No. 10992026 tax year
Money guides for people who work for themselves
MemoPlain-English guides on taxes, retirement, banking, insurance and running a one-person business, checked against IRS sources.
28 guides7 topics2 calculators
Where are you starting from?
I just got my first 1099
What you owe, when it is due and how much to set aside from every payment.
I drive or deliver for gig apps
Mileage, deductions and quarterly payments for rideshare and delivery work.
I want to start saving for retirement
Accounts you can open without an employer, and how much you can put in.
Guides by topic
Seven topics, each one a short shelf of guides you can read in an evening.
- 4guidesFreelancer TaxesQuarterly payments, self-employment tax, set-aside percentages and the deductions people miss.
- 4guidesRetirement and InvestingSolo 401(k), SEP IRA and Roth choices when no employer is matching your savings.
- 4guidesBusiness Banking and Cash FlowBusiness accounts, irregular-income budgets, emergency funds and paying yourself.
- 4guidesInsurance and Health CoverageHealth coverage beyond an employer plan, plus liability and disability insurance.
- 4guidesInvoicing, Bookkeeping and SoftwareInvoices, income and expense tracking, late-paying clients and simple bookkeeping.
- 4guidesGig and Side Hustle MoneyRideshare, delivery, Etsy and side-hustle income: what to report and what you can deduct.
- 4guidesBusiness Setup and StructureSole proprietor or LLC, when an S corp pays off, getting an EIN and separating finances.
Popular guides
Five guides that answer the questions freelancers ask first.
How Quarterly Estimated Taxes Work for Freelancers: Deadlines, Amounts and Penalties
Learn who must pay quarterly estimated taxes, the four due dates, how to calculate each payment and how to avoid the underpayment penalty.
How Much Should a Freelancer Set Aside for Taxes? A Percentage Guide by Income
Most freelancers should set aside 25% to 30% of every payment for taxes. See the percentage by income level and a simple system to follow.
Solo 401(k) vs SEP IRA: Which Is Better for Freelancers?
Compare the Solo 401(k) and SEP IRA on contribution limits, Roth options, deadlines and paperwork to pick the right plan for your freelance income.
Uber and Lyft Driver Taxes: Mileage, Deductions and Quarterly Payments
Rideshare drivers are self-employed. Learn how Uber and Lyft income is taxed, which mileage and expense deductions apply and how to pay quarterly.
Sole Proprietorship vs LLC for Freelancers: Which Should You Choose?
Compare a sole proprietorship and an LLC for freelancers: liability, taxes, costs and when forming an LLC is worth it.
Two calculators, no sign-up
How we keep guides honest
Built on IRS sources
Cited at the end of every guide
Each guide is written from IRS publications and form instructions, and lists them so you can check the rules yourself.
Dated and rechecked
Updated each December
Every guide shows when it was last updated, and we recheck limits, rates and deadlines against IRS.gov each year.
No product pitches
Editorial independence
Guides never name a product to sell you. Read our editorial policy.