Last year, the new tax deduction for taxpayers 65 and older was sometimes referred to as “no tax on Social Security.” In actuality, this up-to-$6,000-per-individual deduction, also known as the “senior” deduction, is generally available whether or not someone receives Social Security benefits. (But other limits do apply, such as an income-based phaseout.)
So you’ve decided to start your own business — congratulations! Many new owners open a business to be their own boss and chart their own course. However, along with those benefits come some complications compared to being someone else’s employee. Planning and budgeting are critical, and you’ll have plenty of new tax compliance responsibilities.
Last year, a new income tax deduction for qualified cash tips went into effect under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The break is scheduled to expire after 2028. In September 2025, the IRS released proposed regulations to provide guidance for taxpayers. The IRS has now published final regs that largely mirror the proposed regs but also include some important clarifications and additions.
Running a business requires juggling countless responsibilities. Not surprisingly, bookkeeping tasks often end up on the bottom of to-do lists. The good news is that falling behind doesn’t necessarily mean your financial records are beyond repair. With a disciplined approach and the right support, you can regain control.
Efficient, accurate billing practices are critical to your business’s financial health. Billing errors or delays can lead to revenue leakage, cash-flow shortages and customer attrition. If your company is struggling with billing issues — or it’s been a while since you evaluated this function — now’s a good time to review your processes and make any needed upgrades.
Most business owners would like to offer their employees a 401(k) retirement savings plan with all the bells and whistles. But for small businesses with lean budgets and small staffs, offering such benefits may be out of the question. Fortunately, SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs are less expensive and easier to administer. Might one of these tax-advantaged options work for your workforce?
Some customers naturally require more time and resources than others. But when certain relationships consistently consume more of your and your employees’ time than they generate in profit, it may be time to reassess. Taking a closer look at customer‑level profitability can help you understand where resources are going and ensure that high‑value relationships receive the attention they deserve.
