Accounting for Small Businesses

 Quick Answer: Selecting the optimal entity type for business success requires matching your structural framework to the daily operational workflows and financial risks of your specific industry. A mismatched setup can choke your cash flow with unnecessary...

 Quick Answer: Small business owners can minimize credit card processing fees by switching from a flat-rate provider to an interchange-plus plan, which passes the true wholesale cost of a swipe straight to you. You can trim costs even further by routing...

 Quick Answer: The Section 45S tax credit allows eligible small businesses to offset up to 25% of paid family and medical leave wages or commercial insurance premiums under permanent federal guidelines. To claim these savings, your business must have a...

 Key TakeawaysPaid summer interns must be classified as W-2 temporary employees rather than 1099 independent contractors because they operate under your direct supervision and training. To legally hire an unpaid intern, your program must pass the strict DOL...

*This guidance is based on CBP’s April 2026 CAPE/IEEPA refund guidance, current ACH refund enrollment rules, and general federal tax recovery principles as of May 15, 2026. Your facts may require coordination with your customs broker, trade counsel, and tax...

Key TakeawaysAs of April 20, 2026, the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool is the exclusive electronic system for reclaiming IEEPA tariff duty payments. Importers must have an active ACE Secure Data Portal account and an authorized...

 Key TakeawaysOnly the Importer of Record (IOR) or an authorized customs broker can claim a refund. If a carrier like UPS or FedEx is the IOR, you must coordinate with them rather than filing directly with the CBP. Refunds are exclusively for IEEPA-related...

 Key TakeawaysThe IRS business rate for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile, a 2.5-cent increase from the previous year. To keep your options open, you must choose the standard mileage method in the first year your vehicle is used for business. If you start with...

Key TakeawaysMissing documentation shifts the burden of proof to you. Without a receipt or digital log, it is difficult to defend your records during a year-end review, often resulting in disallowed deductions and higher taxable income.Commingling personal and...

 Key TakeawaysRemote work can lower overhead, expand your hiring pool, and improve flexibility. But it can also create multi-state tax and payroll compliance issues. In-person work can improve training, supervision, and team cohesion, but it often comes with...