy to answer any questions you have during this initial meeting. Don’t worry – you don’t need to bring anything with you (except for a pen and paper to take notes). During this meeting we’ll also ask you to fill out a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and background check form.

Step 4. 14 Day Waiting Period

After your first meeting, there will be a 14 day waiting period during which we will run your background check. This 14 day waiting period gives you the opportunity to review Corvus’ (the franchisor’s) FDD in detail. During this waiting period, if you have any questions or concerns, you’re free to reach out to your local Corvus team for more information.

Step 5: Franchise Sale

After you’ve passed your background check and the 14-day waiting period is over, we’ll have you come back into the regional office to complete your franchise sale paperwork and schedule your training session – which usually happens a week after signing.

Initial Offering Period

Now that you’re an official Corvus Franchisee, it’s our job to start getting you clients. Typically, you’ll start off with 1-2 cleans per week, as we try to prioritize new Franchisees whenever we sign a new service contract.

The Future is Yours

What comes next? That’s up to you! We’ll continue to support you with financing, technical support, and customer acquisitions, while you’ll support the Corvus brand by providing professional, best-in-class commercial cleaning services to our wonderful customers. Because together, we can Make Lives Better.

Ready to get started with your Corvus Franchise? Contact our franchise team to start today!

The Importance of K-12 School Cleaning

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Schools are an essential part of our society, providing education to students of all ages. K-12 schools serve as the foundation of a student’s academic journey. With thousands of students, teachers, and staff members coming in and out of school buildings every day, it is crucial to maintain a clean and safe learning environment. In this article, we discuss the importance of K-12 school cleaning and best practices for achieving a healthy and safe environment.

Importance of K-12 School Cleaning

The primary reason for maintaining a clean and healthy school environment is to ensure the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff members. Schools can be breeding grounds for germs, viruses, and bacteria. In a densely populated environment such as a school, these microorganisms can spread rapidly and cause illnesses that can lead to absenteeism and disruption of the learning process. Regular and thorough cleaning can help prevent the spread of illnesses and promote a healthy and safe learning environment.

Additionally, a clean school environment can positively impact the mental and emotional health of students, teachers, and staff members. Studies have shown that a clean and organized environment can improve mental clarity, reduce stress levels, and increase productivity. A well-maintained learning environment can also promote a sense of pride and responsibility in students, which can lead to better academic performance.

Best Practices for K-12 School Cleaning

1. Develop a Comprehensive Cleaning Plan

A comprehensive cleaning plan is essential for maintaining a clean and safe learning environment. The plan should outline specific cleaning tasks, schedules, and responsibilities. It should also include guidelines for cleaning equipment and products to ensure they’re safe and effective use.

2. Train Cleaning Staff and Teachers

Proper training is crucial for cleaning staff and teachers who may be responsible for maintaining a clean and healthy learning environment. Training should include information on cleaning techniques, safety protocols, and the proper use of cleaning equipment and products.

3. Use Appropriate Cleaning Products and Equipment

It is essential to use appropriate cleaning products and equipment to ensure effective cleaning and minimize the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Green cleaning products are a popular option for schools as they are safer for both people and the environment. Additionally, the use of microfiber cleaning cloths and mops can help reduce waste and water usage.

4. Establish Cleaning Schedules

Establishing a regular cleaning schedule can help ensure that all areas of the school are cleaned regularly and thoroughly. High-traffic areas such as classrooms, restrooms, and common areas should be cleaned multiple times a day, while other areas may only require weekly or monthly cleaning.

5. Encourage Personal Responsibility

Encouraging personal responsibility among students, teachers, and staff members can help promote a clean and healthy learning environment. Students can be taught proper hygiene practices such as handwashing and covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing. Teachers and staff members can be encouraged to clean up after themselves and their students and report any cleaning or maintenance issues promptly.

6. Partner with a Professional Cleaning Company

Partnering with a professional cleaning company like Corvus Janitorial Systems can provide schools with a cost-effective and efficient solution for maintaining a clean and healthy learning environment. At Corvus, we have the expertise and equipment necessary to provide thorough cleaning services while adhering to safety protocols and guidelines.

Keep Your School Clean with Corvus Janitorial Systems

Maintaining a clean and healthy learning environment is crucial for the success of K-12 schools. Implementing best practices such as developing a comprehensive cleaning plan, using appropriate cleaning products and equipment, establishing cleaning schedules, encouraging personal responsibility, and partnering with a professional cleaning company can help ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all.

By prioritizing cleanliness and safety, K-12 schools can provide students, teachers, and staff members with the best possible learning environment. If your school is looking for a professional cleaning services provider, contact Corvus today to get a free quote.

University and College Cleaning Services – What You Should Know

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Universities and colleges are home to thousands of students, faculty members, and staff. With so many people constantly moving through these spaces, maintaining a clean and healthy environment can be a challenging task. Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to prevent the spread of germs, reduce the risk of infections, and create a comfortable learning and working environment for everyone. In this post, we discuss some of the key aspects of university and college cleaning, including why it’s important, what challenges cleaning staff face, and how to ensure effective cleaning in your higher education facility.

Why is university and college cleaning important?

Keeping university and college campuses clean is important for several reasons. First, a clean environment reduces the risk of infections and diseases, which can spread quickly in crowded spaces. With so many people living, studying, and working in close proximity, viruses and bacteria can easily spread from person to person, especially in communal areas such as libraries, classrooms, and dining halls. Regular cleaning and disinfection can help to prevent the spread of germs, protecting the health and wellbeing of everyone on campus.

Additionally, a clean and well-maintained environment is essential for creating a comfortable and conducive learning and working environment. A cluttered, dirty, or disorganized space can be distracting and uncomfortable, making it difficult for students and faculty members to focus and perform their best. By keeping campuses clean and tidy, universities and colleges can create a welcoming and positive environment that supports academic success.

Finally, a clean environment is essential for maintaining the physical infrastructure of the campus. Regular cleaning and maintenance can prevent wear and tear on buildings and equipment, reducing the need for costly repairs and replacements in the long run. This can save universities and colleges money, allowing them to invest more in academic programs and resources.

What challenges do cleaning staff face?

Cleaning university and college campuses can be a challenging task for several reasons. Firstly, these spaces are often very large, with multiple buildings, floors, and rooms to clean. This can make it difficult for cleaning staff to cover all areas thoroughly and efficiently, especially during peak periods when many people are using the facilities.

Secondly, university and college campuses are often very busy, with people moving in and out of buildings throughout the day. This can make it difficult for cleaning staff to work without disrupting the normal operations of the campus. For example, cleaning staff may need to work around lectures, meetings, and other events, which can limit the time available for cleaning and maintenance.

Thirdly, cleaning university and college campuses requires specialized skills and equipment. For example, cleaning staff may need to be trained in the use of specialized cleaning equipment, such as floor scrubbers and carpet cleaners, to ensure that these surfaces are cleaned effectively. Additionally, they may need to use cleaning products and disinfectants that are safe for use in educational environments while complying with relevant health and safety regulations.

How to ensure effective university and college cleaning?

To ensure that university and college campuses are kept clean and healthy, it’s important to develop a comprehensive cleaning and maintenance plan. This plan should cover all areas of the campus, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, dining halls, and dormitories. It should also consider the specific needs and challenges of the campus, such as peak periods of usage and specific health and safety concerns.

In addition to a cleaning and maintenance plan, universities and colleges should invest in the right cleaning equipment and supplies. This may include floor scrubbers, vacuum cleaners, disinfectants, and specialized cleaning products that are safe and effective for use in educational environments. It’s also important to ensure that cleaning staff are properly trained in the use of all equipment and supplies to ensure that they are used effectively and safely.

Finally, regular monitoring and feedback are essential to ensure that cleaning and maintenance standards are being met. This includes conducting regular inspections where cleaning professionals collect feedback from students, faculty, and staff. As a leading commercial cleaning services provider, Corvus understands that universities and colleges have high standards and expectations of their cleaning professionals, and we strive to provide the most efficient and comprehensive cleaning programs to meet these expectations.

Contact Corvus to Clean Your College Campus

Maintaining a clean and healthy environment is crucial for universities and colleges. It reduces the risk of infections, creates a comfortable and conducive learning and working environment, and helps maintain the physical infrastructure of the campus. However, cleaning and maintenance can be challenging due to the large size of these facilities, their busy schedules, and the need for specialized skills and equipment.

Developing a comprehensive cleaning and maintenance plan, investing in the right equipment and supplies, and providing proper training to cleaning staff can help ensure effective cleaning. At Corvus, we know the importance of effective university and college cleaning and we aim to provide the best customized cleaning programs to meet the high standards and expectations of these institutions. Contact us today to receive a free cleaning quote for your higher education facility.

Small Business Owners: Tax Benefits to Consider

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Tax season is upon us, and even if we’ve been filing this time each year for over a decade (or several), most of us still get a bit anxious when the time comes. If you’re a new small business owner, you might be feeling particularly worried about the unique challenges that tax filing in a new category might bring. Feeling more prepared can help ease these worries.

All small business owners want to ensure that they’re filing their taxes the right way, and save as much money as they can in the process. Luckily, there are several small business tax deductions that help you make the most of the filing process and save where you can. As the tax deadline creeps up on us, now is the best time to start getting organized. But if that sounds daunting, don’t worry, we’ve done a lot of the research for you already:

Changes to Credits and Deductions for 2022 Taxes

Some tax credits and deductions that will expire or decrease in 2022 are:

-Section 179, which allows businesses to deduct 100% of qualified expenses for certain fixed assets purchased in 2022. This figure will decrease to 80% in 2023.

-The Expanded Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which has decreased from an $8,000 maximum in 2021 to $2,100 in 2022. Income thresholds and percentage of child care expenses deductible have also decreased.

-Qualifying business meals, which were instituted during the pandemic to encourage support of restaurants and make it easier for employers to provide catered meals. This deduction may not be extended beyond the January 1, 2023 deadline.

-Mortgage insurance premiums will no longer be treated as deductible mortgage interest starting in 2023. This may affect businesses with property or brick-and-mortar locations.

List of Small Business Tax Deductions to Consider

With the numerous changes to tax rules over the last few years, there are many other small business tax deductions that you might not yet be aware of. These include:

-Vehicle expenses

-Dedicated home office space

-Capital equipment depreciation

-Professional services

-Salaries and wages paid to full and part-time employees, as well as bonuses, meals, lodging, and certain employer-paid taxes

-Work Opportunity Tax Credit (if you hired any military veterans or other long-term unemployed workers before the first of this year)

-Business supplies and office expenses

-Meals and entertainment for clients and employees

-Labor for independent contractors or freelancers

-Equipment and furniture

-Employee benefits (health plans, life insurance, education reimbursement, pensions, etc.)

-Relevant business software (POS and other computer systems)

-Rent for your business’s physical space

-Start-up costs and expenses (hiring costs, legal entity fees, etc.)

-Utilities (electricity, phones, Wi-Fi, etc.)

-Certain taxes

-Commission payments

-Rental equipment or machinery

-The interest paid on business lines of credit

-Bad business debts

-Mortgage interest

-Bank charges

-Disaster and theft losses

-Small business tax deductions that carried over from previous years

-Business insurance

-Renovations and insurance-related strictly to your home office space

-Business tools

-Unfulfilled invoices

-Education

-Marketing and advertising costs

-Charitable deductions

-Cleaning, janitorial, and PPE expenses

-Licenses, trademarks, and other intellectual property

Small Business Tax Deductions Explained

Some of these tax deductions are straightforward, like vehicle expenses, including gas, maintenance, parking, and tolls for business-related travel. But others may be a bit more ambiguous if you’re not familiar with their definitions or limitations. So, let’s talk about the ones whose meanings aren’t immediately obvious. Home office deductions are an area that tends to cause some confusion. You can deduct a portion of your rent or mortgage, utilities, insurance, and other costs for the square footage of your home that is used as an office.

But the thing to remember here is that it has to be a strict home office space. It can’t be a spare room that you occasionally escape to with your laptop if your loved ones or roommates are being noisy in other areas. Your home office can’t be dual purpose, it must strictly be a home office space. Your tax software or a tax professional can help you decide between calculating the costs to write off or taking the standard deduction based on square footage.

Speaking of consulting a tax professional, professional services like this one are another potential deduction. You can also deduct fees for accountants, attorneys, or business consultants. The same goes for freelancers or independent contractors that you bring in to help with marketing or extra help during busy months. Client and employee entertainment is a deduction that often gets missed. If you take a potential client out for lunch, you can typically deduct up to 50% of the cost, as long as at least one employee is there and it isn’t a particularly lavish experience. You can deduct snacks and meals that you provide in the office, too.

Deducting taxes can get a bit tricky because the deduction you qualify for depends on the tax type. For example, you may be able to deduct license taxes, taxes on real estate your business owns, sales taxes on purchases made for your business, or a portion of your payroll taxes. For this one, the deductions can vary depending on several different factors, including state and business type, so it may be best to talk to a professional here, too.

Similar to the last one, some of your insurance premiums may be tax-deductible. These are strictly business-based premiums for coverage in different areas, like property, liability, casualty, employee theft, and business-owned vehicles. Lastly, let’s talk about bad business debts. These include money advanced for goods or services that were never fulfilled. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to deduct the costs. One example of this might be advancing money to an employee or vendor and then having them disappear without fulfilling their end of the bargain.

The Wrap Up

There are many benefits to being a small business owner. But like all things worthwhile in life, there are times when it’ll require more effort than we’re used to. Filing our taxes this year is one of those times. If you feel confident handling your tax filing on your own this year, several reputable tax services, including H&R Block, offer specialized online filing services for the self-employed and small business owners.

Because they require more work, you should expect to pay more to file. But the number of deductions that they’ll help you sift through will make it worth the extra upfront cost. If you want to be extra thorough to ensure that every possible tax benefit is explored or you simply have a lot of questions you’d like answered, hiring a tax professional you can meet with in person may be the better way to go this time.

If you haven’t been already, keeping detailed records of your expenses and other information related to your taxes and tax benefits can help you feel better prepared next time. Keep receipts, write down business-related items, training, or travel expenses, and store it all somewhere safe. If you haven’t already, investing in some small business software like QuickBooks’ accounting, bill-pay, record keeping, and payroll software might help you get more organized. And depending on the software and what you’re using it for, you might be able to deduct that cost, too.