Small Business Finance Guides

78 free guides covering pricing, taxes, cash flow, hiring, industry benchmarks, and finance concepts — with real formulas, examples, and calculators.

Compare concepts

Side-by-side breakdowns of commonly confused finance terms.

10 guides

Markup vs Margin: Formula, Difference & CalculatorCompare margin vs markup formulas, conversion chart, worked examples, and a free calculator for small business pricing.Read →Gross Margin vs Net Margin: Key DifferencesLearn the difference between gross margin and net profit margin. Free guide with formulas, examples, and an industry comparison table.Read →Contribution Margin vs Gross MarginLearn the difference between contribution margin and gross margin. Free guide with formulas, examples, and when to use each metric for your small business.Read →LLC vs S-Corp Tax Comparison — Which Saves More Taxes?Compare LLC and S-Corp tax implications: self-employment tax, salary requirements, profit distribution, and breakeven income. Free guide for choosing your business structure.Read →W-2 vs 1099: Cost Comparison for Employers & ContractorsCompare the true cost of W-2 employees vs 1099 contractors: payroll taxes, benefits, overhead, and compliance. Free guide for small business hiring decisions.Read →Sole Proprietorship vs LLC: Liability, Taxes & CostCompare sole proprietorship vs LLC: liability protection, self-employment taxes, formation costs, and compliance. Free guide for choosing your business structure.Read →Cash vs Accrual Accounting: Key Differences for Small Bus...Compare cash basis vs accrual accounting: tax implications, inventory handling, and financial reporting. Free guide for small business accounting method decisions.Read →Section 179 vs Bonus Depreciation vs MACRS — Which to Use?Section 179, Bonus Depreciation, or MACRS — which depreciation method lets you write off business equipment fastest? 2026 limits, phase-out rules, and strategy comparison with real dollar examples.Read →SEP IRA vs Solo 401(k) for Self-Employed — 2026 ComparisonSEP IRA or Solo 401(k)? Compare contribution limits, income thresholds, tax benefits, and setup requirements for self-employed and small business owners. 2026 limits with contribution scenarios.Read →Profit vs Cash FlowYour P&L shows a $50K profit, but your bank account is empty. Understand the key differences between profit and cash flow, how accrual accounting hides cash problems, and how to forecast both.Read →

How to price your services

Industry-specific pricing guides for trades, services, and skilled work.

16 guides

Taxes & compliance

Tax guides, IRS notice help, W-2 vs 1099 decisions, and state tax rules.

9 guides

2026 Small Business Tax Calendar: Every Deadline You NeedComplete 2026 tax calendar for small businesses and freelancers. Quarterly estimated tax dates, W-2 and 1099 due dates, annual return deadlines by entity type — all in one place.Read →Small Business Tax Deductions Checklist [2026]Complete 2026 small business tax deduction checklist covering home office, vehicle, equipment, software, meals, travel, retirement, and QBI deductions. Free guide to maximize write-offs.Read →Freelancer Tax Guide [2026] — Self-Employed Tax BasicsComplete freelancer tax guide for 2026: self-employment tax explained, quarterly estimated tax deadlines, deductions for 1099 contractors, and free tax calculators.Read →IRS Tax Notice Decoder — CP14, CP2000, CP3219A ExplainedReceived an IRS notice? Decode CP14, CP2000, CP3219A, LT11 and more. Learn what each letter means, how much you really owe, and what to do next. Free calculator to verify IRS math.Read →1099 vs W-2: IRS 20-Factor Decision ChecklistUnsure whether to classify a worker as 1099 contractor or W-2 employee? Step through the IRS Common Law rules, 20 factors, and DOL economic realities test. Avoid misclassification penalties.Read →How to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes — 2026 Step-by-StepCalculated your quarterly tax but don't know how to actually pay? Guide to IRS Direct Pay, EFTPS, credit card, check, and state payment methods. Deadlines, confirmation tracking, and penalty avoidance.Read →Business Vehicle DepreciationBuying a vehicle for your business? Compare Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, MACRS, and standard mileage rate. Heavy vehicle loophole (6,000+ lb GVWR), luxury auto limits, and actual expense method.Read →Gross-to-Net Payroll GuideGross pay vs net pay explained: federal withholding, FICA (SS 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%), state tax, benefits deductions, garnishments. How to set up payroll correctly.Read →State Tax Nexus GuideDoes your online business trigger state tax nexus? Economic nexus thresholds ($100K/200 transactions), physical presence, click-through nexus, and marketplace facilitator rules.Read →

Running your business

Cash flow, loans, hiring, insurance, inventory, ROI — operational guides for small business owners.

28 guides

How to Calculate COGSLearn how to calculate Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) for your small business. Free guide with formula, examples, and industry benchmarks.Read →Accounts Receivable vs Accounts Payable: What's the Diffe...AR is money customers owe you (asset). AP is money you owe suppliers (liability). Learn the difference, DSO, DPO, and the cash conversion cycle.Read →How to Read a Balance Sheet: Assets, Liabilities & Equity...A balance sheet has three sections: assets (what you own), liabilities (what you owe), and equity (what's left). Learn to read each section and calculate key ratios.Read →How to Read a Cash Flow Statement: The 3 Sections ExplainedA cash flow statement has three sections: operating, investing, and financing activities. Learn to read each one, why cash flow differs from profit, and what the numbers reveal.Read →Cash Flow Formulas: Operating, Free & Net Cash Flow (With...Every cash flow formula you need: operating cash flow, free cash flow, net cash flow, and cash flow margin — each with the formula, a worked example, and what a good number looks like.Read →Average Profit Margin by Industry (2026 Benchmarks)Average net and gross profit margins for 30+ industries — restaurants, ecommerce, construction, SaaS, retail, professional services, and more. See what a good profit margin looks like in your industry.Read →Small Business Valuation GuideLearn how to value a small business using revenue multiples and SDE multiples....Read →EBITDA Explained for Small Business OwnersWhat is EBITDA and why it matters for small business owners. Free guide explaining EBITDA formula, examples, and how to use it to measure profitability.Read →How to Read a Profit & Loss Statement for Small BusinessLearn how to read a profit and loss statement: revenue, COGS, gross margin, operating expenses, EBITDA, and net profit. Free small business finance guide with example P&L.Read →Equipment Financing Guide [2026]Complete guide to equipment financing for small business: buy vs lease comparison, Section 179 depreciation, loan options, and free calculators.Read →First Employee Financial ChecklistHiring your first employee? Beyond salary: EIN registration, workers comp, payroll setup, FUTA/SUTA, benefits, compliance costs. Complete checklist with 2026 dollar estimates.Read →Break-Even Analysis GuideLearn how to calculate your break-even point (BEP). Fixed vs variable costs, contribution margin, multi-product BEP, and 7 strategies to lower your break-even. Real examples included.Read →Working Capital Management GuideMaster working capital: Cash Conversion Cycle (DIO+DSO−DPO), AR/AP/Inventory optimization, industry benchmarks, working capital ratio, and warning signs of distress.Read →SBA Loan Guide — SBA 7(a), 504, Microloan ComparedCompare SBA 7(a), 504, and Microloan programs. Rates, terms, eligibility, application checklist, and what lenders actually look for. Alternatives if you don't qualify.Read →Buy vs Lease Business Equipment Guide — Full Cost ComparisonShould you buy or lease? Full comparison: cash flow, tax treatment (Section 179 only for purchases), residual value risk, maintenance, and balance sheet impact. Real examples.Read →CAC & LTV:CAC Ratio GuideCalculate and optimize your CAC and LTV:CAC ratio. Industry benchmarks (SaaS 5:1, e-commerce 3:1), how to reduce CAC without hurting growth, and how to calculate LTV correctly.Read →E-commerce Financial Health Guide — Beyond Just RevenueRunning an e-commerce store? Track payment processing, platform fees, return rates, inventory holding costs, and true contribution margin per SKU. Examples for Shopify and Etsy sellers.Read →Small Business Budgeting GuideCreate your first annual business budget. Zero-based vs incremental budgeting, seasonal cash flow management, variance tracking, and 5 common budgeting mistakes.Read →Sales Commission Structure Guide — Plans, Rates & BenchmarksDesign the right sales commission plan: base+commission, straight commission, tiered, draw. Industry benchmarks for SaaS, real estate, insurance, and retail. 2026 data.Read →Credit Card Processing Fee GuideUnderstand credit card processing fees: interchange rates, processor markup, flat-rate vs interchange-plus. How to read your statement and negotiate lower rates.Read →Pricing Strategy Guide — Cost-Plus, Value-Based, CompetitiveChoose the right pricing strategy: cost-plus, value-based, competitive, penetration, and premium. Real examples. How to test price increases without losing customers.Read →Inventory Management Guide — Turnover, ABC Analysis & JITMaster inventory management: turnover ratio, ABC analysis, safety stock, JIT vs buffer stock, and EOQ. Industry benchmarks and strategies to free cash in inventory.Read →ROI Analysis Guide — Calculate, Interpret & Improve ReturnsCalculate ROI correctly: formula, annualized ROI, ROI vs IRR vs payback, cash-on-cash return. Common mistakes and how to compare multiple investments.Read →Freelance Rate Negotiation Guide — Set and Raise Your RatesSet and negotiate freelance rates with confidence. Hourly vs project vs retainer, handle rate objections, raise rates without losing clients. Anchoring techniques and scripts.Read →Small Business Insurance GuideWhat insurance does your small business need? General liability, professional liability (E&O), workers comp, BOP, commercial auto, cyber. Cost estimates and legal requirements by industry.Read →Business Acquisition Due Diligence ChecklistBuying a small business? Complete due diligence: financial review, tax return verification, customer concentration, legal risks, lease transfer, and SDE normalization.Read →Financial Statement Red Flags Guide — Spot Problems EarlyLearn to spot red flags in P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. Declining margins, ballooning AR, inventory buildup, unexplained cash drops. 10 warning signs.Read →Restaurant Prime Cost GuideMaster restaurant prime cost (COGS + Labor). Target under 60% of revenue. Benchmarks by restaurant type, 10 food cost reduction tactics, and labor optimization strategies.Read →

More guides

15 guides

Manufacturing COGS Formula: COGM Schedule & Example [2026]Manufacturing COGS takes two steps: calculate COGM (direct materials + labor + overhead, adjusted for WIP), then adjust for finished goods inventory. Full worked schedule inside.Read →Days Sales Outstanding (DSO): Formula & Benchmarks [2026]DSO = (Accounts Receivable ÷ Credit Sales) × Days. How to calculate days sales outstanding, what a good DSO looks like, and 5 tactics to collect faster.Read →Accounts Receivable Turnover Ratio: Formula & Example [2026]AR Turnover = Net Credit Sales ÷ Average AR. How to calculate the receivables turnover ratio, interpret high vs low results, and convert it to days (DSO).Read →Cash Conversion Cycle: Formula, Example & How to Improve ItCCC = DIO + DSO − DPO. How to calculate the cash conversion cycle, what a negative CCC means, and the three levers that free up working capital.Read →Fixed vs Variable Costs Explained — Examples & FormulaLearn the difference between fixed and variable costs with real small business examples. See how your cost structure affects break-even, profit margins, and pricing decisions.Read →How to Calculate Gross Profit — Formula, Example, and CalculatorLearn how to calculate gross profit with a simple formula and real example. Use our free calculator to find your gross profit, gross margin, and see how COGS affects your bottom line.Read →Assets vs Liabilities Explained — Definitions, Examples, and Balance SheetLearn the difference between assets and liabilities with real business examples. Understand how they work together on the balance sheet and why Assets = Liabilities + Equity matters for your business.Read →How to Calculate Net Income — Formula, Example, and CalculatorLearn how to calculate net income with a simple formula and real example. Understand the difference between gross profit, operating profit, and net income. Free calculators included.Read →Small Business Accounting 101 — Basics Every Owner Should KnowLearn small business accounting basics: income statements, balance sheets, cash flow, tax records, and bookkeeping tips. A complete guide for owners who aren't accountants.Read →Small Business Credit Card Guide [2026] — Features, Fees, and How to ChooseCompare small business credit cards: rewards, APR, annual fees, and features. Learn how business credit cards affect your personal credit and how to choose the right one.Read →Revenue vs Profit Explained — What's the Difference and Why Both MatterRevenue is what you make. Profit is what you keep. Learn the difference between revenue, gross profit, operating profit, and net profit with real examples.Read →How to Calculate Operating Margin — Formula, Example, and BenchmarksLearn how to calculate operating margin with a simple formula and real example. Industry benchmarks included. Why operating margin matters more than gross margin.Read →Invoicing Best Practices [2026] — Get Paid FasterLearn invoicing best practices: clear payment terms, professional templates, follow-up sequences, and late payment handling. Free invoice templates included.Read →How to File Taxes for an LLC [2026] — Forms, Deadlines, and DeductionsLearn how to file taxes for your LLC: Schedule C vs Form 1065 vs Form 1120-S, quarterly estimated payments, and key deductions every LLC owner should know.Read →Direct vs Indirect Costs — Definitions, Examples, and Why It MattersLearn the difference between direct and indirect costs with real business examples. How proper classification affects COGS, pricing, and profit analysis.Read →

Why these guides matter

Small business owners and freelancers encounter these topics every day — setting prices, filing taxes, reading financial reports, hiring staff. Each guide explains the concept in plain English with real examples, then connects you to the right calculator to run the numbers yourself. No finance degree required.