Every year around the middle of March, someone walks into my office with a box. Sometimes it's a shoebox, sometimes a grocery bag, once memorably a cooler. Inside is a year of business receipts, a stack of bank statements, and the quiet hope that somewhere in there is a refund. I have to tell them the truth, which is that the year is closed. Whatever we might have done about their tax bill, we could have done in September. By March, I'm not their advisor. I'm their historian.

Quick answer: For 2026, the IRS business standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile from January 1 to June 30, and 76 cents per mile from July 1 to December 31. Because the rate changed mid-year, you must split your mileage log by date and apply each rate to the correct half of the year to claim the full deduction. Key Takeaways Business mileage rate: 72.5¢ (Jan 1–Jun 30) and 76¢ (Jul 1–Dec 31, 2026). The IRS raised the rate mid-year to reflect rising fuel costs — a rare mo

Most business owners don’t realize their bookkeeping mistakes costing money are hurting their business until the damage has already been done. At first, the issues seem small: Reports are a little behind Cash flow feels tighter than it should Tax season becomes stressful Profit feels inconsistent But over time, poor bookkeeping creates bigger problems: Missed deductions Pricing mistakes Cash flow issues Overpaid taxes Bad business decisions And the worst part? Many businesses

Most small businesses don’t struggle because of a lack of effort. They struggle because they’re making decisions without clear financial direction. From the outside, things look fine—revenue is coming in, clients are being served, and the business is moving. But internally, it feels different. Cash is tight.Growth is inconsistent.Big decisions feel risky. That’s not a marketing problem.That’s not a sales problem. 👉 It’s a visibility problem—and it usually starts with your bo

Penalties aren’t just a tax issue—they’re a bookkeeping issue.