Houston West Chamber of Commerce

Grace Middle School Earns Recognition

noemail@hwcoc.org — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Grace School students earn recognition as top ten poets in the poetry anthology “A Celebration of Young Poets”. Poems were selected from thousands of entries and eighth grader, Westleigh Cutts, was recognized for the 7-9^th division and sixth grader, Rachel LaRocca, won the 4-6^th division. Both Grace School winners won a $50 U.S. savings bond for their poems’ literary merit, creativity, and social significance.

28-Apr-08 2:00 PM

Updated Franchise Tax

noemail@hwcoc.org — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:00 GMT

The Texas Legislature has made technical revisions on its franchise tax, also commonly referred to as the “margin tax”. This tax is a privilege tax imposed on each taxable entity formed or organized in Texas or doing business in Texas. The franchise tax applies to partnerships (general, limited and liability), corporations, LLCs, business trusts, professional associations, business associations, joint ventures and other legal entities.

The rates are 1.0% for most entities, 0.5 % for qualifying wholesalers and retailers, and 0.575% for entities with $10 million or less in total revenue (annualized per 12 month period on which the report is based) electing the E-Z Computation. A free seminar will be held on the franchise tax to introduce taxpayers to the revised Texas franchise tax at the University of Houston on April 30, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. You may ask questions and RSVP at rsvp.houston.@cpa.state.tx.us.

The tax forms are available online at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/05-forms.html.

21-Apr-08 9:00 AM

Spring Cleaning? Five things for your honey-do list

noemail@hwcoc.org — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:00:00 GMT

You would not know it by the weather that we have been having, but seasons do come and go in Houston. I think that it can be hard to tell at times, but I take my cue from the birds. This morning a flock of pheasants have made their way into the Westchase area. Texas is a haven for bird watchers, since many species migrate through our state. Many birds are building their homes, and preparing for their lives here this coming year, so my thoughts turn to my own home. Having lived in colder climes, I understand why Spring cleaning takes on such importance. It was the time of year when you could have the stagnant air from your home swept out by the warmer breezes which heralded the end of Winter. With modern conveniences of air conditioning and not being in such a cold climate, we may have lost touch with the purpose of such a cleaning. As a real estate inspector, I see some items which should be on your list of things to do, in order for your own homes preparedness for the coming year: ...

25-Feb-08 10:00 AM

Chamber Study Released at ACCE Convention

noemail@hwcoc.org — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:00:00 GMT

Chamber Study Released at ACCE Convention Sacramento, CA - A new national study reveals that membership in a local chamber of commerce can significantly boost a business’s image among consumers, as well as among other businesses. In a scientific survey of 2000 U.S. adults, The Schapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic consulting firm, found positive perceptions of chamber members in a number of areas, including overall favorability, consumer awareness and reputation, and likelihood of future patronage. Click here to view the Chamber Study The study, commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), IBM, Administaff, Small Business Network, Inc., and Market Street Services, showed that when respondents were told that a particular small business was a member of its local chamber, they were 44 percent more likely to rate it favorably than study respondents who were not told of the chamber affiliation. Respondents were also 63 percent more likely to want to purchase...

3-Oct-07 8:00 AM