Each week we receive questions from associates across the country regarding the Business Owners Legal Solutions Plan.  We have selected several that we receive regularly for you to review.  This list will continue to grow so check back often.

All associates have to be small business certified before they can sell the Small Business Plan and Home Based Business Rider.  If you've been small business certified in the past, then it is not necessary to go through training again.  However, it is recommended that associates go through small business training at least every year and a half so they can stay up to date on the latest small business plans and procedures. A list of scheduled training events can be found on the PPL website in the Associates Area. You can also call PPL Marketing Services at 580.436.7424. Online certification is also available.

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The Small Business Plan Conference Call takes place every Wednesday morning at 11 AM ET. This valuable call can be heard by dialing 646.519.5800 Pin: 7757#.  A playback of the most recent call is available at (973) 854-1263. Calls spanning several months can be heard through your computer by visiting the Conference Call area.

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Facts on Demand through Pre-Paid Legal:  800.699.9004 or through the PPL website at www.prepaidlegal.com in the associates area.

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No, you don't have to be recertified to be able to sell the Small Business Plan.  We recommend you that you go through the training so you can fully understand the improved offering and so you can understand the GoSmallBiz.com.  The current cost for the training is $59 if you'vealready been certified and $99 if you're being Small Business Plan certified for the first time.

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In the Plans section of the website.  (click here)

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GoSmallBiz.com membership materials are shipped in the same package with Pre-Paid Legal Services membership materials from Ada, OK.  The entire packet normally arrives with 5-7 working days from the time the small business application is processed.

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For Small Business Plan, HBBR or LPSE questions, please call PPL Marketing Services at 580.436.7424.  If youhave a question regarding Member Benefits or any other GoSmallBiz.com matter, first go to the GoSmallBiz.com website www.GoSmallBiz.com, then if you stillhave questions email us at support@pplbizplan.com, or fax us at 404.365.8807.  

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According to the GoSmallBiz.com Resource Center: 

Legal service costs which are ordinary and necessary costs of doing business are deductible on the tax return of the business in the year incurred, with no dollar limitations. 

There are exceptions, however, the most common of which are as follows: 

• Related to the acquisition of a capital asset - must be added to the cost of the asset and written off over its life.
• Related to organization of the business - can be written off over 60 months with proper election.
• Related to sale of capital stock - considered a cost of raising equity and netted against the equity amount. 
• Related to loans - must be amortized over the life of the loan Legal service costs for non-business purposes can be deductible if they are directly related to the production of taxable income or incurred in order to report or plan for income taxes.

Pre-Paid Legal's fees for their Small Business Plan are paid by businesses for legal representation of the business. These fees should be deductible by the business just as a retainer paid directly to a law firm would be deductible. In the event that the business requests legal services relative to a non-deductible activity (such as business start-up), the fees might have to be allocated and some portion of the fees capitalized.

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When filling out the application, use the Universal Membership application (not the Business application} and write in "Legal Plan for the Self Employed" in the "other" line. The new member will need to write in the name of the business in the "Dependents" section.

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