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Canvas, the cloud-based learning management system used by more than 8,000 colleges and universities, including all top ten colleges in the U.S., is being held for ransom. A group called Shinyhunters has claimed responsibility for the hack and has given Canvas' parent company, Instructure, until May 12 to reach a settlement, or else "everything is leaked." Canvas outages have been reported nationwideThere's no word on how many schools have been affected, but reports of students being unable to access Canvas are coming in from universities and colleges all over the country. Over the last half an hour, complaints of Canvas being down have gone from nearly none to over 8,000 on Down Detector. Credit: Stephen Johnson A similar breach of Instructure took place in late April or early May, and the company confirmed that names, email addresses, student ID numbers, and private messages exchanged between users were exposed by Shinyhunters, but said there was no evidence of compromised passwords, dates of birth, social security numbers, or financial information. Instructure updated its software on May 2, saying that it had deployed patches, increased monitoring, and taken other measures meant to contain the damage, a fact referenced by ShinyHunters in the message left for Canvas users: Credit: Stephen Johnson The hacker group claimed its previous hack added up to over 3 terabytes of data, affecting 275 million students, teachers, and others at close to 9,000 educational institutions. Whether this latest breach will be that large remains to be seen. What to do if you're affected by the Canvas outageWhile the threat is presumably being resolved, here are some steps students and faculty can take to make their digital data more secure on Canvas. Change your password: If you can log in, change your Canvas password. If you use the same password for banking, email, and other places, change those as well. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This adds an extra layer of security. Beware of phishing emails: If email addresses were compromised, hackers may send highly targeted emails to students. Be suspicious of any messages asking you to install software or share account information. Monitor your credit: It's unknown whether financial information was part of the hack, but giving your credit report a check wouldn't hurt. View the full article

Virtual meetings are essential to remote work—but they can also be tedious. If Zoom is your video conferencing platform of choice, there are lots of hidden features you can tap to make meetings more efficient for hosts and engaging for participants. Here are the best tips and tricks for getting the most out of Zoom. Use self-selected breakout rooms to create a virtual networking eventVirtual networking is already awkward, and potentially even more so if you send people to random breakout rooms to force conversation. While meeting participants are commonly assigned to breakout rooms automatically, Zoom has a feature that allows individuals to choose their breakout and move between rooms at their own pace. This creates a more flexible experience that simulates in-person networking—if you're the host, you can name breakout rooms so participants can self-select based on interests or themes. Click Breakout Rooms, select the number of rooms you want to create, select Let participants choose room, and click Create. Then, click Options or the gear icon and check Allow participants to choose room and Allow participants to return to the main session at any time. Once breakout rooms have been started, you'll see a Rename option in the breakout rooms window, which you can use to add a name to each space. To join breakout rooms, participants will click Breakout Rooms, hover over the number in the list, and click Join > Join. They can follow the same process to move between rooms or return to the main session. Note that self-selection is available only on the desktop and mobile apps—those on the web client will need to be moved manually by the host. Upload a CSV to pre-populate breakout rooms for large meetings Alternatively, there are plenty of situations in which you'll need to assign meeting attendees to specific breakout rooms, rather than letting them choose or using Zoom's random assignment feature—for example, when you want to ensure that all members of a team go to the same room. This can be done manually once the meeting has started, but with large groups, it's much easier to do in advance, and all you need is a CSV file. There's a template on Zoom's support page: You'll simply need one column with the breakout room names and another with participants' email addresses. When you schedule the meeting, go to Options, check Breakout Room pre-assign > Import from CSV and drag and drop your file into the pop-up window. Zoom allows pre-assignment for up to 100 rooms and 1,000 participants. Set your slides as a virtual background to simulate an in-person presentationWhen you're presenting to an audience in person, you are likely standing in front of projected slides, so they can watch both you and your content at once. Zoom's Virtual Background feature simulates this by superimposing your video on your screen share, so attendees can see your expressions and gestures and follow your slides without needing to look back and forth. (Note that this is compatible with either PowerPoint or Keynote.) Click Share > Screens and select Microsoft Powerpoint from under Application Windows. You can then choose the overlay type for where your video will appear—In front displays you over your shared slides. You can resize your video and drag it around the screen. Then click Share. Share your computer audio for ambient sound during breaks If you want to maintain a specific vibe during meeting breaks—or use music as a cue to return from a break—you can share your computer audio for ambient sound. This works whether or not you are sharing your screen, so you could leave a slide up with information for participants while also playing music in the background. To share audio without sharing your screen, click Share Screen > Advanced > Computer Audio > Share. You can play audio from anywhere on your device, including music streaming services and YouTube. If you also want to share your screen, click Share Screen, select the program or desktop you want to share, and select Share Sound > Share. Spotlight multiple speakers to simulate an in-person panel Zoom's default is to highlight the video or icon for the current speaker. Depending on your view, this can be distracting as videos move around your screen—especially during a Q&A when many participants are unmuting and interacting with presenters. To prevent the chaos, Zoom hosts can spotlight up to nine people as primary speakers to appear in participants primary speaker view. (This is different than pinning a participant, which sets people as primary speakers on your device only.) Spotlighting essentially simulates an in-person panel, allowing participants to see all primary speakers on equal footing. Remaining attendees will be visible via scroll at the top of the meeting screen. To spotlight, hover over a participant's video and click the three dots > Spotlight for Everyone. Repeat this process, selecting Add Spotlight for up to nine speakers. Add an Immersive View of real-life meeting locationsVirtual meetings are often boring, but Zoom's Immersive View makes a presentation, class, or group a little more interesting by placing participants in real-life scenes. Instead of floating heads in small boxes, you can move attendees to "sit" at classroom desks, in chairs behind a podium on stage, or even on logs around a campfire. Zoom has pre-built scenes, or you can upload an image of your actual office or outdoor space. These virtual backgrounds accommodate up to 25 participants. As a host, click View > Immersive, select whether to add participants to your scene automatically or manually, and select the scene. Press Start to place people into the immersive view. For custom immersive views, you'll have to move participants around manually. Separate audio files for recording podcasts or instructional contentBecause any Zoom meeting can be recorded, it's a convenient platform for creating and saving collaborative or conversation-based content, such as podcasts, instructional videos, board meetings, and more. However, having multiple people on mic at once can make it difficult to listen back—if people talk over each other or one participant has noise in the background while another is speaking. In these cases, you can record separate audio files and edit them together later for a cleaner experience. As the host, on the Zoom desktop app, click your profile picture > Settings > Record and enable Record a separate audio file for each participant. This will record and save each file locally under the participant's name. Set up a second device as “co-host” to manage participants and chatRunning a meeting in which you have to share a presentation, watch the chat, and keep an eye on attendees who want to participate—it's a lot, especially if you're trying to do it all on the same small screen. A workaround is to sign in on a second device and use one for screen sharing and the other to manage participants and chat activity. Join the meeting on both devices—on your primary device with host privileges, click Participants, hover over your other profile in the list, then click More > Make co-host > Confirm. (If you're not the main meeting host, you can still be assigned co-host privileges.) With a paid Zoom account, you can be logged in on two devices of the same type concurrently or a computer alongside a phone or tablet. Alternatively, anyone can log in on another device under a different account or as a guest. If you are logged in under the same profile, be sure to mute all audio on the second device to avoid feedback. Customize your waiting room to share a live agenda and chat with attendeesIf you want a more polished (or interesting) waiting room experience than the standard Zoom landing page that says "Waiting for the host to start the meeting," you can customize what participants see. The simplest option is text title for the waiting room, but you can also add an image, upload a branded logo with a message or meeting description, or include a looping video (with or without sound)—which could be used to display the meeting agenda, meeting rules, and a welcome message. Enable Waiting Room when scheduling your meeting, then go to Waiting Room Options > Customize Waiting Room > Save once you've added your customizations. Zoom waiting rooms also have a chat feature, so hosts can message everyone in the waiting room or communicate privately with individuals. Click Chat and select the individual or Waiting room participants to chat with all. Use AI Companion to get a recap when you join a meeting lateAI Companion is Zoom's generative AI tool with productivity capabilities like taking notes, creating meeting summaries, and identifying action items. If enabled for a meeting, it can also answer participant questions in real time—meaning if you join late, you can get a summary of everything you missed without drawing attention to your tardiness. Preset questions include “Catch me up,” “Was my name mentioned?” and “What are the action items?” although you can ask custom questions as well. Tap the AI Companion icon in the top-right corner of the meeting and select a provided question or compose your own. Note that the Meeting Questions feature is available only on workplace and enterprise accounts and must be enabled by the host. View the full article

If the disappearing office snacks have you updating your LinkedIn, you might be the office Chicken Little. Psychologists call it intolerance of uncertainty, and your brain is literally hijacking your rational thought. Here’s how to stop the spiral before you stress out your whole team. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you want to create an authentic home theater feel without shelling out for a premium projector, a massive TV is the way to do it. A great option for this is the 100-inch model of the award-winning Hisense U8QG QLED TV, which is big enough and bright enough to make you reconsider going out to the movies ever again—and right now, it’s more than $1,200 off, taking it down to $2,797.96, its lowest price ever. 2025 Hisense 100-Inch U8QG QLED TV $2,797.96 at Amazon $3,999.99 Save $1,202.03 Get Deal Get Deal $2,797.96 at Amazon $3,999.99 Save $1,202.03 With Mini-LED backlighting, this TV gets super bright—it can hit up to 5,000 nits peak brightness and has up to 5,600 local dimming zones. This results in deep blacks, bold contrast, and high-performing HDR in Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and hybrid log gamma (HLG). There's a built-in 4.1.2-channel spatial audio system, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. According to this PCMag review (which gave it an Editors’ Choice Award), the set's brightness is the standout feature, while it also offers “perfect black levels for an OLED-like infinite contrast ratio,” and only minimal light bloom around the edges, given its large size. CNET’s review also calls it the brightest TV the author has ever tested, and praises the “excellent contrast and well-saturated colors.” Ultimately, if you’re not ready to splurge on a similarly sized OLED but still want impressive performance and features for less than $3,000, the monster-sized 100-inch Hisense U8QG QLED is a smart choice—and even more appealing at its current 30% discount. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch (Black) — $149.95 (List Price $199.95) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Anker 20,000mAh Portable Power Bank With Built-in USB-C Cable — $49.99 (List Price $69.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Carey Nieuwhof on large and loud opponents to change: “The loudest people affected by a proposed change are those who are most opposed. The more opposed people are, the louder they tend to become. The problem arises because the noise of opponents to any change will make you a bad mathematician. “You will confuse loud with large. And you will confuse volume with velocity. You will begin to believe that because opponents are loud, they are many, and because they have volume, they have momentum. Those are the two traps almost every leader falls into at some point. We simply assume loud means large, and that volume signals velocity. But loud does not equal large. And volume does not equal velocity. Just because a voice is loud doesn’t mean you should listen to it most.” Source: Leading Change without Losing It: Five Strategies That Can Revolutionize How You Lead Change When Facing Opposition II. Julia Dhar, Kristy Ellmer and Philip Jameson on leading change: “Leaders of successful change do more than follow a checklist; they draw on a nuanced understanding of human nature to respond to unique challenges every day. For this reason, we sometimes say that change leadership is a rough-water sport. Every four years, you may watch some footage of an Olympic event called canoe slalom, in which competitors crash down a course of surging whitewater—reading the currents ahead of them, positioning their boat in the right spots at the right moment, and getting back on course when the unexpected occurs. Just like these competitors, change leaders need to predict and respond to the changing currents of human behavior, emotion, and thought across their organizations. Like canoe slalom, leading change is messy and tough—and there is no such thing as a perfect run.” Source: How Change Really Works: Seven Science-Based Principles for Transforming Your Organization * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

Remember that Hyrox fitness race trend I’ve written about? Welp, looks like I’m going to be doing a race. I’m teaming up with Meredith Dietz, our resident marathon runner, to tackle Hyrox NYC in the women’s doubles division. You can read here about how she’s training and what she sees as her strengths and weaknesses. As a weightlifter, I'll explain my approach. I could honestly distill the question of “how should I train” down to one word: running. Everybody tells me that running is the most important skill of a Hyrox race, it’s the thing you’ll spend the most time doing on race day, and it should make up most of your training, especially if you’re someone like me who has a good strength base but lacks in endurance. What I need to be prepared forAs I’ve written, Hyrox is a structured fitness race. We’ll run eight kilometers (about five miles), one kilometer at a time. Meredith and I will have to do the runs together, but we can share the work when we get to the stations that fall in between the running segments: there’s a ski erg machine, a sled push, a sled pull, burpee broad jumps, a rowing machine, a farmer’s carry, lunges, and wall balls. My biggest disappointment, on researching the race format, is that none of this really plays to a weightlifter’s strengths. Being strong will certainly help, but it’s not like there’s a max deadlift in the mix. I need to get good at strength endurance—the 100 wall balls are essentially 100 very light squats. My strengthsI’m examining the race rules for things I might be good at and I'm coming up short. I know from strongman competitions that I’m really good at seated sled pulls, but the sled pull in the Hyrox race is done while standing, and I don’t feel particularly confident about it. Still, it’s possible that I’ll find some of the heavier stations a bit easier than Meredith does. There are a few small things that work in my favor. I can easily squat “ass to grass,” meaning I won’t be one of the people who gets no-reps on the wall balls (your hips have to sink below your knees every time). I’ve got reasonably good grip strength, so the farmer’s carry doesn’t scare me. I have better upper body strength than the average woman, so anywhere I can use it, that’s a little bonus. Aside from physical strengths, I do have a mental strength. I love taking on competitions where I get to perfect my technique and my strategy. I’ve beaten people who are stronger than me in strongman and odd-lift competitions by simply knowing the exercises better and making better decisions on race day. I also get a nerdy thrill by carefully studying things that other people will meathead their way through. How much will this actually help me on race day? Maybe not at all, but it’s the only source of hope I’ve got. My weaknessesAs we’ve already discussed, my weakness is: running. I’m not starting from scratch, fortunately. I already own running shoes and I know the principles of training for running. But I didn’t run at all this past winter, so I need to build up my mileage from nearly zero at the same time I need to be building cardio fitness. If I'm not careful, that's a recipe for disaster, so I need to make sure I don't increase my mileage too much too soon. We don’t have a lot of time to train, so this is a bit of a balancing act. How I’m training for the HyroxI identified three priorities at the start of training, and now that I’ve been trying different workouts and learning more about the sport, I’m all the more committed to these. In order: Get used to running. Build my endurance so I can keep working for the 90+ minutes the race will take. Learn the movements and techniques I’ll need for the stations. Note that there’s nothing about strength in my priorities. I figure that’s the least of my worries. That said, my training always includes strength work, so it’s staying in the rotation. As I explained in this Instagram video, I’m paying attention to my heart rate to pace myself in workouts. One or two workouts each week might be a hard one, like a Hyrox class or a tempo run. The rest of my work consists of easier cardio, like zone 2 and 3 runs. To avoid overuse injuries, I’m making sure not to run too much. Hiking and indoor cycling are both in the mix so that I can keep working on my endurance even when I feel I’ve done as much running mileage as I safely can in a given week. The bottom lineMeredith put it best: on paper, a runner and a weightlifter seem like they should combine to make one complete Hyrox athlete. In reality, the race format favors endurance athletes. I expect Meredith will be jogging the runs at an easy pace while I struggle to keep up. When we get to the strength stations, I might be able to pick up some slack, but honestly that will depend on how tired I am from the run. One wild card is learning to work together as a team. Meredith and I live in different cities and we won’t get to meet in person until I arrive in New York for the race. If we want to practice skills like handing off sandbags, we’ll have to do those independently with whatever gym buddies we happen to meet at our home gyms. On race day, everything will need to come together—or maybe fall apart. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a learning experience for both of us, no matter the result. View the full article

Real PMs are finally saying the quiet parts out loud about project management software — from gatekeeping their own tools to calling out industry darlings by name. Here's what practicing PMs and ops leaders actually think about the tools they use every day. The post 6 Project Managers Tell Us Their Unpopular Opinions on PM Software appeared first on The Digital Project Manager. View the full article

As tech companies continue slashing jobs with impunity, workers are right to be fearful—and fed up. But it appears that overall layoffs may actually be slowing down, according to the latest report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. In April, employers across the country announced 83,387 job cuts, an uptick of 38% from the 60,620 cuts during the month prior. That figure is, however, lower than it was in April 2025, when layoffs had reached 105,441. Overall layoffs for 2026 have also significantly dropped in comparison to last year: As of April, employers have disclosed plans for over 300,000 layoffs—half the number of layoffs that had been announced by this time last year. But in tech, there were 33,361 job cuts in April, bringing year-to-date layoffs to 85,411—an uptick of 33% from the 64,118 layoffs at this point in 2025. In fact, this is the highest year-to-date total since 2023, when the industry saw record-high layoffs. The tech industry is often an exception to broader economic trends, given the boom and bust nature of the sector. Even when tech layoffs spike, those cuts don’t necessarily account for a sizable portion of total layoffs across the labor market—though they tend to get substantial attention from the media and industry observers. In this era, tech is also uniquely susceptible to the sweeping investments in AI that are driving many layoffs in the industry. The report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas captures this effect: In April, AI was the top reason that companies cited for layoffs, accounting for 26% of job cuts. AI has been behind 49,135 job cuts so far this year, and it is the third most frequently cited rationale for layoffs. “Technology companies continue to announce large-scale cuts and are leading all industries in layoff announcements,” Andy Challenger, the workplace expert and chief revenue officer for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, said in a statement. “They are also often citing AI spend and innovation. Regardless of whether individual jobs are being replaced by AI, the money for those roles is.” There is, of course, plenty of debate over how many of these job cuts actually reflect AI-related productivity gains, especially as CEOs face immense pressure to prove that their AI investments are worthwhile. Economists have cautioned that AI has yet to usher in major shifts across the labor market, and that jobs are not yet being replaced outright. Still, these ongoing layoffs are yet another sign that the tech industry no longer promises the job security that it once did—and tech workers have reason to be disillusioned as they brace themselves for endless rounds of layoffs. View the full article

The buyer will add around 800,000 loans to its hefty servicing portfolio, while Valon said it will shift away from servicing to focus on technology. View the full article

The new law, which will mandate the Bureau of Indian Affairs to approve or deny loan applications within 30 days, passed with wide bipartisan support. View the full article

Sound is the invisible backbone of every meeting. You can have the most sophisticated AV technology, a thoughtfully designed layout, and the most ergonomic chairs in the building — but if participants can't clearly hear one another, none of it matters. In 2026, crystal-clear audio isn't a luxury. It's the benchmark for successful meetings and collaboration that works. View the full article

The real estate technology company reduced its workforce and consolidated select vendor relationships. These moves will save the company roughly $2 million. View the full article

We’re living through a full-fledged skinny epidemic. Even if seeing celebrities get thinner and thinner doesn’t mean anything to you, notice how marketing for various weight loss products is getting increasingly ubiquitous. When I look around, the onslaught doesn’t stop with all the ads for GLP-1s. What has really caught my eye recently is how I—a fitness writer who happens to be pretty thin—keep receiving targeted ads for different types of “AI body scans.” These services take a few different forms (which I dive into below), but what they all try to sell is the same idea: Apparently, I don’t know enough about my body. It turns out I need to know my body fat percentage, muscle mass, visceral fat, and of course, my "biological age." Before I break down what exactly these AI body scans can (and cannot) tell you, know that this is not some takedown of AI tools being used by radiologists to spot cancer from a CT scan. What I’m focusing on here is all the false advertising for consumers like me, people naturally drawn to the shiniest tools to understand every little thing about their bodies. But before I build my health decisions around a number on a screen, I have to wonder about the gap between what these tools promise and what they actually deliver. What are AI body scans, exactly?Body composition scans are nothing new—it’s the AI angle that’s giving the market a fresh angle. The term "AI body scan" covers a range of technology, from clinical-grade DEXA machines used in research hospitals, to apps that claim to estimate your body fat from a selfie. At the serious end sits the DEXA scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry). Originally developed to measure bone density, DEXA uses two low-dose X-ray beams to distinguish between bone, fat, and lean tissue with genuine precision. It can identify visceral fat (the dangerous kind that accumulates around organs), regional fat distribution, and bone density. A single session might cost between $40 and $300 out-of-pocket, depending on where you go and whether any insurance applies. A company like BodySpec, for instance, has built businesses around making DEXA more accessible, performing around a thousand scans a day and building what it describes as the “largest proprietary DEXA dataset” in the world. Below DEXA on the precision ladder sits “bioelectrical impedance analysis” (BIA). BIA is the technology powering most "smart scales," gym body composition stations, and many of those consumer-level AI scanners that keep targeting me with ads. BIA works by passing a small electrical current through your body and measuring how it travels. Fat resists electrical current; lean tissue (mostly water) conducts it well. From this resistance, the device estimates body composition. Then, at the bottom of the technical hierarchy, sit the phone camera apps. Translating a 2D image into a body fat percentage or visceral fat estimate requires assumptions that are generous at best. These apps may be useful as very rough awareness tools, but so is a photograph. Another note on "AI" in this contextAgain, it's worth being specific about what AI is actually doing in most of these products, because as always, the word can mean a lot of things. In the better DEXA-based services, AI is being used to process and contextualize large datasets, helping users understand their results in comparison to relevant populations, flagging trends over time, and personalizing recommendations. For instance, BodySpec describes using AI to give its scanning service a kind of institutional memory for each client, stitching together health history and personal context so that consultations feel personalized at scale. In consumer devices, "AI" most often means that an algorithm has been trained on a dataset to estimate body composition. But the AI is only as good as the underlying measurement, and those underlying measurements might not be accurate in the first place. What an AI body scan cannot tell youLet’s take a look at where the marketing diverges from the medicine, and where some skepticism is warranted. A body composition scan cannot tell you about your insulin sensitivity, inflammation, thyroid function, cortisol levels, or dozens of other physiological variables that determine your actual metabolic health. Two people can have identical DEXA results (same muscle mass, same body fat, same visceral fat reading), but one can have pre-diabetes while the other doesn't. “I had two people with similar scan results, but very different metabolic health once labs were checked,” says Dr. Raymond Douglas, a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon and professor at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. “And if you're making lifestyle choices based on a scan number alone, you may be fixing the wrong problem." What’s more, that sort of interpretation of scan results assume the reading was accurate in the first place, which isn’t always the case. “I have years of experience with seeing patients who have high muscle readings but are simply water-retained,” says Dr. Alexander Acosta. “If you have retained more water, say from a salty lunch or your period, the machine is likely to report a 5% increase in muscle mass.” This is especially relevant for those BIA products, like the smart scales you might see at the gym. Your hydration state—which fluctuates throughout the day, with exercise, with diet, with hormonal cycles—skews the result. Perhaps no feature of these AI scanners is more aggressively marketed than "biological age." The marketing angle makes sense: What if you find out your body is actually half your age on paper? It’s no mystery how this number has a way of inspiring either relief or dread, and it often inspires purchases. Biological age is usually calculated by an algorithm that compares your information with population averages, and those averages are limited. “From my experience, the algorithms don't take into account your genetic background and inherited metabolic rate. The computer may tell a 30-year-old they have a 50-year-old heart due to stress,”Acosta says. “I have actually seen these numbers change by five years after a bad night's sleep.” A number that swings five years based on one night's sleep isn’t a number worth obsessing over, if you ask me. What body scans are actually good for One way to approach all this is to think of body scans as a tool to track trends over time, rather than expecting to have your world rocked from a single session. “Muscle trending up, visceral fat trending down—those are worth paying attention to,” Douglas says. “The mistake most people make is treating a single session like a full medical workup." If you scan under consistent conditions every few months, you could glean a lot of useful information from the patterns that appear. Are you gaining lean mass while losing fat? Is your visceral fat creeping up despite stable weight? These are questions a body composition scan, done repeatedly, can help answer in ways a bathroom scale cannot. "A DEXA scan provides a much clearer picture of what is actually happening in your body by measuring body fat percentage by area, lean mass, bone density, and visceral fat,” says Elaine Shi, CEO and co-founder of BodySpec. “It moves us away from guessing based on proxies like BMI—which is outdated and doesn't represent diverse populations—and allows us to make decisions based on clinical-grade insights." For example, Shi says people taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss can lose a significant proportion of their reduction in lean muscle mass rather than fat, which could point to a metabolic problem that would be invisible on a regular scale. How to use these tools without being fooled by themIf you're going to use DEXA, use it over the course of several months. Numerous scans taken under consistent conditions (same time of day, same hydration status, same proximity to exercise) could show patterns worth paying attention to. If you're going to use BIA devices, understand that the readings are noisy. Don't scan after a salty meal, after intense exercise, or during a phase of hormonal flux and expect accuracy. If you’re interested in inflammatory markers, fasting glucose, insulin, lipid panels, thyroid function, a body composition score is no substitute for bloodwork. "Treat the scan as an awareness tool, then combine it with blood tests, blood markers of inflammation, and lifestyle habits to draw conclusions," says Douglas. You should also be especially skeptical of biological age scores. A single number generated by comparing your data to population averages on a given day is not a substantial medical insight. And when you see an ad for a phone camera app that claims to measure your visceral fat with AI, ask what the underlying measurement is. If there is no good answer (which there won’t be from a 2D image), the so-called AI has nothing real to work with. The bottom lineThe move away from BMI and toward actual body composition measurement is promising for a lot of people. If your doctor sends you to a DEXA scan to assess your bone density and you’re interested in other insights about your body composition along the way, consider your scan results as part of a bigger trend over time. Your body composition score may be a great starting point, but you still want a human healthcare professional to make sense of the results. At the end of the day, snake oil will always thrive in the wellness industry. These days, every snake oil salesman under the sun knows to slap on the term "AI-powered" to add authoritative language to imperfect products. Before you spend hundreds of dollars on a body scan (or waste your time and energy with a phone app), consider the limitations of these readings—and be honest about what exactly you’re trying to discover here. A scan that cannot distinguish between muscle and retained water, whose biological age score shifts five years with poor sleep, and whose readings vary with what you ate for lunch might not be giving you the answers about your body that you crave. View the full article

Microsoft Advertising is giving advertisers more flexibility in reporting, with custom columns now supporting all conversion metrics — a move aimed at deeper, more tailored campaign analysis. What’s happening. According to Microsoft’s product liaison Navah Hopkins, advertisers can now build custom metrics using the full range of conversion data available in the platform. This includes both all conversions and primary conversions, allowing marketers to align reporting more closely with their specific goals. Why we care. Standard reporting often doesn’t reflect how businesses actually measure success. By expanding custom columns, Microsoft is enabling advertisers to create metrics that better reflect their own performance definitions — whether that’s based on lead quality, revenue or blended conversion actions. This is especially useful for advertisers managing multiple conversion types or complex funnels. More control over performance metrics. Advertisers can now create custom columns using ratios and combinations of metrics that matter most to them — such as cost per qualified lead, blended CPA or conversion rate based on primary goals. Revenue and ROAS calculations will also reflect the values set at the conversion goal level, giving more accurate insights tied to business outcomes. Between the lines. This update signals a shift toward more flexible, advertiser-defined measurement — rather than relying solely on platform-standard metrics. It also reflects ongoing demand for better reporting customisation as campaigns become more automated and complex. What to watch: How advertisers use custom metrics to guide optimisation decisions Whether this leads to more consistent reporting across teams and stakeholders If similar flexibility expands across other areas of the platform Bottom line. Microsoft is giving advertisers more control over how they measure success — turning custom columns into a more powerful tool for campaign analysis. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. I've never really felt the need to own a power station, but when my city got hit with winter storms that took out our power for multiple days, that changed. They're the kind of thing you don't know you need until you need it—so consider learning from my mistake and get one ahead of time. When I finally bought one, I went with the EcoFlow Delta 3 Ultra Plus, which is now $1,499 (originally $2,199) after a 32% discount. The EcoFlow website is also having an up to 45% sale on multiple products right now. EF EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus Portable Power Station 3072Wh LiFePO4 Battery, 3600W (7200W Surge) Output, Expandable to 11kWh, Solar Generator (Panel Optional), Reliable Home Battery Backup & Camping $1,499.00 at Amazon $2,199.00 Save $700.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,499.00 at Amazon $2,199.00 Save $700.00 I've only had a brief power outage since I got the Delta 3 Ultra Plus, so I haven't been able to test it to its full potential. However, I've gotten pretty comfortable with it and used it in ways I never thought I would, like being able to run my projector on my deck or backyard for an outdoor movie night. It gives you 3,072Wh of power with an output of 3,600W and a 7,200W peak, meaning it can keep a 120W refrigerator cooling for about 35 hours, according to Mashable's review. I am impressed by the functionality of the EcoFlow app, too. You get the ability to prioritize which devices receive power the longest, so when battery power is scarce, the essentials will keep running while the other devices shut off. How that might work in the real world: You leave your refrigerator plugged in overnight, along with your phones and a heater. You can prioritize your refrigerator so if the battery runs low during the night, it will shut off power to your phone and heater to keep your fridge running longer. You can also monitor your energy use, and the app will automatically start charging your power station if it detects a storm is coming. Carrying it around is very easy with the telescoping handle that you can pull out from under it, however, rolling it around anywhere that isn't a flat, smooth surface is difficult. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch (Black) — $149.95 (List Price $199.95) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Anker 20,000mAh Portable Power Bank With Built-in USB-C Cable — $49.99 (List Price $69.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

At the Exceptional Women Alliance, we help senior women leaders mentor one another through shared insight. As founder, chair, and CEO, I speak with executives shaping how organizations evolve and perform. This month, I spoke with Jennifer Renaud, CEO of Kradle LLC and a board director with more than 30 years experience in digital innovation, commercial strategy, and customer-centered growth. She has guided companies through operating model transformation and post-integration growth. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded across organizations, Renaud believes companies must rethink how decisions are made. Traditional hierarchies, designed for stability and control, often slow organizations when speed and adaptability matter most. Here are highlights from our discussion. Q: How are traditional decision hierarchies becoming less effective? Jennifer Renaud: Hierarchies were built for predictability. They worked when markets moved slowly and information traveled through limited channels. Today, customer expectations shift quickly, competitive advantages disappear faster, and organizations are expected to respond almost immediately. Many companies still assume better decisions come from additional layers of approval. In reality, too many approvals often create delays. When decision authority sits too high in the organization, teams wait for alignment while customer and market signals lose relevance. Organizations rarely fail because of one bad decision. More often, they struggle because they make too few decisions to keep pace with change. Leaders are increasingly recognizing that decision quality improves when authority sits closer to the insight itself. The people closest to customers, products, and operations often understand emerging tradeoffs best. Q: How can companies move faster without losing alignment? Renaud: I think about this through the lens of decision proximity—how close decision authority sits to the information needed to make a strong decision. When decisions move too far from the source of insight, context weakens and response times slow. Leaders may gain consistency, but they often lose accuracy and speed. High-growth companies intentionally shorten the distance between signal and response. Amazon’s distinction between reversible and irreversible decisions is a strong example. Teams are encouraged to move quickly on decisions that can later be adjusted, rather than waiting for perfect consensus. Not every decision needs executive involvement or has to be perfect the first time. Decision proximity improves both speed and judgment because the people closest to the issue usually understand the tradeoffs most clearly. Q: How is AI changing decision-making inside organizations? Renaud: AI is dramatically increasing the number of signals organizations can act on. It is not just automating tasks; it is continuously generating insights across pricing, forecasting, supply chains, customer engagement, and operations. Signals that once took months to identify now appear in real time, forcing organizations to make decisions faster. Teams can evaluate multiple variables simultaneously and identify opportunities that would have been difficult to detect manually. For example, companies can analyze supplier constraints, production efficiencies, and product compatibility together to determine the most effective manufacturing combinations. The advantage is not simply better analysis. It is the ability to act on insight while it still matters. As AI expands the number of signals requiring interpretation, leaders cannot centralize every decision. Clarity around decision rights becomes far more important. Q: What helps leaders build strong decision cultures? Renaud: Decision cultures are shaped through everyday leadership behavior. One adjustment I’ve made personally is stepping out of meetings where decisions should be made closer to the action. When senior leaders are in the room, teams often wait for their perspective before committing. Leaders still create value by clarifying priorities, defining guardrails, and helping teams understand what good judgment looks like. As organizations grow, leadership effectiveness depends less on making every decision and more on building systems that enable strong decisions to happen consistently. Organizations that clearly define ownership and decision rights adapt faster as conditions change. Q: What mindset shifts matter most for leaders? Renaud: Many leaders feel pressure to always have the answer. One of the most important shifts is recognizing that leadership is less about personally making every decision and more about creating conditions where strong decisions can emerge throughout the organization. Companies that build decision cultures often develop stronger accountability and adaptability because insight and action remain closely connected. Hierarchies still matter for direction and alignment, but they cannot carry the full burden of decision-making in fast-moving environments. Ultimately, leadership is reflected in how consistently an organization can make strong decisions without needing the leader at every step. Larraine Segil is founder, chair, and CEO of The Exceptional Women Alliance. View the full article

The lenders' examples of using generative artificial intelligence were more practical than transformational, but in any case data challenges represent a common problem. View the full article

GameStop announced on Sunday that it would offer to buy eBay for nearly $56 billion. One day later, CNBC spoke to GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen about the news, in an interview media outlets have called “bizarre,” “evasive,” “dizzying” and “awkward.” In what felt more like an SNL sketch than a CNBC interview, the billionaire CEO of GameStop provided little context or further explanation as to how the company would afford and operate eBay, which has a market capitalization of $46 billion compared to GameStop’s $11 billion. When asked how math for the deal would actually pan out, Cohen answered, “It’s on our website. Half cash, half stock, but the details are on our website.” But between GameStop’s market cap, $9 billion cash reserves and the $20 billion financing confidence letter the company received from TD Securities, that still leaves Cohen short around $16 billion. “We’ll see what happens,” Cohen responded when asked how GameStop would close that gap. “That’s a pretty straightforward question,” CNBC co-anchor Becky Quick chimed in. “I don’t get it. Where’s the rest of the money coming from?” “I don’t understand your question,” Cohen said. “We’re offering half cash, half stock. We have the ability to issue stock in order to get the deal done, but the full details of the offer are on our website.” Then, yesterday, Cohen posted on X that he was “selling stuff on eBay to pay for eBay.” Shortly after, Cohen said that his eBay account was suspended. His account is still live with all listings, which includes baseball trading cards, a $9,000 first generation Apple iPhone and other collectibles. Each listing includes a signed copy of Cohen’s proposal letter to eBay. “eBay has the second largest e-commerce franchise, and there’s a big opportunity to do something much larger and pull costs out of the system, as well as accelerate revenue growth,” Cohen had said in the CNBC interview. “[Our] focus on collectibles can be a much larger business, but bringing in an entrepreneurial mindset is what I plan on doing.” GameStop has built a 5% stake in eBay. The company posted a press release to its website, confirming receipt of the offer but declining to comment any further while the board “carefully and thoroughly” considers the proposal. “There’s an opportunity to make a much larger business, to make the business much more efficient, and to accelerate revenue growth,” Cohen said in the interview. “You look at GameStop as an example,” he added. “GameStop [is a] very difficult business, [it] should’ve been bankrupt multiple times over and it’s doing okay, it’s making a few bucks. eBay is in a very, very strong position but it could be in a much stronger position, and it could be a much larger business than what it currently is.” In a separate interview with the Wall Street Journal, Cohen said that GameStop’s takeover of eBay “could be a legit competitor to Amazon.” Amazon’s revenue totaled close to $717 billion, compared to GameStop’s total revenue of $3.6 billion last year. Cohen eventually said “there’s a lot of fat to cut” at eBay, alluding to the company’s $2.4 billion spend on sales and marketing last year. He added that if he was “running the business, it would make a lot more money.” Following the CNBC interview, GameStop stock dipped more than 10%. Investor Michael Burry, who was portrayed by Christian Bale in the film The Big Short, said he sold his entire GameStop stake. Cohen later spoke to OpenAI-acquired talk show TBPN, where he seemed to be in better spirits. He still seemed staunch in his belief that he will be the right person to steer eBay in a new direction. “There’s 11,500 employees,” Cohen said. “It doesn’t make sense. I could run that business from my house. It’s eBay, it looks the same as it did in 1995. It doesn’t need 11,500 employees.” View the full article

In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing payroll benefits effectively requires the right tools. You need centralized benefits management systems to streamline processes and built-in compliance tools that simplify reporting obligations. Employee empowerment platforms can encourage engagement by providing self-service access to information. Meanwhile, data analytics and advanced AI features can transform your payroll data into valuable insights. Comprehending these tools can position your organization for success, but let’s explore each one in detail. Key Takeaways Centralized benefits management solutions streamline administration, automate enrollments, and enhance compliance tracking for efficient payroll management. Built-in compliance confidence tools automate ACA reporting and COBRA administration, reducing payroll errors and ensuring adherence to evolving regulations. Employee empowerment platforms offer self-service portals, enabling employees to access benefits information, compare plans, and track changes independently. Data analytics transform payroll data into actionable insights, supporting strategic workforce planning and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of benefits programs. Advanced AI features in payroll management automate processes, reduce manual handling, and integrate seamlessly with existing HRIS systems for accuracy and efficiency. Centralized Benefits Management Solutions Centralized benefits management solutions streamline the complex process of managing employee benefits by consolidating various tasks into one user-friendly platform. These systems eliminate the hassle of scattered spreadsheets and manual coordination, automating enrollments and compliance tracking. This not just reduces administrative burdens on HR teams but additionally improves efficiency in payroll and benefits management. Built-in Compliance Confidence Tools When managing payroll, having built-in compliance confidence tools can make a considerable difference in your operations. These tools, integrated within payroll software, automate crucial tasks like ACA reporting and COBRA administration. This automation markedly reduces the risk of errors, ensuring your business adheres to regulations. Leading platforms like Gusto and Rippling offer compliance management features that provide real-time updates for tax filings and labor standards, boosting your HR team’s confidence. Employee Empowerment Platforms Employee empowerment platforms play a crucial role in modern payroll management, offering intuitive self-service portals that allow employees to access and manage their personal benefits information anytime, from any device. These platforms improve engagement and satisfaction, making online benefits administration simpler and more efficient. Key features of employee empowerment platforms include: Self-service access: Employees can view and update their personal benefits anytime. Plan comparison: Users can independently compare different benefit plans. Real-time tracking: Platforms like Gusto and BambooHR provide updates on benefits changes. Centralized information: All benefits data is organized in one accessible location. Improved communication: These tools promote transparency and streamline interactions between employees and HR. Strategic Insight Through Data Analytics How can organizations leverage data analytics to improve their payroll management strategies? By utilizing advanced payroll data solutions, you can transform raw data into actionable insights that guide your HR team’s decisions on employee compensation and benefits. Integrating payroll software with analytics tools allows for real-time tracking of enrollment data, enabling your organization to monitor participation rates and adjust benefits offerings as needed. Data-driven insights additionally support strategic workforce planning by identifying trends in employee benefits usage and preferences, which can improve engagement and satisfaction. Moreover, by eliminating duplicate data entry and paperwork through this integration, you streamline processes and boost operational efficiency. Finally, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of various benefits programs through analytics allows your HR team to make smarter, more strategic decisions regarding employee benefits, in the end promoting a more satisfied workforce and optimizing your payroll management strategies. Streamlined Execution With Workflow Management Streamlined execution in payroll management relies heavily on workflow management tools that automate customizable processes. By integrating tasks across departments, you gain real-time visibility into operations, enhancing efficiency and accountability. This approach not merely simplifies complex workflows but additionally empowers your HR team to focus on strategic goals rather than repetitive tasks. Customizable Workflow Automation In today’s fast-paced business environment, implementing customizable workflow automation in payroll management can greatly boost your HR team’s efficiency. This approach allows you to design customized processes that meet your organization’s specific needs, improving operational effectiveness. By integrating benefits workflows, you gain full visibility into administration, reducing manual tasks and errors. Key benefits include: Streamlined payroll processes across departments Adaptability to manage complex payroll tasks Increased flexibility in HR workflows Quick implementation in under four months Enhanced strategic visibility for decision-making With customizable workflow automation, your HR team can respond swiftly to changing business requirements, ensuring that payroll and HR functions operate seamlessly and cohesively. Cross-Departmental Process Integration Whereas many organizations struggle with inefficiencies in their payroll processes, cross-departmental process integration through workflow management offers an effective solution. By leveraging human resources software and payroll management software, you can automate tasks and improve collaboration among HR, finance, and compliance teams. Customizable workflows allow you to align benefits administration with your organization’s objectives, promoting faster execution. As you connect benefits workflows to existing processes, you’ll streamline complex tasks, enhancing efficiency across departments. Visual Work OS tools provide flexibility, enabling you to adapt workflows as needed during maintaining oversight. With rapid implementation possible in under four months, you can quickly transform your benefits management processes, reducing manual coordination and ensuring seamless operations within your organization. Real-Time Visibility Tracking Real-time visibility tracking transforms how HR teams manage payroll and benefits administration. By using visual dashboards and automated alerts, you can efficiently monitor enrollment progress and compliance tasks. This integration improves administrative oversight and guarantees alignment across departments. Here are some key advantages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYQj1TKyPU Seamless execution of benefits workflows with organizational processes Customizable workflows modified to various HR tasks Rapid implementation achievable in under four months Proactive identification of potential issues to maintain compliance Improved visibility across all operations for informed decision-making With real-time visibility tracking, you’re better equipped to adapt quickly to changing needs, guaranteeing your payroll benefits management remains efficient and compliant. Advanced AI Features in Payroll Management As organizations strive for greater efficiency in payroll management, advanced AI features play a crucial role in transforming traditional processes. By integrating AI-driven smart categorization into your payroll application, you can streamline the management of incoming requests, reducing manual handling and improving response times. Automated payroll processes fueled by AI identify discrepancies, minimizing errors and ensuring compliance with regulations. AI Feature Benefit Smart Categorization Reduces manual handling Automated Processes Identifies discrepancies Predictive Analytics Informs budget allocations Risk Identification Improves project planning Large-Scale Administration Frees HR for strategic tasks With effective HR and payroll management software, AI tools facilitate large-scale administration. They allow HR teams to focus more on strategic initiatives instead of routine payroll tasks, in the end leading to a more efficient organization. Key Features for Effective Benefits Administration In terms of benefits administration, having an intuitive self-service portal is crucial, as it allows employees to easily manage their benefits information. Automated compliance management tools are likewise vital, ensuring your organization meets regulations without manual oversight. Together, these features not merely improve employee engagement but additionally streamline administrative processes, reducing the risk of costly errors. Automated Compliance Management Automated compliance management is crucial for businesses traversing the intricacies of benefits administration, especially since tax laws and labor regulations are constantly evolving. By integrating automated compliance tools, you can guarantee your organization stays compliant and avoids penalties. Leading Paychex administration platforms typically offer these features: Real-time updates for tax filings and labor standards Automated ACA reporting and COBRA administration Advanced analytics for actionable compliance insights Centralized systems to streamline compliance processes Elimination of duplicate data entry and administrative burdens With these tools, your HR team can operate confidently, focusing on strategic initiatives as they manage compliance effectively. Embracing automated compliance management not just simplifies the process but also improves your overall benefits administration strategy. Intuitive Self-Service Portal An intuitive self-service portal plays a critical role in effective benefits administration by giving employees easy access to their personal benefits information around the clock. This functionality improves engagement and satisfaction, enabling you to compare benefits plans, manage selections, and make updates independently, which reduces the administrative burden on HR teams. Furthermore, self-service portals streamline communication by allowing you to access and download important documents like pay stubs and tax forms without needing HR intervention. The integration of self-service features with payroll health and HRIS systems minimizes duplicate data entry, ensuring accuracy in employee records. In addition, mobile-friendly designs enhance user experience, increasing adoption rates and empowering you to take control of your employee benefits payment solutions effectively. Frequently Asked Questions Which Tool Is Used for Payroll? For payroll, you can use tools like Gusto, Rippling, or ADP Workforce Now. These applications automate employee payments, calculate wages, and handle tax withholdings efficiently. They often include features like employee self-service portals, enabling staff to access pay stubs and tax documents. Furthermore, advanced solutions offer automated tax filing and compliance tracking, ensuring your business stays compliant with regulations. Choose a tool that fits your organization’s size and specific needs for best results. What Is the Most Essential Part of the Payroll Module? The most crucial part of the payroll module is automated payroll processing. It calculates wages, taxes, and deductions accurately, which greatly reduces manual errors and saves time. This feature streamlines the payroll process, allowing you to focus on more strategic tasks. Furthermore, it guarantees compliance with tax laws and labor regulations, minimizing penalties. What Do You Consider the Three Most Important Skills for a Payroll Manager to Have? As a payroll manager, you should prioritize strong attention to detail, proficiency in payroll software, and effective communication skills. Attention to detail guarantees accuracy in wage calculations and compliance with regulations, whereas software proficiency allows for efficient process automation. Communication skills are vital for addressing employee inquiries and collaborating with HR and finance teams. These skills not merely streamline operations but additionally help maintain compliance with evolving labor laws and tax regulations. Which Tool Is Often Used by HR for Managing Employee Information and Payroll? HR professionals often use integrated payroll software to manage employee information and payroll effectively. Tools like Gusto, Rippling, and ADP Workforce Now automate essential tasks such as payroll calculations, tax filings, and compliance tracking. They furthermore offer self-service portals for employees to access their payroll details, enhancing transparency. In addition, these systems integrate with existing HRIS and accounting software, streamlining data management and reducing errors, enabling HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives. Conclusion Incorporating these seven crucial tools into your payroll benefits management can greatly improve efficiency and compliance. Centralized systems simplify administration, whereas compliance tools automate necessary reporting tasks. Employee empowerment platforms promote engagement through self-service access, and data analytics provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making. Workflow management streamlines processes, and advanced AI features reduce errors, allowing HR teams to focus on higher-level initiatives. Adopting these tools will enhance your overall payroll management and drive better outcomes for your organization. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Essential Tools for Payroll Benefits and Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s fast-paced business environment, managing payroll benefits effectively requires the right tools. You need centralized benefits management systems to streamline processes and built-in compliance tools that simplify reporting obligations. Employee empowerment platforms can encourage engagement by providing self-service access to information. Meanwhile, data analytics and advanced AI features can transform your payroll data into valuable insights. Comprehending these tools can position your organization for success, but let’s explore each one in detail. Key Takeaways Centralized benefits management solutions streamline administration, automate enrollments, and enhance compliance tracking for efficient payroll management. Built-in compliance confidence tools automate ACA reporting and COBRA administration, reducing payroll errors and ensuring adherence to evolving regulations. Employee empowerment platforms offer self-service portals, enabling employees to access benefits information, compare plans, and track changes independently. Data analytics transform payroll data into actionable insights, supporting strategic workforce planning and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of benefits programs. Advanced AI features in payroll management automate processes, reduce manual handling, and integrate seamlessly with existing HRIS systems for accuracy and efficiency. Centralized Benefits Management Solutions Centralized benefits management solutions streamline the complex process of managing employee benefits by consolidating various tasks into one user-friendly platform. These systems eliminate the hassle of scattered spreadsheets and manual coordination, automating enrollments and compliance tracking. This not just reduces administrative burdens on HR teams but additionally improves efficiency in payroll and benefits management. Built-in Compliance Confidence Tools When managing payroll, having built-in compliance confidence tools can make a considerable difference in your operations. These tools, integrated within payroll software, automate crucial tasks like ACA reporting and COBRA administration. This automation markedly reduces the risk of errors, ensuring your business adheres to regulations. Leading platforms like Gusto and Rippling offer compliance management features that provide real-time updates for tax filings and labor standards, boosting your HR team’s confidence. Employee Empowerment Platforms Employee empowerment platforms play a crucial role in modern payroll management, offering intuitive self-service portals that allow employees to access and manage their personal benefits information anytime, from any device. These platforms improve engagement and satisfaction, making online benefits administration simpler and more efficient. Key features of employee empowerment platforms include: Self-service access: Employees can view and update their personal benefits anytime. Plan comparison: Users can independently compare different benefit plans. Real-time tracking: Platforms like Gusto and BambooHR provide updates on benefits changes. Centralized information: All benefits data is organized in one accessible location. Improved communication: These tools promote transparency and streamline interactions between employees and HR. Strategic Insight Through Data Analytics How can organizations leverage data analytics to improve their payroll management strategies? By utilizing advanced payroll data solutions, you can transform raw data into actionable insights that guide your HR team’s decisions on employee compensation and benefits. Integrating payroll software with analytics tools allows for real-time tracking of enrollment data, enabling your organization to monitor participation rates and adjust benefits offerings as needed. Data-driven insights additionally support strategic workforce planning by identifying trends in employee benefits usage and preferences, which can improve engagement and satisfaction. Moreover, by eliminating duplicate data entry and paperwork through this integration, you streamline processes and boost operational efficiency. Finally, evaluating the cost-effectiveness of various benefits programs through analytics allows your HR team to make smarter, more strategic decisions regarding employee benefits, in the end promoting a more satisfied workforce and optimizing your payroll management strategies. Streamlined Execution With Workflow Management Streamlined execution in payroll management relies heavily on workflow management tools that automate customizable processes. By integrating tasks across departments, you gain real-time visibility into operations, enhancing efficiency and accountability. This approach not merely simplifies complex workflows but additionally empowers your HR team to focus on strategic goals rather than repetitive tasks. Customizable Workflow Automation In today’s fast-paced business environment, implementing customizable workflow automation in payroll management can greatly boost your HR team’s efficiency. This approach allows you to design customized processes that meet your organization’s specific needs, improving operational effectiveness. By integrating benefits workflows, you gain full visibility into administration, reducing manual tasks and errors. Key benefits include: Streamlined payroll processes across departments Adaptability to manage complex payroll tasks Increased flexibility in HR workflows Quick implementation in under four months Enhanced strategic visibility for decision-making With customizable workflow automation, your HR team can respond swiftly to changing business requirements, ensuring that payroll and HR functions operate seamlessly and cohesively. Cross-Departmental Process Integration Whereas many organizations struggle with inefficiencies in their payroll processes, cross-departmental process integration through workflow management offers an effective solution. By leveraging human resources software and payroll management software, you can automate tasks and improve collaboration among HR, finance, and compliance teams. Customizable workflows allow you to align benefits administration with your organization’s objectives, promoting faster execution. As you connect benefits workflows to existing processes, you’ll streamline complex tasks, enhancing efficiency across departments. Visual Work OS tools provide flexibility, enabling you to adapt workflows as needed during maintaining oversight. With rapid implementation possible in under four months, you can quickly transform your benefits management processes, reducing manual coordination and ensuring seamless operations within your organization. Real-Time Visibility Tracking Real-time visibility tracking transforms how HR teams manage payroll and benefits administration. By using visual dashboards and automated alerts, you can efficiently monitor enrollment progress and compliance tasks. This integration improves administrative oversight and guarantees alignment across departments. Here are some key advantages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RYQj1TKyPU Seamless execution of benefits workflows with organizational processes Customizable workflows modified to various HR tasks Rapid implementation achievable in under four months Proactive identification of potential issues to maintain compliance Improved visibility across all operations for informed decision-making With real-time visibility tracking, you’re better equipped to adapt quickly to changing needs, guaranteeing your payroll benefits management remains efficient and compliant. Advanced AI Features in Payroll Management As organizations strive for greater efficiency in payroll management, advanced AI features play a crucial role in transforming traditional processes. By integrating AI-driven smart categorization into your payroll application, you can streamline the management of incoming requests, reducing manual handling and improving response times. Automated payroll processes fueled by AI identify discrepancies, minimizing errors and ensuring compliance with regulations. AI Feature Benefit Smart Categorization Reduces manual handling Automated Processes Identifies discrepancies Predictive Analytics Informs budget allocations Risk Identification Improves project planning Large-Scale Administration Frees HR for strategic tasks With effective HR and payroll management software, AI tools facilitate large-scale administration. They allow HR teams to focus more on strategic initiatives instead of routine payroll tasks, in the end leading to a more efficient organization. Key Features for Effective Benefits Administration In terms of benefits administration, having an intuitive self-service portal is crucial, as it allows employees to easily manage their benefits information. Automated compliance management tools are likewise vital, ensuring your organization meets regulations without manual oversight. Together, these features not merely improve employee engagement but additionally streamline administrative processes, reducing the risk of costly errors. Automated Compliance Management Automated compliance management is crucial for businesses traversing the intricacies of benefits administration, especially since tax laws and labor regulations are constantly evolving. By integrating automated compliance tools, you can guarantee your organization stays compliant and avoids penalties. Leading Paychex administration platforms typically offer these features: Real-time updates for tax filings and labor standards Automated ACA reporting and COBRA administration Advanced analytics for actionable compliance insights Centralized systems to streamline compliance processes Elimination of duplicate data entry and administrative burdens With these tools, your HR team can operate confidently, focusing on strategic initiatives as they manage compliance effectively. Embracing automated compliance management not just simplifies the process but also improves your overall benefits administration strategy. Intuitive Self-Service Portal An intuitive self-service portal plays a critical role in effective benefits administration by giving employees easy access to their personal benefits information around the clock. This functionality improves engagement and satisfaction, enabling you to compare benefits plans, manage selections, and make updates independently, which reduces the administrative burden on HR teams. Furthermore, self-service portals streamline communication by allowing you to access and download important documents like pay stubs and tax forms without needing HR intervention. The integration of self-service features with payroll health and HRIS systems minimizes duplicate data entry, ensuring accuracy in employee records. In addition, mobile-friendly designs enhance user experience, increasing adoption rates and empowering you to take control of your employee benefits payment solutions effectively. Frequently Asked Questions Which Tool Is Used for Payroll? For payroll, you can use tools like Gusto, Rippling, or ADP Workforce Now. These applications automate employee payments, calculate wages, and handle tax withholdings efficiently. They often include features like employee self-service portals, enabling staff to access pay stubs and tax documents. Furthermore, advanced solutions offer automated tax filing and compliance tracking, ensuring your business stays compliant with regulations. Choose a tool that fits your organization’s size and specific needs for best results. What Is the Most Essential Part of the Payroll Module? The most crucial part of the payroll module is automated payroll processing. It calculates wages, taxes, and deductions accurately, which greatly reduces manual errors and saves time. This feature streamlines the payroll process, allowing you to focus on more strategic tasks. Furthermore, it guarantees compliance with tax laws and labor regulations, minimizing penalties. What Do You Consider the Three Most Important Skills for a Payroll Manager to Have? As a payroll manager, you should prioritize strong attention to detail, proficiency in payroll software, and effective communication skills. Attention to detail guarantees accuracy in wage calculations and compliance with regulations, whereas software proficiency allows for efficient process automation. Communication skills are vital for addressing employee inquiries and collaborating with HR and finance teams. These skills not merely streamline operations but additionally help maintain compliance with evolving labor laws and tax regulations. Which Tool Is Often Used by HR for Managing Employee Information and Payroll? HR professionals often use integrated payroll software to manage employee information and payroll effectively. Tools like Gusto, Rippling, and ADP Workforce Now automate essential tasks such as payroll calculations, tax filings, and compliance tracking. They furthermore offer self-service portals for employees to access their payroll details, enhancing transparency. In addition, these systems integrate with existing HRIS and accounting software, streamlining data management and reducing errors, enabling HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives. Conclusion Incorporating these seven crucial tools into your payroll benefits management can greatly improve efficiency and compliance. Centralized systems simplify administration, whereas compliance tools automate necessary reporting tasks. Employee empowerment platforms promote engagement through self-service access, and data analytics provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making. Workflow management streamlines processes, and advanced AI features reduce errors, allowing HR teams to focus on higher-level initiatives. Adopting these tools will enhance your overall payroll management and drive better outcomes for your organization. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Essential Tools for Payroll Benefits and Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As a sole proprietor, comprehending your tax obligations is essential for managing your finances. You’ll report your net income on Schedule C of your Form 1040, and your earnings are taxed at your personal income tax rate. Furthermore, self-employment taxes kick in for profits over $400. Since state tax requirements vary, it’s important to know how much to set aside. Curious about how to maximize your deductions and avoid penalties? Key Takeaways Sole proprietors report business income on Form 1040 and Schedule C, taxed at personal income tax rates. Self-employment tax of 15.3% applies to net earnings over $400, covering Social Security and Medicare. Recommended to set aside 25-30% of income for federal taxes to avoid penalties. Deductions for ordinary business expenses can reduce taxable income, including home office and health insurance premiums. Quarterly estimated tax payments are required if expecting to owe $1,000 or more at year-end. Understanding Sole Proprietorships When you operate a sole proprietorship, you’re fundamentally running your business as an extension of yourself, which simplifies tax reporting. Since you’re viewed as the same legal entity as your business, you report all your income and expenses on Schedule C, submitted with your personal tax return (Form 1040). The income you earn is taxed at your personal income tax rate, and you additionally need to pay self-employment taxes for Social Security and Medicare. As a sole proprietor, it’s crucial to plan your finances wisely. A common question is, “how much should I set aside for taxes?” Typically, you should aim to set aside about 25-30% of your income for federal taxes. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, quarterly estimated tax payments are required. Comprehending these basics helps clarify how much does a sole proprietor pay in taxes, allowing for better financial management. Tax Responsibilities of Sole Proprietors As a sole proprietor, you have specific tax responsibilities that can greatly impact your finances. You’ll need to report your business income on your personal tax return using Form 1040 and Schedule C, with your tax rate depending on your overall income. If your profit exceeds $400, you’re subject to self-employment tax, totaling 15.3%. Moreover, you must make estimated tax payments quarterly to avoid penalties. Your state income tax obligations vary based on where you live, often calculated from your federal figures. Fortunately, you can reduce your taxable income with deductions such as home office expenses, health insurance premiums, and the 20% pass-through deduction. Here’s a quick overview of your tax responsibilities: Tax Type Description Due Dates Federal Income Tax Reported on Form 1040 and Schedule C April 15 Self-Employment Tax 15.3% on profits over $400 Quarterly State Income Tax Based on federal income figures Varies by state Estimated Tax Payments Required to avoid penalties April 15, June 15, Sept 15, Jan 15 Deductions Home office, health insurance, pass-through N/A Filing Federal and State Income Taxes Filing your federal and state income taxes as a sole proprietor involves a series of steps that require careful attention to detail, especially since the process can greatly influence your overall tax liability. You’ll report your business income and expenses on Schedule C, which you’ll submit alongside Form 1040 for federal taxes. The combined income from Schedule C and Form 1040 determines your tax bracket and the total federal income tax owed. For state income taxes, these typically rely on the net income you report on your federal return, with rates varying by state. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, you’ll need to pay estimated taxes quarterly to both federal and state authorities. Staying organized and accurate is essential, as miscalculations can lead to penalties or higher tax bills. Self-Employment Taxes How do self-employment taxes affect your overall tax obligations as a sole proprietor? As a sole proprietor, you’re responsible for paying self-employment taxes, which amount to a total rate of 15.3%. This includes 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. You must pay these taxes on net earnings of $400 or more, with only 92.35% of those earnings subject to the tax, offering a slight adjustment. Additionally, you can deduct half of the self-employment tax paid from your taxable income when filing Form 1040, helping to lower your overall tax burden. If your earnings exceed certain thresholds, like $200,000 for singles or $250,000 for joint filers, an extra Medicare tax of 0.9% applies. Self-employment tax is calculated on net earnings. A portion is deductible, reducing taxable income. Earnings above specific thresholds incur additional tax. Comprehending these taxes is vital for accurate budgeting. Deductible Business Expenses Comprehending your tax obligations as a sole proprietor goes beyond self-employment taxes; it also includes recognizing the various deductible business expenses that can greatly reduce your taxable income. You can deduct ordinary and necessary expenses like office supplies, advertising, and utilities. If you use a specific area of your home solely for business, you can take advantage of the home office deduction, which allows you to deduct a portion of your housing expenses, including mortgage interest or rent. For business-related travel, you have the option to deduct either the standard mileage rate, which is 65.5 cents per mile for 2023, or your actual vehicle expenses. Furthermore, health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse, and dependents can be deducted, provided you don’t have access to other health plans. Each of these deductions can greatly lower your overall tax liability, allowing you to keep more of your hard-earned income. Pass-Through Deduction As you traverse your tax responsibilities as a sole proprietor, it’s crucial to understand the benefits of the pass-through deduction. This deduction allows you to deduct up to 20% of your qualified business income (QBI) from your taxable income, effectively lowering your tax burden. For 2023, the income thresholds for this deduction phase out at $182,100 for single filers and $364,200 for married couples filing jointly. If you run a specified service business and exceed these limits, you might face limitations on your deduction. The pass-through deduction is available from 2018 through 2025, providing a significant incentive for small business owners. It helps reduce your overall taxable income. You must report business income on IRS Form 1040 and Schedule C. Be aware of the income thresholds for eligibility. Planning your income strategically can maximize your benefits. Estimated Taxes for Sole Proprietors As a sole proprietor, you need to pay estimated taxes quarterly if you expect to owe at least $1,000 for the year. To calculate your estimated tax, use Form 1040-ES, which helps you determine your expected tax liability based on your income, deductions, and credits. Keeping up with these payments is essential, as failing to do so can result in penalties that might impact your business finances. Quarterly Payment Requirements When you’re a sole proprietor, comprehending your quarterly payment requirements is essential to avoid penalties and guarantee compliance with tax regulations. You need to make estimated tax payments quarterly if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes for the year. The due dates are typically on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Here are key points to keep in mind: Use Form 1040-ES to help calculate your estimated taxes. Pay at least 90% of the current year’s tax liability or 100% of the previous year’s, whichever is lower. Each payment includes both federal income tax and self-employment tax. Timely payments prevent penalties and interest charges. Calculating Estimated Tax Calculating estimated taxes can feel intimidating, but it’s a crucial step for sole proprietors to guarantee they meet their tax obligations. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, you’ll need to make quarterly estimated payments, typically due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Use Form 1040-ES to calculate your estimated taxes; it includes a helpful worksheet that lets you project your income and tax liability based on past earnings or current estimates. Remember, the self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, covering Social Security and Medicare taxes on your net earnings. Keep detailed records of your income and expenses, as this will help you accurately estimate payments and maximize deductions. Record Keeping and Financial Advisory Resources To guarantee your tax obligations are met and to maximize deductions, maintaining accurate records is crucial for sole proprietors. Proper documentation helps you substantiate business expenses and guarantees you can claim all eligible deductions on your tax returns. Consider these key practices for effective record-keeping: Separate Bank Accounts: Keep distinct accounts for business and personal expenses to simplify tracking. Mileage Log: Document all business-related travel to maximize deductions related to transportation. Accounting Software: Utilize tools that streamline your record-keeping processes and track your income and expenses efficiently. Professional Consultation: Consult with a financial advisor or accountant for insights into optimizing tax strategies and guaranteeing compliance with filing requirements. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Should I Set Aside for Taxes as a Sole Proprietor? As a sole proprietor, you should set aside about 25% to 30% of your net income for taxes. This includes federal income tax and self-employment tax, which is 15.3% on earnings over $400. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, you’ll need to make quarterly estimated payments. Don’t forget to check your state tax rates, as those can affect your total tax obligations too. How Are You Taxed as a Sole Proprietor? As a sole proprietor, you report your business income on your personal tax return using Form 1040 and Schedule C. Your profits get taxed at your individual income tax rate. You’re furthermore responsible for self-employment taxes, which total 15.3% on your net earnings. If you earn $400 or more, you’ll need to file Schedule SE. Moreover, you can deduct business expenses to lower your taxable income, which can reduce your overall tax liability. Do Self-Employed Pay 30% Tax? Self-employed individuals don’t pay a flat 30% tax rate. Instead, your federal income tax depends on your taxable income and applicable tax brackets. You’ll additionally owe self-employment tax, currently 15.3% of your net earnings for Social Security and Medicare. As your total tax burden can approximate 30% when considering both taxes, actual rates vary based on deductions and credits, which can considerably lower your effective tax rate. Is LLC or Sole Proprietor Better for Taxes? When deciding whether an LLC or sole proprietorship is better for taxes, consider several factors. A sole proprietorship typically offers simpler tax filing, but income is taxed at your personal rate. An LLC can choose its tax treatment, potentially reducing self-employment tax liabilities. Nevertheless, it may involve more paperwork and state taxes. If you’re eligible for the 20% qualified business income deduction, that could likewise influence your decision, especially if your income is high. Conclusion In conclusion, as a sole proprietor, you’re responsible for reporting your income and paying taxes on your net earnings. You’ll need to account for federal and state income taxes, along with self-employment taxes if your profits exceed $400. It’s vital to keep track of deductible business expenses and consider making estimated tax payments quarterly. By comprehending these tax responsibilities and maintaining organized records, you can effectively manage your tax obligations and avoid surprises at tax time. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "How Much Does a Sole Proprietor Pay in Taxes?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As a sole proprietor, comprehending your tax obligations is essential for managing your finances. You’ll report your net income on Schedule C of your Form 1040, and your earnings are taxed at your personal income tax rate. Furthermore, self-employment taxes kick in for profits over $400. Since state tax requirements vary, it’s important to know how much to set aside. Curious about how to maximize your deductions and avoid penalties? Key Takeaways Sole proprietors report business income on Form 1040 and Schedule C, taxed at personal income tax rates. Self-employment tax of 15.3% applies to net earnings over $400, covering Social Security and Medicare. Recommended to set aside 25-30% of income for federal taxes to avoid penalties. Deductions for ordinary business expenses can reduce taxable income, including home office and health insurance premiums. Quarterly estimated tax payments are required if expecting to owe $1,000 or more at year-end. Understanding Sole Proprietorships When you operate a sole proprietorship, you’re fundamentally running your business as an extension of yourself, which simplifies tax reporting. Since you’re viewed as the same legal entity as your business, you report all your income and expenses on Schedule C, submitted with your personal tax return (Form 1040). The income you earn is taxed at your personal income tax rate, and you additionally need to pay self-employment taxes for Social Security and Medicare. As a sole proprietor, it’s crucial to plan your finances wisely. A common question is, “how much should I set aside for taxes?” Typically, you should aim to set aside about 25-30% of your income for federal taxes. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, quarterly estimated tax payments are required. Comprehending these basics helps clarify how much does a sole proprietor pay in taxes, allowing for better financial management. Tax Responsibilities of Sole Proprietors As a sole proprietor, you have specific tax responsibilities that can greatly impact your finances. You’ll need to report your business income on your personal tax return using Form 1040 and Schedule C, with your tax rate depending on your overall income. If your profit exceeds $400, you’re subject to self-employment tax, totaling 15.3%. Moreover, you must make estimated tax payments quarterly to avoid penalties. Your state income tax obligations vary based on where you live, often calculated from your federal figures. Fortunately, you can reduce your taxable income with deductions such as home office expenses, health insurance premiums, and the 20% pass-through deduction. Here’s a quick overview of your tax responsibilities: Tax Type Description Due Dates Federal Income Tax Reported on Form 1040 and Schedule C April 15 Self-Employment Tax 15.3% on profits over $400 Quarterly State Income Tax Based on federal income figures Varies by state Estimated Tax Payments Required to avoid penalties April 15, June 15, Sept 15, Jan 15 Deductions Home office, health insurance, pass-through N/A Filing Federal and State Income Taxes Filing your federal and state income taxes as a sole proprietor involves a series of steps that require careful attention to detail, especially since the process can greatly influence your overall tax liability. You’ll report your business income and expenses on Schedule C, which you’ll submit alongside Form 1040 for federal taxes. The combined income from Schedule C and Form 1040 determines your tax bracket and the total federal income tax owed. For state income taxes, these typically rely on the net income you report on your federal return, with rates varying by state. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, you’ll need to pay estimated taxes quarterly to both federal and state authorities. Staying organized and accurate is essential, as miscalculations can lead to penalties or higher tax bills. Self-Employment Taxes How do self-employment taxes affect your overall tax obligations as a sole proprietor? As a sole proprietor, you’re responsible for paying self-employment taxes, which amount to a total rate of 15.3%. This includes 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. You must pay these taxes on net earnings of $400 or more, with only 92.35% of those earnings subject to the tax, offering a slight adjustment. Additionally, you can deduct half of the self-employment tax paid from your taxable income when filing Form 1040, helping to lower your overall tax burden. If your earnings exceed certain thresholds, like $200,000 for singles or $250,000 for joint filers, an extra Medicare tax of 0.9% applies. Self-employment tax is calculated on net earnings. A portion is deductible, reducing taxable income. Earnings above specific thresholds incur additional tax. Comprehending these taxes is vital for accurate budgeting. Deductible Business Expenses Comprehending your tax obligations as a sole proprietor goes beyond self-employment taxes; it also includes recognizing the various deductible business expenses that can greatly reduce your taxable income. You can deduct ordinary and necessary expenses like office supplies, advertising, and utilities. If you use a specific area of your home solely for business, you can take advantage of the home office deduction, which allows you to deduct a portion of your housing expenses, including mortgage interest or rent. For business-related travel, you have the option to deduct either the standard mileage rate, which is 65.5 cents per mile for 2023, or your actual vehicle expenses. Furthermore, health insurance premiums for yourself, your spouse, and dependents can be deducted, provided you don’t have access to other health plans. Each of these deductions can greatly lower your overall tax liability, allowing you to keep more of your hard-earned income. Pass-Through Deduction As you traverse your tax responsibilities as a sole proprietor, it’s crucial to understand the benefits of the pass-through deduction. This deduction allows you to deduct up to 20% of your qualified business income (QBI) from your taxable income, effectively lowering your tax burden. For 2023, the income thresholds for this deduction phase out at $182,100 for single filers and $364,200 for married couples filing jointly. If you run a specified service business and exceed these limits, you might face limitations on your deduction. The pass-through deduction is available from 2018 through 2025, providing a significant incentive for small business owners. It helps reduce your overall taxable income. You must report business income on IRS Form 1040 and Schedule C. Be aware of the income thresholds for eligibility. Planning your income strategically can maximize your benefits. Estimated Taxes for Sole Proprietors As a sole proprietor, you need to pay estimated taxes quarterly if you expect to owe at least $1,000 for the year. To calculate your estimated tax, use Form 1040-ES, which helps you determine your expected tax liability based on your income, deductions, and credits. Keeping up with these payments is essential, as failing to do so can result in penalties that might impact your business finances. Quarterly Payment Requirements When you’re a sole proprietor, comprehending your quarterly payment requirements is essential to avoid penalties and guarantee compliance with tax regulations. You need to make estimated tax payments quarterly if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes for the year. The due dates are typically on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Here are key points to keep in mind: Use Form 1040-ES to help calculate your estimated taxes. Pay at least 90% of the current year’s tax liability or 100% of the previous year’s, whichever is lower. Each payment includes both federal income tax and self-employment tax. Timely payments prevent penalties and interest charges. Calculating Estimated Tax Calculating estimated taxes can feel intimidating, but it’s a crucial step for sole proprietors to guarantee they meet their tax obligations. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, you’ll need to make quarterly estimated payments, typically due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Use Form 1040-ES to calculate your estimated taxes; it includes a helpful worksheet that lets you project your income and tax liability based on past earnings or current estimates. Remember, the self-employment tax rate is 15.3%, covering Social Security and Medicare taxes on your net earnings. Keep detailed records of your income and expenses, as this will help you accurately estimate payments and maximize deductions. Record Keeping and Financial Advisory Resources To guarantee your tax obligations are met and to maximize deductions, maintaining accurate records is crucial for sole proprietors. Proper documentation helps you substantiate business expenses and guarantees you can claim all eligible deductions on your tax returns. Consider these key practices for effective record-keeping: Separate Bank Accounts: Keep distinct accounts for business and personal expenses to simplify tracking. Mileage Log: Document all business-related travel to maximize deductions related to transportation. Accounting Software: Utilize tools that streamline your record-keeping processes and track your income and expenses efficiently. Professional Consultation: Consult with a financial advisor or accountant for insights into optimizing tax strategies and guaranteeing compliance with filing requirements. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Should I Set Aside for Taxes as a Sole Proprietor? As a sole proprietor, you should set aside about 25% to 30% of your net income for taxes. This includes federal income tax and self-employment tax, which is 15.3% on earnings over $400. If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in taxes for the year, you’ll need to make quarterly estimated payments. Don’t forget to check your state tax rates, as those can affect your total tax obligations too. How Are You Taxed as a Sole Proprietor? As a sole proprietor, you report your business income on your personal tax return using Form 1040 and Schedule C. Your profits get taxed at your individual income tax rate. You’re furthermore responsible for self-employment taxes, which total 15.3% on your net earnings. If you earn $400 or more, you’ll need to file Schedule SE. Moreover, you can deduct business expenses to lower your taxable income, which can reduce your overall tax liability. Do Self-Employed Pay 30% Tax? Self-employed individuals don’t pay a flat 30% tax rate. Instead, your federal income tax depends on your taxable income and applicable tax brackets. You’ll additionally owe self-employment tax, currently 15.3% of your net earnings for Social Security and Medicare. As your total tax burden can approximate 30% when considering both taxes, actual rates vary based on deductions and credits, which can considerably lower your effective tax rate. Is LLC or Sole Proprietor Better for Taxes? When deciding whether an LLC or sole proprietorship is better for taxes, consider several factors. A sole proprietorship typically offers simpler tax filing, but income is taxed at your personal rate. An LLC can choose its tax treatment, potentially reducing self-employment tax liabilities. Nevertheless, it may involve more paperwork and state taxes. If you’re eligible for the 20% qualified business income deduction, that could likewise influence your decision, especially if your income is high. Conclusion In conclusion, as a sole proprietor, you’re responsible for reporting your income and paying taxes on your net earnings. You’ll need to account for federal and state income taxes, along with self-employment taxes if your profits exceed $400. It’s vital to keep track of deductible business expenses and consider making estimated tax payments quarterly. By comprehending these tax responsibilities and maintaining organized records, you can effectively manage your tax obligations and avoid surprises at tax time. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "How Much Does a Sole Proprietor Pay in Taxes?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Artificial inteligence is being touted as the most transformative technology of the 21st century, changing everything from how people work to how they live. But forget all that—what sports fans want to know is, can it predict who is going to win the World Cup? According to a new Bank of America Global Research study shared with Fast Company, titled “The Beautiful Game: BofA’s World Cup 2026 Guide,” approximately 40% of FIFA fans they surveyed are betting on France’s Les Bleus. However, AI, specifically Microsoft’s Copilot, thinks Spain’s La Roja, or “The Red One,” will take home the gold. “Our 2026 World Cup survey . . . suggests that France will lift the trophy in a final,” said the report. “Mbappé is expected to be top scorer and Lamine Yamal player of the tournament . . . AI concurs, but adds Spain with equal probability to win the World Cup.” Only time will tell if humans or AI end up being right. “This tournament marks the transition of artificial intelligence from a support tool to a control layer,” the report added. “AI will analyze thousands of performance metrics in real time, power digital twins of stadiums, and orchestrate operations across three countries . . . Total data creation could top 2 exabytes [including] AI, simulations, streaming, and social platforms.” It also noted that this year’s World Cup will be “the biggest ever,” with over 75% of the globe engaging with the tournament. It will provide a boost of up to $41 billion to the global GDP, while supporting over 800,000 jobs, including some 185,000 in the U.S. alone. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in just about five weeks on June 11 and runs through July 19, is set to feature 48 teams playing over 100 matches, hosted for the first time by three countries in North America: Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Some 6.5 million fans, almost double the previous record, are expected to watch the games in the 16 host cities, including 11 in the U.S.: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. The final tournament is scheduled to take place outside New York City at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19. Not only has the competition grown, but so has the payout—which is set to be the largest in World Cup history, totaling some $871 million, with Americans paying record-breaking prices for tickets. However, some fans have complained the ticket-buying process is both confusing and expensive, with some saying the seats they purchased aren’t what they thought they were getting. View the full article

Symbolic move indicates growing resistance to The President administration’s payments to stop such projectsView the full article

Book bans are on the rise—and they’re increasingly focused on censoring facts. In a new report on banned books in U.S. public schools, the free expression advocacy group PEN America found that the number of nonfiction books pulled from shelves doubled last year. The group describes a “surge” of book bannings targeting nonfiction science, history, and biographic titles, including books about the digestive system and ancient Egypt. PEN America conducted an analysis of 3,743 books removed from American school libraries and classrooms in the 2024-2025 academic year. Of the banned titles, 29% (1,100) were nonfiction, up from 14% the previous school year. Fiction titles still make up the lion’s share of banned books, but the spike in nonfiction books targeted for their content is particularly alarming and hints at a new frontier in American academic censorship. Compared with the prior school year, the portion of educational and informational books banned grew from 5% of all banned titles to 13%. “This latest trend shows an embrace of anti-intellectualism, undermining public knowledge by devaluing education and expertise,” Kasey Meehan, PEN America’s Freedom to Read program director, said in a statement. “It is another example of how censorship sweeps broadly, leading to removals of all kinds of books, in its efforts to sow fear and distrust in our public education system.” Books aren’t banned in a vacuum. Titles can be flagged and pulled in a few different ways, including through parent or community interventions, by administrative decision, or in response to government policies. When a single book is banned, hundreds of copies of that title might be pulled from circulation in a school district across libraries and classrooms. Anatomy of a banned book In its report, Pen America identified a number of trends in the titles being pulled from school shelves. Of the 3,743 unique titles banned during the last school year, 57% of those books contained violence, 48% addressed death and grief, 39% dealt with empowerment and self-esteem, and 36% featured LGBTQ+ topics. Of the nearly 4,000 titles banned between 2024 and 2025, 38% were in the realistic/contemporary genre; 25% were dystopian, sci-fi, or fantasy; 14% were history or biographic books; and 13% were educational and informational. PEN America describes the latter category as predominantly nonfiction written “for reference or learning purposes” across a wide breadth of topics, including art, language, politics, geography, identity, puberty, mental health, and self-help. Objections to exposing children to sexual content are a common complaint when people seek to ban a book, but PEN America’s report found that only 10% of titles banned in the last school year actually featured “on the page” consensual sexual content. Sex dominates the conversation around censoring the kinds of books K-12 students have access to, but the reality is that most banned books don’t actually contain descriptions of sexual content. In the latest crop of banned books, 44% featured characters who were people of color—the largest percentage to date. In the prior school year, 36% of the targeted titles featured racial minorities. The increase, along with a similar uptick in banned books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and content, reflects a broader political climate that normalizes attacks on marginalized communities beyond the library. In a report published last month, the American Library Association found that more than 90% of efforts to ban or restrict books originated with organized pressure groups, school administrators, and government officials. Less than 3% of challenges to books came from parents of schoolchildren, and even fewer originated from the students who actually use school libraries. View the full article