Brooklyn small businesses · all year
Bookkeeping, payroll and sales tax for Brooklyn small businesses
Stores, restaurants, salons and barbershops, contractors and startups: we keep your books clean, run payroll and file your New York sales tax — so tax time is easy and you know where your money goes.
Bookkeeping
- We record and categorize your bank and card transactions every month
- Monthly profit and loss report you can actually read
- Receipts organized for your tax return and for loans or leases
- Clean books mean a faster, cheaper business tax return
Payroll
- Paychecks or direct deposit for your employees, with taxes withheld correctly
- Quarterly federal and New York payroll filings
- W-2s for employees and 1099-NEC forms for contractors — for 2026, due February 1, 2027 (January 31 is a Sunday)
- First employee? See the setup checklist below
New York State sales tax
- Sales tax in New York City is 8.875% on most taxable sales
- Quarterly filers file by the 20th after each quarter: December 20 (December 21 in 2026, because the 20th is a Sunday), March 20, June 20 and September 20
- Annual filers file by March 20
- Late or missed filings bring penalties and interest, even if you had no sales — a zero return is still due
Business tax returns
Sole proprietors (Schedule C), LLCs, partnerships (1065), S corporations (1120-S) and C corporations (1120). Partnerships and S corporations are due March 15; personal returns and C corporations April 15. We also help with estimated taxes and year-end planning so you are not surprised.
Starting a business in New York
- Sales tax: register with New York State at least 20 days before your first taxable sale, and display your Certificate of Authority in your shop. Selling without one can bring penalties of up to $10,000.
- New LLC: within 120 days, publish a notice in two newspapers chosen by the county clerk and file a Certificate of Publication with New York State. In Brooklyn the newspapers often charge several hundred dollars or more. We prepare it for you: we check with the county clerk which newspapers to use, contact the newspapers and set up the notices, so you save the time. The newspaper fees are paid to the newspapers and explained before we begin.
- Federal tax ID: your business tax number comes from the IRS, free at irs.gov.
- Choosing your setup: sole proprietor, LLC or S corporation — we explain what each means for your taxes before you decide.
Your first employee: what we set up
- New York State employer registration and unemployment insurance
- Workers' compensation, disability and Paid Family Leave coverage
- New-hire reporting to New York State
- Form W-4 for withholding and Form I-9 for the employee's file
- Payroll, withholding and the quarterly filings from the first paycheck
Paying contractors: the 2026 $2,000 rule
For payments you make in 2026, you send a Form 1099-NEC only to contractors you paid $2,000 or more — up from $600. The forms for 2026 are due February 1, 2027. Ask every contractor for a W-9 before you pay them.
NYC Unincorporated Business Tax
Self-employed people, partnerships and LLCs doing business in New York City generally must file an Unincorporated Business Tax return when the business's gross income is over $95,000. Credits often reduce what you owe — sometimes to nothing — but the return can still be required. We prepare it together with your personal or business return.
Salon, barbershop and spa owners: the tip credit
Starting with 2025, salons, barbershops, and nail, esthetics and spa businesses can claim the tip credit restaurants have had for years: a credit for the Social Security and Medicare tax you pay on your employees' reported tips. Booth renters and independent contractors don't qualify. Bring your payroll and tip records and we will check what you can claim.
Year-end check — before December 31
A few decisions only count if you make them before the year ends: equipment purchases, a retirement plan, your S corporation salary and your last estimated payment. Book a year-end planning call ($80) and we go through them with you.
Why owners choose us
- One office for your books, payroll, sales tax and both your business and personal returns
- We speak English, French and some African languages
- Your monthly price is explained and agreed with you before we begin — no surprise invoices
What it costs
Minimum fees from our price list. We look at your papers first, and your price is explained and agreed with you before we begin. Our fee is never based on your refund.
| Service | Minimum fee |
|---|---|
| Monthly bookkeeping (by number of transactions) | $150–$500/month |
| Payroll (by number of employees) | $75–$250/month |
| NYS sales tax return (ST-100 / ST-101) | $75–$150 per filing |
| Partnership (Form 1065, 2–3 partners) | $800 |
| S corporation (Form 1120-S, basic) | $1,000 |
| C corporation (Form 1120, basic) | $1,200 |
See the full price list → · Every personal and business return includes up to $1 million in audit defense services, paid by us.
Questions
Do I need bookkeeping if I'm small?
If you have a business bank account, sales tax, or employees, yes. Clean books lower your tax prep cost and help you prove income for loans and leases.
I missed some sales tax filings. Can you help?
Yes. We help you prepare and file the missing returns and explain any penalties and interest. The sooner you file, the less it grows.
Can you set up payroll for my first employee?
Yes. We help you set up payroll, withholding and the filings, and explain what you owe as an employer.
Do you work with my accounting software?
We work with common tools, or we can keep your books for you. Bring what you use now.
Is there a contract?
No long-term contract. Your monthly service and price are explained and agreed with you before we begin.
Do I need to collect sales tax?
If you sell taxable products or services in New York, yes. You must register with New York State at least 20 days before your first taxable sale and get a Certificate of Authority, which you display in your shop. In New York City, sales tax is 8.875% on most taxable sales. We can register you and file your returns every quarter.
I just formed an LLC. What else do I need to do?
Get your federal tax ID number from the IRS (free at irs.gov), open a business bank account, and register for sales tax if you sell taxable items. Within 120 days, publish your LLC notice in two newspapers chosen by the county clerk and file the Certificate of Publication with New York State. In Brooklyn, the newspapers often charge several hundred dollars or more. We prepare the publication for you: we check with the county clerk which newspapers to use, contact them and set up the notices, so you save the time. The newspaper fees and our fee are explained before we begin.
Do I have to send my contractors a 1099?
For payments you made in 2026, you send a Form 1099-NEC to each contractor you paid $2,000 or more for services, up from $600. The forms for 2026 are due February 1, 2027. Ask every contractor for a W-9 before you pay them.
What is the NYC Unincorporated Business Tax?
It is a New York City tax on self-employed people, partnerships and LLCs doing business in the city. If your business's gross income is over $95,000, you generally must file a UBT return, even if credits reduce what you owe. We prepare it together with your personal or business return.
Talk to us — the first conversation is free
Come to 451 Rockaway Avenue, drop off your papers, or work with us virtually, from anywhere, through our secure client portal.
More guides: Rideshare & delivery drivers · Unfiled returns · Tips & overtime
General information, not tax advice for your situation. Rules and limits apply.