Small Business News | Microsoft launches AI assistant, SMBs combat surge in cybersecurity, Jan. 31 tax deadline – Atlanta Small Business Network

Small Business News | Microsoft launches AI assistant, SMBs combat surge in cybersecurity, Jan. 31 tax deadline

This week, on ASBN Small Business News, anchor Shyann Malone brings you up to date with the latest tools and resources now available for small to medium-sized businesses.

Microsoft Copilot virtual assistant now open to small businesses, individualsSmall business owners can now access the artificial intelligence-powered Microsoft Copilot virtual assistant through their Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Business Standard subscriptions. Microsoft Copilot is a generative text platform giving users the ability to receive detailed answers to queries or create content based on specific inputs.

Small business owners combat surge in cybersecurity threatsCybersecurity remains one of the top concerns for entrepreneurs as the number of small businesses impacted by a digital attack hits 44%. That data comes from online security platform McAfee in collaboration with Dell Technologies, who conducted a survey of 700 company owners, managers, and leading I.T. professionals across six countries, including the U.S.

Jan. 31 is the last day to submit wage statements, independent contractor forms to IRSThe Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a reminder to employers that the deadline for submitting wage statements and independent contractor forms is January 31. Employers must file their copies of Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements, with the Social Security Administration by January 31.

SBA celebrates record number of business applications in 2023Americans submitted 5.5 million business applications in 2023, an all-time high marking the third consecutive year of record-breaking growth. According to Census data, the number of business applications filed in 2022 and 2021 reached 5.3 million (third-highest) and 5.4 million (second-highest), respectively.

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