Guides for contractors and trade businesses
Each guide covers the rules, the 2026 numbers, a worked example, common mistakes, and when to bring in a professional.
Employee or subcontractor? How to classify your crew in 2026
The IRS common-law test, state ABC tests, the new $2,000 Form 1099-NEC threshold, and what misclassification costs a trade business.
8 min read →ConnecticutConnecticut taxes for trade contractors: a Fairfield County guide
Which Connecticut contractor services are taxable, the UI ABC test, 2027 sick leave, the PET election, add-backs on trucks, and Nov. 1 property declarations.
9 min read →RetirementSIMPLE, SEP, or 401(k)? Choosing a retirement plan for a trade business
Compare SIMPLE IRAs, SEPs, and safe harbor 401(k)s using 2026 limits, and see how SECURE 2.0 credits reduce the cost of starting a plan.
8 min read →EquipmentWriting off work trucks, vans, and equipment: Section 179 vs. bonus depreciation
How to expense vehicles over 6,000 lbs, the SUV limit, when bonus depreciation works better than Section 179, and how recapture applies when you sell.
7 min read →EntityS corp salary, the QBI deduction, and overtime reporting for contractors
How trade business owners set a defensible S corp salary, how wages interact with the 20% QBI deduction, and what employers must report for the overtime deduction.
7 min read →Find out what your shop could be deducting this year.
In a consultation, we look at your payroll and planned truck and equipment purchases, estimate what a retirement plan or S corp salary could be worth, and tell you whether any of your 1099 workers look like employees.