#hiring
Hiring
Financial considerations when hiring employees or contractors
EPLI Insurance for Small Businesses: Why a Five-Person Team Can Still Get Hit with a Six-Figure Discrimination Claim
Employment Practices Liability Insurance costs small businesses roughly $800 to $3,000 a year, but a single uncovered discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination claim averages $80,000 in defense costs—here is what EPLI covers, how carriers price it, and how to buy it without overpaying.
State-by-State Pay Transparency Laws in 2026: A Compliance Guide for Multi-State Employers
Seventeen states plus D.C. now require salary ranges in job postings, with thresholds and penalties that vary enough for one nationwide ad to violate three statutes. A field guide to the 2026 patchwork, the remote-posting traps, and how multi-state employers turn compliance into routine operating discipline.
FTC Non-Compete Rule Withdrawn: How Employers Should Adapt to the State-by-State Patchwork in 2026
On February 12, 2026, the FTC removed its 2024 non-compete ban from the Code of Federal Regulations, but pivoted to case-by-case Section 5 enforcement and consent orders against employers like Rollins. With California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and other states tightening their own rules, a single national non-compete template is now a compliance hazard. This guide maps the state landscape and lays out a five-step plan for employers.
Section 45F in 2026: How OBBBA Quadrupled the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit
Starting in 2026, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act expands Section 45F's Employer-Provided Child Care Credit from 25% to 40% (50% for businesses under $32M in average gross receipts) and lifts the annual cap from $150,000 to $500,000 ($600,000 for small businesses), with new explicit rules for intermediaries, pooled arrangements, backup care, and reserved-seat contracts.
Hiring Your Children in Your Family Business: The Tax Strategy That Pays a Family Twice
A 2026 guide for family business owners on legally hiring their children: how a sole proprietorship can pay a child up to $16,100 federal-tax-free, when FICA and FUTA exemptions apply, the documentation the IRS expects, and how a Roth IRA stacks on top.
Hiring an Out-of-State Employee: The Payroll Tax Setup Playbook
A step-by-step checklist for setting up payroll taxes when you hire a remote employee in a new state — SUTA, income tax withholding, workers' comp, local taxes, reciprocity forms, and the convenience-of-the-employer rule.
SUTA Tax Explained: The Complete Employer's Guide to State Unemployment Tax
SUTA is the state-level payroll tax that funds unemployment insurance. Every U.S. employer owes it, rates range from under 1% to over 10%, and late payments can cost the 5.4% FUTA credit — turning a $42 federal bill into $420 per employee.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit: A Complete Employer Guide for 2026
A practical 2026 guide to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers, covering the 10 target groups, credits up to $9,600 per qualified veteran hire, the 28-day Form 8850 deadline, and how to keep filing during the current congressional hiatus.
How to Hire the Right Bookkeeper: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
When your books are months behind and tax season is a scramble, it's time to hire a bookkeeper—but the wrong one costs more than doing it yourself. This guide covers how to choose between freelancers, firms, and remote services; which certifications to require; ten interview questions that reveal real competence; and six red flags to walk away from.
Hiring Foreign Independent Contractors: A Complete Guide for US Businesses
US businesses hiring foreign contractors must collect W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E before making any payment—or face mandatory 30% backup withholding. This guide covers IRS requirements, permanent establishment risk, payment methods, and documentation best practices.
How to Hire an Accountant for Your Small Business: A Complete Guide
A practical guide to hiring an accountant for your small business — covering when you actually need one, the difference between a CPA, general accountant, and enrolled agent, what to ask in an interview, and what you'll pay ($200–$5,000+ depending on scope).
Bookkeeper vs. CPA: Which Does Your Business Need?
A practical breakdown of what bookkeepers and CPAs do, what each costs ($30–$60/hr vs. $200–$500/hr), and when to hire one, the other, or both—so you stop overpaying for the wrong professional at the wrong time.