Uber Driver Taxes: The Complete Filing Guide for Rideshare Drivers
How rideshare drivers actually owe two federal taxes, why deadhead miles are worth thousands, and the quarterly-payment and 1099-K rules that trip up first-time filers.
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Plain-text accounting insights, tutorials, and updates from the Beancount.io team.
Tiered Pricing for Accounting Firms: A Good-Better-Best Playbook
A working playbook for designing three-tier accounting firm pricing—Essential, Strategic, Comprehensive—that anchors buyer decisions, enforces scope, and lifts average revenue per client without adding headcount.
Tax ID Numbers Explained: EIN, SSN, and ITIN for Small Business Owners
Compare EIN, SSN, and ITIN for your small business. Learn who needs which tax ID, how to apply free with the IRS, and avoid penalty-triggering mistakes.
How Much Does a Tax Advisor Cost? A 2026 Pricing Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses
Tax advisor pricing in 2026 ranges from about $150 for a simple Schedule C to $5,000+ for multi-state S-corp returns. This guide compares CPAs, enrolled agents, tax attorneys, and DIY software so you pay only for the tier you actually need.
Standard Deduction 2026: The Complete Guide to Lowering Your Tax Bill
US 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 single / $32,200 joint plus a senior bonus — when to take it vs itemizing on Form 1040.
From Sole Proprietor to S Corp: When the Switch Pays Off (and When It Backfires)
A sole proprietor netting $100,000 pays roughly $14,130 in self-employment tax that an S corp owner can legally avoid. This guide explains the break-even math, Form 2553 deadlines, reasonable compensation audit triggers, and the annual compliance costs that decide whether the switch actually saves money.
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit: The Complete Employer's Guide to Claiming Up to 50%
Employers with fewer than 25 FTEs and average annual wages below the IRS cap can claim up to 50% of health insurance premiums through the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. This guide covers 2026 eligibility, the sliding-scale math, Form 8941 mechanics, and the mistakes that kill otherwise valid claims.
Single Member LLC: Formation, Taxes, and Liability Protection in 2026
A single member LLC is taxed as a disregarded entity by default but creates the legal separation a sole proprietorship lacks. This guide covers formation steps, the three tax election paths (Schedule C, S-corp via Form 2553, C-corp via Form 8832), and the bookkeeping discipline needed to preserve the liability shield.
Scope of Work Template: A Freelancer and Small Business Guide to SOWs That Prevent Scope Creep
A practical scope of work template with seven required sections, the difference between SOW and statement of work, and the ambiguous verbs that turn signed contracts into billing disputes.
Schedule SE: The Self-Employment Tax Form Every Freelancer Needs to Master
Schedule SE calculates the 15.3% self-employment tax (Social Security + Medicare) owed by anyone with $400 or more in net self-employment earnings. This guide walks through the 2026 wage base ($184,500), the 92.35% adjustment, the 50% above-the-line deduction, and the safe-harbor rules that prevent quarterly underpayment penalties.
Sales-to-AR Ratio: The Cash Flow Metric Quietly Strangling Small Businesses
The sales-to-AR ratio measures the share of revenue stuck in unpaid invoices. This guide explains how to calculate it, what good looks like by industry, and how to drive it down within one or two quarters.
Sales Tax Basics: A Small Business Compliance Guide for Multi-State Sellers
A 2026 guide to sales tax compliance for small businesses selling across state lines — how nexus works after Wayfair, which states repealed the 200-transaction rule, and a seven-step sequence to collect, file, and remit across 45 states without triggering audits.