1,407 plain-English guides on cross-border moves, US and Canadian returns, and small-business money. Each one ends in what to do next, and says when a written Position Check is the smarter first step.
October 4, 2026
Early retirement withdrawals: the 10 percent additional tax, exceptions by account type (age 55 separation, disability, medical costs, birth or adoption, emergency, domestic abuse, terminal illness, first home, education, health insurance), substantially equal periodic payments, 401(k) loans, and Roth contribution access.
Read more →October 4, 2026
The economic substance doctrine under Section 7701(o): the two-part test (meaningful change in economic position and a substantial non-tax purpose), the 20 and 40 percent strict-liability penalties, where it is applied (shelters, circular transactions, micro-captives, basis-shifting), related doctrines, and the business decisions it does not reach.
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Education and training deductions for business owners: the maintain-or-improve-skills test, the new-trade exclusion, continuing education and license renewals, conferences and travel, MBA and degree programs, employer education assistance up to $5,250, and the lifetime learning credit.
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Employee retention credit status in 2026: the claim deadlines that have passed, the 2025 law's bar on late 2021 claims and six-year assessment period, IRS processing and denials, audits and clawbacks with interest, the wage deduction adjustment, and what to do with a pending claim.
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Employee versus independent contractor: the IRS behavioral, financial, and relationship factors, state ABC tests, Form SS-8, misclassification costs, Section 530 relief, and the voluntary settlement program.
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Estate and gift tax planning for business owners after the 2025 law: the $15 million exemption and portability, the annual exclusion, lifetime gifts versus stepped-up basis, valuation discounts, Form 709, Section 6166 deferral, and state estate taxes.
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First-year tax checklist for a new business: entity and EIN, bank and bookkeeping, accounting method, startup cost election, estimated taxes, S election timing, sales tax and local registrations, Florida filings, 1099s, retirement plan, and record retention.
Read more →October 4, 2026
Dealer versus investor status in real estate: property held for sale to customers, ordinary income and self-employment tax on flips and wholesale assignment fees, the factors courts use, loss of 1031 and installment treatment, separating flipping and rental activities, and entity choices.
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Amended returns explained: when Form 1040-X is needed, the three-year refund window, electronic filing, amended business returns, superseding returns, state amendments, and interest.
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Form 1099-NEC rules: the $2,000 threshold for payments made in 2026, who is exempt, card payments, W-9 collection, the January 31 deadline, and penalties.
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Form 2848 power of attorney explained: eligible representatives, scope by tax matter and year, Form 8821 versus 2848, filing through Tax Pro Account, the CAF system, and revocation.
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Form 3115 explained: what counts as a change in accounting method, automatic and non-automatic changes, the Section 481(a) adjustment, and catching up missed depreciation.
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Form 990 for nonprofits: the 990-N e-postcard, 990-EZ, and full 990 thresholds, the May 15 deadline for calendar-year organizations and the six-month extension, public disclosure requirements, Schedule A public support test, Schedule B donor reporting, compensation and governance disclosures, state filings, and automatic revocation after three missed years.
Read more →October 4, 2026
The general business credit under Section 38: the credits it combines, the tax liability limit, Form 3800, one-year carryback and 20-year carryforward, first-in first-out ordering, specified credits and the alternative minimum tax, passive activity credit limits, and pass-through owners.
Read more →October 4, 2026
Golden parachute rules under Section 280G: disqualified individuals, payments contingent on a change in control, the base amount and the three-times threshold, excess parachute payments (nondeductible to the company, 20 percent excise tax on the recipient), the small business and S corporation exemptions, the private company shareholder cleansing vote, and reasonable compensation for post-closing services.
Read more →October 4, 2026
Tax planning for a high-income year: retirement contributions including defined benefit plans, charitable bunching and donor-advised funds, installment sales and opportunity zone deferral, equipment timing and bonus depreciation, deferring billing, the net investment income tax and alternative minimum tax, qualified business income phase-outs, and what not to do.
Read more →October 4, 2026
Hiring your children: the payroll tax exemptions for sole proprietors and parent partnerships, the standard deduction shelter, Roth IRAs, S corporation rules, and records.
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Hiring your first employee: EIN, Forms I-9 and W-4, state registrations, payroll deposits, Forms 941 and 940, W-2s, workers' compensation, and what happens to a Solo 401(k).
Read more →October 4, 2026
Hiring your spouse: payroll tax treatment, retirement contributions, the Section 105 medical reimbursement plan, qualified joint ventures, S corporation attribution, and records.
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The IRS audit process step by step: the opening letter, information document requests, the examiner's report, the 30-day letter and appeal, the notice of deficiency, and Tax Court.
Read more →October 4, 2026
How long to keep business tax records: the three-, four-, six-, and seven-year periods, asset records, payroll records, digital copies, and state rules.
Read more →October 4, 2026
Health savings accounts for business owners: eligibility, 2026 limits, the deduction by entity type, S corporation reporting, employee contributions, and the 2026 plan changes.
Read more →October 4, 2026
Innocent spouse relief explained: joint and several liability, the three types of relief under Section 6015, Form 8857, deadlines, the IRS factors, and the difference from injured spouse claims.
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Installment sales under Section 453: the gross profit percentage, Form 6252, recapture in year one, interest, related-party resales, the large-sale interest charge, and electing out.
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