Under the right tax-advantaged plan, small business owners and the self-employed can save for retirement and support year-end tax planning. Two easy-to-administer options are Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plans and Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees (SIMPLEs). We compare factors such as eligibility, contribution limits, catch-up contributions and more.

If you've been in business long, you know paperwork stacks up fast. Payroll records alone can fill your file cabinets. But do you dare throw anything out and risk running afoul of the law? Do you really need payroll records that go all the way back to the 1990s? Here are some guidelines from two government agencies to set your mind at ease and free up some space.

Affluent individuals are often approached by relatives and friends needing money. Let's say your brother-in-law wants $20,000 to start a business. How should you handle the transaction? This article explains some important implications of transferring money to family members and friends through gifts, loans and equity investments.

Most real estate investors want to buy profitable properties that will increase in value over time. However, outside factors may negatively impact even the seemingly best acquisitions. This article urges investors to bone up on property fundamentals, crunch the numbers and exercise caution with leverage.