Guides for business owners

Plain-English guides for small business owners: car dealers, detail shops, and choosing and switching business software.

• IRS Form 8300 for car dealers: when cash must be reported
  When a car sale paid in cash (or cashier's checks) must be reported to the IRS on Form 8300, the 15-day deadline, the January 31 customer statement, and records to keep.
• The FTC Used Car Rule: the Buyers Guide window sticker, explained
  Which dealers need the FTC Buyers Guide, which vehicles it covers, what it must say about warranties, where it goes on the car, and the copy the buyer keeps.
• Odometer disclosure for car dealers: which cars, what to write, what to keep
  The federal odometer rules in plain English: which vehicles still need a mileage disclosure in 2026, what the statement must include, the three mileage certifications, and five years of records.
• Choosing a CRM for a small business: 10 questions to ask first
  Before you pick customer software: who owns the data, can you export it, what happens if you stop paying, per-user pricing, offline use, and more.
• Spreadsheets or business software: when it's time to switch
  Spreadsheets are a great start. These are the signs your business has outgrown them, and how to move without losing anything.
• What car buyers look for in online listings
  Photos, an honest price, the VIN, mileage and history, and a fast way to ask: how to make your dealership's online listings bring in calls.
• Getting repeat customers for your detail shop
  Reminders that customers agreed to, maintenance packages, before-and-after photos, reviews and easy rebooking: honest ways to bring detailing customers back.