Returning Value Blog

In March, the U.S. Department of the Treasury was directed to begin phasing out the acceptance and disbursement of paper checks. This phase-out is set to occur by September 30, 2025, and the purpose is to enhance security, reduce fraud, and improve government efficiency.

New federal legislation is shaking up how tip income and overtime pay are taxed—at least temporarily. From 2025 through 2028, qualified employees could see major savings on their federal tax bill thanks to the No Tax on Tips Act and a new federal overtime deduction. Here’s what employers and employees need to know, and how it might (or might not) impact your paycheck. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes a number of beneficial changes that will help small business taxpayers.Perhaps thebiggest and best changes are liberalized rules for depreciating business assets. Here’s what you need to know.

Starting a business can be rewarding, but the financial learning curve is often steep. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that one in five new businesses will fail within one year of opening, roughly half will close within five years, and less than a third will survive for 10 years or longer. A common thread in early failures is weak financial planning and oversight.

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law on July 4. The new law includes a number of favorable changes that will affect small business taxpayers, and some unfavorable changes, too. Here’s a quick summary of some of the most important provisions.

Alabama's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend: July 18–20, 2025

The State of Alabama will participate in its 20th annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, beginning Friday, July 18, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. and ending at midnight on Sunday, July 20, 2025. During this three-day event, shoppers can purchase a variety of school-related items free of the state’s 4% sales tax.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports there were nearly 447,000 new business applications in May of 2025. The bureau measures this by tracking the number of businesses applying for an Employer Identification Number.

In baseball, the triple play is a high-impact defensive feat that knocks the competition out of the inning. In business, you have your own version — three key financial statements that can give you a competitive edge by monitoring profitability, liquidity, and solvency.

In accrual-basis accounting, timing is everything. One core principle of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is the matching concept, which requires organizations to recognize expenses in the same period as the revenue they help generate. Prepaid expenses — payments made for goods or services before they’re used — must be handled carefully to conform to this principle. Here’s an overview of the accounting rules for reporting prepaid items and guidance to help you manage them effectively.