Self-Employment Tax & Money Guides
Plain-English guides on taxes, deductions, and keeping more of what you earn — written for rideshare and delivery drivers, landlords, salon and beauty pros, contractors, caterers, and every other self-employed professional.
Side Hustle Taxes: What You Really Owe on Extra Income (2026 Guide)
Earning money on the side? Learn exactly when side hustle income is taxable, the $400 rule that triggers self-employment tax, which expenses you can deduct, and how to avoid a surprise bill at tax time.
July 15, 2026 · 11 min read
The Home Office Deduction: Simplified vs Regular Method (2026 Guide)
A complete guide to the home office deduction for the self-employed — who qualifies, the exclusive-use rule, how to calculate it with both the simplified and regular methods, and whether it really increases your audit risk.
July 14, 2026 · 11 min read
Tax Basics1099 vs W-2: Are You an Employee or Independent Contractor? (2026)
The real differences between 1099 contractors and W-2 employees — how each is taxed, the IRS control tests that determine your status, the cost of misclassification, and what to do if you think you've been misclassified.
July 13, 2026 · 11 min read
DeductionsCan You Write Off a Car for Business? Section 179 & Vehicle Deductions (2026)
A complete guide to deducting a vehicle for business — the standard mileage vs actual expense methods, how Section 179 and the heavy-SUV rule work, and how to calculate your business-use percentage correctly.
July 12, 2026 · 12 min read
DeductionsThe Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction Explained (2026)
Self-employed and paying for your own health coverage? Learn how the self-employed health insurance deduction works, who qualifies, what premiums count, the spouse rule that can disqualify you, and how it differs from a regular medical deduction.
July 11, 2026 · 10 min read
Tax BasicsIRS Audit Triggers for the Self-Employed (and How to Avoid Them) (2026)
The most common red flags that draw IRS attention to self-employed returns — from unreported income and outsized deductions to repeated losses and the hobby-loss rule — plus practical steps to lower your audit risk without overpaying.
July 10, 2026 · 11 min read
Real EstateAirbnb & Short-Term Rental Taxes: The 14-Day Rule, Schedule C vs E & Deductions (2026)
A complete tax guide for Airbnb and VRBO hosts — the 14-day rule that can make income tax-free, when short-term rentals belong on Schedule C vs E, the self-employment tax question, and every deduction hosts should claim.
July 9, 2026 · 12 min read
HealthcareTravel Nurse Taxes: Tax-Free Stipends, Tax Homes & Deductions (2026)
A complete tax guide for travel nurses and traveling healthcare workers — how tax-free stipends really work, what a tax home is and why it matters, the truth about the 50-mile myth, multi-state taxes, and how to stay compliant.
July 8, 2026 · 12 min read
Real EstateTax Deductions for Real Estate Agents: The Complete 2026 List
Real estate agents are independent contractors with unusually high deductible expenses. This complete guide covers vehicle and mileage, marketing, desk fees, licensing, the home office, client gifts, and the tax strategies top-producing agents use.
July 7, 2026 · 12 min read
Getting StartedFiling Self-Employed Taxes for the First Time: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
New to self-employment? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through everything about your first self-employed tax return — the forms you'll file, the $400 rule, quarterly taxes, deductions, deadlines, and the mistakes first-timers make.
July 6, 2026 · 12 min read
Business StructureLLC vs S-Corp vs Sole Proprietor: Which Saves You the Most on Taxes? (2026)
A clear breakdown of how sole proprietorships, LLCs, and S-corporations are taxed for self-employed people — including the income level where an S-corp election starts saving real money, and the myth that an LLC lowers your taxes.
July 5, 2026 · 12 min read
Tax BasicsSelf-Employment Tax Explained: What the 15.3% Really Means and How to Lower It (2026)
A plain-English breakdown of self-employment tax — what the 15.3% covers, how it's calculated on 92.35% of your profit, the deduction that softens it, and seven legitimate ways to reduce what you owe.
July 4, 2026 · 11 min read
Tax BasicsQuarterly Estimated Taxes: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide for the Self-Employed (2026)
Everything self-employed workers need to know about quarterly estimated taxes — who must pay, how to calculate them, the safe harbor rule that prevents penalties, how to pay online, and what happens if you miss a deadline.
July 3, 2026 · 12 min read
Tax Forms1099-NEC vs 1099-K: What Every Self-Employed Worker Needs to Know (2026)
Confused by the 1099 forms landing in your mailbox? This guide explains the difference between the 1099-NEC and 1099-K, how to avoid double-counting income, what to do about missing or wrong forms, and why you owe tax even without one.
July 2, 2026 · 10 min read
DeductionsThe Self-Employed Tax Deduction Checklist: 40+ Write-Offs You Might Be Missing (2026)
A comprehensive, categorized checklist of tax deductions for freelancers, gig workers, and small business owners — from the home office and mileage to software, retirement, and the write-offs people most often forget.
July 1, 2026 · 13 min read
RetirementRetirement Accounts That Slash Your Self-Employment Taxes: Solo 401(k) vs SEP IRA (2026)
How self-employed workers can cut their tax bill and build wealth at the same time — a clear comparison of the Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA, including which one lets you contribute the most at your income level.
June 30, 2026 · 11 min read
Freelance & ConsultingFreelancer & Consultant Taxes: The Complete 2026 Guide to Deductions, 1099s & Quarterly Payments
A detailed tax guide for freelancers, consultants, writers, designers, and developers — how to handle 1099 income, the home office deduction, quarterly taxes, and the write-offs most solo professionals miss.
June 29, 2026 · 11 min read
E-commerceEtsy & Online Seller Taxes: COGS, Platform Fees, 1099-K & Deductions (2026)
A complete tax guide for Etsy, eBay, Shopify, and Amazon sellers — how to calculate cost of goods sold, deduct platform fees, handle the 1099-K, and understand sales tax so you keep more of every sale.
June 28, 2026 · 11 min read
Food & CulinaryTax Guide for Personal Chefs, Caterers & Home Food Businesses (2026)
COGS vs. regular expenses, commercial kitchen rentals, equipment deductions, and quarterly taxes explained for personal chefs, caterers, and home bakers.
June 27, 2026 · 10 min read
CreatorsContent Creator & Influencer Taxes: YouTube, Twitch, Sponsorships & Gifted Products (2026)
A complete tax guide for YouTubers, streamers, and influencers — how ad revenue, sponsorships, affiliate income, and free products are taxed, plus the creator deductions that lower your bill.
June 27, 2026 · 11 min read
Events & EntertainmentPhotographer, DJ & Event Pro Taxes: Gear, Deposits, Travel & Deductions (2026)
A complete tax guide for photographers, videographers, DJs, and event professionals — how to handle deposits, deduct expensive gear, track travel to gigs, and manage seasonal income and quarterly taxes.
June 26, 2026 · 10 min read
Trades & ContractorsTax Guide for Electricians, Plumbers & Contractors: Section 179, Deductions & Quarterly Taxes (2026)
How self-employed tradespeople handle taxes — the 1099 vs. W-2 question, Section 179 for tools and trucks, materials, licensing, and quarterly payments explained.
June 25, 2026 · 11 min read
Beauty & WellnessTaxes for Hairstylists, Barbers & Salon Pros: Booth Rent, Deductions & Tips (2026)
A complete tax guide for booth renters, independent stylists, barbers, and salon owners — deductions, quarterly taxes, and how to report tip income correctly.
June 23, 2026 · 10 min read
Rental PropertyRental Property Taxes: The Complete Deduction Guide for Landlords & Airbnb Hosts (2026)
Depreciation, mortgage interest, repairs vs. improvements, and the passive loss rules explained in plain English for landlords, Airbnb hosts, and VRBO owners.
June 20, 2026 · 12 min read
Tax BasicsUber & DoorDash Taxes: The Complete 2026 Guide for Gig Workers
A plain-English guide to taxes for Uber, DoorDash, Lyft, and Instacart drivers in 2026 — self-employment tax, deductions, quarterly payments, and how much to set aside.
June 11, 2026 · 11 min read
Tax PlanningHow Much Should Gig Workers Set Aside for Taxes? (2026)
Exactly how much of your Uber, DoorDash, or Lyft income to save for taxes — with real examples, a simple percentage rule, and how deductions lower the number.
June 9, 2026 · 8 min read
DeductionsMileage Deduction for Gig Workers: How to Maximize Your Write-Off
The mileage deduction is the biggest tax break for Uber and DoorDash drivers. Learn what miles count, the standard vs. actual method, and how to track them right.
June 7, 2026 · 9 min read