Specific, numbered guides for self-employed people, LLC owners, and freelancers. Real numbers. Real forms. No vague "consult your CPA" filler.
I filed my 2024 taxes in March. Two months later, I ran the return through a tool I was building and it flagged a single line — rent. The number was off by $10,200.
Read the story → ReferenceA ranked list with dollar stakes. If you're DIY-ing your return, read this before you file.
Read → ComparisonThe simplified method caps at $1,500. Most people who use it leave money on the table.
Read → How-ToThe IRS allows a business-use percentage of your personal phone. Most people skip it entirely.
Read → RulesThe 100% deduction window closed in 2022. Here's what's still deductible and at what rate.
Read → Above-the-LineAn above-the-line deduction most DIY filers skip. Could be worth $3,000+ depending on your premium.
Read → DecisionBonus depreciation phased down to 40% in 2025. Here's how to pick between the two.
Read → DecisionWhen to switch, and why switching mid-vehicle-life can cost you.
Read → Edge CaseQBI is 20% of qualified income. Which means a large deduction can actually shrink your refund. Here's when.
Read → First YearIf you started your business this year, you can deduct up to $5,000 of pre-launch costs. Most solo filers miss this entirely.
Read →Social Security + Medicare, on both the employer and employee halves. Here's how the math works and where the deduction kicks in.
Read → Penalty AvoidancePay 100% of last year's tax (110% if high income) and you're safe. Here's the calculation nobody explains.
Read → WalkthroughEvery line of Schedule C, what it means, and where the common mistakes live.
Read → ReferenceThe 1099-NEC came back in 2020. Here's which payments go on which form.
Read → Decision TreeSole proprietor, SMLLC, contractors, retirement plan — each triggers a different answer.
Read → SystemThe system I use for my own LLC. Zero subscription cost, 1 hour a month, audit-ready.
Read → Red FlagMixing funds doesn't disqualify your deductions — but it can pierce the LLC veil and trigger audits.
Read → RecoveryIf you already commingled, here's the process to clean it up before filing.
Read →For most solo LLC owners, the Solo 401k wins by a wide margin. Here's why — and when SEP-IRA still beats it.
Read → CalculatorEnter your net self-employment income. We'll show the exact max you can contribute.
Use calculator → Tax MathThe IRS publications all say 25%. For self-employed people it's actually 20%. Here's the circular math.
Read → StrategyYou can loan yourself up to $50k from your Solo 401k. Here's the mechanics and when it makes sense.
Read → Broker ReviewFees, features, loan support, and which one actually lets you do a Solo 401k loan.
Read → AdvancedHigh-income self-employed people can't contribute to Roth directly. Here's the legal workaround.
Read → 50+$7,500 extra on a Solo 401k. $8,000 on an IRA. Here's how to stack them.
Read → High EarnerContribute $200k+ per year, fully deductible, if you qualify. Here's who does.
Read →Below $50k, don't bother. Above $80k, almost always worth it. Here's the actual math.
Read → DeadlineMiss the March 15 deadline? There's a retroactive relief option. Here's how to use it.
Read → Audit RiskPay yourself too little and the IRS reclassifies distributions as wages. Here's the benchmark.
Read → BasicsDisregarded entity, S-Corp election, or C-Corp election. Here's which applies to you.
Read → Form 1065Adding a partner triggers Form 1065 and K-1s. Here's what the first year looks like.
Read → ExitClose the LLC wrong and you'll get IRS letters for years. Here's the shutdown checklist.
Read → Compliance TrapNon-US owners of SMLLCs face a $25,000 penalty for missing Form 5472. Here's who owes it.
Read →The form your overseas contractor signs so you don't have to file a 1099 for them.
Read → DeadlinePenalties start at $60 per missed form. Here's the 10-day sprint to get them out on time.
Read → ProcessThe documentation you collect up front saves you a panic-filled January.
Read → ComparisonWise wins on FX. PayPal loses on fees. Wires lose on speed and receiving cost. The numbers.
Read → FilingUsually no — if the work is performed outside the US. Here's the full decision tree.
Read →What changes, what stays, how to explain the change in Part III, and how to file electronically.
Read → StatuteThree years from filing or two years from payment, whichever is later. With exceptions.
Read → How-ToWhat's in a Wage & Income transcript vs Account transcript. How to use them to find missed 1099 income.
Read → PatienceHumans process 1040-X, not machines. Here's how to track yours and when to worry.
Read →Free. Upload your PDF, get a list of missed deductions and miscalculations. Launches January 2027.