It’s a common employer question. The answer is yes—but with strict rules. Private-sector employers may only offer comp time during the same workweek when overtime is earned. And comp time must be accrued at 1.5 hours for every 1 hour of overtime worked. Anything outside of that is not legal under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Missteps in this area can lead to wage disputes and penalties. If you’re offering comp time as a perk, make sure you’re also in compliance. A quick revi

When an employee leaves—whether they quit or are terminated—you need to know the rules for final paychecks. In many states, employees who quit must be paid by the next payday, but terminated employees may need their paycheck immediately. Federal law prohibits withholding wages, meaning all hours worked must be paid, along with any accrued benefits required by state law. For example, California requires payment of unused vacation time. Failing to comply can trigger steep penal

If you file a Schedule C, E, or F, the portion of your tax preparation fees connected to the business part of your return can be deducted as a business expense. For example, if your preparer spends time preparing your personal return and your business return, the fees can be split. The business portion then becomes deductible on your 2025 tax return. The key is asking your preparer to itemize or allocate the costs. It’s a simple question that can make a difference in lowering

...and more states are expanding their taxable categories to include services and digital goods. For example: • Maryland now taxes computer systems design, data processing, software publishing, and web hosting. • Minnesota added financial planning, payroll services, tax prep, and even credit card processing fees. Another critical area is the economic nexus. This concept, established by the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair case, means that even remote businesses can establish a ta

No one likes to think about worst-case scenarios, but when it comes to your business records, preparation makes all the difference. The IRS emphasizes and tax documentation to avoid devastating losses in the event of fire, flood, or other disasters. Best practices include: • Using digital storage for financial records, with secure cloud backups. • Keeping critical paperwork in waterproof, fireproof containers. • Storing duplicates at an off-site location. • Documenting your

The phrase "Tech Stack" is all the rave these days and some businesses are trying to sell horse professionals their solution. What does a...

Employers often ask: Can we offer “comp time” instead of overtime pay? If you’re a private-sector employer, the answer is yes—but with...

If you haven’t heard about the nifty small-business 401(k), it’s because the IRS had been virtually mute about it when it first became...

Social media scams are on the rise, so it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. Here are a few key tips to protect yourself on...

Determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor (IC) is a critical issue for businesses, and the IRS has been...

Big shout out to Danielle at HR Allies for always keeping us informed on all things related to HR and Compliance!  If you need any HR...

As the year wraps up, it’s a great time to ensure your payroll information is up-to-date. Reviewing your W-2 withholdings  now can save...

Over the past year, we’ve emphasized the importance of complying with the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)  and filing the Beneficial...

Are you looking to upgrade your billing system? Get ready for a seamless billing experience with our new automated billing platform,...

I just wanted to chat about something important—staying safe from Facebook and Instagram scams. There has been a recent uptick in scams,...

Have you checked out the latest podcast from Stall and Stable  ? If you're feeling the struggle of running a boarding or training...

Understanding employment laws is crucial for both employers and employees! Did you know that federal law dictates when hourly employees...

Labor regulations can be gray when it comes to employee travel time, but clarity is key! According to federal law, home-to-work travel is...

We are so proud of our clients at Red Horse Mountain Ranch! We're thrilled to announce that they've been nominated by USA Today as one of...

Critical Tasks: Tax Form 1099s and W-2s Our top priority is handling Tax Form 1099s and W-2s, and your cooperation is crucial. If you...