Free Bookkeeping and Tax Guides For Small Business
BookkeepingFlow is an independent guide with free tax calendars, calculators, templates and step-by-step guides for US small business owners and the self-employed.
Understand Your Books
Step-by-step bookkeeping guides cover categorizing transactions, keeping receipts and reconciling accounts. Start with our bank reconciliation guide.
Plan Your Taxes
Quarterly estimate calculators, a deduction checklist and a 1099 filing checklist, all free to use.
Know Your Numbers
Profit margin, break-even and cash flow calculators that run in your browser.
Free Guides, Calculators and Templates
From quarterly tax dates to month-end checklists, everything here is free to read and use.
Quarterly Tax Schedule
Estimated tax due dates for 2026 and 2027 with a worksheet to plan each payment.
1099 Filing Checklist
A step-by-step checklist for paying contractors and filing 1099 forms.
Tax Deduction Checklist
A printable checklist of common small business deductions.
Year-End Tax Prep
A checklist for closing out your books before you file.
Quarterly Estimated Tax
Estimate your federal quarterly payments from income and expenses.
Self-Employment Tax
See how the 15.3% self-employment tax works out on your net income.
Guides by Industry
Bookkeeping guidance for the way your business works.
What Bookkeeping Costs
Not sure what you should be paying? See our breakdown of how much a bookkeeper costs in 2026, or read our comparisons of QuickBooks, Bench, and other tools.
Small Business Bookkeeping Resources
Guides, tips, and strategies to keep your finances on track.
Bank Reconciliation: 6-Step Guide (2026)
Reconcile your bank statements in 6 steps with a free checklist. Catch errors, spot fraud, and close your books faster every month.
How Much Does a Bookkeeper Cost in 2026?
Compare bookkeeper costs in 2026: DIY, software-only, automated software, freelance, full-service, and in-house. Real pricing data and a comparison table to help you choose.
Cash vs Accrual Accounting: Which Should Your Business Use?
Understand the difference between cash and accrual accounting methods. Learn which one is right for your small business, with real examples, IRS rules, and a step-by-step guide to switching.
Explore by Topic
Bookkeeping
Small business bookkeeping fundamentals, from chart of accounts to reconciliation.
Taxes
US small business taxes, including deductions, quarterly payments, and state requirements.
Invoicing
Invoicing best practices, templates, and payment tracking.
Cash Flow
Understand and improve your business cash flow with forecasting and management strategies.
Get new guides by email
Free bookkeeping and tax guides, calculators and templates for small business owners.
We email when IRS dates or figures in our guides change, and before key filing deadlines.