#small-business
Small Business
Financial management strategies and tools for small business owners
The ACA Subsidy Cliff Is Back in 2026: How the Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction Can Pull Your MAGI Back Under the 400% Threshold
The enhanced ACA subsidies expired after 2025 — the 400% FPL cliff is back. Learn why $1 over 400% FPL wipes the credit, and how the §162(l) self-employed health insurance deduction can lower MAGI back under the threshold.
The Accountant Shortage in 2026: Why 120,000 Openings, a 77% Shortage Index, and Rising Pay Define Hiring
BLS projects 120K+ accounting openings yearly while CPA pipeline shrinks — 77% shortage index, 134% hiring index, and why firms are rethinking pay and pathways.
The Silent Guest in Every Client Call: The Legal and Privacy Risks Small Businesses Must Weigh Before Turning On an AI Notetaker
AI notetakers can violate two-party consent laws, waive privilege, and create discoverable records. Learn the consent, notice, and data-handling controls small businesses need before the next meeting.
Grocery Taxes Are Back — But Alabama Just Paused Its: How the Two-Month State Food Tax Holiday Works for Retailers in 2026
Alabama's state 2% grocery tax was suspended May 1–June 30, 2026 via Act 2026-604. Learn what qualifies as SNAP-eligible food, how retailers must still report gross sales, and the county/city tax that remains.
Amazon's New 3.5% Fuel and Logistics Surcharge: What FBA Sellers Pay Starting April 17, 2026
Amazon's 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge starts Apr 17 2026 on FBA US/CA and remote fulfillment, May 2 on Buy with Prime and MCF — 3.5% of fulfillment fees, ~$0.17/unit avg.
Aplos vs. QuickBooks for Nonprofits: Why "Classes" Aren't Real Fund Accounting, and How to Actually Choose
QuickBooks uses Classes to tag nonprofit funds; Aplos does native fund accounting. Learn the balance-sheet, restriction, and audit differences that decide which to choose in 2026.
Auto-IRA Mandates Just Expanded to Utah, Mississippi, and Philadelphia: A 2026 State-by-State Guide for Small Employers Without a 401(k)
Utah, Mississippi, and Philadelphia joined the auto-IRA wave in 2026 — Philadelphia as the first city. Learn which employers must auto-enroll, the 2026 deadlines, and how a 401(k) exempts you.
Axe Throwing Business Statistics in 2026: What $329 Million in Revenue Says About Profitability
$329M in U.S. axe throwing revenue, 1.4% growth, corporate bookings at 44.6% of sales — what the numbers say about building a profitable venue in 2026.
Building Business Credit in 2026: How Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax Scores Actually Work, and What the SBA's SBSS Sunset Means for Your Next Loan
Business credit is not one score but three bureaus plus FICO SBSS. Learn how PAYDEX, Intelliscore Plus, and Equifax Risk scores work, why the SBA sunset the mandatory SBSS for 7(a) small loans on March 1, 2026, and how to build all three profiles before you apply.
Business Email Compromise Cost Small Businesses Over $3 Billion Last Year: The Payment-Verification Controls the FBI Says Actually Stop Wire Fraud
The FBI attributes over $3 billion in losses to business email compromise. Learn how BEC wire fraud works — vendor impersonation, CEO fraud, payroll diversion — and the verification controls that stop payments before they leave.
California Just Legalized DTC Spirits Shipping: What AB 1246's One-Year Pilot Means for Craft Distillers
AB 1246 creates a Jan 1 2026–Jan 1 2027 pilot letting qualifying craft distillers ship spirits direct to California consumers — permits, limits, and bookkeeping.
California's Delete Act Deletion Deadline Arrives August 1, 2026: What Data Brokers and Small Businesses Must Do About DROP
The Delete Act's DROP platform went live Jan 1, 2026; brokers must process centralized deletion requests starting Aug 1, 2026 every 45 days, with 90-day determinations and 2028 audits. Learn the obligations.