The importance of keeping adequate, legible, complete records cannot be stressed enough. Without records, you cannot see how well your business is doing and where it is going. This is your feedback mechanism and "report card." All business transactions should be documented with checks or credit cards. Undocumented cash transactions should be avoided if possible. At a minimum, records are needed to substantiate your tax returns under federal and state laws, including income tax and social security and sales tax laws. It also is necessary to substantiate your request for credit from vendors or loans from lending institutions. If you ever plan to sell your business, you will need to substantiate your representations and claims about the business. Speak to your local CPA to set you up on a good bookkeeping system. There are many good software programs that allow small business owners to keep their own books without being an accountant themselves. The IRS also has a wealth of information on their web site that helps small business owners to understand their record-keeping and tax obligations.