#bookkeeping
Bookkeeping
Modern bookkeeping techniques using plain-text and automated workflows
Profitable But Broke: Why Businesses Run Out of Cash
A profitable P&L and an empty bank account are not a contradiction—they are a timing problem. A breakdown of the five silent cash drains (AR, inventory, loan principal, capex, owner draws) and how a 13-week forecast reveals them before they sink the business.
Repairs vs. Improvements: The Tax Rule That Saves Small Businesses Thousands
Small businesses can deduct repairs immediately but must depreciate capital improvements over 27.5 or 39 years. This guide explains the IRS BAR test (betterment, adaptation, restoration), the three safe harbors that let you expense more, and the documentation required to defend your deductions.
Section 179 Deduction Explained: How to Write Off Equipment in the Year You Buy It
Section 179 lets qualifying businesses deduct up to $2,560,000 of equipment, vehicles, and software costs in the year the asset is placed in service for 2026, with a dollar-for-dollar phase-out starting at $4,090,000 in total qualifying purchases and a hard ceiling at net taxable business income.
Small Business Recordkeeping: A Practical Guide to Staying Audit-Ready
A practical reference for small business owners on what records the IRS requires, how long to keep each type (3, 4, 6, or 7 years), the de minimis $75 receipt rule, and how to build a system you will actually maintain month after month.
Social Security Tax Explained: A Complete Guide for Employees, Employers, and the Self-Employed
A 2026 reference for Social Security tax: the 6.2% employee and employer rate, the $184,500 wage base, the 15.3% self-employment rate with its 92.35% adjustment, Form 941 deposit rules, and the six mistakes that most often trigger IRS payroll penalties against small businesses.
SUTA Tax Explained: The Complete Employer's Guide to State Unemployment Tax
SUTA is the state-level payroll tax that funds unemployment insurance. Every U.S. employer owes it, rates range from under 1% to over 10%, and late payments can cost the 5.4% FUTA credit — turning a $42 federal bill into $420 per employee.
UCC Filings Explained: How Stale Liens Block Your Next Business Loan
A UCC-1 financing statement lasts five years and can block future financing if a lender forgets to file a UCC-3 termination after payoff. This guide covers specific vs. blanket liens, how to search your state's records, and how to force a termination under Article 9.
The Wayfair Law Explained: How Economic Nexus Changed Sales Tax for Online Sellers
Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling, 46 states can require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax once they cross economic nexus thresholds — typically $100,000 in annual sales. This guide covers 2026 thresholds, marketplace facilitator rules, and a seven-step compliance playbook.
What Is Franchise Tax? A State-by-State Guide for Business Owners
Franchise tax is a state privilege tax owed regardless of profit. Sixteen states plus D.C. charge it, with rates from a flat $300 in Delaware to $800 minimums in California and a 0.75% margin tax in Texas.
DIY Bookkeeping vs. Professional Services: Which Is Right for Your Business?
A cost-benefit breakdown of DIY bookkeeping versus professional bookkeeping services—covering real time costs, hidden risks, and a four-question decision framework for small business owners.
EIDL Loan Recordkeeping Requirements: What Small Businesses Must Know
EIDL borrowers must maintain records for decades—five years current plus three years after final payoff. This guide covers which documents to keep, SBA audit powers, approved fund uses, and how to build an audit-ready bookkeeping system.
Form 940: The Complete Guide to Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Return
Form 940 is the IRS return employers use to report annual FUTA tax liability—6% on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages, reducible to 0.6% with timely state unemployment tax payments. Covers who must file, quarterly deposit thresholds, how to claim the state tax credit, Schedule A for multi-state employers, and penalties for late filing.