Plain-text accounting insights, tutorials, and updates from the Beancount.io team.
Amazon FBA sellers face sales tax nexus in 26+ states, 15.3% self-employment tax on profits, and a 1099-K that overstates income. This guide covers filing obligations, deductible expenses, and recordkeeping practices to stay compliant year-round.
Above-the-line deductions reduce your Adjusted Gross Income before you choose between standard and itemized deductions—making them available to virtually every qualifying taxpayer. This guide covers all 11 adjustments for 2026, including self-employment tax, HSA contributions, IRA deductions, and the new no-tax-on-tips provisions.
A line-by-line breakdown of the income statement for small business owners — covering revenue, COGS, gross profit, operating income, and net income, plus key ratios and the five most common mistakes that distort results.
A practical guide on when small businesses outgrow DIY bookkeeping—covering 7 warning signs, the bookkeeper vs. accountant distinction, cost breakdowns ($200–$1,500/month), and how to evaluate and hire the right person.
A practical breakdown of the 6 types of business bank accounts — checking, savings, money market, CDs, merchant, and trust — with a stage-by-stage framework for structuring your banking as your small business grows.
A practical guide to reading income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements—with the key ratios that reveal whether your business is actually healthy, not just profitable on paper.
A practical comparison of the best free accounting software for small businesses in 2026—Wave, Zoho Books, ZipBooks, GnuCash, and Akaunting—covering what each free tier actually includes, hidden costs, and the signals that you've outgrown your free tool.
A practical guide to setting up Excel bookkeeping for small businesses — chart of accounts, transaction logging, SUMIF formulas, pivot tables, monthly reconciliation, and the clear warning signs that you've outgrown spreadsheets.
A practical walkthrough of the five account types, common IRS-aligned expense categories, and weekly habits that keep small business books accurate—covering chart of accounts setup, automation strategies, and mistakes that lead to missed deductions.
Commingling personal and business funds can void your LLC's liability protection, trigger IRS scrutiny, and obscure true cash flow. Seven concrete steps to separate your finances and protect your assets.
A merchant account is the intermediary that holds card payment funds before they reach your business bank account. Learn how merchant accounts work, what fees to expect (interchange, assessment, processor markup), when to use a PSP like Stripe instead, and what to watch out for in contracts.
A plain-English breakdown of what a general ledger is, how double-entry bookkeeping keeps it balanced, and how to set up and maintain GL records—including common mistakes, a step-by-step setup guide, and software options for small business owners.
