Freelancer Tax Guides
Plain-English, IRS-sourced guides for US freelancers and self-employed. Updated for the current tax year.
guides
-
1099 vs W-2 Taxes: Why Contractors Take Home Less (2026)
A side-by-side look at 1099 vs W-2 taxes in 2026: why the same pay nets a contractor less, where self-employment tax comes from, and how to close the gap.
-
First-Year Freelancer Tax Guide (2026): Start Here
Just went freelance? This 2026 walkthrough covers the taxes you now owe, what to track, how much to set aside, when to pay, and how to file — in plain order.
-
7 Freelancer Tax Mistakes (and How to Fix Each) — 2026
The most common self-employed tax mistakes in 2026 — skipping quarterly payments, under-saving, missed deductions, ignoring state tax — and the fix for each one.
-
How Much to Set Aside for Taxes as a Freelancer (2026)
A clear answer to how much self-employed people should save for taxes in 2026, with the math, a worked example, and the exact percentage to set aside.
-
Self-Employment Tax Explained (2026): What It Is, Who Owes It
What the 15.3% self-employment tax is, how the 92.35% rule works, the 2026 Social Security wage base, the half-SE-tax deduction, and a worked example.
-
Side Hustle Taxes (2026): Do You Owe on Side Income?
When a side hustle triggers taxes in 2026: the $400 self-employment rule, the $600 1099 myth, why a day job under-withholds, and how to cover the gap.
deadlines
-
Estimated Tax Penalty & Safe Harbor (2026) Explained
How the IRS underpayment penalty works in 2026, the 90/100/110% safe harbor rules that prevent it, the withholding trick, and how to handle uneven income.
-
How to Pay Estimated Taxes Online (2026): Step by Step
Exactly how to pay quarterly estimated taxes to the IRS in 2026 — IRS Direct Pay step by step, EFTPS, debit/credit card, and mail, plus how to avoid common errors.
-
Quarterly Estimated Taxes — A 2026 Guide for the Self-Employed
What quarterly estimated taxes are, who must pay them, the 2026 IRS due dates, how to calculate and pay each one, and the safe-harbor rule that stops penalties.
-
2026 Quarterly Estimated Tax Due Dates (+ Calendar)
The four 2026 quarterly estimated tax deadlines at a glance, what each payment covers, the weekend rule, and a downloadable calendar reminder for every date.
deductions
-
Freelancer Tax Deductions: The 2026 Write-Off List
Every major tax deduction self-employed people can claim in 2026 — what qualifies, how write-offs cut both income and SE tax, and the ones that draw audit scrutiny.
-
Self-Employed Mileage Deduction (2026): Rate & Rules
The 2026 self-employed mileage deduction: the 72.5¢ standard rate, standard vs actual method, what miles count, and the log the IRS requires to back it up.
-
Home Office Deduction for Freelancers (2026 Guide)
How the home office deduction works for the self-employed in 2026: the regular-and-exclusive test, simplified vs actual method, a worked example, and audit tips.