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.

You’ve been giving—whether it’s to your church, a youth program, or a mutual aid fund—but for years the tax code gave you nothing back unless you itemized. That changes now. With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, individuals can now deduct up to $1,000—and couples up to $2,000—without itemizing. In this blog, Stoy Hall breaks down exactly how to make your generosity count on your tax return and how to keep more money in community hands.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act just ballooned the national debt by over $3 trillion—and while the headlines call it “stimulus,” the aftershock will land squarely on working-class families. From rising interest rates to future cuts in public services, the squeeze is coming. In this blog, Stoy Hall breaks down what this means for your money, your goals, and how to start protecting yourself before it hits your bottom line.

If you’re grinding with your car—driving rideshare, delivering packages, or running a mobile business—the tax code finally has a break for you. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, you can now deduct up to $10,000 in auto loan interest, but only if your vehicle was built in the U.S. In this post, Stoy Hall breaks down who qualifies, how to structure it right, and why this deduction could be a game-changer for working-class entrepreneurs.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act expanded tax relief—but only for some. Millions of immigrant taxpayers, including legal residents and mixed-status families, are being denied critical credits like the Child Tax Credit and EITC, despite paying into the system. In this blog, Stoy Hall breaks down who’s being excluded, why it matters, and what immigrant families can do to protect their income, claim their worth, and keep building anyway.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act quietly handed seniors a serious tax break—an extra $6,000 standard deduction for anyone 65 and older. For retirees, part-time earners, and legacy business owners, this isn’t just policy—it’s real money that can stretch retirement income and ease financial strain. In this post, Stoy Hall breaks down who qualifies, how to use it right, and why it matters for our elders and the families they continue to support.

The IRS just got more power—and it’s coming for the folks who can least afford to get it wrong. From SSN verification rules to increased audits on EITC and Child Tax Credit filers, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is making tax season riskier for service workers, gig earners, and undocumented families. In this post, Stoy Hall breaks down what’s changing, who’s being targeted, and what steps you need to take now to stay ready, not reactive.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act just delivered a rare win for service workers—if you know how to claim it. With up to $25K in tip income and $12.5K in overtime now deductible, bartenders, baristas, delivery drivers, and frontline staff finally have a real shot at reducing their tax bill. But here’s the catch: if it’s not tracked, it doesn’t count. In this post, we’ll break down how to make sure your hustle gets recognized—and rewarded—by the system.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act just rolled back some of the most powerful clean energy and EV incentives that were fueling growth in Black and Brown communities. From solar credits to EV rebates, these cuts hit more than just the environment—they hit entrepreneurs, job seekers, and opportunity zones already on the rise. In this post, we unpack what’s gone, who gets hurt, and what steps you can take to stay in the game.

Most small business owners are missing out on one of the biggest legal tax breaks in the game—the 23% Pass-Through Deduction. Whether you're cutting hair, coaching clients, or creating content, this deduction could save you thousands. In this post, Stoy Hall breaks down who qualifies, how to set up your business to get it, and why this is a non-negotiable move for anyone trying to build wealth from the ground up.