Blog articles about finance, HR, and tax

How to Calculate FTE: Formula, Chart, and ACA Rules (2026)

Seven people on payroll doesn't mean seven people's worth of work. If four of them work part time, your real capacity is smaller. FTE measures that gap. This guide... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Nov. 03, 26

Letter of Termination: How to Write One (With Templates)

Human Resources

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Letter of Termination: How to Write One (With Templates)

A letter of termination is the one part of a firing that lasts. The meeting ends in ten minutes, but the letter stays in a file for years. It's what an unemployment office,... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Nov. 02, 26

PTO Meaning Work: What Paid Time Off Is and How It Works

Payroll

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PTO Meaning Work: What Paid Time Off Is and How It Works

Your pay stub shows a line called "PTO" and a balance next to it, whether it came from payroll software or a check stub maker. If you searched "PTO meaning... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Nov. 01, 26

Payments Exempt From FUTA Tax: 2026 Employer Guide

Tax

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Payments Exempt From FUTA Tax: 2026 Employer Guide

FUTA costs most employers $42 per worker each year. That number assumes every dollar you pay counts as wages. It doesn't. Some payments exempt from FUTA tax never touch... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Oct. 31, 26

Is Health Insurance Pre Tax? How It Works in 2026

Tax

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Is Health Insurance Pre Tax? How It Works in 2026

Is health insurance pre tax? For most people with a job-based plan, yes. That matters more than it sounds. In 2025, workers paid about $6,850 a year toward family coverage,... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Oct. 30, 26

Employee vs Independent Contractor: Key Differences in 2026

Human Resources

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Employee vs Independent Contractor: Key Differences in 2026

Employee vs independent contractor comes down to one question: who controls the work? The answer decides how you're paid and who handles your taxes. It sets your benefits... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Oct. 29, 26

What Are Social Security Wages? 2026 Guide With Examples

Tax

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What Are Social Security Wages? 2026 Guide With Examples

What are Social Security wages, and why is Box 3 on your W-2 often bigger than Box 1? They're the slice of your pay the 6.2% Social Security tax applies to, not your... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Oct. 28, 26

What Is a Pay Stub? Meaning, Parts and Spelling

Paystubs

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What Is a Pay Stub? Meaning, Parts and Spelling

What is a pay stub? It's the record that comes with each paycheck. It shows what you earned, what was taken out for taxes and other deductions, and the amount you take... Read More

By James Wilson

Oct. 28, 26

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Is FICA the Same as Federal Income Tax? (2026 Guide)

Tax

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Is FICA the Same as Federal Income Tax? (2026 Guide)

Look at any pay stub and you'll see at least two federal taxes taken out. One says FICA. The other says FIT or federal withholding. So, is FICA the same as federal income... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Oct. 27, 26

What Are Floating Holidays? Pay, Rules & PTO (2026)

Human Resources

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What Are Floating Holidays? Pay, Rules & PTO (2026)

What are floating holidays, and why does your offer letter list them apart from vacation? They're paid days off you get to schedule yourself. The company doesn't... Read More

By Samantha Clark

Oct. 26, 26