132+ practical, IRS-compliant articles to help 1099 contractors and freelancers navigate the 2026 tax season. Written by Enrolled Agents, updated regularly.
State income tax is a major expense for 1099 contractors in many states. Here's how all 50 states compare in 2026, with the rates and rules that matter most to independent workers.
Read Article →New to 1099 contracting? Here are the 2026 IRS rules, forms, and numbers you need to understand before filing your first tax return.
Read Article →Never miss an IRS deadline again. Here's the complete 2026 tax calendar for small businesses, freelancers, and self-employed workers — with deadlines for Form 1040, 1099, quarterly estimates, and more.
Read Article →Complete guide to quarterly estimated tax deadlines and how to avoid penalties.
Read Article →The 15.3% self-employment tax rate is more nuanced than it appears. Learn the split between Social Security and Medicare, the wage base cap, and why the effective rate can be lower.
Read Article →The 2026 federal tax brackets determine how much income tax you pay as a 1099 contractor. Here are the verified IRS numbers for all three filing statuses with concrete examples.
Read Article →Not all business equipment is depreciated equally. Learn the critical difference between 5-year and 7-year MACRS property in 2026, with clear examples for cars, computers, office furniture, and light vs heavy equipment.
Read Article →The Adoption Tax Credit covers up to $17,500 in qualified adoption expenses for 2026 — attorney fees, court costs, travel, and agency fees. Here is how the credit works, how the special needs adoption rule delivers the full credit regardless of expenses, and how the income phase-out affects self-employed adoptive parents.
Read Article →Not all 1099 income is created equal. Advances, bonuses, and retroactive payments have different tax treatment. Here's how the IRS taxes each type of 1099 payment in 2026.
Read Article →Airbnb hosting creates rental income, occupancy tax obligations, and a different set of deductions than other gig work. Learn how 2026 hosts report income on Schedule E, use the 14-day rule, depreciate property, and handle occupancy taxes collected by Airbnb.
Read Article →If your income varies significantly quarter to quarter, the annualization method can reduce or eliminate underpayment penalties. Learn how to apply it for 2026 with concrete examples.
Read Article →Automate your business savings so you never miss a contribution. Learn the "pay yourself first" strategy with automated transfers, high-yield accounts, and investment allocations for 2026.
Read Article →A client stiffed you? The bad debt deduction turns unpaid invoices into tax savings. Here's how to qualify and claim it in 2026.
Read Article →Wyoming, Nevada, and Florida lead the 2026 ranking of best states for self-employed workers, while California, New York, and New Jersey sit at the bottom. Here is how to compare income tax, gross receipts tax, sales tax, and property tax across states — and why moving to a no-income-tax state does not always eliminate your tax burden.
Read Article →Bonus depreciation offers a 60% first-year tax deduction on qualified new equipment in 2026, phasing down from 80% in 2025. Learn how it works, what qualifies, and how to combine it with Section 179 for maximum savings.
Read Article →Managing business debt while saving for quarterly taxes is a balancing act. Learn strategies to pay down business loans, credit cards, and lines of credit without missing tax payments in 2026.
Read Article →Business gifts are deductible up to $25 per person per year in 2026. Charitable donations offer more flexibility — here's how to maximize both.
Read Article →California's 13.3% top income tax rate is the highest in the nation, and self-employed filers pay it on Schedule C net profit through Form 540. Here is how the 2026 brackets work, what the Mental Health Services Tax adds at $1 million, and how a $150k freelancer ends up owing roughly $10,400 to the FTB.
Read Article →Cash flow is the lifeblood of your business. Learn how to manage irregular income, build a cash reserve, and avoid the feast-or-famine cycle that plagues freelancers in 2026.
Read Article →At age 50 you can add a $7,500 catch-up to a Solo 401k (total $76,500), a $1,000 catch-up to an IRA (total $8,000), and a $1,000 catch-up to an HSA at 55. Here is how stacking all three lets a 55-year-old freelancer shelter nearly $90,000 in tax-advantaged accounts for 2026.
Read Article →The Child and Dependent Care Credit covers up to $3,000 of daycare, babysitting, and summer camp expenses for one dependent — $6,000 for two or more. Here is how the 2026 credit works, what expenses qualify, and why self-employed parents need the provider's tax ID to claim it.
Read Article →The Child Tax Credit returns to $2,000 per qualifying child for 2026, with up to $1,800 refundable through the Additional Child Tax Credit. Here is how the phase-out works at $200,000 single and $400,000 married, who qualifies as a qualifying child, and how self-employed parents claim it.
Read Article →COBRA lets you keep a former employer plan for up to 18 months, but you pay the full premium plus 2% admin. ACA Marketplace plans often cost less for freelancers thanks to Premium Tax Credits. Here is the math at $650 COBRA vs $250 subsidized ACA, and when each wins.
Read Article →Converting an LLC to S-Corp taxation in 2026 means filing Form 2553 — no new legal entity required. Here is the deadline, the reasonable salary requirement that kicks in, and the breakeven math that tells you when the election actually pays off.
Read Article →A DBA ("doing business as") lets you operate under a trade name without forming a new entity — and it has zero effect on your tax classification. Here is how DBAs work in 2026, when you need one, and what it changes (and does not change) on your tax return.
Read Article →The de minimis safe harbor lets you deduct small equipment purchases immediately — no depreciation, no Section 179 election needed. In 2026, the limit is $2,500 per item or invoice. Learn how to use it and when it beats Section 179.
Read Article →The IRS allows ordinary and necessary business expenses — but the lines get blurry fast. Here's a clear 2026 guide to what you can write off and what you can't.
Read Article →Selling business equipment can trigger depreciation recapture — the IRS taxes the profit from accelerated depreciation at ordinary income rates. Learn how recapture works in 2026, how to calculate it, and how to minimize the tax impact.
Read Article →Origin-based and destination-based sales tax rules affect how much tax your customers pay. Learn which states use which system and how e-commerce sellers should calculate rates in 2026.
Read Article →The home office deduction isn't automatic — the IRS has two key tests you must pass. Learn the exclusive use test and the regular use test with concrete 2026 examples.
Read Article →DoorDash drivers get a 1099 but no tax withholding. Here is exactly how to file your 2026 DoorDash taxes, calculate the 15.3% self-employment tax, claim the 67-cent mileage deduction, and avoid the underpayment penalties that hit new dashers hardest.
Read Article →The Earned Income Tax Credit can put up to $7,430 back in your pocket for 2026 — and self-employed workers qualify on Schedule C net profit. Here is how the EITC works, who qualifies, and how freelancers claim a credit the IRS says one in five eligible filers misses.
Read Article →The $168,600 Social Security wage base means high earners pay a lower effective SE tax rate. Learn how the cap works, what still applies, and planning strategies.
Read Article →Economic nexus determines when a freelancer or small business must collect sales tax in a state. Learn the 2026 thresholds for all 50 states and how $100k in sales can trigger compliance obligations.
Read Article →Courses, conferences, certifications — education that maintains or improves your skills is fully deductible in 2026. Here's what qualifies.
Read Article →The American Opportunity Tax Credit offers up to $2,500 per student (40% refundable) for the first four years of college, while the Lifetime Learning Credit offers up to $2,000 per return for any postsecondary education. Here is how to choose between them for 2026 and how self-employed students stack the credits with business deductions.
Read Article →Self-employed workers need a larger emergency fund than W-2 employees due to variable income and lack of employer benefits. Learn how much to save, where to keep it, and how to build it fast in 2026.
Read Article →The 30% residential clean energy credit covers solar panels and battery storage in 2026, the EV credit offers up to $7,500 for a new electric vehicle, and the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit covers windows, doors, heat pumps, and insulation. Here is how to stack them and what self-employed homeowners need to document.
Read Article →Selling on Etsy creates tax questions other gig platforms do not — hobby vs business classification, marketplace sales tax, and inventory accounting. Here is how 2026 Etsy sellers report income, claim deductions, and avoid the hobby-loss trap.
Read Article →The IRS failure-to-file penalty is one of the harshest penalties in the tax code — 5% per month on unpaid tax, capped at 25%. Learn how it works, how to calculate it, and how to reduce or eliminate it in 2026.
Read Article →The IRS failure-to-pay penalty adds up at 0.5% per month on unpaid tax, capped at 25%. Learn how to calculate this penalty, when it starts, and how to reduce or eliminate it with installment agreements in 2026.
Read Article →FICA tax for 1099 contractors is called self-employment tax. Here's how the 15.3% rate breaks down in 2026, the wage base, and how to calculate it with real numbers.
Read Article →Sales tax return filing frequency varies by state and by your sales volume. Learn how often to file, when deadlines fall, and how to avoid late-filing penalties in 2026.
Read Article →Florida charges no personal income tax on self-employment earnings, but the 6% state sales tax plus local surtaxes reach 7.5% and the $100,000 economic nexus threshold catches digital sellers quickly. Here is the 2026 Florida tax picture for freelancers, including documentary stamp tax and corporate franchise tax.
Read Article →Grubhub, DoorDash, and UberEats drivers share the same tax rules — and the same costly mistakes. Here are the 2026 tax tips that save delivery drivers the most: mileage at 67 cents, bag and phone deductions, multi-app mileage tracking, and quarterly payments.
Read Article →The Foreign Tax Credit prevents U.S. taxpayers from paying tax twice on the same foreign income. Here is how the 2026 credit works for self-employed filers with international clients, when to choose the credit over the foreign earned income exclusion, and how Form 1116 calculates the actual credit.
Read Article →Need more time to file your 2026 tax return? Form 4868 gives you an automatic 6-month extension — but it's not an extension to pay. Learn how to file, what it costs, and how to avoid the common pitfalls.
Read Article →Separating business and personal finances is the #1 rule for freelancers. Here's how to set up a business bank account in 2026, choose the right bank, and use sub-accounts to manage income, taxes, and expenses — all while simplifying your tax filing.
Read Article →Health insurance is a critical expense for freelancers. Learn the 2026 ACA Marketplace options, subsidies, how health sharing ministries compare, and how to deduct health insurance premiums on your taxes.
Read Article →Professional invoicing is the backbone of every successful freelance business. Here's how to create invoices that get paid on time, set payment terms that protect you, and handle collections in 2026 — with templates and real examples.
Read Article →Freelancers don't have employer-sponsored retirement plans — but we have powerful options. Learn the 2026 rules for Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA, with contribution limits, tax benefits, and which plan is right for your income level.
Read Article →Freelance tax prep doesn't have to be chaotic. Here's the complete 12-step checklist for 2026 — from gathering 1099s and tracking expenses to maximizing deductions and avoiding IRS penalties.
Read Article →Georgia's flat 5.19% income tax for 2026 comes with a $30,000 standard deduction — one of the most generous in the country. Here is how the 2026 Georgia tax works for self-employed filers, what Form 500 Schedule 1 covers, and where the 8.9% Atlanta sales tax fits in.
Read Article →Home office depreciation can save you thousands annually — but when you sell your home, the IRS wants it back. Learn how depreciation recapture works in 2026 and how to minimize the bite.
Read Article →The IRS waives the exclusive use test for three types of home business use: daycare facilities, storage of inventory, and certain childcare services. Learn how these exceptions work in 2026.
Read Article →Calculate the right tax withholding ratio for 1099 contractors to avoid surprises.
Read Article →Step-by-step guide to filing self-employment tax in 2026: from gathering your 1099s to completing Schedule C, Schedule SE, and submitting your Form 1040 on time.
Read Article →The 2026 HSA limits are $4,150 for self-only and $8,300 for family coverage, plus a $1,000 catch-up at 55. An HSA is the only account with a true triple tax advantage — deductible in, tax-free growth, tax-free medical withdrawals. Here is how a self-employed worker maximizes it.
Read Article →Illinois levies a flat 4.95% income tax on federal AGI — same rate whether you earned $30k or $3 million. Here is how the 2026 Illinois system works for self-employed filers, what the Personal Property Replacement Tax adds for S-corps and partnerships, and where the 11% Chicago sales tax fits in.
Read Article →When cash flow is tight, freelancers turn to invoice factoring or business loans. Learn the pros, cons, and true costs of each option for your 2026 business financing needs.
Read Article →Correspondence audits are the most common type of IRS audit — and they're also the easiest to win if you know how to respond. Learn what a correspondence audit is, how to prepare your response, and how to protect your rights in 2026.
Read Article →Avoid underpayment penalties with the IRS safe harbor rules. Learn how the 90% current year and 100% prior year methods work, including the 110% threshold for high earners.
Read Article →Itemizing can save you thousands — but only if your deductions exceed the 2026 standard deduction. Here's what 1099 contractors need to know about itemizing in 2026, with concrete examples.
Read Article →Lawyers, accountants, consultants, and coaches — fees for professional services are fully deductible for self-employed workers in 2026. Here's what qualifies.
Read Article →Forming an LLC in 2026 costs anywhere from $40 to $800 in state fees, plus a registered agent and ongoing annual expenses. Here is the full breakdown of one-time and recurring costs, with state-by-state examples and tips to avoid the upsells.
Read Article →An LLC is a legal entity, not a tax classification. Here is how single-member and multi-member LLCs file taxes in 2026 — default disregarded entity status, partnership Form 1065, and the S-Corp and C-Corp elections that change everything.
Read Article →LLC and S-Corp are not competing structures — one is a legal entity and the other is a tax election. Here is how to compare them in 2026, with side-by-side tax math on $120,000 of profit and clear guidance on when each wins.
Read Article →MACRS is the IRS depreciation system for equipment and property. Here's how asset classes, recovery periods, and depreciation rates work in 2026 — with concrete examples for freelancers and small businesses.
Read Article →Every dollar you spend on marketing and advertising in 2026 is fully deductible for self-employed workers. Here's how to maximize this write-off.
Read Article →Marketplace facilitator laws make platforms like Amazon and Etsy responsible for collecting sales tax on behalf of sellers. Learn how this affects freelancers and small sellers in 2026.
Read Article →Married couples have two filing options for self-employment tax: jointly or separately. Learn how each affects your SE tax bill, Social Security credits, and overall tax liability for 2026.
Read Article →A practical monthly budget template for self-employed workers. Learn how to adapt the 50/30/20 rule for business budgeting in 2026 with a step-by-step framework.
Read Article →If you work with multiple clients, you'll receive multiple 1099-NEC forms. Here's how to consolidate them, report correctly on your tax return, and avoid common mistakes in 2026.
Read Article →New York stacks a 10.9% top state rate on top of a 3.876% NYC resident tax, producing one of the highest combined local burdens in the country. Here is how the 2026 brackets work for NYC freelancers, what the convenience of the employer rule means for nonresidents, and how a $150k freelancer ends up owing $13,600 in state and city tax.
Read Article →North Carolina's flat 4.25% income tax for 2026 is one of the lowest rates in the country, with only a $12,750 standard deduction and no itemized deductions. Here is how the 2026 NC system works for self-employed filers, what Form D-400 requires, and where the 6.75-7.5% sales tax fits in.
Read Article →An IRS Offer in Compromise (OIC) allows you to settle your tax debt for less than the full amount owed. Learn who qualifies, how to apply, and how to maximize your chance of approval in 2026.
Read Article →Pens, paper, laptops, cameras — understand what's fully deductible in 2026 vs what must be depreciated or expensed via Section 179.
Read Article →Ohio's progressive 2.76-3.5% brackets combine with a $250,000 Business Income Deduction to make most self-employed filers' effective state tax rate near zero. Here is how the 2026 Ohio system works, what the school district income tax adds, and where the 6.5-8% sales tax fits in.
Read Article →Multi-owner LLCs and partnerships file Form 1065 by March 15 — a separate return that issues Schedule K-1s to each partner. Here is how the 2026 filing works, how profit splits flow to partners, and how to avoid the $245-per-partner monthly late penalty.
Read Article →The Premium Tax Credit subsidizes ACA Marketplace health insurance premiums for self-employed workers with moderate income. Here is how the 2026 subsidy scales with income, how estimated Schedule C profit sets your advance credit, and why reconciling at year-end can trigger a refund or a bill.
Read Article →Setting freelance rates that cover business expenses, self-employment tax, and your personal income tax is critical. Learn the "triple-your-rate" formula and pricing frameworks for 2026.
Read Article →The Q1 2026 quarterly tax deadline is April 15 — not March 15. Here's why the confusion exists, what period Q1 covers, and the critical 2026 deadlines every self-employed person must have on their calendar.
Read Article →New to quarterly estimated taxes? Here's what every self-employed person must know about Form 1040-ES, payment deadlines, and how to calculate what you owe in 2026.
Read Article →The IRS underpayment penalty catches thousands of self-employed workers each year. Learn how the penalty is calculated for 2026, how to estimate your exposure, and proven strategies to avoid it entirely.
Read Article →Tax credits and W-2 withholding can significantly reduce your quarterly estimated tax payments. Learn how to account for the Child Tax Credit, EITC, and withholding in your 2026 quarterly calculations.
Read Article →The regular home office method can produce a larger deduction than the simplified method — but requires careful expense allocation. Learn how to allocate mortgage, utilities, and depreciation for your 2026 taxes.
Read Article →Rideshare and delivery drivers face the same 15.3% SE tax, but their deductions differ. Here is a side-by-side comparison of Uber/Lyft vs DoorDash/UberEats tax benefits in 2026 — mileage, supplies, and which platform leaves more after taxes.
Read Article →A Roth conversion ladder lets freelancers who retire before 59½ access retirement funds penalty-free by converting traditional IRA money to Roth in annual chunks and waiting five years. Here is how the ladder works, the tax brackets to target, and a $50k-a-year example.
Read Article →The Roth IRA contribution limit is $7,000 for 2026 ($8,000 if 50+), but the income phaseout ends at $161,000 for single filers. Here is how the backdoor Roth strategy works for high-earning freelancers, the pro-rata trap to avoid, and when a Roth Solo 401k is the cleaner path.
Read Article →S-Corp owner-employees must pay themselves a reasonable salary subject to payroll taxes before taking distributions. Here is how the 2026 reasonable compensation rules work, how the IRS audits salaries, and how to document your number to survive scrutiny.
Read Article →The S-Corp salary-plus-distribution strategy can eliminate self-employment tax on tens of thousands of dollars of profit — but only above a clear breakeven point. Here is the 2026 math on when an S-Corp election actually saves money after payroll and accounting costs.
Read Article →Sales tax audits are on the rise in 2026. Learn how to prepare your records, manage exemption certificates, and implement systems that pass state audits without penalties.
Read Article →Sales tax exemptions can significantly reduce your tax obligation. Learn which exemptions apply to wholesale buyers, resellers, non-profits, and other exempt entities in 2026.
Read Article →More states tax digital products and online services in 2026. Learn which services are taxable, which are exempt, and how freelancers selling digital offerings can stay compliant.
Read Article →The Saver's Credit returns 10% to 50% of your retirement contributions — up to $2,000 single or $4,000 married — as a tax credit for low- and moderate-income workers. Here are the 2026 income limits, the credit rate tiers, and how self-employed filers combine the credit with the self-employed health insurance deduction and SE tax planning.
Read Article →For businesses with lopsided income — holiday retailers, summer contractors, event-based services — quarterly taxes require a specialized strategy. Here's how to manage seasonal income patterns in 2026 without penalties.
Read Article →Section 179 lets you deduct the full cost of equipment in one year instead of depreciating it. In 2026, the limit is $1,110,000 with a $2,770,000 phase-out threshold. Here's how to maximize your deduction.
Read Article →For a freelancer, the biggest asset is the ability to earn — and disability insurance protects it. Here is how own-occupation coverage works for the self-employed, why paying premiums with after-tax dollars matters, and what a $120k earner pays for a $6,000 monthly benefit.
Read Article →Self-employed workers can deduct 100% of health, dental, and qualified long-term care insurance premiums above-the-line on Schedule 1 for 2026. Here is how the deduction works, the net-profit limit, the Premium Tax Credit interaction, and what a $14k premium bill saves a freelancer at 24%.
Read Article →Self-employed in 2026 and paying for your own health insurance? You can deduct 100% of premiums for you, your spouse, and dependents — here's how.
Read Article →Self-employed workers leave thousands on the table every year by missing credits they assume are only for W-2 employees. Here are the five credits freelancers most often overlook for 2026 — Premium Tax Credit, Saver's Credit, EITC, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and Disabled Access Credit — with concrete dollar examples.
Read Article →The self-employment tax formula has a critical 92.35% adjustment that saves every 1099 worker money. Here's the step-by-step calculation with 2026 IRS numbers.
Read Article →The $400 threshold triggers SE tax filing, but there are exceptions. Learn when you must file Schedule SE in 2026 and what happens if you miss the deadline.
Read Article →SE tax and income tax are separate federal taxes with different purposes, rates, and calculations. Learn how they interact and why understanding the difference matters for your 2026 filing.
Read Article →Should you structure your business as an LLC or S-Corporation to save on self-employment tax? Here's the complete 2026 comparison with concrete tax savings numbers.
Read Article →A SEP IRA takes five minutes to open at Fidelity, Vanguard, or Schwab using Form 5305-SEP, and you can fund it as late as your extended filing deadline. Here is the step-by-step setup, the 25%-of-compensation / $69,000 limit, and what a $200k consultant saves in taxes.
Read Article →SEP IRA and Solo 401k both cap at $69,000 for 2026, but the Solo 401k allows far more at moderate income thanks to the $23,000 employee deferral. Here is the head-to-head math at $80k, $150k, and $300k of profit, plus when simplicity wins over maxing out.
Read Article →Side hustles create tax questions that catch people off guard — hobby vs business classification, the 15.3% SE tax trigger, and the hobby-loss rule. Here is how the IRS decides in 2026, with the nine factors and dollar examples that clarify the line.
Read Article →The simplified home office deduction is the easiest way to claim your home office on your 2026 taxes. Learn the $5 per square foot rate, the $1,500 cap, and when it beats the regular method.
Read Article →Comparing the simplified ($5/sq ft) and regular (expense allocation) home office methods for 2026. See concrete scenarios showing when each method produces a bigger tax deduction.
Read Article →New to running your own business? Here's every first-time owner's essential guide to quarterly estimated taxes for 2026 — from setting up your first payment to avoiding common pitfalls.
Read Article →A sole proprietorship is the default structure the IRS assigns the moment you earn self-employment income. Here is exactly how sole proprietors are taxed in 2026 — Schedule C, the 15.3% self-employment tax, quarterly payments, and the deductions that lower both income and SE tax.
Read Article →A single-member LLC is taxed exactly like a sole proprietorship by default, so the difference comes down to liability protection, banking, and credibility. Here is how to decide whether the cost of forming an LLC is worth it for your business in 2026.
Read Article →Self-employed in 2026? A Solo 401(k) or SEP IRA lets you deduct up to $69,000 ($76,500 over 50) — here's how to choose and save the most.
Read Article →The 2026 Solo 401k lets you stack a $23,000 employee deferral with up to 25% of compensation as employer profit-sharing, for a combined $69,000 limit ($76,500 at 50+). Here is how the math works for sole proprietors, when to fund each bucket, and where a $150k freelancer actually lands.
Read Article →The standard deduction is the single biggest tax break most 1099 contractors get. Here's how the 2026 amounts work, who should use it, and when itemizing might be better.
Read Article →Launched a new business in 2026? The IRS lets you deduct up to $5,000 in startup costs immediately — here's how to claim it.
Read Article →Sales tax rates vary dramatically by state and by county, city, and district. Here's the complete 2026 rate guide for all 50 states, plus how to calculate the correct rate for each sale.
Read Article →Software subscriptions, professional memberships, industry publications — many are fully deductible in 2026. Here's what qualifies and what doesn't.
Read Article →TaskRabbit taskers are independent contractors who receive a 1099 and owe self-employment tax. Here is how 2026 taskers report income, claim mileage and tool deductions, calculate the 15.3% SE tax, and pay quarterly to avoid penalties.
Read Article →Texas has no state income tax, but the franchise tax catches LLCs and partnerships with revenue over $1.23M at 0.375% (retail) or 0.75% (other). Here is how the 2026 Texas system works for self-employed workers, what sole proprietors owe, and where sales tax of up to 8.25% applies.
Read Article →The IRS allows self-employed workers to deduct 50% of their self-employment tax from their adjusted gross income. Learn how this above-the-line deduction works and how to maximize it.
Read Article →Self-employed in 2026? Here's every major tax deduction you can claim — with real dollar examples, IRS limits, and tips to avoid an audit.
Read Article →Estimated taxes are a fact of life for freelancers. Learn how to calculate, track, and pay quarterly taxes in 2026 — and avoid the underpayment penalty.
Read Article →Uber and Lyft drivers miss thousands in deductions every year. Here is the complete 2026 list of deductible rideshare expenses — mileage at 67 cents, phone costs, tolls, supplies, depreciation — with dollar examples and the actual-expenses comparison.
Read Article →Having prepared hundreds of gig worker returns, I break down exactly how Uber drivers file taxes in 2026 — 1099-K reporting, the 15.3% self-employment tax, the 67-cent mileage deduction, quarterly payments, and the deductions most drivers miss.
Read Article →Washington state has no personal income tax, but the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax hits gross receipts at 0.471-1.5% — even on money-losing businesses. Here is how the 2026 B&O tax works for self-employed workers, what the Small Business Credit shields, and where the 10.4% Seattle sales tax fits in.
Read Article →Not every 1099 contractor has business expenses. Here's what happens when you have zero deductions, how it affects your tax bill, and legitimate expenses you might be missing in 2026.
Read Article →Self-employment tax is the IRS equivalent of FICA for 1099 workers. Here's what it funds, who must pay it, and the 2026 numbers you need.
Read Article →Profit margins vary wildly by industry. Learn what constitutes a healthy margin for freelancers, consultants, and small retail businesses in 2026 with concrete benchmarks.
Read Article →The 15.3% self-employment tax gets all the attention, but your real effective tax rate includes income tax, deductions, and state taxes. Here's the 2026 breakdown with concrete numbers.
Read Article →Most gig workers run two or three apps at once. Here is how to combine multiple 1099s on your 2026 tax return, track mileage across platforms, calculate combined self-employment tax, and file one clean Schedule C instead of a mess.
Read Article →Put these guides into practice with our instant, IRS-compliant calculators. No signup required.