Business Tax Guides
43 guides in this category
DoorDash Taxes: How to Calculate What You Owe
A step-by-step guide for DoorDash drivers covering 1099 income, self-employment tax, deductions like mileage, and quarterly estimated payments.
S-Corp vs LLC Tax Calculator: Side-by-Side Comparison at Every Income Level
Compare S-Corp vs LLC taxes at $75K, $150K, and $300K net income. See self-employment tax savings, costs, and the breakeven point.
Net Operating Loss (NOL): Carryforward Rules and How to Use Business Losses
Learn how net operating loss carryforwards work under current rules: the 80% limitation, excess business loss rules, and how to claim an NOL.
QBI Deduction: How the 20% Pass-Through Deduction Works (2025-2026)
Learn how the QBI deduction (Section 199A) gives pass-through business owners up to 20% off qualified income. Covers SSTBs and phase-outs.
S-Corp vs LLC Tax Comparison: Choosing the Right Business Structure
LLC vs S-Corp taxation with worked examples at $100K and $200K profit. When the S-Corp election saves money vs staying LLC.
Founder Tax Planning Without a Full-Time CFO
A simple system for founders who need sophisticated tax planning without hiring a full finance team.
Independent Contractor Taxes: A Complete Guide to Self-Employment Tax and Deductions
How independent contractor taxes work: self-employment tax, quarterly estimated payments, deductible expenses, and strategies to reduce your bill.
MACRS Depreciation: Recovery Periods, Methods, and Conventions Explained
A practical guide to MACRS depreciation — how to depreciate business assets, choose the right recovery period, and calculate annual deductions.
Section 179 and Bonus Depreciation: Deducting Business Equipment
Deduct business equipment, vehicles, and software using Section 179 expensing and bonus depreciation — limits, rules, and the SUV loophole.
Small Business Tax Deductions: A Comprehensive Checklist
The complete list of tax deductions available to small business owners, freelancers, and self-employed filers — from home office to retirement contributions.
The 83(b) Election: The Startup Founder's Best Friend
Receiving stock subject to vesting? You have 30 days to file an 83(b) election. Miss it, and you could owe millions later.
Bench.co vs. Pilot vs. Local CPA: The Battle for Your Books
Fintech bookkeeping services are booming. How do Bench and Pilot stack up against a traditional dedicated accountant?
Top 5 Apps for Tracking Mileage and Business Expenses
Compare MileIQ, Everlance, QuickBooks, Expensify, and Hurdlr for automatic mileage tracking. Includes how to use IRS rates and audit-proof tips.
Best Banks for Small Business to Simplify Tax Time
Compare Mercury, Relay, Novo, Bluevine, and Chase for small business banking. Focus on QuickBooks integration, accountant access, and tax readiness.
E-commerce Sales Tax: Nexus and What Shopify Sellers Need to Know
Since the Wayfair ruling, you don't need a physical office to owe sales tax. Economic Nexus can trigger tax registration in 40+ states.
Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) for Spouses
Sole Proprietor? Hire your spouse to turn your family's medical bills into a 100% business deduction. The Section 105 HRA explained.
Payroll Taxes 101: Understanding FICA, FUTA, and SUTA
Hiring your first employee? The 'Wage' is just the beginning. The hidden 10-15% cost of payroll taxes explained.
QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping Review: Pro vs. Con
Intuit now offers 'Live Bookkeeping' inside the software. Is it a replacement for your accountant, or just tech support?
The S-Corp 'Reasonable Compensation' Trap
The #1 reason S-Corp owners get audited is paying themselves $0 salary to avoid payroll taxes. How to find the 'Reasonable' number.
K-1 Forms Explained: Partnerships and S-Corps
Received a Schedule K-1 in the mail? Don't panic. It's just a 'business W-2'. Here is how to read it and what to do with it.
Taxes for Influencers: Write-offs You Didn't Know Existed
You are a media company. Your face is your brand. What expenses are 'Ordinary and Necessary' for a Creator?
Airbnb Tax Guide: Decoding the 14-Day Rule and Schedule E
Renting your property on Airbnb? Learn the difference between passive rental income (Schedule E) and active business income (Schedule C).
Best Accounting Software for Small Business: A Strategic Review
A review of QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks — not just for bookkeeping, but for how well they support tax strategy and planning.
Best Business Structure for Taxes: LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp?
LLC is a legal status, not a tax status. Learn the difference between Sole Prop, S-Corp, and C-Corp taxation and how to pick the winner.
Why Your 'Cloud Accounting Software' Needs a Tax Brain
Cloud accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks are powerful, but they are passive. To save on taxes, you need an active 'tax brain' layer.
FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks: Which is Better for Tax Readiness?
A head-to-head comparison of FreshBooks and QuickBooks Online, focusing specifically on how easy they make tax season and strategic planning.
Hobby vs. Business: The 'Side Hustle' Audit Risk
Do you have a business or just an expensive hobby? The IRS 9-factor test determines if you can deduct your losses.
Maximizing Deductions with QuickBooks Self-Employed
How to use QBSE to find hidden deductions. Stop leaving money on the table by categorizing expenses correctly.
QBI Deduction Optimization for S-Corp Owners
The 20% Qualified Business Income deduction is complex. Learn how balancing your salary and profit distributions maximizes this tax break.
Desktop vs. Online: The QuickBooks Migration Tax Guide
Moving from QuickBooks Desktop (QBD) to Online (QBO)? Learn the critical tax implications and data integrity risks.
QuickBooks for Nonprofits: Maximizing Compliance and Strategy
Nonprofit accounting is unique. Learn how to set up QuickBooks Online to handle fund accounting, grants, and Form 990 compliance.
Is QuickBooks Self-Employed Right for Freelancers in 2026?
Reviewing QuickBooks Self-Employed (QBSE). It simplifies Schedule C, but does it trap you when your business grows? Pros, cons, and alternatives.
Why QuickBooks Online Isn't Enough for High-Income Tax Planning
QuickBooks excels at bookkeeping but lacks tax planning tools. Learn what QBO cannot do and why high-income earners need strategic tax intelligence.
Integrating Stripe and QuickBooks for Better Tax Visibility
Stripe data can be messy. Learn how to integrate Stripe with QuickBooks Online to get accurate revenue numbers for tax time.
Wave Accounting Review: Great for Free, Bad for Growth?
Wave is the best free accounting software on the market. But is it right for your growing business? We analyze its limits.
Xero vs. QuickBooks Enterprise: The Mid-Sized Business Dilemma
When your business outgrows 'Small Business' software, where do you go? Comparing Xero's scalability vs. QuickBooks Enterprise.
Accountable Plans: A Tax-Smart S-Corp Strategy
Reimburse business expenses tax-free with an accountable plan. Learn IRS requirements, eligible expenses, and how to reduce payroll taxes for S-Corps.
Estimated Tax Payments for Self-Employed Filers
Avoid penalties by paying quarterly estimated taxes on self-employment income.
Uber, Lyft & Gig Economy Tax Guide
How to report gig income, track deductions, and avoid surprises at tax time.
LLC Taxes Explained
How LLCs are taxed by default and when to elect S-corp status.
S-Corp Tax Strategies
How S-corporations reduce payroll taxes and what compliance steps are required.
Self-Employed Tax Saving Strategies
A practical checklist for freelancers and small business owners to reduce taxes.
Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Tax Guide
How to report Airbnb, VRBO, and short-term rental income, plus deductions you can claim.