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The tax and finance stuff nobody explains plainly. Written for people who work for themselves.
Taxes
SE tax, deductions, quarterly payments, and S-Corp structures.
Quarterly Estimated Taxes: A Plain-English Guide for Self-Employed Workers
How quarterly estimated taxes work, when they're due, how much to pay, and how to avoid the underpayment penalty — without a CPA translating it for you.
Home Office Deduction: What Counts, What Doesn't, and How to Calculate It
The exclusive use rule, simplified vs. regular method comparison, what renters and homeowners can deduct, and the depreciation recapture issue everyone forgets about.
S-Corp Reasonable Compensation: What the IRS Requires and How to Set It
The IRS standard for S-Corp owner salaries, how to establish a defensible number, the tax math at different income levels, and the mistakes that trigger reclassification.
Mileage Deduction: Standard Rate vs. Actual Expenses
The IRS gives you two methods to deduct vehicle costs. Most people pick one without running both. Here's the math, the commitment rule, and which method wins for your situation.
The Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction: Above the Line, Not Below It
The self-employed health insurance deduction reduces your AGI before the standard deduction applies. Here's who qualifies, what counts, the net profit limit, and the S-Corp wrinkle.
Long-Term Capital Gains Tax Rates: The 0% Bracket Most Investors Don't Know They Qualify For
The 0% long-term capital gains rate applies to single filers under $48,350 in taxable income (2025). Self-employed workers with deductions and retirement contributions often qualify. Here's how the stacking math works.
Rental Property Depreciation: The Annual Deduction Nobody Told You to Take
Rental property depreciation reduces taxable income every year without spending a dollar. How the 27.5-year schedule works, why you should take it even with recapture, and what to calculate before you sell.
Pricing & Income
What to charge, what you'll keep, and which clients are worth it.
Self-Employment Tax Is 15.3%. Here's What That Actually Means for Your Rate
Most freelancers underprice because they think in gross, not net. This is the math behind self-employment tax and why your rate needs to cover more than you think.
Client Profitability: The Math Behind Keeping or Firing a Client
Effective hourly rate is the only client metric worth tracking. Here's how to calculate it, when the math says it's time to exit, and how to do it without burning the relationship.
Retirement
Solo 401k, SEP-IRA, and long-horizon savings for the self-employed.
The 530A (Trump) Account: What It Is, How It Works, and Whether It's Worth It
Section 530A creates a new savings vehicle for children born 2025-2028. Here's the actual tax structure, the Roth rollover mechanics, and when the math works in your favor.
Solo 401k Contribution Limits: How Much Can You Actually Put In This Year?
The Solo 401k has two contribution types — employee and employer — each with its own cap and formula. Here's how to calculate your actual maximum for 2026, plus the SEP-IRA comparison.
Net Worth Tracking for the Self-Employed: What Goes In, What Stays Out
How to track net worth when you're self-employed — what assets and liabilities to include, why liquid vs. total matters, and how often to update it.
Debt & Expenses
Payoff strategies, deductible expenses, and expense tracking.