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Quick Answer: In 2026, small business owners can instantly write off the full cost of qualifying equipment, software, and vehicles by pairing the increased Section 179 deduction limit of $2,560,000 with the newly reinstated 100% Bonus Depreciation framework. To...

Quick Answer: A midyear review of small business profitability is a strategic financial assessment that compares your year-to-date revenue and expenses against your initial annual goals. Doing this diagnostic check in June or July allows business owners to stop...

Quick Answer: When small business owners discard broken equipment without updating their fixed asset listing, they create "ghost assets." These paper-only items cause businesses to continuously overpay on local property taxes and miss out on lump-sum federal...

Quick Answer: Selecting the optimal entity type for business success requires matching your corporate structure to the specific legal risks and tax rules of your industry. A mismatched framework can leave your personal savings vulnerable to sector-specific...

Quick Answer: Small business owners can minimize credit card processing fees by switching from a flat-rate provider to an interchange-plus plan, which passes the true wholesale cost of a swipe straight to you. You can trim costs even further by routing large...

Quick Answer: The employer credit for family and medical leave provides small businesses a federal tax credit worth 12.5% to 25% of qualified leave costs. In 2026, you can claim this credit on actual wages paid during FMLA leave or on commercial insurance...

Key TakeawaysPaid summer interns must be classified as W-2 temporary employees rather than 1099 independent contractors because they operate under your direct supervision. To legally hire an unpaid intern, your program must pass the strict DOL "Primary...

*This guidance is based on CBP’s April 2026 CAPE/IEEPA refund guidance, current ACH refund enrollment rules, and general federal tax recovery principles as of May 15, 2026. Your facts may require coordination with your customs broker, trade counsel, and tax...

Key TakeawaysAs of April 20, 2026, the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool is the exclusive electronic system for reclaiming IEEPA tariff duty payments. Importers must have an active ACE Secure Data Portal account and an authorized...

Key TakeawaysOnly the Importer of Record (IOR) or an authorized customs broker can claim a refund. If a carrier like UPS or FedEx is the IOR, you must coordinate with them rather than filing directly with the CBP. Refunds are exclusively for IEEPA-related tariffs...

Key TakeawaysThe IRS business rate for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile, a 2.5-cent increase from the previous year. To keep your options open, you must choose the standard mileage method in the first year your vehicle is used for business. If you start with actual...

Key Takeaways Missing documentation shifts the burden of proof to you. Without a receipt or digital log, the IRS can legally disallow business deductions, resulting in higher taxable income and unexpected penalties.Commingling personal and business funds is a...