logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
28m 22s

Taxes for the Self-Employed: Avoid Commo...

NerdWallet Personal Finance
About this episode

Learn about self-employment taxes and avoid common tax mistakes with expert strategies for managing your finances year-round.

How do self-employed taxes work? 

What are some common tax mistakes self-employed people make? 

And can you really write off payments on a luxury vehicle if you use it for work purposes? 

Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the intricacies of self-employment taxes and strategies for financial success and IRS compliance to help you understand how to navigate tax season as an independent worker. CPA and financial strategist Krystal Todd joins them to delve further into the details of self-employment taxes, with tips and tricks on budgeting for personal and professional life, the importance of making quarterly tax payments, and whether to DIY taxes or hire a professional. 

They also discuss strategies like depreciating assets, the benefits of hiring family members and navigating the complexities of tax deductions. Plus: financial strategies for handling unexpected income and managing self-employment taxes, the importance of setting aside funds for unexpected expenses, and the advantages of timing revenue recognition and prepaying expenses for tax benefits.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: personal finance, self-employment taxes, tax season for the self-employed, quarterly tax payments, financial success, IRS compliance, tax planning, tax deductions, managing finances, budgeting for self-employed, S Corporation benefits, tax mistakes, estimated taxes, IRS payment plans, financial tracking, tax law, Corporate Transparency Act, tax strategies, luxury vehicle tax writeoff, freelancer taxes, gig worker taxes, solo entrepreneur taxes, tax compliance, tax penalties, IRS audit, proactive money management, business growth, cash basis accounting, tax professionals, tax schemes, financial surprises, budgeting tips, bookkeeping tips, and tax planning on an inconsistent income.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

Up next
Today
Buy Now, Pay Later Comes at a Price: Credit Score Risks You Need to Know (Plus: $124k Windfall Tips)
Understand how Buy Now, Pay Later financing options affect your credit and learn smart strategies for using a six-figure inheritance wisely. How does Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) affect your credit score? What’s the smartest way to invest or use an unexpected inheritance? Hosts Sean ... Show More
33m 8s
Jul 7
Amazon Prime Day Hacks and Budgeting Tips for Emotional Shoppers
Learn how to approach Amazon Prime day without blowing your budget and hear how you can start to understand the emotions that might be driving your spending. What are the best ways to take advantage of big sales like Amazon Prime Day but still stay on track with your budget? How ... Show More
31m 28s
Jul 3
How to Retire Early and Live Abroad: Your Guide to Making FIRE Last (Plus: 2025 Gas Prices Explained)
Learn how to navigate gas prices this summer, then hear how to make your money work after retiring early and moving abroad. What’s going on with gas prices this summer? How can early retirees turn their savings into income abroad? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss gas ... Show More
36m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
402: Tax Day Q&A: Live CPAs Help YOU Owe Less To the IRS
Tax season is a nerve-racking time for many, especially for those who don’t have simple tax returns. If you’re a real estate investor, you need top-notch tax advice if you hope to reap the best tax savings when filing—legally, of course. And that’s exactly what we’ve got for you ... Show More
42m 41s
Jan 2018
File Your Taxes For Free- MyFreeTaxes
Tax time will be here before you know it...like in a few short weeks. Don't panic though because there are so many great resources to help you out and save you time and money, like MyFreeTaxes. If you make under $66,000, you can file a free Federal and State tax return in a matte ... Show More
23m 13s
May 2024
528: The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Taxes, LLCs, Deductions, & Audit Risks
Starting your first or next business? This episode is for you. Today, we’re bringing you everything you need to know about small business taxes for beginners. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, partner, landlord, house flipper, Airbnb host, or something in between, you MUST know ... Show More
56m 31s
Mar 2020
The Episode About Taxes| Milton Rodriguez
April, you’re right around the corner my friend, and that means it's time to file your taxes. Not to worry, I’m bringing you my yearly episode about taxes to help you get prepared and ask all your burning tax questions. Joining us on this episode is Milton Rodriguez, a millennial ... Show More
43m 20s
Apr 2021
5 Big Tax Changes That Will Save You $$$ This Year
Just because 2020 was a dumpster fire doesn’t mean your taxes have to be. Nicole explains why you may qualify for free income tax help, what to do if you didn’t receive your stimulus checks, and how to figure out if you can write off medical expenses from 2020. From This Episode: ... Show More
15m 49s
Feb 2024
503: How to Keep MORE of Your Inheritance From the IRS (Avoid These Tax Mistakes!)
With solid tax planning, receiving an inheritance could provide an enormous boost on your journey to financial freedom. One misstep, on the other hand, and you could be lining Uncle Sam’s pockets. Fortunately, we’ve brought on a tax professional to help you keep as much of your n ... Show More
44m 22s
Aug 2019
Getting organised for tax time
The journey to financial success is all about paying the ‘right’ amount of tax. Finance journalist David ‘Kochie’ Koch explains how you can take the stress out of tax time, avoid paying too much tax and outlines what you can and can’t claim for at the end of the tax year.See omny ... Show More
23m 14s
Nov 2023
846: What You Need to Do NOW to Pay Fewer Taxes in 2024
If you want to pay fewer taxes or outright avoid taxes in 2024, you’re in the right place. We’re about to give you all the last-chance tax tips and loopholes you can use NOW to pay WAY less in taxes in 2024. All of these are perfectly legal, but many will require some form of rea ... Show More
1h 5m
Apr 2023
How to Save Thousands of Dollars in Taxes in 2024
Tax season is over for most of us, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop thinking about your taxes! Planning out your tax strategy in advance can save you time and money on your taxes. In this Q&A, we’ll discuss the line items on your return to pay attention to and how you can ... Show More
29m 9s
Jan 2024
Best of 2023 - 6 Taxes Mistakes That We Have Made
Rent.app Referral Link - http://rent.app/GTI This week, Sim and Sonya openly share their tax mistakes and lessons learned. They discuss issues like forgetting to pay tax, not adjusting the amount for taxes, and the importance of understanding tax treaties when living in different ... Show More
31m 32s