Manufacturer of aluminum Alcoa 2Q earnings season begins (AP)

Alcoa Inc. began the season of quarterly earnings when it reports second-quarter results Monday after closing markets.

WHAT TO WATCH for: signs that Alcoa have benefited more from sales of aluminum to higher prices that it faced the rising costs of energy and raw materials. Some of his clients were also hit by the consequences of the earthquake and tsunamis in Japan in March.

The giant of the manufacture of aluminum, based in Pittsburgh, saw earnings stable in sales as the company has improved for clients key such as aerospace, automotive and industrial gas turbine industries. For the year, it expected an increase of 12% of global demand for aluminum.

The crisis of March to the Japan caused disruption in the flow of parts for a number of industries which uses Alcoa, but that seems to be facilitated. Ordered more than American aircraft, autos and equipment of oil drilling in may after a sluggish spring and June auto sales increased by 7%.

Price of aluminum has also improved during the quarter. Analyst Dahlman Rose & Co. Anthony Rizzuto provides Alcoa report a 6-cent per book increase the average prices realized for aluminum.

WHY it is important: Performance of Alcoa may reflect economic trends, because its products reach across a broad range of businesses. Its clientele includes automotive, aerospace, consumer products and construction and trucking industries. About 80% of its sales are in Europe and the United States.

What is expected: analysts surveyed by FactSet forecast earnings of 34 cents per share on sales of $ 6.3 billion.

In a recent note to clients, JPMorgan analyst Michael f. Gambardella said he expects to see the improvement of production, but most of the likely benefits of will be offset by higher costs of raw materials as fuel oil and caustic soda.

Rizzuto predicts sales will be better than a year ago, based on the increase in the price of aluminum and the volume. Also, he said, he expects Alcoa to maintain its orientation on global demand.

QUARTER last year: Alcoa reported net income of $ 136 million, or share of 13 cents. Revenues amounted to 5.19 billion of $. Shares of Alcoa the end of the quarter to $15.86 bottom of $17.66 March 31.

Owners of small businesses can avoid tax season panic (AP)

By JOYCE M. ROSENBERG, AP Business writer Joyce M. Rosenberg, Ap Business Writer - Thu 6 Jan, 6: 17 pm EST

NEW YORK - Here's a few words of comforting for small business owners: it is not inevitable that you will have a tax season panic attack. Planning now will make the process to complete and file your tax return less than a test.

If you're the type who is always rushing late to get your completed tax forms the first thing you need to do is figure out right now, what are the problems. And discover how address, even if it means hire someone to organize your receipts and/or hiring an accountant to complete your return.

PUT YOURSELF ON A CALENDAR

One way to facilitate the tax season is set deadlines for yourself get tasks done. For example, have your received by January 31. And make sure that you have all your 1099s in hand (calling or by emailing issuers if necessary) before 15 February.

This year, business owners form 1040 and Schedule C (used by the unique owners) or Annex E (used by partners or owners of the corporation S) files have three additional days to file their returns. Emancipation Day, a celebration in Washington, D.C., Tomb Friday, April 15, the usual deadline. If taxpayers have three more days to complete and file statements.

The filing deadline March 15 for corporations remains the same.

THINK ABOUT AN EXTENSION

If you think that you will have trouble to get your income statement due to the business or personal reasons, plan now to get an automatic extension of six months from the date deadline. There is no shame or prejudice to get an extension. Accountants say there is no link between extension and audited by the IRS. Many owners it regularly because they are in partnerships and they cannot fulfill their own returns to the return of the partnership was made.

Many owners take an extension as a matter of time because it gives them more time to fund their pension plans. The income tax Act allows many ways of funding and a tax deduction for the previous year, on the scheduled date of return of the owner, including an extension. In the case of retirement plans known as SEPs or simplified employee Pensions, extension gives their more time to put in place the plan.

Warning: Do not now plan to obtain an extension just because you're the type of business owner who leaves the compilation of your return until the last minute. Unless you change your routine tax now, you can find in the same pickle when your extension.

If your company is a company or you are a sole proprietor, you may obtain an extension of six months. Partnerships, however, can obtain only a stay of five months.

START HIRING NOW

If you need assistance of any kind for your taxes made, obtain assistance aligned now. If you realize, April 10, you're in over your head, you cannot expect an accountant or tax attorney to the adapt to their schedule. In fact, if they do not have the time you see, the first thing they do is the file extension for you.

Hiring an accountant in now and leaving the him or her look at your finances can also save on your taxes. Even if 2010 is completed, an accountant may start thinking how to use tax laws to your advantage. For example, if you had a loss, an accountant can help you decide whether to use a part of it to offset taxes in the past. Or use it to offset taxes in future years.

If your books are in a mess and your receipts and invoices in a pile, it is also time to get help to sort everything and even create an entire organized records. Contents book or accounting students can easily do for you.