Mechanic's Liens, Explained: How Subcontractors Get Paid and How Owners Defend
A mechanic's lien secures your unpaid invoice against the property — but one missed notice or deadline voids it. US filing rules and owner defenses.
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Small Business
Financial management strategies and tools for small business owners
Michigan Cottage Food Just Got a Major Upgrade: Online Sales, a $50,000 Cap, and What HB 4122 and SB 93 Mean for Your Home Kitchen
Michigan HB 4122 doubles the cottage food cap to $50,000 and allows online sales; SB 93 raises the honey and maple syrup threshold to $25,000.
New York's Brand Owner's License: Launch Your Craft Beverage Brand Without Building a Distillery
New York's $375 Brand Owner's License lets indie alcohol brands hire in-state co-packers without surrendering brand ownership — plus the books to run it.
Do You Owe Every Employee a Day of Rest? One-Day-in-Seven Laws in California, New York, and Illinois
California, New York, and Illinois each mandate a weekly day of rest — measured three different ways, with per-employee penalties for every week you miss.
Ordinary and Necessary: The Two-Word Test Behind Every Business Tax Deduction
An IRS business expense must be ordinary (common in your industry) and necessary (helpful to it) under Section 162 — plus the records to prove it.
Replaced the Roof? Make the Partial Disposition Election So You Stop Depreciating Two Roofs at Once
Replaced a roof or HVAC? The IRS partial disposition election deducts the old component's remaining basis on Form 4797 now, not over decades.
The IRS Is Comparing Your PPP and EIDL Applications to Your Tax Returns: What the $200 Billion Referral Means for Legitimate Borrowers
The IRS is matching PPP and EIDL applications against filed tax returns. Reconcile 941s, amendments and revenue now — the fraud window runs ten years.
Bank Before Your EIN Arrives: What the Rho–Stripe Atlas Partnership Means for Day-One Startup Bookkeeping
Stripe Atlas founders can open a Rho business account before the IRS issues their EIN — route startup costs through it to keep Section 195 deductions clean.
Saint Lucia's Tax Amnesty Runs to December 2027: A Freelancer and Small Business Guide to Clearing Arrears
Saint Lucia waives 100% of penalties and interest on tax arrears through 2025 if you pay the principal by December 2027. File first, then settle.
Seattle's 2026 B&O Tax Overhaul: The $2 Million Shield and the $4,000 License Line
Seattle, Washington's 2026 B&O tax starts at $2 million, but $0 returns are still due; out-of-city sellers at or below $4,000 need no license.
Bringing Your Spouse on a Business Trip? When Their Travel Is Deductible (and When It Lands on Your W-2)
Your spouse's travel is deductible only if they are your employee on a bona fide business trip — otherwise the IRS treats employer-paid costs as W-2 wages.
Sri Lanka Shelved Its VAT Threshold Cut: Why the Rs. 60 Million Line Still Decides Whether You Register
Sri Lanka dropped its planned Rs. 36M VAT threshold; registration still starts at Rs. 60M a year or Rs. 15M a quarter, and digital-services VAT took effect.