#payments
Payments
Manage payment processing, tracking, and reconciliation efficiently
Credit Card Authorization Forms: A Guide to Recurring Billing, PCI Compliance, and Chargeback Defense
A credit card authorization form documents cardholder consent for charges and is required by card networks for card-not-present and recurring billing. Covers the required fields, PCI DSS storage rules, and how a signed form shifts the burden in chargeback disputes.
Final Demand Letters for Unpaid Invoices: A Complete Guide
A final demand letter is the last formal step before court for an unpaid invoice. This guide covers what to include, when to send it, the seven mistakes that sink most letters, and the bookkeeping systems that prevent the need for one in the first place.
Merchant of Record Explained: When You Should Stop Being the Seller
A Merchant of Record is the legal seller for your SaaS — handling sales tax, VAT, chargebacks, and PCI compliance in exchange for 4–8% per transaction. Here is when the math favors switching, how it compares to a payment processor, and how to pick a provider in 2026.
Passing Credit Card Fees to Customers: What's Legal, What Works, and What to Avoid
A practical breakdown of the three legal ways U.S. businesses can recover credit card processing costs—surcharges, convenience fees, and cash discounts—including state-by-state bans (CA, CT, ME, MA, OK), card network rules, the 4% federal cap, and rollout tactics that keep customers.
Payment Reconciliation: A Step-by-Step Process Guide
A five-step payment reconciliation workflow that catches fraud, cleans up cash flow, and keeps books audit-ready—citing 2026 AFP data showing 76% of organizations faced payment fraud in 2025.
IRS Form 8300: The Complete Guide to Reporting Cash Payments Over $10,000
IRS Form 8300 requires businesses to report cash payments over $10,000 within 15 days of receipt. Learn who must file, how to complete each section, civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance, and how to track related transactions to avoid structuring violations.
Hiring Foreign Independent Contractors: A Complete Guide for US Businesses
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 Payment: What It Is, How It Works, and When to Use It for Your Business
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.
Types of Bank Accounts for Small Businesses: A Complete Guide
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.
ACH Payments vs. Wire Transfers vs. Checks: Which Is Right for Your Business?
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.
What Is a Merchant Account — and Does Your Business Need One?
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 for Small Businesses: A Complete Guide
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%.