Bookkeeping Newsletters

Straight from the Books | October 2026

Vine Creek Accounting

Your Numbers, Handled.

 October 2026

Straight from the Books

Real talk from your bookkeeper

🎃 Happy October! Q4 is here, the leaves are turning, and Halloween is just around the corner — but before the candy and costumes, let's make sure your payroll is ready for the holiday stretch ahead. A little planning now will keep payroll running smoothly all the way through the end of the year.
💡 This Month's Focus

Holiday Payroll: Plan It Now So December Isn't a Scramble.

Thanksgiving and Christmas have a way of sneaking up on payroll schedules. Bank holidays shift pay dates, employees have questions about time off, and any last-minute changes create extra work for everyone. The fix is simple — think through it now while there's still time.

Here's what to have on your radar heading into the holiday stretch:

Holiday Payroll Checklist

→ Check your pay dates against the holiday calendar — if a scheduled pay date falls on Thanksgiving or Christmas, it needs to move
→ Let me know as early as possible if you need an extra or off-schedule pay run — last-minute requests are harder to accommodate in December
→ If any employees are taking extended time off, make sure their hours or salary information reaches me on time
→ Now is also a good time to confirm all employee addresses are current — W-2s go out in January and it's much easier to fix now

A Reminder About the Payroll Schedule

This doesn't change during the holidays — please continue to follow the regular payroll submission schedule:

→ Monday or Tuesday pay date: information due to me by noon on Monday
→ Wednesday through Monday pay date: information due to me by noon on Tuesday

If a holiday falls on or near your pay date and you're not sure how to handle it, just reach out and we'll figure it out together before it becomes a problem.
📅 October Deadlines
Oct 31

Q3 State Unemployment Reports  I've got this

Quarterly state unemployment reports are due October 31. I handle these for all payroll clients — no action needed on your end.
Oct 31

Q3 Form 941 — Your Signature Required

You will receive an email from your client portal when your Q3 Form 941 is ready to sign. Please watch for that email and sign promptly — this one requires your signature before it can be filed.
✉️ From Debbie

Thank you for your patience while I was recovering — it truly meant a lot. Things are going well and I'm glad to be hitting my stride heading into the busiest stretch of the year.

Q4 is my favorite time of year to help clients get things in order — there's still time to make smart decisions before December 31, so if anything has been on your mind, now is the time to bring it up. Don't wait until January.

— Debbie | Vine Creek Accounting

Vine Creek Accounting  ·  Abilene, Kansas

Questions? Reply to this message or log in to your client portal.

You're receiving this as a current bookkeeping or payroll client of Vine Creek Accounting.
Straight from the Books | September 2026

Vine Creek Accounting

Your Numbers, Handled.

 September 2026

Straight from the Books

Real talk from your bookkeeper

Happy September! Summer is officially over and Q4 is right around the corner. The businesses that finish the year strong are the ones who start getting ready now — here's what that looks like.
💡 This Month's Focus

Year-End Prep Starts Now — Not in December.

October, November, and December have a way of disappearing fast — holidays, end-of-year business pushes, and the general chaos of Q4 make it harder to focus on the behind-the-scenes stuff. September is the sweet spot: Q3 just wrapped up, you have real numbers to look at, and there's still time to make meaningful decisions before December 31.

Here's what's worth your attention this month:

Your September Year-End Checklist

→ Verify all employee addresses are current — W-2s go out in January and wrong addresses cause headaches
→ Collect any outstanding W-9s from contractors you've paid this year — don't wait until January
→ Review your accounts receivable — anything outstanding over 60 days needs follow-up before the holidays
→ Think about holiday payroll now — extra pay runs, bonuses, or schedule changes need to be planned ahead
→ If you collect sales tax, see the reminder below about checking for rate changes

Thinking About a Big Purchase Before Year-End?

If you've been considering equipment, a vehicle, software, or any other significant business investment, now is the time to talk about it — not December. Timing matters for depreciation and deductions, and there are strategies that only work if we plan ahead. Reach out and let's look at your numbers together before you commit to anything.
🧾 Sales Tax Clients

Check for Sales Tax Rate Changes

Kansas sales tax rates — especially local city and county rates — can change quarterly. If you collect sales tax, take a moment to verify your current rate is still correct. You can check with me or visit the Kansas Department of Revenue directly at ksrevenue.gov. A wrong rate is much easier to fix before you file than after.
📅 Upcoming Deadlines
Sep 15

Q3 Estimated Tax Payment Due

Federal and Kansas estimated payments for July–September income are due. If you're unsure of your amount or whether you need to pay, reach out before the deadline.
Oct 31

Q3 Payroll Tax Filings & Deposits  I've got this

Form 941, FUTA deposits, and Q3 state unemployment reports are due October 31. I handle all of these for payroll clients — no action needed on your end. Flagging it now so you're not surprised when October gets busy.
✉️ From Debbie

I had surgery on July 8th and am still working through what will be at least an 18-week recovery — including physical therapy — so I want to say a sincere thank you for your continued patience. Everything is being handled and your books and payroll are in good shape. I'm taking it one week at a time and making steady progress.

September through January is my favorite stretch of the year — there's a lot to do, but it's also when good planning makes the biggest difference. If you've got something on your mind about your business or your numbers, now is exactly the right time to bring it up. I'm here.

— Debbie | Vine Creek Accounting

Vine Creek Accounting  ·  Abilene, Kansas

Questions? Reply to this message or log in to your client portal.

You're receiving this as a current bookkeeping or payroll client of Vine Creek Accounting.

Tax Newsletters

Filed. Done. | Summer 2026

Vine Creek Accounting

Your Numbers, Handled.

 Summer 2026

Filed. Done.

Quarterly tax updates from Vine Creek Accounting

Summer 2026 Edition. A quick update on something that could affect your tax return this year — plus a deadline coming up in September you'll want on your radar.
💡 This Issue

If You Do Work for Others, a 1099 May Be Coming Your Way.

There's a tax rule change in effect for 2026 that's worth knowing about — especially if you do any freelance work, contract services, or side income for other businesses.

The IRS 1099-NEC reporting threshold — the amount at which a business is required to report payments to contractors — changed this year under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

$600 Old threshold → $2,000 2026 threshold

This applies to payments made on or after January 1, 2026. If someone paid you $1,500 for work this year, they are no longer required to send you a 1099-NEC. At $2,000 or more, they still are.

What this means for you: If you did work for another business this year and earned $2,000 or more from them, they are required to send you a 1099-NEC in January or February. You may also receive one if they collected a W-9 from you — which is the form businesses use to gather your tax information before paying contractors.

If someone asked you to fill out a W-9 this year, that's a sign a 1099 may be coming. Hold onto it and bring it with your tax documents.

What to Watch For This Tax Season

→ If you filled out a W-9 for someone this year, expect a 1099 in January or February
→ Don't throw away any tax forms that arrive in the mail — even if you don't recognize them right away
→ Income reported on a 1099 still needs to go on your tax return — whether or not you receive the form
→ Not sure if what you received counts as taxable income? Bring it in and we'll sort it out together
📅 Coming Up
Sep 15

Q3 Estimated Tax Payment Due

If you make quarterly estimated tax payments, the third installment covering July through September is due September 15. If you're not sure whether you should be making estimated payments, or how much, reach out and we'll figure it out together.
✉️ From Debbie

I had surgery on July 8th and am working my way through recovery, so I want to say thank you for your patience as I get back up to full speed. Rest assured your tax matters are being handled and I'm keeping an eye on anything that needs attention between now and tax season.

As always, if you have questions or something comes up, don't hesitate to reach out. I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

— Debbie | Vine Creek Accounting

Vine Creek Accounting  ·  Abilene, Kansas

Questions? Reply to this message or log in to your client portal.

You're receiving this as a current tax client of Vine Creek Accounting.