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Filed an extension? How to use the time between now and October 15th
Filing a tax extension buys you time, but only if you use it wisely. From revisiting your April payment estimate to gathering missing documents and staying on top of current-year obligations, the months between now and October 15th are a valuable planning window. Read on to learn how to make the most of your extension and avoid a costly repeat of the same tax challenges next year.
Federal innovation grants for small businesses renewed through 2031
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs have been reauthorized and extended through September 30, 2031. The reauthorization includes several notable changes, including higher funding ceilings, expanded agency participation, new foreign-entity security screening requirements, and a new large-award allocation for qualifying businesses. Small businesses engaged in applied research and development across a broad range of industries should take note of these programs as a potential source of non-dilutive grant funding.
Why financial strategy must evolve over time
Effective financial planning isn't a one-time event, it's an ongoing process that must adapt as your life, income, and goals change over time. From building early savings to navigating tax strategy in peak earning years to preparing a sustainable retirement income, each life stage brings new challenges and opportunities that a static plan simply can't address. Read on to learn how a lifecycle-based approach to financial planning can help you make smarter, more coordinated decisions at every stage of the journey.
Newly married this year? The tax changes couples miss
Getting married triggers significant tax changes that catch many couples off guard, from a new filing status that takes effect the moment you say "I do," to withholding gaps that can result in an unexpected tax bill in April. Beyond filing and withholding, newlyweds also need to address name and address updates, healthcare coverage decisions, HSA eligibility changes, and dependent-related credits before year-end. Tackling these adjustments proactively, rather than waiting until tax season, helps couples avoid penalties, protect their refunds, and start their financial life together on solid footing.
The good, the bad, and the ugly
For many businesses, customer growth is often viewed as the primary driver of revenue improvement. While attracting new customers is important, companies often short-change an important discipline: regularly evaluating existing customer performance and identifying opportunities to strengthen profitability through better customer analysis and targeted strategies. Reviewing your customer roster can provide valuable insight into additional revenue opportunities.
Payday and beyond
Businesses that fail to regularly evaluate their compensation and retention strategies risk losing valuable team members to competitors offering stronger incentives, more flexibility, and clearer growth opportunities. For business leaders, the seam between 1H and 2H is a fine time to review staff compensation and retention plans to ensure they remain competitive, sustainable, and aligned with long-term goals.
The summer staffing playbook: Mastering summer workforce planning
For many businesses, summer brings a welcome change of pace, but it can also introduce operational challenges. Employee vacations, shifting workloads, and the arrival of seasonal hires or interns can create both opportunities and strain. Organizations that plan ahead for summer staffing are far better positioned to maintain productivity and provide better continuity of customer service, despite seasonal staffing ebbs and flows. Here are a few practical ways to approach summer staffing and internship programs more strategically.
From hellos to handshakes: Tips to turn trade show conversations into contracts
For many businesses, conferences and trade shows represent an essential marketing and sales activity. These events offer valuable opportunities to generate leads, build relationships, and increase brand visibility. However, without a clear follow-up strategy, even the most promising conversations can fail to convert into meaningful business opportunities. Here are some tips on how to approach follow-up in a more structured and results-driven way.
Avoid tax surprises: set up proper withholding now
Think your tax refund is just "extra money"? It might actually be a sign that your withholding is off, and that the IRS has been holding your money all year. This quick read breaks down how to fix that now, so you’re not stuck with a surprise bill (or a missed opportunity) next April.
Performance reviews that work: a better approach to feedback, accountability, and results
Performance reviews have a reputation for generating awkward conversations and little real change, but the problem isn't the concept itself. It's that most businesses run them in ways that guarantee they won't work. This article breaks down the common structural failures in traditional review processes and offers a practical, straightforward approach to building a system that improves accountability, reduces costly turnover, and provides leadership with better information for decision-making.
Which retirement plan is best for a self-employed owner: SEP, SIMPLE, or Solo 401(k)?
A practical guide to using a SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or solo 401(k) strategically, covering contribution limits, deadlines, employee rules, tax planning, and when each plan makes the most sense.
Spring cleaning your home: turning physical clutter into financial return
Most households are sitting on more idle capital than they realize - it's just tied up in closets, garages, and storage rooms. This article reframes spring cleaning as a financial exercise, exploring how unused possessions carry real costs, how clutter limits flexibility, and how a focused decluttering effort can convert dormant assets into liquidity, tax-efficient giving, and a simpler estate.
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