Running a business is hard enough—don’t donate profits to penalties. This no-BS checklist shows exactly what to send, when it’s due, and who it applies to. Know your thresholds (mini-COBRA vs COBRA at 20+, ALE at 50+), lock in your plan doc + SPD, SBCs, and HIPAA notices, and hit the real deadlines: 1095-C/B, RxDC (June 1), PCORI (July 31), Form 5500/SAR, Part D (before Oct 15), and the Gag Clause attestation (Dec 31). Templates included, rollout plan ready.

Unlimited PTO sounds modern. Accrued feels safe. Here’s the no-BS breakdown of what actually works for small teams: how to write a policy people use, prevent abuse, and dodge legal landmines. We cover when unlimited wins vs. accruals, CA/CO/MA payout rules, why “unlimited” must be truly non-accruing, and how to keep sick leave compliant. Steal plug-and-play clauses, approval standards, and a rollout checklist to launch a clean, defensible PTO plan this quarter.

Stop begging employees to join the 401(k). Make it automatic. This blunt guide shows small employers the exact defaults that work—6% auto-enroll, +1% escalation to 10%, QDIA TDFs—and match formulas that lift savings without blowing budget (QACA safe harbor, stretch matches, true-up). We cover student-loan matching, sidecar emergency savings, LTPT eligibility, and the tax credits that pay for it. Steal the rollout checklist and turn your plan into a retention engine this quarter.

Small team? You can offer real maternity and paternity leave without wrecking cash flow. This guide breaks down job protection vs pay, shows how to stack state PFML and short-term disability with your own top-ups, and walks you through Section 45S credits, leave reserves, and simple coverage plans. Get two plug-and-play policy templates, a 10-minute decision flow, and a rollout sequence you can run this quarter. Build leave that retains and a culture people won’t leave.

QSEHRA or ICHRA? This no-BS guide gives small employers a side-by-side comparison with 2025 numbers that matter: QSEHRA caps ($6,350/$12,800), ICHRA affordability at 9.02%, HSA compatibility, and class rules. You’ll get a simple 4-step selection flow, budgeting tips, and a clean rollout checklist (notices, MEC/individual coverage, opt-out/PTC). If you’re under 50 FTE or scaling across states, you’ll know exactly which path fits—and how to launch it without drama this quarter, with clarity and confidence.

Picking PPO, HMO, or HDHP shouldn’t feel like roulette. This plain-English guide shows small employers how networks actually work, where costs hide, and which plan your people will use without complaining. You’ll get a simple decision path, two-plan setup that avoids confusion, and a quick rollout checklist. We cover provider fit, pharmacy traps, out-of-network risks, and when to pair HDHP with an HSA. Read it, pick your path, and launch with confidence this quarter.

Confused about HSAs and FSAs? This no-BS guide shows small employers exactly when each account wins, what it really costs, and how to roll it out without tripping compliance. You’ll learn the cleanest setups (HDHP + HSA + limited FSA vs Traditional + Health FSA), how to avoid HSA-killing FSA mistakes, what to budget, and the communication plan that gets real employee use. Read it, pick your path, and launch this quarter.

Stop 1099 chaos. This no-BS guide shows you how to lock down W-9s before payment, tag payment methods so card/app transactions flow to 1099-K (not your 1099-NEC), hit the January 31 deadline, use IRIS e-file when you have 10+ returns, and trigger 24% backup withholding when TINs are missing. I’ll walk you through B-Notice steps and the real penalty math ($60/$130/$330, $660 for intentional disregard) so fees never hit your books. Includes a 30-day clean-up sprint, a one-page “No W-9, No Pay” policy, and a monthly vendor checklist you can run in under an hour.

Confused about 1099 vs W-2? Here’s the no-BS guide that saves you from penalties and payroll headaches. I break down the IRS control factors and ABC-style tests, show you how to map each role with a simple matrix, and give you the exact onboarding packets to use for contractors (W-9, contract, COI) versus employees (W-4, I-9, handbook). You’ll get scripts, a one-page classification memo template, fixes for past mistakes, and a plan to audit your roster in under an hour. Clear, direct, and built so you never guess on worker status again.

Running an S corp? Pay yourself right or pay for it later. This guide shows you how to set an IRS-defensible salary using real market data, a simple blended-role formula, and a one-page memo you can draft in under an hour. We kill the 60/40 myth, explain what “reasonable compensation” actually means, and cover red flags like big distributions with tiny wages. You’ll get a step-by-step setup, payroll basics, midyear adjustment rules, and a clean documentation checklist to keep auditors and lenders happy. Short, direct, and built to implement now.

Pay yourself the right way and stop guessing. This guide breaks down draws vs payroll by entity, what the IRS expects, how to set a defensible S corp salary, and how to avoid penalties with a simple cadence for estimates, tax sweeps, and reimbursements. Clear steps for sole props, partnerships, S corps, and C corps, plus an Owner Pay Policy you can copy. Make your cash predictable, your books clean, and your stress low.

If you buy gear, tech, or a vehicle in 2025, this guide shows you how to keep more cash. We break down Section 179 and bonus depreciation in plain English, including what changed this year, how “placed in service” actually works, the SUV cap, and when to choose control with 179 or speed with 100 percent bonus. You’ll get real examples, a step-by-step decision framework, and a year-end play you can run this week. No fluff. Just the moves that cut your tax bill without wrecking your lender covenants or state taxes.

Tax season shouldn’t be chaos. This no BS checklist shows you exactly how to run taxes like a pro: set a weekly tax reserve, hit the four estimate dates, collect W-9s before paying contractors, file 1099-NEC by January 31, lock your owner pay by entity, and use a simple monthly close to keep books audit-ready. You’ll also learn when Section 179 or bonus depreciation wins and why “placed in service” matters at year-end. Short, clear, and built to implement in under an hour a week.

Most small businesses don’t fail because of products—they fail because of chaos. In this blog, we break down how to build a culture that keeps teams loyal, engaged, and actually excited to work with you.

Most small businesses don’t fail from lack of sales—they fail from cash flow mismanagement. In this blog, we expose the traps, outline fixes, and give you actionable steps to regain control of your business finances.

Fall is harvest season—and the perfect time to take stock of your finances. In this blog, we’ll show you how to assess your progress, cut financial “weeds,” and plant new seeds for future wealth with clear, actionable steps.

Sports, music, and clubs are more expensive than parents realize. From uniforms to travel fees, the hidden costs pile up fast. In this blog, we pull back the curtain on extracurricular spending and show you how to prepare without drowning in debt.

Summer is fun, but let’s be honest—it’s also expensive. Vacations, outings, and impulse buys can leave your bank account begging for mercy by September. The good news? Fall is the perfect season to reset. In this blog, I’ll show you exactly how to rebuild financial momentum after summer overspending—through small habits, smart budgeting, and real strategies you can actually use.

Back-to-school shopping feels like a fresh start—but it’s also a financial trap. Parents overspend out of guilt, comparison, and exhaustion, and retailers know exactly how to exploit it. In this blog, we break down the psychology behind why parents swipe too much during this season and give you actionable steps to take back control of your money.