San Francisco Sun

Early fall is often a busy time in San Francisco, and this year is no exception. There is a historic number of City-sponsored events Downtown in September, such as free concerts and block parties. Downtown will also host the Dreamforce conference. Hardly Strictly Bluegrass will be back in Golden Gate Park for the 24th year, and Fleet Week roars into the city in October. Beginning September 15th, Latino Heritage Month kicks off a series of events celebrating San Francisco’s vibrant Latino community. These events – and many more – are vital for attracting customers to small businesses.

**Announcements**

**Learn about proposed business tax reform measure and potential benefit to small businesses**

Following recommendations from the City’s Business Tax Reform Project, there is a measure going before voters in November that would change the business tax structure. The final recommendations include:

- Increasing the Small Business Exemption to $5 million

- Estimated 88% of all restaurants will be exempt

- Estimated 50% of retailers who currently pay Gross Receipts Taxes will be exempt

- Revenue model assumes elimination of $10 million in license fees, to be adopted legislatively and triggered upon passage of the measure

- Progressive tax rates in all categories

- In excess of 90% of restaurants will see a reduction in taxes

Read the Digest by the Ballot Simplification Committee

Learn more about the measure

**Two leases available for small businesses at SFO**

The Airport Commission released a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for two International Terminal Food & Beverage Leases, both for small businesses. The deadline to apply is September 18, 2024.

Learn more

**E-bike program for local restaurants and small businesses**

Businesses that make deliveries may be eligible for a free e-bike through SF Environment’s expanded e-bike delivery pilot. Eligible partners include restaurants and other small businesses in San Francisco that either have their own delivery staff or have connections to delivery workers. In exchange for the e-bikes and related accessories, businesses would agree to help collect data on the efficacy of e-bikes for deliveries.

Interested businesses should reserve a time to meet with the project team or reach out to Edgar Arellano-Meli directly at earellanomeli@gridalternatives.org.

**IRS moves forward with Employee Retention Credit claims**

The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a refundable payroll tax credit offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that provides up to $26,000 per employee to employers who retained staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. They paused accepting or processing applications last year because of rampant fraud. Starting in August 2024, they are re-starting the program.

Read more

**Office of Small Business in the Community**

Let us know if you would like the Office of Small Business to visit your corridor and share resources for small businesses. Please send requests to: sfosb@sfgov.org.

**Upcoming**

**Reminder: New federal reporting for most companies**

Existing businesses have until Jan 1, 2025

Most companies (such as LLCs, partnerships, and corporations) must now file “Beneficial Ownership Information” with the federal government. Sole proprietors and non-profits are among the business types that may be exempt and don’t have to file. Learn more and then file online. Questions can be submitted here.

The SF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has advisors available who can help you file.

**Credit Card Settlement Claim Deadline Extended**

New deadline: Feb, 2025

The settlement is a result of a lawsuit over MasterCard/Visa credit card processing fees. If your business accepted MC/Visa between 2004-2019, you may be eligible to claim your share of over $5 billion.

If you received a Claim Form in the mail and want to file a claim online, you can submit on the website using the "Submit Claim" button. If you did not receive a claim form, you can also start the claim on-site by providing your business's Taxpayer Identification Number.

For more information, you can reach out to 1-800-625-6440 or visit the settlement website at settlement website

**Join Shop Dine: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass small business campaign**

Sign up by Friday, September 13

Hardly Strictly Blue Grass will be back at Golden Gate Park from October 4-6th. This year Shop Dine SF is partnering with event organizers to encourage guests to shop in nearby small business corridors.

Fill out this form if you own a storefront small business on Irving St between19th and 25th aves., Judah St between Ocean Ave., Sunset Blvd., or Balboa St between 29th and 34th aves.

**Publicize your business during San Francisco Fleet Week**

Submit information by September 20

From October 6-13, San Francisco will host United States Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Coast Guard personnel as well as visitors from all over the country. San Francisco Fleet Week invites you to post your business information and special offers on the Fleet Week Liberty Guide located on its Mobile App.

### Legacy Business Spotlight ###

Heritage Happy Hour at Elixer Bar

Sep12 -5:00 –7:00 PM

Heritage Happy Hours offer casual “no-host” gatherings of heritage professionals interested safeguarding San Francisco’s unique architectural cultural identity.Elixer Bar second oldest continually operating saloon location making one most historic bars country.

### Webinars & Events ###

SEP10-NOV14

Business planning intensive

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center accepting applications upcoming10-week training series online sessions learn launch idea create Plan.

Apply

SEP12

Virtual Office Hours entrepreneurs feedback ideas advisor structure initial start research Hosted Public Library Development Center.

Sign

SEP18

Navigating Access Capital panel hosted Renaissance learn startups navigate access Guests Main Street Launch Working Solutions TMC Community Capital Feed Hunger.

Register

SEP23

Small Business Commission Meeting agenda includes voting Legacy Registry applications following Da Flora Russian Hill Dog Grooming Fabrix New India Bazar Sabella La Torre Ten-Ichi Japanese Restaurant Sushi Bar Treasure Island Museum Savoy Tivoli.

Get details

SEP25

In-person resource workshop2pm Hong Kong Bakery4711 Mission St Development Center share latest grant resources Excelsior citywide English Chinese.

Sign

OCT2

How become certified Local Enterprise(LBE)

San Francisco Contract Monitoring Division hosts webinar1st Wednesday each month10am covers certified Local Enterprise(LBE) Program helps compete contracts.

Join meeting

Shop Dine SF campaign support Visit shops eat restaurants get services experiences make special.Visit sf.gov/shopdineSF follow social media find initiatives across Share supporting commercial emailing shopdinesf@sfgov.org.

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