If you have a dog or cat that needs a medical test, Dr. Connie Shang can come to the rescue.

Shang runs Mobile Imaging Veterinary Ultrasound, LLC. The company is based out of her Arlington, Virginia home. It became a formal business entity in September of 2012. She talked about what her role is.

“I go from one vet hospital to another doing ultrasounds and echocardiograms for them,” she said.

As the name of the company suggests, it is a mobile service that allows her to travel to different places to perform these important medical tests on pets. She brings her own equipment to each location. Shang previously worked as a practicing veterinarian for eight years and is very knowledgeable about what these tests can show.

“I started doing ultrasounds in general practice at a vet hospital I worked at and really enjoyed it,” she said. “I saw there was a need in the market for affordable ultrasounds, which I now provide.”

This “need” she saw was due to a number of things, including the fact that many vets are not well-trained in using this equipment.

“There are lots of general practitioners that are not well-trained in doing this kind of work. I contacted a vet in Texas who became my mentor and trained me.”

According to Shang, there are several reasons why an animal would need an ultrasound or an echocardiogram, she said. Ultrasounds are done for chronic stomach problems, elevated enzyme levels, tumor growth, weight loss, increased appetite, and other infections. Echocardiograms give vets a clearer look at an animal’s heart.

For a business to succeed, Shang said it must offer top-notch customer service and communication to its customers. People have told her that other companies offering similar services lack in these areas. She is striving to change this perception by working very closely with all of her clients.

“It’s not where I want it to be yet, but it’s getting there very quickly.”

She loves the flexibility of being a small business owner. She also likes being in control of things, but this can come with some added pressure.

“I’m accountable for everything that happens. There’s nobody else to blame but myself if anything goes wrong.”

She also said helping people gives her satisfaction since she has a unique payment structure for the vet hospitals and the clients she serves.

“Many pet owners can’t afford certain medical procedures,” she said. “This is a way to help them be able to have tests performed on their animals without breaking the bank.”

Shang believes that small business owners should always have a positive attitude toward their clients.

“My advice is to have a smile on your face and always be friendly,” she said. “Provide the best customer service you possibly can. People really appreciate it if you go above and beyond their expectations.”

To advertise the company, she’s done mass mailings, paid visits to hospitals around town, and has attended networking events. The company also has a website – www.mivudc.com.

Overall, Shang is extremely happy with her new lifestyle as a small business owner.

“My quality of life has improved dramatically,” she said.

Shang is a Corporate Tax Network client. She said she has a great experience.

“Corporate Tax Network has been very responsive,” she said. “My accountant is always available and responds quickly to everything I need.”

Following the devastating tornado that tore through Oklahoma City and Moore, Oklahoma on Monday, May 20, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service announced that it is offering tax relief to both individuals and businesses who have been impacted by this historic storm.

After the disaster declaration was made for the area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the IRS announced that taxpayers residing in Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie counties are eligible to receive tax relief. Citizens in other areas may be eligible as well, depending on further damage assessments. Additionally, certain individuals and organizations assisting in the relief efforts who are traveling in from outside the area will be eligible for the relief as well. Along with these taxpayers, the IRS is willing to work with anyone not in the specific FEMA-designated locations who have been impacted in some way.

There are several aspects of the tax relief being offered. These include the extension of tax-filing and payment deadlines that took place beginning on May 18. Individuals and businesses affected will now have until Sept. 30th to file their tax returns and make any necessary payments. The deadlines that will be moved up include those that are normally set for June 17th and Sept. 16th. These deadlines are for making estimated tax payments, which are traditionally required for business owners. Other deadlines for business taxes that will be extended are the July 31st deadline for Q2 payroll and excise tax returns. In addition, the Sept. 3rd deadline for truck drivers who pay highway use taxes has been extended to the Sept. 30th date. The agency is also waiving failure-to-deposit penalty fees for deposits made on both federal payroll and excise tax requirements. Plus, it is also waiving interest, late-payment fees, and late-filing penalties for affected taxpayers.

Individuals and businesses who endured unreimbursed or uninsured losses as a result of the tornado are able to select whether to claim these casualty loss deductions on their tax returns for either this year or last year. By claiming these deductions on an amended or an original 2012 return, it should speed up the process of getting refunds to taxpayers. However, the benefit to claiming these deductions on a 2013 tax return is that there could be a larger tax savings, based on certain factors affecting income.

Like it does in many cases, the federal tax collection agency will automatically implement this relief, meaning taxpayers do not have to contact the IRS to receive the extensions. However, any residents or business owners looking for assistance who don’t live in the affected region should contact the IRS for information to find out if they qualify for tax relief.

All in the Family is not just a classic TV sitcom. It’s also a very beneficial way of thinking in terms of setting up a business. Consider the many advantages you’ll enjoy by running a business with your family members.

Family members know each other better than anyone, and they are comfortable being around each other. This level of trust is something that takes time to establish when a newcomer is brought in to a business setting. Plus, family members have a good understanding of what everyone’s strengths are, enabling them to decide which duties are most appropriate to delegate to each employee in the business.

Having your kids help out or work as employees in your small business is a great way for them to earn some money and put some in savings. It allows them to learn how to manage this money and experience what it’s like to be responsible for getting work done in preparation for their future careers. It’s always a possibility that your kids could end up running your business someday or working in a similar field. It could help them decide if they like a certain type of work or rule it out. A family business can also help improve the relationships within a family, as long as it’s run properly, and everyone truly wants to be involved. You’ll be able to spend more time with your kids as well, which is a great way to improve the parent-child relationship.

There are tax benefits you can enjoy as a family business owner. If you employ one or more of your children under the age of 21 and pay them a certain amount per year, this income may be 100% tax deductible through what is called income shifting. If they don’t meet certain age and salary requirements, a portion of their income could still be deductible. Kids under 18 who earn income from their parents in sole proprietorships or partnerships are often exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. Income earned from parents by those under 21 is not subjected to federal unemployment taxes, either. In addition, medical and health insurance deductions for your spouse and children may be available as well if you are self-employed. These deduction opportunities can be a major boon for small business owners who are constantly on the lookout for keeping more of what they earn.

Use Corporate Tax Network for all of your business planning needs. Call 1-866-893-5730 or go to www.corporatetaxnetwork.com.