Don't Charge Sales Tax on That Gift Card (Yet): When the Tax Is Really Due
US gift card sales are tax-free — sales tax applies at redemption on the full price, at the current rate in the redemption state.
#bookkeeping
Bookkeeping
Modern bookkeeping techniques using plain-text and automated workflows
Nominee 1099s: What to Do When Income Reported Under Your EIN Belongs to Someone Else
Got a 1099 for income that isn't yours? File a nominee 1099 and Form 1096, then subtract the pass-through on Schedule B or C to avoid a CP2000.
Portable Storage Container Rental Bookkeeping: Why Your PODS-Style Business Isn't Taxed Like a Self-Storage Facility
U.S. portable storage rentals are taxable equipment rental, not exempt real-estate rent — split five revenue streams and depreciate the fleet.
Senior Home Care Agency Bookkeeping: Surviving Weekly Payroll When Insurance Pays You Months Later
Home care agencies pay caregivers weekly but wait 30–90 days on Medicaid claims. Close the gap: DSO under 50, a 13-week forecast, 2–3 months' payroll reserve.
Vendor Deposits and Prepaid Supplier Advances: How to Book Cash You Paid Before the Goods Arrive
A vendor deposit is an asset, not an expense: book it to Advances to Suppliers, apply it to the final invoice, and deduct only when IRS timing rules allow.
Commercial Grain Drying Service Bookkeeping: Cost Every Point of Moisture So Your Rate Is More Than a Guess at the Elevator's Price
Custom grain drying costs about 3.2 cents per point per bushel before margin — price from your fuel, shrink, and fixed cost, not the elevator's rate.
How Big an Employee Discount Is Tax-Free? The Section 132(c) Limits Every Employer Should Know
Section 132(c) caps tax-free employee discounts at 20% for services and your gross profit percentage for goods — the excess is W-2 wages.
Maldives' Tourism Tax Just Hit 17%: A Bookkeeping Wake-Up Call for Guesthouses and Small Tour Operators
Maldives TGST rose to 17% on 1 July 2025 and reaches foreign sellers on 1 Oct 2026 — how guesthouses keep TGST, Green Tax and MIRA 206 returns right.
Be the Bank: A Beginner's Guide to Mortgage Note Investing
Mortgage note investing is buying a loan below its unpaid balance. Underwrite to foreclosure, cap ITV at 60–70%, and hire a licensed servicer.
Bingo, Raffles, and Pull-Tabs: When Nonprofit Gaming Owes UBIT
Nonprofit raffle and pull-tab income is taxable UBI unless the IRS bingo or 85% volunteer-labor exception applies — plus W-2G and Schedule G rules.
Radon Mitigation Contractor Bookkeeping: Warranty Reserves, Retest Rules, and Job Costing That Survives an Audit
A radon contractor's pCi/L guarantee is a warranty liability — accrue it per install, split testing from mitigation revenue, and amortize licenses monthly.
Supper Club and Pop-Up Dinner Bookkeeping: Why Sold-Out Seats Can Still Lose Money
Pop-up dinner tickets are deferred revenue until the meal is served — book them as a liability, cost each event per cover, and never spend the float early.