Mike Thrift
Marketing Manager
Choosing a Tax Pro in 2026: CPA vs. EA vs. Attorney, Circular 230 Due Diligence, and the Engagement-Letter Red Flags
Credential decides representation — CPA, EA, and attorney are unlimited before the IRS, AFSP is limited — verify PTIN and board standing and insist on a scoped engagement letter.
Mexico's RESICO Regime: Simplified Taxes, Mandatory Monthly Compliance
Mexico's RESICO simplified tax regime offers 1–2.5% flat rates and no annual reconciliation, but requires strict monthly digital invoicing and a MXN 3.5 million income cap.
SECURE 2.0 Super Catch-Up in 2026: How Ages 60–63 Can Save $11,250 Extra and the Auto-Enrollment Mandate for New 401(k)s
Ages 60–63 get $11,250 of catch-up for four years instead of $7,500 — and every 401(k)/403(b) established after 12/29/2022 must auto-enroll 3–10% and auto-escalate to at least 10% starting 2025.
Translation Agency Bookkeeping: Managing 1099 Freelancers, Mixed Billing Models, and International Payments
Learn how translation agencies track 1099 freelancer payments, reconcile per-word and per-hour billing, handle multi-currency client payments, and calculate project margins accurately.
AI Bookkeeper vs. Human Accountant: Cost Comparison and When Each Makes Sense
Compare AI accounting software costs against hiring a bookkeeper or CPA for 2026—including accuracy, tax strategy, and the hybrid model that saves $12,000–$48,000 annually.
Backup Withholding Threshold Jumped to $2,000 in 2026: What Small Business Owners Need to Know
The IRS backup withholding threshold increased from $600 to $2,000 effective 2026. Understand what changed, who's affected, how to prevent it, and Form 945 compliance requirements.
Business Debt Consolidation: When to Use Personal vs. Business Loans and How to Structure the Refinance
Consolidate business debt with a personal or business loan. Compare rates, terms, and tax implications, then follow a 7-step framework to actually save money and stop re-accumulating debt.
Why Your Daycare's Attendance-Based Subsidy Reimbursement Is Drowning You in Cash Flow Problems
Childcare centers face a structural cash flow crisis as attendance-based subsidy reimbursement returns. Learn how to structure your books to survive volatile enrollment and delayed payments.
COVID-19 Tax Penalty Refunds: Your Last Chance Before July 10, 2026
A small business owner's guide to filing Form 843 for COVID-era penalty refunds under the Kwong ruling, with step-by-step instructions and eligibility criteria before the July 10, 2026 deadline.
Haunted House Bookkeeping: Managing 12 Months of Fixed Costs on 6 Weeks of Revenue
Seasonal attractions generate half a year's revenue in six weeks, then face twelve months of fixed expenses. Learn the bookkeeping practices that keep haunted houses solvent—cash reserve strategy, payroll compliance, cost stratification, and tax planning.
Landscaping and Lawn Care Business Bookkeeping: Surviving the Winter Cash Crunch With a Seasonal Chart of Accounts and Reserve Strategy
Landscapers lose one-third of their businesses in five years to winter cash crunch—not from low margins, but from treating year-round expenses like a five-month revenue business. A seasonal chart of accounts, rolling cash forecast, and winter reserve strategy turns survival into planning.
Level-Funded Health Plans: Why 40% of Small Employers Are Switching from Traditional Insurance
Level-funded health plans have become the choice of 40% of small employers seeking transparency, refunds, and predictable costs. Learn how the claims-fund-plus-stop-loss model works, accounting implications, and who should consider switching from fully-insured plans.