Should You Bring Investors or Keep 100% Ownersh...

If you're a trade contractor wondering whether you should bring investors or keep 100% ownership of your contracting business, the short answer is that outside equity is the most expensive...

Tax Write-Offs for Contractors: A 2026 Checklis...

Here is the short version. If you are a self-employed trade contractor, almost every dollar you spend to do the work is deductible, and the code is more forgiving about...

Should You Hire Employees or Use 1099 Subcontra...

You've got a worker who keeps showing up — same crew, same jobs, week after week — and you've been paying them on a 1099. The business is growing, and...

Franchising a Home Service Business: Is It Wort...

If you're a trade contractor wondering whether franchising a home service business is worth it, the tax mechanics come down to three things: how the initial franchise fee is treated,...

Contractor Tax Audit Triggers: What Actually Fl...

Almost everything you've read about contractor tax audit triggers is aimed at the wrong thing. The IRS doesn't see your mileage log, your meal receipts, or whether you filed 1099s...

Your Contractor Vehicle Tax Deduction in 2026: ...

Your contractor vehicle tax deduction comes down to one choice: track every business mile and multiply by the IRS standard rate, or add up every dollar the truck actually costs...