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The Brilliant Blog
Business news, tax policy updates, pro accounting tips, tutorials for QuickBooks, software reviews, & more.
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Why Boomer Retirements Are Creating New Business Opportunities
We are experiencing a profound economic transition that is reshaping the landscape for business ownership and generational wealth.
Baby Boomers are retiring in large numbers. By 2030, every member of this generation will be age 65 or older, a milestone that marks one of the most significant demographic and economic shifts in modern U.S. history.
Shawna Echols
6 days ago3 min read


Smart Year-End Money Moves for Every Generation: From Gen Z to Boomers
The end of the year always sneaks up faster than we expect. One minute it’s pumpkin spice season, the next you’re staring down year-end deadlines, open enrollment, and tax planning checklists.
But here’s the truth: November and December are the most important months of the year for your financial health.
It’s when you can still make meaningful adjustments—to lower your taxes, boost savings, and start next year positioned for growth.
Shawna Echols
Dec 31, 20253 min read


Form 1099-NEC Compliance: Essential Considerations for Businesses
Proper issuance of Form 1099-NEC remains a critical compliance obligation for
entities engaging independent contractors. For the 2025 tax year, any business that pays $600 or more to a non-employee for services must furnish each qualifying payee with a Form 1099-NEC. Failure to meet this requirement may not only trigger significant monetary penalties but may also result in the disallowance of associated business deductions.
Shawna Echols
Dec 24, 20253 min read


Maximizing Business Deductions: A Guide to Depreciation, Amortization, and Expensing
Strategically deducting expenses is a fundamental component of effective financial management and tax planning. For any business, understanding how to properly account for expenditures and the declining value of long-term assets is critical for managing taxable income. These deductions, or write-offs, reduce the overall tax burden, which in turn frees capital for reinvestment and growth.
Shawna Echols
Dec 17, 20253 min read


Strategic Tax Preparation: A Smarter Approach for Established Business Owners
As tax season approaches, many business owners focus on gathering forms and meeting deadlines. For an established business, however, tax preparation is about far more than compliance. Done well, it creates space for meaningful strategy.
When your records are organized early, we can move beyond simply entering numbers. That time allows us to review your financial position more holistically, analyzing deductions, evaluating income reporting options, and discussing tax-plannin
Shawna Echols
Dec 10, 20254 min read


Navigating the Tax Consequences of Employee Holiday Gifts
As each year draws to a close, many employers choose to recognize their teams with holiday gifts as a gesture of appreciation and goodwill. While these tokens can foster positive workplace morale, they come up with specific tax implications that must be carefully considered to maintain compliance and avoid unanticipated tax liabilities. The most critical factor in determining the taxability of these gifts is whether they qualify as a “de minimis” fringe benefit under IRS guid
Shawna Echols
Dec 3, 20254 min read


IRS Suspends Direct File: What It Means for Your Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service has paused its Direct File program, the free, government-run system that lets eligible taxpayers file federal tax returns online.
Shawna Echols
Nov 10, 20253 min read


The Firefly Effect: Small Changes That Spark Big Financial Improvements
In nature, a single firefly’s light may seem insignificant—but when many move together, their glow transforms the night. The same is true for your business finances. You don’t always need sweeping overhauls or massive investments to see growth. Sometimes, small, intentional actions can ignite remarkable financial transformation.
Shawna Echols
Oct 24, 20253 min read


Learning from Rivals: How Competitor Analysis Can Improve Your Financial Strategy
Small business growth can sometimes feel like it has hit a ceiling, leaving you wondering how to push your profitability and market share to the next level. The answers often lie hidden in plain sight, within the successes of those around you.
Analyzing your competitors is not about copying their every move. It is about conducting strategic intelligence. By understanding the financial decisions and operational efficiencies of other successful businesses in your field
Shawna Echols
Oct 20, 20255 min read
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