Everything About Retirement Plans

Retirement PlansRetirement SavingsTax PlanningTax CreditsSmall BusinessPersonal FinanceIraFinancial Planning

SECURE Act 2.0 Decoded: The Retirement Rule Changes Reshaping 2026 for Savers and Small Businesses

SECURE 2.0 Act provisions taking effect in 2026 and 2027 — mandatory Roth catch-ups for earners over $145,000, RMD age pushed to 75 for those born after 1960, $35,000 lifetime 529-to-Roth rollovers, and up to $16,500 in small business retirement plan startup credits.

401(k)Retirement PlansRetirement SavingsTax PlanningPersonal FinanceSolo 401(k)Wealth BuildingTax Optimization

Mega Backdoor Roth: How High Earners Stash $47,500+ Per Year in Tax-Free Retirement Accounts

In 2026, the Mega Backdoor Roth can move up to $47,500 of after-tax 401(k) money into Roth above the $24,500 elective deferral limit. This guide covers how the strategy works, the three plan features it requires, how the 401(k) pro-rata rule differs from the IRA version, and the mistakes that quietly erode its value.

Solo 401(k)SEP IRARetirement PlansSelf-EmploymentTax PlanningFreelanceSmall BusinessIra

Solo 401(k) vs SEP IRA: The Self-Employed Retirement Plan Decision That Could Save You Thousands

In 2026, a self-employed person earning $100,000 can contribute about $18,587 to a SEP IRA versus $43,087 to a Solo 401(k). This guide compares 2026 contribution limits, Roth options, December 31 deadlines, and Form 5500-EZ filing thresholds so freelancers and consultants can choose the right plan.

Self-Employment TaxTax DeductionsSelf-EmploymentFreelanceTax PlanningRetirement PlansSmall Business

Self-Employment Tax Deductions 2026: A Complete Guide for Freelancers

A line-by-line guide to the deductions self-employed workers can claim in 2026, including the now-permanent 20% QBI deduction under OBBBA, $72,000 Solo 401(k) limits, the 72.5-cent IRS mileage rate, and the documentation rules that hold up under audit.

Tax PlanningTax DeductionsSmall BusinessS CorpLLCSelf-Employment TaxRetirement PlansBookkeeping

17 SMB Tax Saving Strategies That Actually Move the Needle in 2026

A working playbook for small business owners filing in 2026 — covering the now-permanent QBI deduction, the $2.56M Section 179 cap, S-corp salary structure, Solo 401(k) limits up to $72,000, and the bookkeeping habits that make every other strategy survive an audit.

Tax PlanningSmall BusinessTax DeductionsRetirement PlansDepreciationBookkeepingCharitable GivingS Corp

Year-End Tax Moves: A Small Business Owner's Playbook to Cut Your Tax Bill

A small business owner's guide to year-end tax planning, covering income timing, retirement contributions, Section 179 and 100% bonus depreciation, HSAs, entity structure, and the QBI deduction with 2026 limits.

TaxTax PlanningPersonal FinanceTax DeductionsFinancial PlanningFinancial LiteracyRetirement Plans

2026 Federal Tax Brackets Explained: What You Actually Pay

The 2026 federal income tax brackets run from 10% to 37%, adjusted upward by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. A single filer with $100,000 in taxable income owes $16,712 — a 16.71% effective rate, not 22%. Complete bracket tables for every filing status, worked examples, and strategies to lower your taxable income.

Small BusinessRetirement Plans401(k)SEP IRASIMPLE IRATax PlanningEmployee Benefits

Small Business Retirement Plans: 401(k) vs. SEP IRA vs. SIMPLE IRA

Compare the three most popular small business retirement plans—401(k), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA—with 2026 contribution limits, pros and cons, and a decision framework to find the best fit for your business.