Self-employment taxes, in plain English.
Short, practical guides for freelancers, contractors, and small businesses, what to set aside, what you can deduct, and how quarterly taxes work. Written by the team behind Taxottic.
How much should I set aside for taxes when self-employed?
A simple way to size your tax set-aside, self-employment tax plus income tax, and why a flat percentage of every payment keeps April calm.
Read the guide →Schedule C deductions: what self-employed people can write off
The everyday business expenses that lower your taxable income, home office, mileage, software, phone, and more, each tied to its IRS source.
Read the guide →Quarterly estimated taxes, explained
Who owes them, the four due dates, how to estimate each payment, and how to avoid the underpayment penalty.
Read the guide →Home office deduction: who qualifies and how to calculate it
The 'regular and exclusive use' test, plus the simplified ($5/sq ft) and actual-expense methods compared.
Read the guide →1099 vs W-2: how each affects your taxes
Who withholds, who pays the full 15.3% self-employment tax, who can deduct expenses, and who owes quarterly estimates.
Read the guide →Your first year freelancing: a tax checklist
A do-this-now list: set money aside, separate your finances, track deductions, and pay quarterly so April is boring.
Read the guide →Sole proprietor, LLC, or S-corp: how each is taxed
Pass-through income, self-employment tax, and when an S-corp salary-plus-distributions setup actually saves money.
Read the guide →Business mileage deduction: how to track and claim it
Standard mileage rate vs actual expenses, which trips count, and the contemporaneous log the IRS expects.
Read the guide →The QBI deduction: a 20% break for small-business income
Deduct up to 20% of qualified business income, who qualifies, the income limits, and the service-business phase-out.
Read the guide →The self-employed health insurance deduction
Deduct premiums for you and your family, who qualifies, what counts, and why it's an adjustment, not a Schedule C expense.
Read the guide →What is a 1099-K? Thresholds and what to do with it
Why payment apps send one, the changing threshold, and how to reconcile gross amounts (and stray personal payments).
Read the guide →Prefer to just see the number?
Try the free self-employment tax calculator, estimate your self-employment tax, income tax, and quarterly payments instantly, no sign-up.
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