Padgett Westwood

09/18/2026

Payroll looks simple until something small slips through. A W-4 entered wrong, a deposit made a few days late, a bonus that never got added to taxable wages. None of it feels like a big deal in the moment.

Then the penalties show up, and some of them scale fast.

Swipe through for a few of the mistakes we see most often, and what to do if you've already made one.

Questions about your own payroll setup? Our team is happy to take a look.

09/11/2026

September 15 is a big tax deadline: Estimated tax payments are due, and some business tax returns that were extended are also due.

A few other tax reminders to keep on your radar this month:

If you missed a tax deadline, now is the time to take care of it. Filing sooner can help prevent additional penalties and interest from adding up.

And if you receive a notice from the IRS, don’t ignore it. IRS notices aren’t always bad news, and sometimes a notice is sent before a recently filed return has been fully processed. If you receive something in the mail and aren’t sure what it means or what to do next, reach out to us.

09/04/2026

Every business owner remembers the moment they realized something wasn't adding up.

Maybe it was scrambling to pull numbers together before a tax deadline. Maybe it was watching a good month on paper somehow turn into a cash crunch three weeks later. Maybe it was simply not knowing, with any real confidence, whether now was the right time to hire, expand or take on that next big opportunity.

The businesses that get past that moment aren't the ones that guess better. They're the ones that build a clear, accurate picture of where they actually stand, and use it to make every decision that follows.

So what does that picture actually include, and how do you know if yours is missing something important?

The full story's below.

Whether your goal is to improve cash flow, launch a new offering or expand, accurate data enables you to make decisions confidently.

08/26/2026

"I started an LLC... now what?" 🤔

If you're a creator or small business owner who formed an LLC this year, there's one thing you need to know: it doesn't automatically change how you're taxed.

Sole prop, S Corp, C Corp? The default isn't always the best fit, and that election isn't automatic either.

This is just one of 4 real questions we're answering in this episode of Sounds Familiar, our series where we tackle the tax and business questions we hear from small business owners every day.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube to catch all four: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W835R-9Bs3A&feature=youtu.be

08/26/2026

"I started an LLC... now what?" 🤔

If you're a creator or small business owner who formed an LLC this year, there's one thing you need to know: it doesn't automatically change how you're taxed.

Sole prop, S Corp, C Corp? The default isn't always the best fit, and that election isn't automatic either.

This is just one of 4 real questions we're answering in this episode of Sounds Familiar, our series where we tackle the tax and business questions we hear from small business owners every day.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube to catch all four: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W835R-9Bs3A&feature=youtu.be

08/19/2026

Penalties. Notices. Missed deadlines. Tax problems rarely show up one at a time, so what's the smartest first move when they do? 👇

Tax problems can happen to even the most organized business owners. Fortunately, you can get back on track by addressing them strategically.

08/14/2026

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08/10/2026

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08/06/2026

In this month's newsletter, learn how stress testing can help protect your business, tips for building a winning pitch deck, how to get your bookkeeping back on track, and more. https://conta.cc/4geUuXu

Not getting our newsletter? Sign up now! https://conta.cc/3cW9qIv

08/05/2026

Running a business today means navigating a lot you can't control: inflation, shifting trade policies, cybersecurity risks, and a market that seems to change by the week. You can't predict every disruption, but you can get a clearer picture of how your business would hold up if one hit.

That's the idea behind stress testing. It's a concept that became well known in banking after 2008, but you don't need a complex regulatory model to put it to work in your own business. At its core, it's really just asking good "what if" questions: What happens to your cash flow if a major customer walks away? If borrowing costs jump? If a key supplier raises prices overnight?

A solid stress test looks across a few different areas:

1. Operational risks like supply chain issues, tech failures, or staffing shortages
2. Financial risks like cash flow gaps, credit issues, or rising interest rates
3. Compliance risks tied to changing tax laws and regulations
4. Strategic risks like new competitors or shifting customer preferences

Once you know where your vulnerabilities are, the real value comes from talking them through with your team and the advisors you trust, so you can build a plan before you actually need one.

Risk management isn't something you set once and forget either. Your business changes, your industry changes, and your plan should keep up.

Want to see how this actually plays out and what steps to take next? We broke it all down on the blog: https://bit.ly/4bzrGXf

07/30/2026

Your story might be what gets an investor's attention, but your numbers are what keep it. Before you build your pitch deck, make sure the financials behind it can hold up to real questions.

That's the part we help small business owners get right. Let's make sure your financials are ready to back up your story.

07/30/2026

Your story might be what gets an investor's attention, but your numbers are what keep it. Before you build your pitch deck, make sure the financials behind it can hold up to real questions.

That's the part we help small business owners get right. Let's make sure your financials are ready to back up your story.

07/29/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Rob Feldman, CPA, as a new Padgett franchisee. Rob is the owner and president of Meredith Elkins & Feldman in Morristown, Tennessee, and brings more than a decade of accounting and tax experience to the Padgett network.

Rob has been serving individuals and small businesses since 2011 after earning his master's degree in accountancy with a concentration in taxation from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. His background also includes several years in retail management, giving him valuable firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities business owners face every day.

Throughout his career, Rob has been committed to helping clients navigate tax, accounting, and financial decisions with confidence. He takes a relationship-focused approach, providing practical guidance and personalized service designed to support long-term success.

Beyond his professional work, Rob is deeply involved in his local community through True Life Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee, where he serves on the finance team, teaches personal financial management courses, provides financial coaching, and leads a small group.

We're so excited you're here. Welcome to the Padgett family, Rob!

07/29/2026

Nothing says "we're really doing this" like arguing over LLC vs. S corp with your business partner at 9pm on a Tuesday. Save yourselves the group chat spiral, we broke it down for you 😉

07/28/2026

Nothing says "we're really doing this" like arguing over LLC vs. S corp with your business partner at 9pm on a Tuesday. Save yourselves the group chat spiral, we broke it down for you 😉

07/25/2026

Here's a little secret- you're probably not as behind as you think.

Bookkeeping has a funny way of getting pushed aside while you're busy actually running your business. Before you know it, you're digging through receipts, wondering when you last reconciled your accounts.

BUT, You can absolutely get back on track.

Our latest article shares where to start, how to prioritize, and why catching up now can make tax season (and running your business) a whole lot less stressful.

Read the full article below!

Running a business requires juggling countless responsibilities. Not surprisingly, bookkeeping often end up on the bottom of to-do lists.

07/16/2026

Reminder, small business owners! July 31 is an important deadline with a few key filings due. If applicable to your business, don't forget to... 👇