Transitioning from a standard W2 paycheck to 1099 status is one of the most common leaps for independent professionals in the Puget Sound area. While being your own boss brings flexibility, it also means taking full ownership of your tax obligations. Without an employer automatically withholding
Personal vs Business Expenses: Where’s the Line?
One of the most common crises small business owners face is the separation of personal vs business expenses. Especially when you're starting out as a sole proprietor, you may not immediately create a separate bank account or even apply for a business credit card. However, that's usually where the
The Tax Cuts & Jobs Act for Small Businesses
Small business owners in 2026 must navigate key provisions originating from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) alongside recent legislative updates. While TCJA was enacted in 2017, its long-term framework -- including permanent corporate adjustments and updated pass-through rules -- shapes current tax
Cultivating an Urban Farm: Sowing Seeds for a New Business or Digging Into a Tax Trap?
For many homeowners and land investors in Washington State, the dream of self-sufficiency often blossoms into a business idea. Whether you own an empty multi-use lot or have a generous backyard in the Puget Sound region, turning an open plot of land into a micro-farm to sell fresh produce, herbs, or
How to Form an LLC Online: The Simplest Way to Start Your Business
Starting a business is exciting. Choosing a name, finding your first customers, and making your first dollar can feel like huge milestones. But before most entrepreneurs can officially operate, they need to decide how to structure their business. For many small business owners, freelancers,
Freelancing, Side Hustles, and Odd Jobs: What Expenses Can You Deduct?
One of the biggest surprises people run into after starting freelance or side work is realizing they may owe taxes on income that was never taxed upfront. Whether you’re doing yardwork, handyman jobs, construction work, content writing, graphic design, photography, social media management, or random
How to Handle Health Insurance When You’re Self-Employed
One of the biggest adjustments when you leave a traditional job is losing employer-sponsored health insurance. For self-employed individuals, that responsibility shifts entirely onto you, and it can feel expensive, confusing, and easy to get wrong. The good news is that there are multiple options
Strategies to Minimize Capital Gains on the Sale of Your Business
Selling a business is often the result of years -- sometimes decades -- of hard work. It can also trigger one of the largest tax events of your life. Without proper planning, a significant portion of your sale proceeds can be lost to taxes. The good news: with the right strategies in place before