Practical, no-nonsense tax guides written for self-employed workers in the US — no accounting degree required.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act restored the $20,000/200-transaction threshold. Here's what it means for PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, and every other platform you use — and how to report it correctly.
Read Full ArticleThe 2026 tax brackets, standard deduction of $16,100, and why freelancers nearly always pay at a higher effective rate than employees at the same income.
Every line of Schedule C explained for sole proprietors — from gross income and Part II expenses through vehicle deductions and the five most common mistakes.
Half of your SE tax is deductible above the line — no itemizing required. Here's how the deduction works and how much it actually saves across every income level.
Freelancers can deduct 100% of health, dental, and vision premiums above the line. Learn who qualifies, what counts, and the employer-plan disqualifier that trips people up.
Both plans cap at $72,000 — but at lower incomes, Solo 401(k) wins by a wide margin. Real contribution examples at $50K, $80K, and $150K net profit.
The IRS raised the business mileage rate to 72.5¢ in 2026. Learn which trips qualify, the home office exception, and how to keep a compliant mileage log.
Most solo freelancers aren't required to have an EIN — but getting one free in 10 minutes protects your SSN and makes opening a business bank account easier.
Section 199A lets eligible freelancers deduct 20% of qualified business income — potentially $10,000+ in savings. Income thresholds, SSTB rules, and how to claim it.
At $100K+, S-Corp election can save $8,000–$15,000 in SE taxes. Here's the income threshold where incorporation makes financial sense — with real tax math.
EFTPS lets you schedule all four quarterly payments in advance; Direct Pay needs no account. Compare both free systems and decide which fits your workflow.
Uneven freelance income makes quarterly estimates tricky. The annualized income method and safe harbor rules protect you from penalties even in feast-or-famine years.
New to freelancing? This guide covers SE tax, quarterly payments, Schedule C, deductions, and the record-keeping system every first-year self-employed worker needs.
Hourly billing penalizes expertise. Project pricing rewards it. How to scope projects, build buffer, handle scope creep, and charge what your work is actually worth.
Build the financial foundation employees get for free: emergency fund, tax reserves, income smoothing, retirement accounts, and the insurance gaps most freelancers skip.
Most freelancers go too long without raising rates. Here's when to do it, how much to raise, and the exact client communication scripts that get a "yes."
S-Corp election can save $5,000–$15,000/year in SE taxes — but only above a certain income level. Here's exactly when the math works and what it actually costs to set up.
Paying in full by April doesn't save you from quarterly penalties. Learn the two safe harbor rules that keep you penalty-free no matter what you owe.
US freelancers average $47–$50/hr in 2026. See real benchmarks for developers, designers, writers, and marketers — plus what AI is doing to rates across every category.
The $5/sq ft simplified method vs. claiming actual expenses — which saves you more? A complete guide for both renters and homeowners.
Stop guessing — use this step-by-step formula to calculate a rate that covers taxes, overhead, and your actual income goal with real examples at three levels.
2026 due dates, safe harbor rules, and payment methods — everything you need to avoid underpayment penalties and never get caught short.
SE tax, federal income brackets, state taxes — we break down everything you actually owe as a freelancer and walk through real examples at different income levels.
Discover the deductions most freelancers overlook, how to set up a retirement account that actually reduces your tax bill, and when incorporating makes financial sense.
Choosing a business structure isn't just a legal decision — it has real tax implications. Here's what every freelancer needs to know before filing their first return.
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