Insights & Articles

Tax and business insights, written by a CPA.

Practical guidance on tax planning, cross-border compliance and running a business in the US — without the jargon.

When Do You Actually Need a CPA? A Practical Guide for Business Owners and Individuals

Software handles straightforward returns well. A CPA becomes worth the fee when decisions carry tax consequences before the return exists: entity structure, hiring, multi-state operations, equity compensation, buying or selling a business, or any situation requiring representation before the IRS.

Rakesh Jain, CPA

September 23, 2026 · 5 min read

Latest articles

Payroll•Sep 20, 2026•6 min read

Payroll Tax Changes in 2026: What Employers Need to Know About Social Security, Medicare and Withholding

For 2026 the Social Security wage base is $184,500, making the maximum employee Social Security tax $11,439. Medicare stays at 1.45% with no wage cap, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000.

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Tax Planning•Sep 10, 2026•6 min read

2026 Year-End Tax Planning Checklist for Small Business Owners: What to Do Before December 31

Most 2026 tax planning moves expire on December 31, not at filing. The items with hard year-end deadlines are equipment placed in service, retirement plan establishment, income and expense timing, and entity elections.