THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:
Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs
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Can You Deduct That Trip? How Business Meals and Travel Deductions Really Work
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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dive into one of the most essential tax deductions for self-employed individuals, focusing on business meals and travel expenses. If you’re a freelancer, creative professional, or small business owner, this episode will help you understand what truly qualifies as a deductible expense, so you can stay compliant and keep more of what you earn.
I break down IRS rules for business deductions, explain the documentation you need to support your write-offs, and share examples to make these concepts easy to apply. Plus, I talk about why supporting independent bookstores is so important to me and how it ties into the launch of my upcoming book, Taxes for Humans.
Listen and Subscribe here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dive into one of the most essential tax deductions for self-employed individuals, focusing on business meals and travel expenses. If you’re a freelancer, creative professional, or small business owner, this episode will help you understand what truly qualifies as a deductible expense, so you can stay compliant and keep more of what you earn.
I break down IRS rules for business deductions, explain the documentation you need to support your write-offs, and share examples to make these concepts easy to apply. Plus, I talk about why supporting independent bookstores is so important to me and how it ties into the launch of my upcoming book, Taxes for Humans.
Also mentioned in this episode:
01:14 Understanding Business Deductions
08:25 Exploring Business Meals and Travel Deductions
15:20 The Importance of Independent Bookstores
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp
What Counts As Taxable Income
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It’s easy to get confused when it comes to figuring out what you need to report as income on your tax return.
Today, I’m going over some of the most common ways to receive money as an entrepreneur and talking about what actually counts as income in your business so you can be prepared for your taxes.
Join me in this episode to learn more about determining your total income and how you can make sure you report it correctly to the IRS.
Listen and Subscribe Here
It’s easy to get confused when it comes to figuring out what you need to report as income on your tax return.
Today, I’m going over some of the most common ways to receive money as an entrepreneur and talking about what actually counts as income in your business so you can be prepared for your taxes.
Join me in this episode to learn more about determining your total income and how you can make sure you report it correctly to the IRS.
Also mentioned in this episode:
00:00 Understanding Tax Obligations for Self-Employed Individuals
10:36 What Counts as Income: Key Definitions and Examples
16:39 Clarifying Non-Taxable Income: Gifts, Loans, and More
Takeaways
You must report all income derived from your business activities.
Grants received are considered taxable income unless proven otherwise.
Cash income must be reported, regardless of the amount.
Reimbursements for personal expenses do not count as income.
Gifts are not taxable income if no service is exchanged.
Business loans are not considered taxable income.
Moving money between personal and business accounts does not count as income.
The IRS focuses on who holds the money when determining tax obligations.
Income generated from business operations is generally taxable.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Get your free visual guide to tax deductions
The Mental Load of Financial Fear
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Do you feel overwhelmed, fearful, or even judged when it comes to your taxes and finances?
In today’s episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m diving into the mental load of financial fear, specifically the stress that comes with managing taxes, saving for retirement, and planning financially as a self-employed or creative entrepreneur. We'll explore how this hidden anxiety can weigh down your creative energy and limit your impact.
If you’ve ever felt disorganized or anxious about money, tune in to learn practical ways to overcome that fear, get organized, and become financially confident as a creative entrepreneur.
Listen and Subscribe here
Do you feel overwhelmed, fearful, or even judged when it comes to your taxes and finances?
In today’s episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m diving into the mental load of financial fear, specifically the stress that comes with managing taxes, saving for retirement, and planning financially as a self-employed or creative entrepreneur. We'll explore how this hidden anxiety can weigh down your creative energy and limit your impact.
If you’ve ever felt disorganized or anxious about money, tune in to learn practical ways to overcome that fear, get organized, and become financially confident as a creative entrepreneur.
Also mentioned in this episode:
01:45 The Mental Load of Taxes
06:51 Overcoming Fear and Anxiety Around Finances
13:25 Building a System for Financial Ease
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.
Get your free visual guide to tax deductions
Why You Get Stuck in a Tax Pain Cycle
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In today’s episode, I’m chatting about the common cycle of pain self-employed individuals face during tax season and how tax preparation services often lack the education necessary to break this cycle.
Join me today to learn how you can implement systems that can help you avoid large, unexpected tax bills and penalties going forward.
Listen and subscribe here
In today’s episode, I’m chatting about the common cycle of pain self-employed individuals face during tax season and how tax preparation services often lack the education necessary to break this cycle.
Join me today to learn how you can implement systems that can help you avoid large, unexpected tax bills and penalties going forward.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
The cycle of pain: the initial challenges 4:12
Surprise tax bill and its consequences 4:50
Breaking the cycle of pain with simple systems 10:25
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Links:
Register for the free class, Make Taxes Simple and Stash an Extra $130k in Your Savings.
Why Business Deductions Save More Than You Think: Self-Employment Tax: Money School
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Why Business Deductions Save More Than You Think: Self-Employment Tax: Money School
In today’s episode of the Money School Bonus Series, I’m explaining what self-employment tax is, why tax deductions are so important as a creative entrepreneur and how they save you more money than you may think.
Join me in this informative episode to learn the details about self-employment tax and how you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your deductions each year.
Listen & Subscribe Here
In today’s episode of the Money School Bonus Series, I’m explaining what self-employment tax is, why tax deductions are so important as a creative entrepreneur and how they save you more money than you may think.
Join me in this informative episode to learn the details about self-employment tax and how you can make sure you’re getting the most out of your deductions each year.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
Understanding self-employment taxes 1:23
Tax brackets and what they actually mean 3:44
The average tax rate for self-employed people 6:16
Self-employment taxes explained 10:52
Why you need to be tracking all of your expenses 13:02
Getting the most out of your deductions 22:11
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
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