Guides
Plain-English guides for independent work.
Revenue tracking, expenses, receipts, taxes and the business decisions that come with working independently. Written without the jargon.
US tax
How to estimate quarterly taxes as a US freelancer
A plain-English guide to calculating, paying and surviving quarterly estimated taxes when you're self-employed in the US. Includes the safe-harbor rule.
9 min read
1099 Contractor Tax Deductions: Business Expenses (US, 2026)
A US-specific guide to business expenses 1099 contractors may deduct in 2026 — what counts, what does not, and how to keep supporting records.
10 min read
US self-employment tax, explained simply
What US self-employment tax is, why the familiar 15.3% figure is only a starting point, and which thresholds matter. Plain English.
8 min read
How much should US freelancers save for taxes?
A US-focused method for setting aside tax money as a freelancer, plus a practical explanation of why a single percentage cannot fit every income level.
7 min read
Mileage Deduction for Freelancers: US Rates and Methods (2026)
A US-specific guide to the 2026 mileage deduction for freelancers — IRS standard rates, actual expenses, business miles and record keeping.
7 min read
The US home office deduction for self-employed people
Who qualifies under US rules, how to calculate the simplified or regular method, and how to document a home office as a freelancer.
8 min read
1099-NEC vs 1099-K: US forms for freelancers (2026)
How US freelancers should understand 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms, where they overlap, and how to avoid reporting the same income twice.
7 min read
US quarterly estimated tax deadlines for 2026
Every IRS quarterly estimated tax deadline for the 2026 US tax year, the income window each covers, and ways to avoid missing a payment.
5 min read
Bookkeeping
US bookkeeping
US business
Revenue tracking