Articles and guides
Small Business
Year-End Planning for 2026: The Items That Are Actually New
Most year-end checklists repeat the same advice every year. This one focuses on what changed in 2026 and what has a deadline of December 31.
Year-End Tax Planning Strategies to Start in Your Business Now
Smart year-end tax planning can reduce your liability and strengthen your business position before the calendar closes.
Trump Accounts: What the New Employer Rules Actually Say
Proposed regulations issued August 11, 2026 explain how employers can contribute up to $2,500 tax-free. There's a significant catch for business owners.
Your IRS Business Tax Account Can Do More Than It Could Last Year
The IRS expanded its Business Tax Account in August 2026. Digital notices, payments, and account management now live in one place. It's worth the setup time.
The Paid Leave Credit Is Permanent, and It Now Covers Insurance Premiums
The Section 45S credit survived its expiration date and expanded. Employers can now claim a credit for premiums paid on paid family and medical leave insurance.
The Employer Childcare Credit Got Much Bigger. Small Businesses Get the Best Version.
The Section 45F credit rose to $500,000 at a 40% rate — or $600,000 at 50% for eligible small businesses. It is one of the more overlooked benefits available to employers.
The Health Insurance Subsidy Cliff Is Back. If You're Self-Employed, Read This.
Enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. One dollar of income over the threshold now costs some business owners their entire subsidy.
Compliance
Extension Filers: How Clean Books Change Your 2027 Season
Filing on extension this year? The work you do now—or skip—will determine whether next season is calm or chaotic.
Where Employee Retention Credit Claims Actually Stand
Refunds are barred for certain claims filed after January 31, 2024, and the IRS now has at least six years to challenge them. If you claimed the ERC, read this.
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Is Officially Over for U.S. Companies
FinCEN issued a final rule in August 2026 permanently exempting U.S. companies and U.S. persons from BOI reporting. The three-year saga is finished.
The 1099 Threshold Went From $600 to $2,000. Here's What to Change Before January.
For the first time since 1954, the 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting threshold moved. It applies to payments made in 2026, filed in early 2027.
The IRS Raised the Mileage Rate Mid-Year. Most Businesses Haven't Noticed.
The business mileage rate went from 72.5 cents to 76 cents on July 1, 2026. If you're still logging at the January rate, you're leaving deductions on the table.
The $600 1099-K Rule Is Dead. The $20,000 Threshold Is Back.
After three years of confusion, the 1099-K reporting threshold reverted to $20,000 and 200 transactions, retroactive to 2022. What that does and does not change.
Payroll
Tips and Overtime: The 2026 W-2 Changes Employers Can't Skip
The 2025 grace period is over. Separate reporting of qualified tips and qualified overtime is mandatory for 2026, with penalties for incomplete W-2s.
Mid-Year Payroll Check: The Wage Base, the Extra Medicare Tax, and What to Verify
The Social Security wage base rose to $184,500 for 2026. Half the year is gone, which makes now the right time to catch withholding errors while they're still fixable.
Tax Law
R&D Expensing Is Back. The Retroactive Refund Window Has Closed.
Immediate deduction of domestic research costs has been permanently restored. Small businesses had until July 6, 2026 to amend prior returns. Here's what remains available.
The Business Interest Deduction Just Got More Generous
The Section 163(j) limitation now adds back depreciation and amortization, raising the ceiling on deductible interest. Capital-intensive and leveraged businesses benefit most.
Section 179 in 2026: Higher Limits and More Qualifying Property
The Section 179 deduction cap jumped to $2.56 million for 2026, with a phase-out that doesn't start until $4.09 million. Building systems now qualify too.