Businesses paid $554 billion in state and local taxes in fiscal year 2006, representing 45% of total taxes collected by all state and local governments, according to the annual study prepared by Ernst & Young LLP in conjunction with the Council On State Taxation (COST). 

Key findings of the study include:

State and local business taxes totalled $554 billion in FY2006, up 10.2 percent for the prior year.

Property taxes were the largest state and local business tax, accounting for $205 billion in 2006, representing 37% of total state and local business taxes.

Sales taxes on business inputs were the second largest state and local business tax, accounting for $125 billion in 2006, or 23% of total state and local business taxes.

Corporate income tax totalled $52 billion in 2006, representing 9% of total state and local taxes.

As we all know, work can take over. You breathe it, live it, dream it...it's part of you. Its ingrained in your thoughts. Technology has allowed most of us to work from anywhere...even home, and we do! Sometimes it becomes too much.

I just returned from a 4-day vacation where I was finally able to get away. I didn't bring the laptop and let my staff know to keep calls to a minimum. It worked! I came back from vacation with a great new perspective and fresh energy.

While this is not my line of expertise, I thought it was important to remind all fellow entrepreneurs to slow down and live a little. Getting away a couple of days every couple of months can keep you motivated about your business all year long.

I just attended an internet marketing seminar based upon the principles of e-mail marketing. I came away with a bunch of great information that I will be able to implement immediately. I was surprised to hear about things I was doing wrong and how many other businesses were in the same boat. I am not going to lay the details of what I learned out here but I will recommend that you do some research about the best strategies for email marketing. Here are some links to get you started. Good luck!

http://www.brightwavemarketing.com/

http://www.silverpop.com/index.html