#guides
Guides
Step-by-step guides for accounting, bookkeeping, and financial tasks
EIN Number: The Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
A practical guide to EINs — what they are, which businesses are legally required to have one, how to apply free through the IRS in minutes, when structural changes require a new number, and six common mistakes that cause IRS processing delays.
Employee Retention Credit: Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
The Employee Retention Credit paid out $283 billion to U.S. businesses during COVID-19, but improper claims triggered 504 criminal investigations. This guide covers 2020 and 2021 eligibility rules, credit amounts up to $33,000 per employee, common audit triggers, and what to do if you received a disallowance notice.
What Is an Enrolled Agent? The Complete Guide to America's Tax Specialists
Enrolled agents hold the IRS's highest credential and can represent taxpayers in audits, tax debt negotiations, and appeals—typically at lower cost than CPAs or tax attorneys. Learn what they do, when to hire one, and what they charge.
Excise Tax: What It Is, How It Works, and What Businesses Need to Know
Federal excise taxes apply to specific goods—fuel, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and more—and fall on the seller, not the consumer. Learn which businesses owe excise tax, how to calculate it using per-unit or ad valorem methods, and how to file IRS Form 720 quarterly.
Freelance Taxes: The Complete Guide for Independent Workers
A practical walkthrough of how freelance taxes work — covering the 15.3% self-employment tax, 2026 quarterly payment deadlines, Schedule C deductions, QBI deduction, and retirement strategies that reduce your tax bill.
FUTA Tax: The Complete Employer's Guide to Federal Unemployment Tax
A practical employer's guide to FUTA — how the 6% federal unemployment tax works, the SUTA credit that reduces most employers' rate to 0.6%, quarterly deposit thresholds, Form 940 filing deadlines, and credit reduction states for 2026.
Hiring Foreign Independent Contractors: A Complete Guide for US Businesses
US businesses hiring foreign contractors must collect W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E before making any payment—or face mandatory 30% backup withholding. This guide covers IRS requirements, permanent establishment risk, payment methods, and documentation best practices.
How to Spot a Fake IRS Letter: Warning Signs and What to Do
IRS impersonation fraud cost Americans over $114 million between 2013 and 2025, with average victims losing more than $32,000. Learn the 9 warning signs of a fake IRS letter, what legitimate IRS notices look like, and the exact steps to take if you receive a suspicious letter.
IRS Currently Not Collectible Status: What It Is and How to Get It
IRS Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status pauses all collection activity—wage garnishments, bank levies, asset seizures—for taxpayers whose income minus allowable expenses leaves no disposable income. Learn how to qualify, apply using Form 433-F, and use the 10-year collection statute expiration date as a strategic advantage.
Online Business Bank Accounts: The Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
A practical guide to choosing an online business bank account—covering fee structures, APY comparisons, accounting software integrations, required documentation, and the common mistakes that cost small business owners time and money.
The Complete Guide to 1099 Forms for Small Business Owners and Freelancers
A practical guide to 1099 forms for small businesses and freelancers—which forms apply, the 2026 threshold change ($600 → $2,000 for 1099-NEC), filing deadlines, and penalties reaching up to $340 per form for late filing.
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): What It Is, How to Calculate It, and Why It Matters
AGI—the number on Line 11 of Form 1040—determines your taxable income, credit eligibility, and itemization thresholds. This guide covers how to calculate it for 2026, how it differs from MAGI, and five strategies to reduce it, from maxing retirement contributions to Qualified Charitable Distributions.