Nearly 300 industries offer franchise opportunities. Learn more in this America Counts story.
America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers
Franchising is More than Just Fast Food
Let’s imagine a woman named Mary, a fitness instructor who is thinking about opening an independent fitness and recreational sports center. She researches demographics of several potential locations and identifies a city that could be an ideal spot.
However, she notices an increase of chain fitness centers opening in that area.
Read MoreShould she drop the idea of an independent business and buy a franchise fitness center with an established brand recognition instead? Are there data that could help her make this important decision?
Good news for Mary, our fictitious entrepreneur: The 2017 Economic Census Franchise Statistics Report publishes information on the 498,234 franchise establishments in the United States in 2017.
Continue reading to learn more about:
Franchises are more than just restaurants
Franchisee-owned vs. franchisor-owned
Digging deeper into the numbers
Pulling it all together
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2017 Economic Census Data Breaks Out Industry Growth, Changes By State: State and local data from the Census Bureau's 2017 Economic Census provide insight into the businesses that are vital to our economy.
Learn MoreAbout America CountsAmerica Counts tells the stories behind the numbers in a new inviting way. It features stories on various topics such as
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employment,
business,
education,
economy,
emergency management,
health,
population,
income and poverty. Contact our
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December 1, 2021
New
MAX.GOV Page for the Made in America Waiver Process
To assist in the change management process, the Made in America Office has established a Made in America Waiver Process
MAX page for internal executive branch use only, which contains information and resources on proposed waivers, the waiver review process, and contact information. Under the resource section, the “User Guide” and “Data Fields – Nonavailability Waivers” documents contain information for contracting officers and support staff to use prior to submitting a proposed waiver through the digital waiver portal. These documents will be updated periodically to reflect any changes that have occurred in policy or the portal itself. If you have questions, please send an email to
MBX.OMB.MadeInAmerica@omb.eop.gov.
FAI Training Cancellation Reminder
The demand is high for FAI's
FREE instructor-led training, particularly for certain courses where waitlists are exceeding 20 students! If you are fortunate to secure a course seat, but find you are unable to make a class, please be courteous to your fellow Federal colleagues and cancel at least one week before the class begins. Those on the waitlist will need time to plan and prepare for the course, as some courses have pre-work that needs to be completed before the class starts, and delaying your cancellation may mean that a Federal colleague will lose out on an opportunity for training. Training dollars are valuable resources these days, so if you can't make a class you are registered to take, don't delay, cancel right away!
Professional Services Office Hours – December 9
To help federal agencies with the professional services acquisitions, the Office of Professional Services and Human Capital Categories has prepared a series of Acquisition Planning Packages that outline best practices and include ordering guidance tailored to specific subcategories and SINS offered on GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule – Professional Services Category. The Acquisition Planning Packages contain sample Requests for Information (RFIs), Statements of Work (SOWs), Statements of Objectives (SOOs), Performance Work Statement (PWSs), Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs), and buying guides to make ordering easier for contracting officers.
Join GSA on December 9 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET for this in-depth look at the Acquisition Planning Packages. Earn 1 CLP!
Learn How Your Agency Can Buy and Migrate to Cloud Computing
Register today for a free webinar and learn how agencies can procure cloud computing as well as important tips for migrating applications to the cloud. Other topics will include cloud-computing market trends and projections, common features of cloud solutions, common migration strategies, and costs associated with cloud solutions. The webinar will take place on December 8 from 12 to 1 p.m. ET. If you have any questions about the webinar, contact
cloudinfo@gsa.gov.
More Training is on the Way!
FAI is pleased to announce that 54 more FAC-C, FAC-COR, and FAC-P/PM training sessions are being added to the schedule. These new sessions will be published by December 6, and some courses will be conducted as early as January 10. Don’t let these great opportunities pass you by. Keep your eyes on
FAI.gov to see all the FAI sessions with seats available.
FAC 093 Introduction to Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM)
Make sure to register for
FAC 093 Introduction to Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), an online course available in FAI CSOD. You will develop an understanding of supply chain risk management, including common terminology, best practices, safeguarding sensitive information, general prohibitions, exclusion orders, and additional requirements for higher risk procurements. Earn 1 CLP for course completion.
Register today!
Acquisition Today is published the first and third Wednesday of each month. If you have information that you would like to share with the federal acquisition workforce community via Acquisition Today, you may submit your article for consideration by completing this
form. If you have feedback that you would like to share with FAI, please email us at
contact@fai.gov.
Securities and Exchange Commission
SEC Updates List of Firms Using Inaccurate Information to Solicit Investors
12/01/2021 11:00 AM EST
The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that it updated its list of unregistered entities that use misleading information to solicit primarily non-U.S. investors, adding 82 soliciting entities, eight (8) impersonators of genuine firms, and…
Chair Gary Gensler tackles timely topics and speaks directly to everyday investors on subjects that
matter to them in his video series, Office Hours with Gary Gensler.
This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Securities and Exchange Commission · 100 F Street, NE · Washington, DC 20549 · 202-551-4120
 Tips on choosing a foreign representative. A partnership with an agent or distributor in another country is a great way to find new export sales. Before entering into an agreement, carefully consider what the representative can do for your business. Don't forget to also conduct due diligence. Need help? Look to the U.S. Commercial Service.  If you are ready to begin exporting or expand your export profile, please contact your nearest This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of the International Trade Administration · 1401 Constitution Avenue NW · Washington, DC 20230   .. 
 | | IRS Newswire | December 1, 2021 |
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| Issue Number: IR-2021-238Inside This Issue
National Tax Security Awareness Week, Day 3: Choosing a special Identity Protection PIN adds extra safety for taxpayers IRS YouTube Video:
New Security Measures Help Protect Against Tax-Related Identity Theft English WASHINGTON – As part of a wider effort to increase security, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers they can get extra protection starting in January by joining the agency’s Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) program. Anyone who can verify their identity can protect themselves against tax-related identity theft by opting into the IP PIN program. More than 5.1 million taxpayers are now participating in the IP PIN program, enabling them to proactively protect themselves against identity theft. The IRS has made recent changes to the program to make it easier for more taxpayers to join. The fastest and easiest way to receive an IP Pin is by using the Get an IP PIN tool. Today’s reminder marks the third day of National Tax Security Awareness Week, which runs through Dec. 3. This annual observance is sponsored by the Security Summit, a partnership that includes state tax agencies, the nation’s tax industry and the IRS. The Security Summit was established in 2015 to protect taxpayers and the nation’s tax system against tax-related identity theft. This unique collaboration between the public and private sectors has increased mutual defenses against criminals trying to file fraudulent tax returns and steal refunds. One of the key features of the IRS system involves an IP PIN, which is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. An IP PIN is known only to the taxpayer and the IRS. Originally designed for confirmed victims of tax-related identity theft, the IP PIN program was expanded in 2021 to include any taxpayer, nationwide, who wants the additional protection and security of using an IP PIN to file tax returns with the IRS. “When people have this special code, it prevents someone else from filing a tax return in their name,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The fastest way to get an Identity Protection PIN is to use our online tool, but keep in mind people must pass a rigorous authentication process. We must know that the person asking for the IP PIN is who they really say they are.” An IP PIN helps the IRS verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their federal income tax returns, regardless of whether they are filing electronically or on paper. The online Get an IP PIN tool at IRS.gov/IPPIN immediately displays the taxpayer’s IP PIN. In each subsequent year, any participating taxpayer will then use the tool to obtain a new number. The IRS urges any IP PIN applicant previously rejected during the identity authentication process to try applying again in 2022. The authentication process has been refined and improved, now enabling many taxpayers screened out in the past to have a better chance of passing the authentication process. Before applying, keep in mind these key points about the IP PIN program: - For 2022, the Get an IP PIN tool is scheduled to launch on Jan. 10. It’s the fastest and easiest way to get an IP PIN. It is also the only option that immediately reveals the IP PIN to the taxpayer. For that reason, the IRS urges everyone to try the Get an IP PIN tool first, before pursuing other options.
- No identity theft affidavit is required for taxpayers opting in. This means that anyone who voluntarily applies for an IP PIN doesn’t need to file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, with the IRS.
- The IP PIN is valid for one year. This means that each January any participating taxpayer must obtain a newly generated IP PIN.
- Be sure to enter the IP PIN on any return, whether it is filed electronically or on paper. This includes any amended returns or returns for prior years. Doing so will help avoid processing delays or having the return rejected by the IRS.
- Anyone with either a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) who can verify their identity is eligible for the IP PIN opt-in program.
- Any eligible family member can get an IP PIN. This includes the primary taxpayer (the person listed first on a tax return), the secondary taxpayer (on a joint return, the person listed second on the return) or any of their dependents.
- With one key exception, never reveal an IP PIN to anyone. The only exception is a taxpayer who uses a trusted tax professional to file their return. Even then, only share the IP PIN with the trusted tax pro when it is time to sign and submit the return. The IRS will never ask for an IP PIN. Remember to watch out: Phone calls, emails and texts requesting an IP PIN are scams.
- Identity theft victims should still fill out an ID theft affidavit. This means that any confirmed victim of tax-related identity theft still needs to file Form 14039 with the IRS if their e-filed tax return was rejected by the agency due to a duplicate SSN filing. The IRS will then investigate their case. Once the fraudulent tax return is removed from their account, the IRS will automatically mail an IP PIN to the confirmed victim at the start of the next calendar year. Because of security risks, confirmed identity theft victims cannot opt out of the IP PIN program.
Options for people who can’t pass the online authentication process Two options are available for people who cannot pass the IRS online identity authentication process. One involves filing Form 15227 and the other requires a visit to an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Unlike the online option, both of these options involve, for security reasons, a delay in receiving an IP PIN. Form 15227: For processing year 2022, individuals with an adjusted gross income of $73,000 or less and those married filing jointly with an AGI of $146,000 or less with access to a telephone can complete Form 15227 (.pdf) and either mail or fax it to the IRS. An IRS representative will then call them to verify their identity with a series of questions. Taxpayers choosing this option who pass the identity authentication process will generally receive their IP PIN in about a month. IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers: Any taxpayer who is ineligible to file a Form 15227 may make an appointment to visit an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC). Anyone using this option must bring two forms of picture identification. Because this is an in-person identity verification, an IP PIN will be mailed to the taxpayer after their visit. Normally, allow three weeks for delivery. To find the nearest TAC, use the IRS Local Office Locator online tool or call 844-545-5640. The IRS, state tax agencies, the private sector tax industry, including tax professionals, work in partnership as the Security Summit to help protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud. This is the third in a week-long series of tips to raise awareness about identity theft. See IRS.gov/securitysummit for more details. Also, check out the most recent A Closer Look column on National Tax Security Awareness Week here. Back to Top |
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