Latest Articles
The True Cost of Hiring an Employee: A Q1 Budgeting Guide for Small Businesses
The true cost of hiring an employee in 2026: employer FICA and FUTA, state insurance, benefits and hiring costs, with a worked example for Q1 budgeting.
Rehiring Seasonal Employees: When You Need a New Form I-9
Rehiring seasonal employees: when USCIS treats a return as continuing employment, the three-year Supplement B rule, and when a new Form I-9 is required.
Hiring 14- and 15-Year-Olds for Winter Break: Federal Hours Rules for Employers
Can a 15-year-old work during winter break? Federal hours limits for teen workers, the 7 p.m. cut-off, rules for 16- and 17-year-olds, and state law checks.
How Holiday Bonuses Are Taxed: An Employer’s Guide to Withholding, Gift Cards and Overtime
How holiday bonuses are taxed for employers: the 22% flat rate, aggregate method, why gift cards are wages, and when a bonus changes overtime pay under FLSA.
Do Employers Have to Pay Holiday Pay? Federal Rules for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year
Do employers have to pay holiday pay? Federal FLSA rules for hourly and salaried staff on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, plus holiday closure pitfalls.
Form 1099-NEC for 2026 Payments: The $2,000 Threshold and What Small Businesses Must File
Form 1099-NEC for 2026 payments: the new $2,000 threshold, the February 1, 2027 deadline, what is excluded, and a December checklist for small businesses.
Employee or Independent Contractor? A Year-End Classification Review for Employers
A year-end checklist for deciding if workers are employees or independent contractors, using IRS common-law factors and the DOL test, and how to fix mistakes.
How to Convert a Seasonal Employee to Permanent: An Employer’s Guide
How to convert a seasonal employee to permanent: choosing who to keep, the offer letter, Form I-9, exempt status, ACA counting and agency conversion clauses.
What Employers Need to Know Before Using a Staffing Agency
Before using a staffing agency, know the contract terms, billing, co-employment, who runs payroll and the questions to ask before you sign anything.
How to Manage Seasonal Workers: A Practical Guide for Small Businesses
How to manage seasonal workers: fast onboarding, clear schedules, training, safety and communication habits that keep temporary staff productive.