Returning Value Blog

Many small businesses start out as sole proprietorships. This structure is simple and inexpensive to establish and maintain — and it gives the owner direct access to profits without having to take formal distributions. But it also makes your taxes more complicated than when you were a W-2 employee. Here are some federal tax issues to consider if your business operates as a sole proprietorship.

From laptops and tablets to power tools and safety equipment, misplaced or mismanaged assets can quietly drain profits and disrupt operations. By tracking equipment and other assets with barcodes, your business can connect its physical property to its financial records. Here’s a closer look at how this technology can help you control costs, strengthen internal controls, and maintain more reliable financial records.

Your employees use Form W-4, “Employee’s Withholding Certificate,” to tell you how much federal income tax to withhold from their pay. Most forms are routine, but an altered certificate, unusual accompanying statement, or IRS lock-in letter may require special handling. Knowing how to respond can help your business meet its withholding obligations without becoming involved in an employee’s personal tax dispute.

Whether you’re buying equipment, automating processes, launching a new product line, or expanding your facilities, capital investment decisions shouldn’t be based on intuition alone. Your management team may identify several promising growth opportunities. Which ones can your business realistically support today with available cash flow, financing and staffing — and which ones can wait?

Businesses in economically distressed communities often have difficulty obtaining capital for expansion, equipment, facilities, and other investments. The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) encourages private investment in these underserved areas by offering federal income tax credits to qualifying investors.

For many employers, one of the most common payroll misconceptions is that employees can simply request that no Alabama state income tax be withheld from their paycheck. Under Alabama law, that is not the case. Alabama Department of Revenue has been adding more emphasis on this as of late.

The IRS has announced an increase to the optional standard mileage rate for business use of a personal vehicle, raising the rate to 76 cents per mile for business travel beginning July 1, 2026. Business mileage incurred during the first six months of 2026 should continue to be calculated using the prior 72.5-cent-per-mile rate.

Offering a broad menu of employee benefits can help your business attract and retain skilled workers. One benefit that’s popular among employees with families is employer-provided child care. Although this option hasn’t been financially feasible for many small businesses, recent tax law changes may give you a reason to reconsider opening (or upgrading) a child care facility, contracting with a child care provider, or participating in a jointly operated arrangement. Here’s an overview of the credit and how it’s been enhanced starting in 2026.

Tax problems can happen to even the most organized small business owners. A cash flow crunch, an unexpected tax notice, a missed filing deadline, or a payroll tax oversight can be stressful — especially when penalties and interest begin to add up. Fortunately, businesses can get back on track by addressing tax issues promptly and strategically.

Alabama's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend: July 17–19, 2025

The State of Alabama will participate in its 21st annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, beginning Friday, July 17, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. and ending at midnight on Sunday, July 19, 2026. During this three-day event, shoppers can purchase a variety of school-related items free of the state’s 4% sales tax, keeping in mind that local sales tax may still apply, depending on whether your city or county is participating in the tax holiday.