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Erica Seppala

Editor & Senior Staff Writer

7+ Years At Merchant Maverick

Education: AA Liberal Studies, Limestone University

Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.

Merchant Maverick Archives for Erica Seppala | Page 22

seed funding

Seed Funding Explained: What It Is & When It Makes Sense

Seed funding can be any amount of money, from any source, that helps move a business from the conceptual phase to the implementation phase. Seed funding is typically a small amount of money relative to the scope of the business proposal and often comes from personal sources like family and friends.

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Dec 17, 2025 Filed under: Business Loans

Klarna for Business

A buy-now-pay-later can give customers the ability to spread out payments in a budget-friendly fashion. Issuing short-term loans to customers yourself can be risky, both financially and legally. The smart choice might be to partner with an established BNPL partner like Klarna to give customers financing options while keeping your own risk low. Read on for more information about Klarna!

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Dec 3, 2025 Filed under: Buy Now Pay Later

Guide To Payroll Best Practices & Payroll Compliance

Payroll can be hard to stay on top of for a small business owner. Even if you’re doing your employees’ payroll as a solo job, best practices will help you keep track of submission requirements and deadlines without affecting how much you get done. Read on to discover nine payroll best practices you can start working on today to make your payroll process a breeze.

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May 19, 2026 Filed under: Payroll

The Complete Guide To Maryland Payroll & Payroll Taxes

Small business owners are no stranger to the need to be self-sufficient and balance competing tasks. Some responsibilities, such as paying taxes and employees, are difficult to complete without proper planning. Additionally, there are many legal and financial risks for not fulfilling these obligations, especially in the state of Maryland. We know time is precious, so we’ve broken down the essential regulation and steps needed to complete payroll for small businesses in Maryland.

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May 25, 2026 Filed under: Payroll
payroll records

The Complete Guide To Payroll Records & How Long To Keep Them

Small business owners setting up shop need payroll records, legally speaking, just as much as CEOs of nationwide enterprises. Your payroll records help you prove to the government that your employees are collecting the money you owe them, on-time. But, as a business owner who’s still building out their company infrastructure, it can be worth it to manage employee payroll records yourself.

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May 24, 2026 Filed under: Payroll

The Complete Guide To New York Payroll & Payroll Taxes

The more complex details of payroll and payroll taxes can be time-consuming and confusing, but they are absolutely essential for avoiding legal issues and penalties. We know small businesses have plenty on their plate already, so in this article, we’ve broken down all the steps involved in doing payroll in New York State — and the key regulations to be aware of. Ready to learn how to do payroll in New York? Read on!

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May 25, 2026 Filed under: Accounting, Bookkeeping, Invoicing, Payroll

Complete Guide To Shopify POS Hardware & Pricing

It can take a little time and head-scratching to figure out the best Shopify hardware setup for your business. Your hardware options will depend on various factors, such as your device, your Shopify plan, your credit card processor, and what country you live in. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Shopify hardware.

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Aug 27, 2024 Filed under: Point of Sale, Retail POS

1099 VS W-2 Employees: Which Is Better For Your Small Business?

Ever wondered what the difference is between a 1099 contractor and a W2 employee? Believe it or not, the answer is both easier — and more complicated — than you might expect. It all boils down to this: If you tell your workers both what to do and how to do it, then they are probably W2 employees. On the other hand, if you only control the results and not the process, then they are probably 1099 contractors. Read more about the 1099 VS W-2.

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May 19, 2026 Filed under: Payroll, Small Business

How To Do Payroll: A Step-By-Step Guide

Payroll processing is the method of paying employees and contractors, including managing payroll taxes, withholding, deductions, calculating pay, and keeping payroll records.

Payroll has an impact on your business’s finances (especially considering salary inflation), tax liabilities, and your employee management. Not only will you have to account for employee payments and payroll taxes in your business budget, but you’ll also need to ensure that your employees are compensated fairly, on time, and in accordance with the law.

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May 20, 2026 Filed under: Payroll, Small Business