Writing
Selected articles from OnPay
A selection from hundreds of guides on payroll, HR, tax, and compliance for small business owners.
How I work on these
I own every piece below, from the brief and query research (including query fan-out) to review with subject matter experts and regular refreshes. Some I wrote from scratch. The rest I took over and have kept current.
“Jon’s a great writer (with a fantastic eye for SEO-optimization in content writing) and a local SEO whiz.”
Matt Chiera
Principal Consultant, Ice Nine Online
Tax law and legislation
No tax on overtime overview
How the new overtime deduction works, who qualifies, and what employers must track and report.
OBBBA hub
1099 reporting threshold updates
What the higher 1099 threshold means for businesses that rely on contractors or gig workers.
OBBBA hub
No tax on tips: what employers should know
The $25,000 tips deduction: who qualifies, which tips count, and what employers report.
OBBBA hub
Owner pay and business structure
Owner’s draw vs. salary
How owners pay themselves, and how the rules change by entity type.
Business structure hub
Self-employment tax
How Social Security and Medicare taxes apply to owners, and how S Corp status can change the math.
S Corp and structure hubs
Saving taxes as a single-member LLC
How single-member LLCs are taxed, which deductions may apply, and when an S Corp election could make sense.
Business structure hub
S Corp payroll guide
Step-by-step guidance for paying yourself a salary, withholding taxes, and running compliant payroll.
S Corp hub
Hiring your child in your business
The tax advantages and rules to know before putting a family member on payroll.
Business structure hub
Forms explained
Form W-4 instructions
A plain-language walkthrough of Form W-4 for employers and employees.
Form W-2 instructions
How Form W-2 reports wages and withholdings, and the steps to complete it.
S Corp hub
Form 1099 instructions
When to issue contractor tax forms and how to complete them correctly at year-end.
S Corp hub
Form I-9 instructions
A walkthrough of Form I-9 and the steps employers need to follow.
Form W-9 instructions
A walkthrough of Form W-9 and when businesses ask contractors for it.
Payroll and pay practices
How to calculate payroll taxes
A guide to working out payroll taxes for each pay period.
Salary vs. hourly pay guide
How salaried and hourly pay compare, and what employers should consider.
Shift differentials guide
How shift differential pay works and how to handle it in payroll.
State-by-state guides
Minimum wage by state
Side-by-side 2026 rates and announced 2027 changes, with links to each state’s official source.
Workers’ comp requirements by state
An interactive state map of coverage requirements, including the four states that require state-run programs.
PTO payout laws by state
State rules on paying out unused paid time off when employees leave.
Separation notice requirements by state
What each state requires employers to provide when an employee separates.
Timely guides
Fourth of July direct deposit
What the holiday means for direct deposit timing and payday.
Juneteenth bank holiday payroll
How the Juneteenth bank holiday affects payroll timing.
Beyond OnPay.com
Guest articles and contributed writing
Articles I wrote for other publications and partner sites, mostly aimed at accountants, nonprofits, and small business owners.
Why You Should Discuss Workers’ Compensation With Clients
Why accounting firms should raise workers’ comp with small business clients, and how it can open the door to advisory work.
The Woodard Report · Oct 2024
Helping Clients Avoid Workplace Harassment Headaches
State training requirements differ. How accountants can use the topic to start compliance conversations.
The Woodard Report · Sep 2024
Why It’s Time to Learn About State-Mandated Retirement Plans
Why accounting firms should understand state-required retirement programs and the penalties clients can avoid.
The Woodard Report · Sep 2024
Beginners’ Guide to Agribusiness and Agricultural Payroll
An introduction for accountants: what counts as agribusiness, Form 943, worker classification, and wage rules.
The Woodard Report · Jan 2024
Safeguard your accounting firm and clients from phishing attempts with these secure browsing tips
How to spot suspicious URLs and fake login pages, plus password and multi-factor basics.
Practice Protect · Nov 2023 · Written for OnPay
How Nonprofits Can Use Technology to Save Time in the Back Office
Connecting payroll, accounting, and donation tools to cut manual admin work.
TechSoup · Jun 2022
Is the Proof in the Printing or the Satisfied Customers?
How print businesses can collect testimonials and put social proof in front of prospects.
Wide-Format Impressions · May 2019