This Is How the Trade War Is Impacting Small Businesses
Trump's trade war means many businesses are dealing with higher costs. Here's how real small businesses are responding.
Talk Shop
Advice and information for small businesses and their talented teams.
Trending topics
Q: Can I Ask a Job Candidate About Their Criminal History?
If your business is located in a "ban-the-box" state, then probably not. Use this map to find your state's ban-the-box status.
Q: How Do I Fill Out a Schedule K-1?
If your business is a pass-through entity, you'll have to fill out a Schedule K-1. Here are step-by-step instructions to help you out.
Q: What Are the Laws on Jury Duty?
Has one of your employees received a jury duty summons? While you may have to find others to cover their responsibilities, there’s no need to panic.
Ask Gusto. Get answers.
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Starting a Business
Q: What Is a Disregarded Entity?
When you form a single-member LLC, you default to being a disregarded entity. Here's what that means.
Q: What Is a Certificate of Good Standing? And How Do I Get One?
Find out what good standing means, whether you need it, and how to get a certificate from your state.
Hiring and Growth
Q: Can I Ask a Job Candidate About Their Criminal History?
If your business is located in a "ban-the-box" state, then probably not. Use this map to find your state's ban-the-box status.
Q: How Do I Run an Employment Background Check?
While background checks do cost money, skipping them can cost you even more.
Finances and Taxes
Q: How Do I Fill Out a Schedule K-1?
If your business is a pass-through entity, you'll have to fill out a Schedule K-1. Here are step-by-step instructions to help you out.
Q: What Is a Balance Sheet? [Free Template]
A balance sheet is a report that gives you a snapshot of the financial health of your business. Unlike a...
Q: What Taxes Do I Pay If I’m Self-Employed?
If you’re self-employed and earned $400 or more over the tax year, there are usually two federal taxes you’ll need to pay: self-employment tax and income tax.
Q: What Do LLCs Need to Know About Form 8832?
Form 8832 is the document LLCs send to the IRS to change their default tax classification. Most commonly, it’s used if you want your LLC to be taxed as a C corporation.
Q: What Is Back Pay?
If you don’t pay your employee their full wages, you may owe them back pay—an extra payment that will make...
Q: What Is Retro Pay? How Do I Calculate It?
Short for retroactive pay, these payments reconcile the difference between the rate an employee should have been paid and the rate an employee was paid.
Team Management
Q: What Is Workers’ Comp and How Does It Work?
Workers’ comp is a type of small business insurance that covers employees in case they get hurt at work. Here are the most common questions business owners have about workers’ comp.
Q: What Is CalSavers?
CalSavers is a new program, launched on July 1, 2019, that’s designed to help employees at California businesses save for retirement.
Q: What Is San Francisco’s Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO)?
Under this ordinance, employers are required to contribute toward health care benefits for eligible employees, but employers can choose exactly how to direct the funds.
Q: How Do Fringe Benefits Work?
Fringe benefits, like gym memberships and cell phone reimbursements, can give your business a serious edge.
Q: How Does Disability Insurance Work?
What happens if your employee gets sick or injured and can't come into work? Long-term and short-term disability insurance is what can help that employee pay the bills while they're recovering.
Q: What Is the WARN Act?
If you’re an employer who is planning a layoff, the WARN Act may require you to give a written 60-day notice to employees and other parties. Here’s what you need to know.
Q: Is Sexual Harassment Training Mandatory in New York?
A robust sexual harassment policy can help protect your employees and your business. And if your company has employees located...
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Meet our featured contributors
Paco de Leon
Founder of Hell Yeah, Bookkeeping
Ryan Robinson
Writer, entrepreneur, and small business consultant
Jeff Haden
Inc. columnist and small business management expert
Steve Strauss
Best-selling author of the Small Business Bible
Steve Friess
Washington Post + New York Times writer, small business owner
Andi Smiles
Small business financial consultant
