Getting Started

Quick answer A DBA («doing business as») lets you operate under a business name that’s different from your legal name. […]

Before you start (or as soon as possible) In your first 30 days Every month Every quarter Estimated tax deadlines […]

Quick answer To separate your finances, open a business checking account, get paid only into it, pay business expenses only […]

Quick answer Yes, side hustle income is taxable, from the first dollar, whether you get a 1099 or not. If […]

Quick answer As a sole proprietor, you don’t pay yourself a salary. You take an owner’s draw: a simple transfer […]

Quick answer A W-2 employee has taxes withheld from every paycheck, and the employer pays half of Social Security and […]

Quick answer There’s no federal business license for freelancers. Whether you need one depends on where you live and what […]

Quick answer For most new freelancers, starting as a sole proprietor is fine. It’s free, automatic and taxed exactly like […]

Quick answer Most sole proprietors are not required to have an EIN. If you work alone, have no employees and […]

Quick answer Set aside 25-30% of every 1099 payment for taxes. For most contractors that covers the 15.3% self-employment tax, […]