Every dollar your tipped employees report shows up on your payroll tax bill, even though that money came from your customers, not your business. Federal law still treats it as taxable payroll for FICA purposes. That means you’re covering the 7.65% employer share of Social Security and Medicare on income you never had in hand. […]
Small Business
How Resilient Are Your Business Finances?
You set a budget, strategize for business growth and maintain financial oversight, and then the unexpected happens. If a key client (or employee) leaves, interest rates climb or a supply chain disruption hikes your costs overnight, the financial plan you built suddenly doesn’t fit your reality. As a small business owner, how confident are you […]
Is a Retirement Plan Your Best Tax Strategy?
Only 30% of small businesses offer their employees a retirement plan, meaning the majority are missing out not only on an employee retention tool, but also an important tax-savings strategy. A well-designed retirement plan can lower your tax burden, help you compete for top talent and even pay for itself through federal credits. And thanks […]
2026 Mid-Year Tax Planning: Savings Opportunities for Small Businesses
When’s the best time to lower your tax bill? Hint: It’s not April. It’s right now. 2025’s One Big Beautiful Bill brought significant business tax changes, opening up several strategies worth reviewing before year-end. And the sooner you plan, the more you might be able to save. Consider setting up a tax-favored retirement plan. Contributions […]
Compensation Transparency is Now a Competitive Advantage
Pay transparency is reshaping the workplace. Is your business ready? Not long ago, it was a major HR violation to compare paychecks. Employee salaries were kept tightly under wraps, and employees were prohibited from discussing their earnings with coworkers. But as of 2025, 15 states have enacted laws requiring employers to disclose pay ranges for […]
The Financial Metrics That Investors are Really Looking at
Your financial metrics tell a story about your business’s fiscal health. As a business owner, you’re almost certainly reading them differently than a potential investor or funding source. Where you might see profitability and growth, they’re evaluating likely risks and returns. Understanding which numbers investors care about (and why) can mean the difference between a […]