Guides
In-depth, plain-English guides to go with our calculators. No jargon, no product pitches, no paywalls.
The Home Office Deduction: Simplified vs. Regular Method
A valuable write-off many freelancers skip. Who qualifies, the exclusive-use rule, and how the simplified and regular methods compare.
How to Set Your Freelance Rate (So You Actually Profit)
Salary divided by 2,080 is a trap. How to build taxes, expenses, non-billable time, and unpaid weeks into a rate that actually pays you.
1099 vs. W-2: How Your Taxes Really Differ
Going 1099 changes more than the rate. Paying both halves of payroll tax, no withholding, quarterly payments, and the deductions that offset it.
22 Tax Deductions Every Freelancer Should Know (2026)
A comprehensive checklist of tax deductions for freelancers and self-employed workers in 2026. Includes home office, health insurance, retirement contributions, mileage, and more.
How to Calculate Self-Employment Tax in 2026
Step-by-step guide to calculating self-employment tax for the 2026 tax year. Includes worked examples, common mistakes, S-corp comparison, and how to pay quarterly.
LLC vs S-Corp for Freelancers: When Does the Tax Savings Make Sense?
A practical guide to S-corp elections for freelancers. Learn how S-corps save on self-employment tax, what 'reasonable salary' means, the break-even point, and when the extra complexity isn't worth it.
The Complete Guide to Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Freelancers (2026)
Complete guide to quarterly estimated tax payments for freelancers and the self-employed. Due dates, safe harbor rules, penalty calculations, and step-by-step instructions for 2026.