A big break for small businesses is coming from the Federal Communications Commission. As part of a national broadband plan rolled out in March, the FCC wants to make high-speed Internet and digital technology more accessible, affordable and manageable for businesses across the country. (Yesterday)

For the first time in decades, federal law permits many businesses to hire youth workers. Under the U.S. Department of Labor's new child labor regulations, workers ages 14 and 15 are no longer confined to taking certain types of jobs in specific work environments. (08/26/2010)

In the last year alone, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office has audited more than 2,900 businesses looking for undocumented workers. It's part of an ongoing effort to hold employers more responsible for carefully screening potential employees and dismissing unauthorized workers. (08/19/2010)

The fall season is always a good time to revisit your tax plans for year's end to make sure you're doing the right things to ease the tax burden come April 15. To be sure, with so many changes set to take place going into 2011, it is doubly important to spend the proper time now to plan for year-end. To start, several tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 will expire on Jan. 1, 2011. (08/12/2010)

The tax credits available through the recently passed federal health care reform law make it more affordable for small employers to provide health coverage for their workers, but only if those employers know how to take advantage of the incentives. There are steps small-business owners have to take to get the credits. (08/05/2010)