491 plain-English guides on small business & bookkeeping, each one ending in what to do next.
A small business typically spends $3,000 to $15,000 a year on an accountant. What bookkeepers, tax accountants, and CPAs each charge.
Small Business & BookkeepingOutsourced bookkeeping costs $99 to $1,000 a month at September 2026 list prices. An in-house bookkeeper costs $50,670 a year at the median wage.
Small Business & BookkeepingPayroll software costs $17 to $180 a month plus $4 to $22 per employee at 2026 prices. A 10-person business pays $700 to $1,300 a year.
Small Business & BookkeepingA 1031 exchange lets you sell business or investment real estate and defer all capital gains tax by reinvesting in a replacement property.
Small Business & BookkeepingA Section 1031 exchange allows business owners to defer capital gains tax when selling one investment property and purchasing.
Small Business & BookkeepingSmall businesses must issue 1099-NEC forms to contractors paid $2,000 or more in 2026 ($600 for 2025 payments). Who gets a 1099, the deadline, and the penalties.
Small Business & BookkeepingBusinesses must issue Form 1099-NEC to independent contractors paid $600 or more, and Form 1099-MISC for rent, royalties, and other specified payments.
Small Business & BookkeepingBusinesses must issue 1099-NEC to any non-corporate contractor paid $2,000+ in 2026 ($600+ for 2025 payments). Due date: January 31 (to both the recipient and the IRS).
Small Business & BookkeepingA $50,000 W-2 employee costs the employer $55,000-$65,000 (FICA, unemployment, workers' comp, benefits). True cost comparison: W-2 employee at $50,000.
Small Business & BookkeepingThe 12-month rule (Reg. 1.263(a)-4(f)) lets a cash-basis business deduct a prepayment in the year paid if the benefit ends within 12 months and by the end of the next tax year.
Small Business & BookkeepingAn accountable plan under Treas. Reg. 1.62-2 allows employers to reimburse employees for business expenses tax-free (excluded from the employee's W-2.
Small Business & BookkeepingAn accountable plan under IRC 62(c) and Reg. 1.62-2 allows an S-Corp or C-Corp to reimburse employees (including owner-employees) for business expenses.
Small Business & BookkeepingAn S-Corp accountable plan allows the corporation to reimburse the shareholder-employee for business expenses (home office, vehicle, phone.
Small Business & BookkeepingAn accountable plan lets an S-Corp reimburse its owner-employee for business expenses (mileage, home office, supplies, travel) tax-free.
Small Business & BookkeepingAn accountable plan allows S-Corp owners to reimburse themselves tax-free for business expenses paid personally (mileage, home office, phone, travel).
Small Business & BookkeepingThe choice between cash and accrual accounting affects when income is recognized, when expenses are deducted, and how much tax you pay each year.
Small Business & BookkeepingMost small businesses ($32 million or less in average gross receipts for 2026) can use the cash method, which is simpler and provides more tax timing control.
Small Business & BookkeepingChanging a business's accounting method (from cash to accrual, changing inventory valuation, adopting or revoking LIFO, changing depreciation methods.
Small Business & BookkeepingCash basis recognizes income when received and expenses when paid. Accrual matches revenue to the period earned. Each method shifts your taxable income.
Small Business & BookkeepingCash vs. accrual accounting affects when income is taxed. Businesses with average gross receipts of $32M or less (2026) can generally choose either method.
Small Business & BookkeepingChanging accounting methods requires IRS approval via Form 3115. The IRC 481(a) adjustment spreads the tax impact of the change over up to 4 years.
Small Business & BookkeepingThe AAA tracks an S-Corp's cumulative net income minus distributions since the S election. Distributions out of AAA are tax-free up to the shareholder's stock basis.
Small Business & BookkeepingC-Corporations that retain earnings beyond reasonable business needs face a 20% accumulated earnings tax on top of regular corporate tax.
Small Business & BookkeepingThe accumulated earnings tax under IRC 531 is a 20% penalty tax imposed on C-Corporations that accumulate earnings beyond the reasonable needs.