Complete Guide to Running a Small Business in Q3 2026
Your Q3 Playbook for Hiring, Growing, and Running Your Best Business Yet
Summer's here, and so is your busiest hiring season. From onboarding your next great employee to staying ahead of benefits deadlines and compliance requirements, this guide gives you everything you need—and everything you already have in Justworks—to finish the year strong.
Not a Justworks customer yet? We put together a version of this guide with more on how Justworks can support your Q3—no commitment required. Get the non-customer guide ->
An accountant, broker, or HR consultant? There's a partner version of this guide built specifically for professionals who support small businesses. Get the partner guide ->
SECTION 1: HIRING WELL IN Q3
Hiring Well This Quarter
Q3 is one of the busiest hiring windows of the year—summer interns, fall full-time roles, seasonal contractors. Getting the fundamentals right now sets you up for a smoother Q4. Here's what to know, and where Justworks can help you do it faster.
Misclassifying a worker is one of the most common—and costly—compliance mistakes small businesses make. Before you bring someone on, ask yourself:
Do you control how and when they work, or just the end result?
Are they working exclusively for you, or for multiple clients?
Do they use your tools and equipment, or their own?
Generally, if you're setting the schedule, providing the tools, and directing the day-to-day, you're looking at an employee relationship. If they're project-based and independent, they may qualify as a contractor. When in doubt, err toward employee classification—the penalties for getting it wrong flow both ways.
SECTION 2: BENEFITS & OPEN ENROLLMENT PREP
Benefits Season: What to Know Before It Gets Busy
Open enrollment isn't just a fall thing, prep needs to start as early as Q3. Here's what your clients should have on their radar, and where Justworks makes their lives easier.
A qualifying life event—marriage, a new baby, loss of other coverage—gives employees a window outside of open enrollment to make benefits changes. As an employer, you need to know:
Employees typically have 30 days from the event to make changes
You're responsible for communicating this window clearly when life events come up
Documentation is required—don't skip it
Learn more about how QLEs work and what's required.
Heading Into Your Renewal Window?
If you're approaching renewal, Q3 is a good moment to take stock. Are you using everything available to you? A few things worth activating before Q4:
Dedicated HR Consultant: If you're on Justworks Plus, you have access to a real HR advisor. If you haven't used it yet, this quarter is a great time to start.
Document Center: Centralize your policies, offer letters, and compliance docs in one place.
Comprehensive Benefits: Before you dig into new health plans, now's the time to round out your package—add an FSA or 401(k) if you haven't already.
International Benefits: Growing a global team? Justworks can help you understand and meet country-specific requirements as you scale.
Custom Benefits Tool: Display the benefits, policies, and perks you offer outside of Justworks—from dog-friendly offices to onsite childcare and mentorship programs.
Benefits Overview: Show candidates a summary of your full benefits package in one simple place.
Scheduled Payments: Automate one-time or recurring payments outside of regular payroll.
Health insurance shouldn't feel like guesswork. Justworks gives access to all three coverage types in one place—Small Group, Large Group, and Individual health plans—so you have a clear picture of what's available in the market. As your company grows, you'll have the structure and support to adapt without switching systems or starting from scratch.
SECTION 3: Q3 BUSINESS CALENDAR
Dates You Don't Want to Miss
A few key deadlines to track this quarter. Add them to your calendar now so they don't sneak up on you.
Running a team in multiple states? Compliance deadlines and requirements vary significantly. View your state's compliance guide →
SECTION 4: MID-YEAR HR AUDIT
Take 30 Minutes. Your Future Self Will Thank You.
You're halfway through the year. Before the back half gets busy, it's worth doing a quick audit of where things stand. This doesn't have to be complicated—here's a simple checklist.
Are all employee records up to date—addresses, tax withholding, direct deposit?
Have any employees had life changes that should be reflected in their benefits or payroll?
*Pro tip: IRS regulations shift regularly. Set a calendar reminder to review your vendor and contractor records quarterly. Staying current now keeps you out of compliance trouble later.
SECTION 5: PAYROLL & COMPLIANCE ESSENTIALS
The Quarterly Checklist That Keeps You Out of Trouble
Some things need attention every quarter. Here's a quick rundown of what to stay on top of in Q3.
Review any manual deductions or supplemental payments for accuracy
Confirm timecards are being submitted and approved on schedule
Double-check that any Q3 new hires are set up correctly for payroll from day one
SECTION 6: HR INSIGHTS
A Word From Justworks HR Experts
Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats—including HR director. Our team of dedicated HR consultants works with small business owners every day, and here's what they're hearing most this quarter.
SECTION 7: TOOLS & RESOURCES
More Ways to Run Your Business Well
A few resources worth bookmarking this quarter.
The AI and Small Business Landscape
Wondering how small businesses are actually using AI—and whether you're keeping pace? Our research guide breaks down what's working, what's hype, and what to consider as you think about your own operations. Read the research →
Compliance Starter Guides by State
Running a team across multiple states? We've put together employer compliance guides for California, New York, Texas, and more—covering leave laws, filing requirements, and what to know before you hire there. Find your state's guide →
Justworks Help Center Highlights
Quick answers to the questions we hear most in Q3:
SECTION 8: ON THE HORIZON: A LOOK AHEAD AT Q4
See What’s Coming in Q4
Q3 is a sprint, but Q4 is coming fast. Here's what to start thinking about now so you're not caught off guard.
If your benefits plan year renews January 1, open enrollment typically kicks off in October or November. That gives you a narrow window to communicate options, collect decisions, and process changes. Start your prep in Q3—employee data cleanup, carrier conversations, and communication planning all take longer than expected.
Refer & Earn
Running a business is hard. If you know another small business owner who's ready to stop doing HR alone, send them our way. They’ll get the support they need, and you'll earn rewards for every referral that becomes a Justworks customer.
Learn More About the Referral Program