Mckenzie Drake Business Card
June 26th, 2010
Archive for June, 2010
WBEA has certified Mckenzie Drake as a women owned business
June 11th, 2010
Houston, Texas – Mckenzie Drake specializes in, furnished corporate apartments, apartment locating service and real estate services. They recently received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Council Southwest, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
WBENC’s national standard of certification implemented by the Women’s Business Council Southwest, is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.
By including women-owned businesses among their vendors, corporations, and government Agencies they demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier/vendor diversity programs.
To learn more about Mckenzie Drake, please visit www.mckenziedrake.com
About Mckenzie Drake
Mckenzie Drake, based in Houston Texas, provides full service brokerage and Real Estate services; including Apartment Locating, Nationwide Corporate Housing, Rental Assistance, Home Buying and Selling. The Mckenzie Drake team can facilitate corporate as well as individual moves whether it be temporary, permanent, domestically or from an international location.
Finding the perfect home that fits our clients needs, budget and lifestyle is our number one goal. Woman owned and operated and a proud member of the WBEA, Mckenzie Drake offers a personal touch to every move . We are dedicated to making the relocation process as smooth as possible for our clients and ensure their transition into a new home and a new city is a memorable one.
McKenzie Drake is redefining relocation one client at a time, and by doing so we are building an undeniable reputation of excellence, superior customer service and satisfaction in the industry.
About WBENC
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council is the nation’s largest third party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women in the United States. WBENC is a resource for the more than 700 US companies and government agencies that rely on WBENC’s certification as an integral part of their supplier diversity programs.
CONTACT: Suzanne Carpenter
suzanne@mckenziedrake.com
Taxes & Tipping
June 2nd, 2010
Taxes
Texas has no state income tax and no city in Texas has a local income tax, however, there is a General Sales Tax (GST), which is currently 8.25% in Houston. GST is not levied on grocery items. The price listed on items is the net price, excluding sales tax, so expect an increase over the label price when you check out. The GST will vary from town to town in Texas as well as state to state.
U.S. Taxes
Unfortunately, you will have to file for U.S. Income taxes while working in the U.S. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, www.irs.gov, has all the required information, as well as the forms. Taxes must be filed by April 15th of the following year unless an exemption has been granted. Employees are generally issued W-2 (Earnings Statements) in late January or early February. As a rule, the earlier you file your taxes, the sooner you will receive your refund and the converse is true if you must pay.
Tipping
One of the toughest areas to get a hold on when you arrive in a new country is the tipping rate. In the U.S. tipping is commonplace, and expected for certain services. The chart below can serve as a basic guide:
Service Tip
Restaurant (table service) 15% or more (before tax)
Bar $1-$2 a round
Hair Salon – stylist $5-$10 depending on service
Hair Salon – shampoo person $2
Nail Salon $5
Hotel / Airport Bellhop $1 per bag
Hotel Room Service 15% (usually included in the bill)
Moving Men (house move) $20 per man
Car Wash $3-$5
