As a small business owner, you have many accounting responsibilities, like tracking your business transactions, income, and expenses. And on top of juggling these tasks, you must also understand which basic accounting forms are relevant to your small business.
Read More Basic Accounting Forms for Small Business That You Should KnowPatriot Software's Blog
“SOS! Do I Need to Prepare a 1099 for Credit Card Payments I Make to Contractors?”
July 28, 2026Paying a contractor to perform work for your business comes with a little disclaimer: reporting said payments on Form 1099-NEC. But what if you pay your contractor using a credit card? Do you have to prepare a 1099 for credit card payments?
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If You Make 1099 Payments, You Need to Know Your Responsibilities
July 28, 2026As a small business owner, you regularly make payments to the vendors you work with and pay wages to your employees. But if you deal with a 1099 vendor or contractor, the amounts of money you give them are considered 1099 payments. To keep your business legal, you need to understand what 1099 vendors and […]
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What’re the Differences Between Form 1099-MISC vs. 1099-NEC?
July 28, 2026Before 2020, business owners used one universal form, Form 1099-MISC, to report nonemployee compensation and other types of payments (e.g., rent). But after a 38-year absence, Form 1099-NEC made a return in 2020. So, how do these forms differ? Read on to learn all about Form 1099-MISC vs. 1099-NEC and which form you need to […]
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How to Set up Payroll for a Small Business
July 28, 2026Hired your first employee? Check. Set a start date? Check. Ready to process payroll? Not quite yet. Before you can start paying your employees, there are a few steps you need to know and some terms to learn. This handy payroll 101 guide explains how to set up payroll the right way so you can […]
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Form 1099-NEC for Reporting Contractor Payments
July 28, 2026After a 38-year absence, Form 1099-NEC made its return in the 2020 tax year. For the last few decades, business owners were responsible for using Form 1099-MISC to report nonemployee compensation. But with Form 1099-NEC, employers can say hello to a revamped form and goodbye to reporting nonemployee compensation on Form 1099-MISC.
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How to Maintain Payroll Accuracy During Periods of Rapid Hiring
July 24, 2026Key Takeaways − Rapid hiring multiplies payroll complexity and the risk of mistakes. Standardize processes, use checklists, and centralize data to maintain accuracy. The right payroll software can automate calculations, taxes, and onboarding tasks. Regular audits, clear roles, and training keep errors from snowballing as you grow. Why payroll gets risky when you are hiring […]
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When Is Rounding Employee Time Illegal?
July 22, 2026Key Takeaways − You can round employee time in some cases, but it must be neutral, not one-sided. Federal law (FLSA) allows rounding in small increments (e.g., 5, 6, or 15 minutes) if it does not consistently favor the employer. Rounding is illegal when it regularly shortchanges employees, especially minimum wage or overtime pay. Some […]
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Navigating Local, State, and Federal Minimum Wage Discrepancies
July 20, 2026Key Takeaways − When minimum wages conflict, you generally must pay the highest applicable rate. You may need to compare federal, state, and local (city/county) rules for each employee. Multi-state payroll means tracking different rates, different rules, and different effective dates. Document your process, update rates on time, and use tools like payroll software to […]
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How to Future-proof Your Small Business Payroll Before Tax Laws Change (Again)
July 17, 2026Key Takeaways − Tax laws change constantly, and payroll is usually the first place you feel it. You do not need to track every new rule yourself; your payroll system should do the heavy lifting. Future-proofing payroll means automating tax calculations, staying updated through your software, tightening your data, and standardizing processes. Patriot’s payroll software […]
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