ONYX Bookkeeping

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Have you seen these FREE and low cost live online business webinars from SCORE?

You can join in on a course in Seattle about how to do for Small Business, this Friday (2/6/26), for just $10. ...or you can attend a live online class in Chicago for FREE, about how to attract and retain volunteers for your .

If you attend one, let me know how it was.

Link here:
https://www.score.org/business-education?location_filter_options=&keywords=&f%5B0%5D=format%3A45&f%5B1%5D=training_type%3Alive&page=1

🔻🔻🔻2026 Hottest Business Ideas, Trends & Markets

SCORE has a FREE online info session coming up. If you're planning to start or expand a business in 2026, you might be interested.

Thursday, January 29, 2026 - 10:00am PST

Sign up here:

2026 Hottest Business Ideas, Trends & Markets Discover the latest business trends, ideas and consumer behaviors. If you’re looking to start or expand your business, staying up to date with the latest trends is key to success.

Do you use Tags in QBO? Intuit is ending that feature on May 16th and adding "custom fields" instead.

Video about converting Tags to Custom Fields:
https://youtu.be/UF8XOSsZfdU?si=5-eEI4j63RPHe8cl

More info:
https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/class-list/tag-transactions-quickbooks-online/L7x3G0aLv_US_en_US?cid=DR_EM-ELM8037-001-LedgerTagsDeprecation-NA-NA-CN-TRANS-NA-US-QBO&uid=m8dt1hnf

How to convert tags to custom fields in QuickBooks Online This short step-by-step walks through how to easily convert your tags to custom fields.We have over 100 step-by-step tutorials to help you learn QuickBooks i...

Questions about Business Insurance? How do you know if you've got the right coverage?
There is a free event about it at the Bend Downtown Deschutes Public Library by SCORE on Monday, March 10th at 5:30pm.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

In this engaging 1-hour presentation and workshop, you'll learn the essential strategies for protecting your business with effective insurance coverage.

From understanding the types of insurance your business may need, to avoiding common pitfalls, this session will empower you to make informed decisions about your risk management needs.

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, you'll leave with actionable insights, solutions, and tools to ensure your business is prepared for the unexpected.

(Lite Refreshments will be provided)

Registration Link: https://www.score.org/centraloregon/event/how-effectively-insure-your-business

January and February business related courses, events, workshops, and trainings through COCC Center for Business, Industry, and Professional Development at the link below.

You can subscribe to these updates in the upper right of that page.

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Your-2-Month-Snapshot.html?soid=1108537777434&aid=DZF4T2WCLdo

https://worklifehaven.com/working-parents/

"Recognizing the benefits of coworking spaces in supporting work-life balance can be a game-changer for working parents."

I 100% agree. ...and luckily, Bend has a fabulous number of coworking spaces.

Maximizing Productivity for Working Parents Working parents have it tough enough. Review some of these tips for maximizing productivity (and self-care) as a mom, dad, or parent.

Pro tip: It's WAY easier to get a W-9 from your vendor if you ask that they submit it with their invoice [before you pay] rather than trying to scramble in January to get documents from a list of people you may have paid a year ago.

Whether or not you need to submit a 1099 with that info from their W-9 depends on several factors and it can be a little confusing. For example, Corporations don't need a W-9, unless they're a law office. Single member LLC's do need a W-9, but not if they've elected to be taxed as an S-corp. The person you pay for your office space needs to be issued a different type of W-9 than the business that you pay for cleaning services. The payment method you use also determines whether or not you even need to issue a 1099 at all. I could go on and on... but I won't. :)

I think now you might understand why business owners and self employed people choose to have someone else handle their 1099 filings.

If you have absolutely no clue what I'm talking about, and you're self employed or own a small business, feel free to message me.

-Alisha

Last night I had the privilege of being the guest speaker at one of the Business Accelerator trainings for childcare providers in Deschutes County.

This program is a joint effort betweenthe COCC Center for Business, Industry, and Professional Development and NeighborImpact. It provides free business training, mentorship, and substantial grants for those wanting to start -or- expand their current childcare/preschool center. The end goal is to create more childcare openings in our area, ran by individuals that are set up for success in terms of financial and educational support.

It's pretty amazing.

See this link for more info: https://www.cocc.edu/news/sbdc-early-child-education-business-accelerator-program.aspx

For more info contact:

Denise Hudson - [email protected] (Registered family homebased program)

Hannah Kuehl - [email protected] (Commercial center program)

In my post yesterday I posed the question: "If you grab lunch in the middle of a busy work day, and are literally working while eating, isn't that considered a business expense?"
..and my answer was "No, not usually."

So, what the heck does that mean?

It means that the answer is "no," BUT! of course there are exceptions.

Here's an example: According to the IRS Publication 463, when you're traveling for business, THOSE meals ARE considered a business expense, even if it's just you taking a lunch break by yourself at Chipoltle or having Thai take-out in a hot tub. Travel meal expense actually even includes "amounts spent for food, beverages, taxes, and related tips."

You're welcome. 🤓

Need help with your small business or self-employed bookkeeping? Message me here or find the contact page on my website: www.ONYXbend.com

source: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p463

🥗🍜🌮 If you grab lunch in the middle of a busy work day, and are literally working while eating, isn't that considered a business expense?
[[ No, not usually. ]]

☕ Is getting coffee ever a business expense?
[[ Yes, but only in certain instances. ]]

📲 This link below has a wonderful guide to help understand the answers to those questions and more. ⬇️
https://www.keepertax.com/posts/freelancers-guide-to-the-business-meal-deduction

Still have questions? Let me know.

If you're not going to make the IRS tax filing deadline today, because your business/self-employed bookkeeping was more of a beast than anticipated... It's OK!

1. Breathe.
2. File an extension.
3. ...and get in touch with me. Sorting it all out and knowing which expenses you're supposed to include, is what I do.

www.ONYXbend.com