Author:

Mike Kappel

Mike Kappel, serial entrepreneur and CEO of Patriot Software, offers payroll advice from more than 30 years of experience to small business owners.

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What Is an ACH Payment? How Can You Use It for Payroll?

By Mike Kappel

You might already be familiar with ACH payments, but you might not know it because of the unfamiliar terms. Find out what ACH means and how you can use the payments with your payroll.

Business owner poses in front of storefront

What Is a Taxpayer Identification Number?

By Mike Kappel

When you have a business, you need a way to identify it. That way, you can submit payroll forms or tax returns, open a business bank account, establish a retirement plan, and more. So, how do you identify your business? You need a taxpayer identification number (TIN). Read on to learn what is a taxpayer […]

Do Employers Have to Give Pay for Jury Duty Leave?

By Mike Kappel

When an employee is called to serve on a jury, it can be a strain on your business. You might need to adjust schedules to fill the employee’s absence. Product creation or services might be disrupted. When your employee is fulfilling their civic duty, your business doesn’t stop. But, when an employee is on jury […]

What Is Schedule A (Form 940)?

By Mike Kappel

Are you a small business owner with employees? Even if you had only one worker this year, you need to manage your FUTA taxes, and send Schedule A and Form 940 to the IRS. What is Schedule A (Form 940)?

What Is Form 8655?

By Mike Kappel

When signing up for payroll services that include tax filing, you’ll be asked to fill out Form 8655. The company won’t be able to file or deposit your taxes until you submit the form. So, what is IRS Form 8655 used for? Find out below.

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Do I Need to File Form 8027?

By Mike Kappel

In some industries, employees earn the bulk of their wages from tip income rather than hourly or salary pay. If you own a food or beverage establishment, your employees likely earn tips. Like regular pay, you still need to withhold taxes on tip income. And, you need to report tip earnings on Form 8027.

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One Isn’t Always the Loneliest Number. What Is a Disregarded Entity?

By Mike Kappel

There are plenty of things to do before you open your new business. One of the most important tasks is choosing a small business structure. If your business is a single-member limited liability company (LLC), you may have heard the term disregarded entity. If you haven’t, don’t worry! A disregarded entity isn’t bad news. So, […]

A Look at Deferred Compensation Plans

By Mike Kappel

For many employees, generous benefits are more important than pay raises. There are several benefits options you can offer to attract and retain employees, including deferred compensation plans.

Everything to Know About IRS Form W-2

By Mike Kappel

If you have employees, you are responsible for many tasks like running payroll, withholding payroll taxes, and distributing IRS Form W-2. As you might know by now, Form W-2 can be uber confusing. Who receives a form? Where do you send it? When is it due? Get the answers to these questions and more by […]

What Is a Reasonable Accommodation?

By Mike Kappel

A reasonable accommodation is an adjustment or modification an employer provides to a person with a disability to make sure they have equal access to employment opportunities. Reasonable accommodations are an important aspect of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law. The ADA was enacted to prevent discrimination and help individuals […]