Plain-English money guides.
Tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll and compliance, explained without the jargon.
What's new in taxes for 2026
A plain-English roundup of 2026 federal tax changes: standard deduction, SALT cap, tips, overtime, senior deduction, child tax credit, charitable giving, 1099s and business deductions.
Tax planning · 7 minYour 2026 year-end tax planning checklist
A practical 2026 year-end tax planning checklist for individuals and small business owners: income timing, retirement contributions, equipment purchases, estimated taxes and more.
Business tax · 6 minYear-end business deductions for 2026
How small businesses can lower their 2026 taxes before December 31: Section 179, 100% bonus depreciation, retirement plans, prepaid expenses and other year-end deductions.
Bookkeeping · 5 minHow long to keep business records
How long small businesses should keep tax returns, receipts, payroll records, bank statements and other documents, with a simple retention guide.
Compliance · 5 min1099 changes for 2026: the new $2,000 threshold
The 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC reporting threshold rose from $600 to $2,000 for payments made in 2026. What changed, what didn't and what business owners should do.
Retirement · 5 min2026 retirement contribution limits
2026 401(k), IRA, SIMPLE and catch-up contribution limits, plus the new Roth catch-up rule for higher earners. A quick reference for business owners and employees.
Internal controls · 6 minFraud prevention for small businesses
Practical internal controls that help small businesses prevent and catch employee fraud, vendor scams and payment fraud, even with a small team.
Tax credits · 5 minGot an IRS letter about your ERC?
What small businesses should do if they receive an IRS letter or notice about an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claim, including deadlines and documentation.
Tax planning · 5 minCharitable giving tax changes for 2026
What changed for charitable deductions starting in 2026: a new deduction for non-itemizers, a floor for itemizers, and smarter ways to give.
Compliance · 4 minDo you still need to file a BOI report?
Update on the Corporate Transparency Act and beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting: FinCEN has exempted U.S.-formed companies and U.S. persons.
Payroll · 6 minOregon payroll taxes, explained
A plain-English guide to Oregon payroll taxes for employers: income tax withholding, Paid Leave Oregon, unemployment insurance, the Workers' Benefit Fund and transit taxes.
Payroll · 6 minYour payroll compliance checklist
A small business payroll compliance checklist: new hire paperwork, tax deposits, quarterly and annual filings, Oregon requirements, worker classification and common mistakes.
Payroll · 5 minOutsource payroll or keep it in-house?
Compare doing payroll yourself, hiring in-house and outsourcing payroll: real costs, risks, time and how to decide what fits your small business.
CFO services · 5 minWhy hire an outsourced CFO?
What outsourced controllers and CFOs do, how they differ, the signs you need one and how virtual CFO services give small businesses expert help at a fraction of the cost.
Business tax · 6 minDeductions small businesses often miss
Commonly missed small business tax deductions: home office, vehicle, self-employed health insurance, retirement, startup costs, software, fees, education and more.
Bookkeeping · 4 minHow clean books fuel growth
How outsourced bookkeeping helps small businesses grow: better decisions, stronger cash flow, easier financing, lower taxes and more time for the owner.