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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.

Capital gains RRSP TFSA Departure tax Estate tax FBAR LLC Principal residence

CROSS-BORDER A Canadian Corporation With a U.S. Shareholder

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Fairlight Accounting · US + Canadian Tax Desks

1,407 guides

Small Business Tax

Auto Body Shop Entity and Estimated Taxes: The LLC for the Paint Booth, the S Election, the Building Next Door, and the Hurricane Quarter That Doubles the Work

October 4, 2026

Entity structure and estimated taxes for a collision repair shop: the LLC for environmental and premises liability, the S election once profit exceeds a shop manager's salary, the building in a separate LLC, technicians on payroll and the flat-rate pay system, estimated taxes when insurer receivables lag and a storm season doubles volume, direct repair program cash flow, and selling or passing on the shop.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Backdoor Roth for Business Owners: The Pro-Rata Trap

October 4, 2026

Backdoor Roth IRA for business owners: income limits, the nondeductible contribution and conversion steps, the pro-rata rule, fixing it with a 401(k) rollover, Form 8606, and the mega backdoor Roth.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Backup Withholding: When a Missing W-9 Costs 24 Percent

October 4, 2026

Backup withholding explained: the 24 percent rate, missing and incorrect taxpayer identification numbers, B notices, TIN matching, Form 945, and payer liability.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Bartering: Why a Trade Is Taxable Income

October 4, 2026

Bartering and tax: fair market value income for both parties, deductibility of the services or goods given, Form 1099-B from barter exchanges, self-employment tax, sales tax on bartered goods and services, timing, recordkeeping, and informal trades between businesses.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Interest-Free Loans and the AFR: Section 7872 Explained

October 4, 2026

Below-market loans under Section 7872: the applicable federal rate, imputed interest on gift loans, compensation loans, and corporation-shareholder loans, the $10,000 de minimis exception, the $100,000 net investment income rule for gift loans, demand versus term loans, and documenting family and owner loans.

International Tax

Beneficial Ownership Reporting: Where It Stands in 2026

October 4, 2026

Beneficial ownership information reporting in 2026: the Corporate Transparency Act, the 2025 rule exempting domestic companies and U.S. owners, which foreign companies must still report, deadlines and penalties, the New York LLC Transparency Act, and what to do with a report already filed.

Small Business Tax

Brewery and Winery Deductions: The Tanks and the Barrels, the Federal Excise Tax and the Reduced Rate, the Florida Excise and the License, the Taproom That Collects Sales Tax, the Ingredients in Process, and the Distributor's Cut

October 4, 2026

Tax deductions and excise taxes for craft breweries and wineries: brewing and winemaking equipment, the taproom build-out, federal excise tax under the Craft Beverage Modernization Act's reduced rates, Florida's alcoholic beverage excise taxes and licensing, sales tax on taproom and tasting room sales, ingredients and work-in-process inventory including barrel aging, merchandise, the three-tier distribution system, and events.

Small Business Tax

Brewery and Winery Entity and Estimated Taxes: The License That Approves Your Owners, the LLC and the Investors, the S Election or the C Corporation, the Excise Calendar, and the Vintage That Sells in Three Years

October 4, 2026

Entity structure and estimated taxes for breweries and wineries: the alcoholic beverage license's ownership approval and background checks, the LLC with investor members and the operating agreement, the S election for a profitable taproom brewery versus a C corporation for one raising capital, the real estate in a separate entity, the federal and state excise filing calendar alongside income tax estimates, work-in-process that defers the deduction for years, and seasonality in a tourist market.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Built-In Gains Tax: The Five-Year Catch After S Election

October 4, 2026

The built-in gains tax under Section 1374: the five-year recognition period, how the tax is figured, the income limit, LIFO recapture, and planning at conversion.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Business Bankruptcy and the Tax on Forgiven Debt

October 4, 2026

Business bankruptcy and cancellation of debt income: Section 108 exclusions for bankruptcy and insolvency, attribute reduction on Form 982, recourse versus nonrecourse debt, Form 1099-C, and S corporation rules.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Casualty and Disaster Losses for a Business

October 4, 2026

Business casualty and disaster losses: measuring the loss (lesser of basis or decline in value, less insurance), no floors for business property, inventory through cost of goods sold, Form 4684, the election to deduct a federally declared disaster loss on the prior year's return, postponed deadlines, qualified disaster relief payments to employees, and records.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Paying by Card: Deduction Timing, Interest, and Rewards

October 4, 2026

Business credit cards and tax: deduction timing when charged, interest and annual fees, cash back and points, sign-up bonuses, personal cards used for business, and records.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Business Energy Credits After the 2025 Law: What Survives

October 4, 2026

Business energy tax incentives after the 2025 law: the investment credit for solar and wind with begin-construction and placed-in-service deadlines, storage and geothermal, the commercial clean vehicle credit's termination, charging equipment through June 2026, the 179D and 45L sunsets, transferability, and prevailing wage rules.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Gifts to Clients and Staff: The $25 Deduction Cap

October 4, 2026

The business gift deduction: the $25 per recipient limit, incidental costs, promotional items, gifts to companies, entertainment tickets, and gifts to employees.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Which Business Insurance Premiums Are Tax-Deductible

October 4, 2026

Business insurance deductions: liability, property, workers' compensation, cyber, business interruption, key person life insurance, disability, prepaid premiums, and claims.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Business Loans and Taxes: Interest, Proceeds, Forgiveness

October 4, 2026

Business loans and tax: proceeds and principal payments, deductible interest and the Section 163(j) small business exemption, loan fees and points amortized over the term, interest tracing when proceeds go to distributions or personal use, owner loans to and from the business, SBA and disaster loans, forgiven debt as income, and personal guarantees.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Business Meal Deduction Rules: The 50 Percent Limit

October 4, 2026

Business meal deduction rules: the 50 percent limit, the exceptions at 100 percent, why entertainment is out, the 2026 change for employer meals, and documentation.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Passing On a Business: Sale, Gift, or Transfer at Death

October 4, 2026

Business succession planning and tax: selling to family or managers, installment notes, gifts and the lifetime exemption, valuation discounts, transfers at death and stepped-up basis, trusts, and ESOPs.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Business Trips: What Travel Costs You Can Deduct

October 4, 2026

Business travel deductions: the tax home and overnight tests, deductible costs, business versus personal days, foreign travel, spouses, per diem rates, and records.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Buy-Sell Agreements After Connelly: Funding and Tax

October 4, 2026

Buy-sell agreements: cross-purchase versus redemption, life insurance funding, the Connelly decision on estate value, Section 2703, basis to surviving owners, and S corporation limits.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

When a C Corporation Beats an S Corporation

October 4, 2026

C corporation versus S corporation: the 21 percent rate and double taxation, qualified business income, fringe benefits, retained earnings, QSBS, foreign and entity owners, and when each wins.

U.S. Tax Explained Series

Calendar or Fiscal Year: Picking a Tax Year

October 4, 2026

Choosing a tax year: the calendar year default, when a C corporation can use a fiscal year, the required year rules for S corporations and partnerships, the Section 444 election and required payment, the natural business year test, and changing with Form 1128.

Cross-Border Tax (U.S.–Canada)

A Canadian Corporation With a U.S. Shareholder

October 4, 2026

Canadian corporation with a U.S. shareholder: CCPC status and the small business deduction, non-resident control, why integration breaks for U.S. owners, withholding on dividends, controlled foreign corporation and net CFC tested income (formerly GILTI) rules, salary versus dividends, and planning.

Cross-Border Tax (U.S.–Canada)

Canadian Family Trusts: Uses, Rules, and U.S. Complications

October 4, 2026

Canadian family trusts explained: discretionary inter vivos trusts, estate freezes and multiplying the capital gains exemption, attribution and the tax on split income, the 21-year deemed disposition, T3 and beneficial ownership reporting, and U.S. beneficiaries or trustees.

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