Small-Business Tax Guide for Trades

Sales tax, quarterly tax, 1099s, deductions, and write-offs — the tax topics trades businesses actually need, reviewed by an Enrolled Agent.

• Sales Tax for Service Businesses: A Plain-English Guide — Do service businesses charge sales tax? It depends on your state and what you sell. A clear guide to taxable vs non-taxable services with examples.
• Sales Tax Nexus: When You Owe Tax in Another State — Sales tax nexus is the connection that makes you liable to collect tax in a state. A clear explanation of physical and economic nexus rules post-Wayfa
• Resale Certificates: When and How to Use One — A resale certificate lets you buy inventory tax-free and charge tax to your customer instead. How to get one, when to use it, and what to keep on file
• Quarterly Estimated Taxes: A Survival Guide for the Self-Employed — Self-employed? You owe taxes 4 times a year, not 1. How to estimate, when to pay, and how to avoid the underpayment penalty.
• Self-Employment Tax: What It Is and How to Reduce It — Self-employment tax is 15.3% on net earnings from a sole prop or LLC. What it covers, how to calculate it, and the legal ways to reduce it.
• How Much to Set Aside for Taxes (and Where to Put It) — Self-employed? Here is the simple rule for what percentage of every payment to move into a tax savings account so you are never short on April 15.
• Schedule C Deductions: The Master Checklist for Service Businesses — Every deduction a service business can legitimately claim on Schedule C — vehicle, home office, supplies, tools, software, and more.
• Home Office Deduction: Two Methods, Which Wins — The home office deduction has two calculation methods. A clear comparison so you take the larger one — without raising audit risk.
• 1099 vs W-2: Contractor or Employee? — Misclassifying an employee as a 1099 contractor is one of the most expensive mistakes a small business can make. The IRS test, in plain English.
• How to Issue a 1099-NEC: Step-by-Step — Paid a contractor $600 or more? Here is how to issue a 1099-NEC correctly — deadlines, forms, where to file, and common mistakes.