US businesses hiring foreign contractors must collect W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E before making any payment—or face mandatory 30% backup withholding. This guide covers IRS requirements, permanent establishment risk, payment methods, and documentation best practices.
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) covers ACH, wire transfers, direct deposit, and debit card payments. Learn how each type works, what it costs ($0.20–$50 per transaction), and when to use ACH vs. wire transfers for payroll, vendor invoices, and customer collections.
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 comparison of ACH payments, wire transfers, and paper checks for small businesses—covering costs, processing time, reversibility, and fraud risk, with clear guidance on when to use each method.
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.
Credit card processing costs 1.5%–3.5% per transaction—and most small businesses overpay. Learn how card processing works, how to decode fees, choose the right processor, and cut costs by up to 40%.
Discover what ACH payments are, how the Automated Clearing House network works, the difference between ACH credits and debits, processing times, fees, and how small businesses can use ACH to cut costs and automate payments.
A complete guide to international payments for small businesses. Compare wire transfers, online services, and multi-currency accounts. Learn about fees, exchange rates, IRS regulations, and how to save money sending payments abroad.
Learn how to create professional invoices that get paid on time. This guide covers essential invoice elements, payment terms like Net 30 and 2/10 Net 30, common invoicing mistakes, types of invoices, template formats, and proven tips to accelerate payment collection for your business.
Learn how merchant processing fees relate to Form 1099-K, why the IRS sees different numbers than your bank account, how to reconcile the gap, deduct fees properly, and avoid common mistakes that trigger IRS notices.
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