Quarterly Estimated Taxes: Due Dates and How to Calculate Them
Self-employed? Here are the 2026 estimated tax due dates, three ways to calculate your quarterly payments with a worked example, and how to pay online without penalties.
Self-Employment Tax Explained: Rates, Calculation and Examples (2026)
Self-employment tax is 15.3% of 92.35% of your net profit. See the 2026 rates and wage base, step-by-step calculations with examples, and legal ways to lower it.
How to Choose a DBA Name and Register It
Quick answer A DBA («doing business as») lets you operate under a business name that’s different from your legal name. […]
Freelancer Financial Checklist for Your First Year
Before you start (or as soon as possible) In your first 30 days Every month Every quarter Estimated tax deadlines […]
How to Separate Business and Personal Finances as a Freelancer
Quick answer To separate your finances, open a business checking account, get paid only into it, pay business expenses only […]
Side Hustle Taxes: What You Owe If You Earn Extra Income
Quick answer Yes, side hustle income is taxable, from the first dollar, whether you get a 1099 or not. If […]
How to Pay Yourself as a Sole Proprietor
Quick answer As a sole proprietor, you don’t pay yourself a salary. You take an owner’s draw: a simple transfer […]
W-2 vs 1099: How Being an Independent Contractor Changes Your Taxes
Quick answer A W-2 employee has taxes withheld from every paycheck, and the employer pays half of Social Security and […]
Do Freelancers Need a Business License? Rules by State
Quick answer There’s no federal business license for freelancers. Whether you need one depends on where you live and what […]
Sole Proprietorship vs LLC for Freelancers: Which Is Better?
Quick answer For most new freelancers, starting as a sole proprietor is fine. It’s free, automatic and taxed exactly like […]