Step-by-step guide to Form 1099-NEC — who must file, the $600 threshold (rising to $2,000 in 2026), the January 31 deadline, the penalty schedule ($60–$340 per form), and how to avoid the most common contractor reporting mistakes.
A practical breakdown of accountant and CPA fees for small businesses—hourly rates ($150–$400+), flat fees, retainers, and annual spend by business size—plus clear signals for when hiring one pays off.
A practical walkthrough of the five account types, common IRS-aligned expense categories, and weekly habits that keep small business books accurate—covering chart of accounts setup, automation strategies, and mistakes that lead to missed deductions.
A practical, step-by-step guide to catch-up bookkeeping for small businesses—covering how to reconstruct overdue financial records, what professional cleanup costs ($300–$8,000+), and proven habits to prevent the backlog from building again.
A practical, IRS-grounded guide to small business expense tracking—covering deductible categories, documentation requirements for meals and mileage, and how to choose between spreadsheets, accounting software, and plain-text tools like Beancount.
The IRS requires receipts for business expenses of $75 or more—with lodging always requiring documentation—and imposes stricter contemporaneous records for travel, meals, and listed property under Section 274(d). Most small businesses should retain all records for at least 7 years to cover the full range of audit scenarios.
The IRS requires adequate documentation—not necessarily paper receipts—for every business deduction. This guide covers the $75 threshold rule, strict substantiation categories, retention periods of three to seven years, and digital storage standards accepted since 1997.
Commingling personal and business funds can void your LLC's liability protection, trigger IRS scrutiny, and obscure true cash flow. Seven concrete steps to separate your finances and protect your assets.
Learn how to find the right CPA for your small business—when to hire one, what to look for, what questions to ask, and what it will cost. A practical step-by-step guide for business owners.
Consultants have unique accounting needs: time tracking, project-based billing, and self-employment taxes. Here's how to choose the best accounting software for your consulting practice — from FreshBooks to Xero to Wave.
Take control of your finances with our open-source double-entry accounting system. Start your ledger today.
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