The beginning of the year is the perfect time for small business owners to get organized, review finances, and plan ahead. Taking a few proactive steps now can save headaches later and help set your business up for success in 2026. 1. Organize Your Financial Records Start by gathering your 2025 financial documents, including: 2. […]
3 Things Every Small Business Owner Should Do at the Start of the Year Read More »
Whether you’re an employed individual, business owner, or self-employed professional, early organization is key. January and February are especially important months for gathering documents, issuing required forms, and reviewing your financial records for accuracy. Why Early Preparation Matters Steps You Can Take Now Preparation doesn’t just make tax season easier — it puts you in a stronger financial position
Get Ahead of the 2026 Tax Season: Preparation Starts Now Read More »
Starting January 1st, 2026, employers and workers in Washington will see their average workers’ compensation insurance premium rise by 4.9%, as announced by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). On average, this increase works out to about $1.37 extra per week for each full-time position — a cost shared roughly 75% by employers and 25% by workers.
Washington State Workers’ Comp. Rates Increasing in 2026 Read More »
Starting January 1st, 2026, the City of Seattle will implement a new local sales tax from 10.35% to 10.55% to increase to fund public-safety services. The extra revenue is expected to generate roughly $39–40 million in 2026 and will go toward a variety of public-safety initiatives — from expanding emergency 911 dispatch and civilian crisis-response teams, to hiring more firefighters and supporting substance-use treatment and
Seattle Adds Public Safety Sales Tax — What That Means in 2026 Read More »
As of January 1st, 2026, Seattle’s minimum wage will increase from $20.76 to $21.30 per hour for all employers — large or small. This raise reflects the annual inflation adjustment, based on the Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue area consumer price index. For workers in minimum-wage roles — such as retail staff, service employees, hospitality workers, and other entry-level positions — this represents
Minimum Wage Increase for City of Seattle in 2026 Read More »
Since midnight on October 1st, 2025, the U.S. federal government has been operating under a shutdown. This was due to Congress not passing the full set of appropiation bills (or a continuing resolution) to fund federal agencies for Fiscal Year 2026 by the deadline of September 30th. What’s being affected: Economic & Broader Impacts: We understand that the cancellation,
The U.S. Government Shutdown: Where Things Stand & What It Means Read More »
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (WA L&I) announced on September 30th, 2025 that Washington State’s minimum wage will be increased from the current $16.66 to $17.13 (per hour) starting on January 1st, 2026. Under state law, the WA L&I is required to adjust the minimum wage each year based on the federal Consumer Price Index
Minimum Wage Increase for Washington State in 2026 Read More »
As a business owner, you’re always looking for ways to optimize your tax situation. But have you considered hiring your children? Hiring your kids can not only help them learn valuable work skills but can also provide several potential tax benefits. Here’s how: Important Considerations: If you would like to learn more about hiring children
Family Business: How Hiring Your Children Can Boost Your Tax Savings Read More »
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which became public law on July 4th, 2025, will bring a lot of changes and/or updates to federal tax law for individuals and businesses. It is important to stay up-to-date with the latest provisions in order to better prepare yourself for the upcoming 2026 tax season. Some updates and
Starting October 1st, 2025, the Washington Department of Revenue (DOR) will begin requiring sales tax to be collected on the services mentioned below. It is important that if you offer any of these services, you must collect sales tax on your customers’ receipts or invoices, depending on the services covered by this new regulation. This
Reminder: Starting October 1st, Some Business Activities Must Begin to Collect Sales Tax Read More »
