THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:

Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs

the Sunlight Tax Podcast Hannah Cole the Sunlight Tax Podcast Hannah Cole

Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of The Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m excited to share something I’ve been working on for a long time, my new book, Taxes for Humans. This book is for freelancers, artists, and self-employed folks who want to finally understand their taxes and take control of their money.

I talk about why tax education matters so much when you work for yourself, how complicated the self-employment system can be, and why I created a character called the Tax Dominatrix to make learning about taxes a lot more fun and less intimidating.

I also explain why pre-ordering the book is such a big deal. It helps make sure Taxes for Humans is available to everyone, including people who can’t afford traditional financial education programs.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of The Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m excited to share something I’ve been working on for a long time, my new book, Taxes for Humans. This book is for freelancers, artists, and self-employed folks who want to finally understand their taxes and take control of their money.

I talk about why tax education matters so much when you work for yourself, how complicated the self-employment system can be, and why I created a character called the Tax Dominatrix to make learning about taxes a lot more fun and less intimidating.

I also explain why pre-ordering the book is such a big deal. It helps make sure Taxes for Humans is available to everyone, including people who can’t afford traditional financial education programs.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:17 Overview of 'Taxes for Humans' Book

02:15 Understanding Self-Employment Taxes

04:12 Navigating Tax Complexity

05:34 The Tax Dominatrix Concept

07:21 Importance of Pre-Ordering the Book

08:45 Accessibility of Tax Education


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.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Watch YouTube video version

Read More

Healthcare Changes From the OBBBA: Expert Dr. Matthew Fiedler Explains

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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I talk with Dr. Matthew Fiedler about the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act—and what it could mean for your healthcare and taxes.

We break down how the government shutdown affects healthcare access, why there are major Medicaid cuts, and what trade-offs come with the new tax cuts. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by low and moderate-income individuals in accessing healthcare, especially in light of new administrative requirements and potential loss of coverage. 

We also talk about what this means if you’re self-employed or run a small business. With shifting healthcare policies and tax laws, good bookkeeping and clear financial records matter more than ever.

Dr. Fiedler emphasizes the need for a more rational approach to healthcare financing and the importance of bookkeeping for self-employed individuals.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I talk with Dr. Matthew Fiedler about the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and what it could mean for your healthcare and taxes.

We break down how the government shutdown affects healthcare access, why there are major Medicaid cuts, and what trade-offs come with the new tax cuts. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by low and moderate-income individuals in accessing healthcare, especially in light of new administrative requirements and potential loss of coverage. 

We also talk about what this means if you’re self-employed or run a small business. With shifting healthcare policies and tax laws, good bookkeeping and clear financial records matter more than ever.

Dr. Fiedler emphasizes the need for a more rational approach to healthcare financing and the importance of bookkeeping for self-employed individuals.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:46 Understanding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

03:07 Impact of Government Shutdown on Healthcare

08:05 Overview of Healthcare Provisions in the Bill

09:30 Trade-offs in Tax Cuts and Healthcare Funding

12:20 Medicaid Cuts and Work Requirements

16:00 Navigating Medicaid for the Recently Unemployed

20:16 Cost-Shifting from Federal to State Medicaid Programs

25:29 Consequences for Low and Moderate Income Individuals

28:18 Changes in Marketplace Coverage Requirements

30:38 Implications for Self-Employed Individuals

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:

Dr. Matthew Fiedler

Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Watch YouTube video version

Read More

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

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Watch YouTube video version

Read More

The $100K Financial Literacy Reward, and The Hidden Costs of Buy Now, Pay Later

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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dig into the real impact of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services on spending habits and financial health. These “pay-later” plans may seem harmless, but they can quietly lead people, especially young consumers—into cycles of debt and financial stress.

I break down how BNPL changes the way we think about money, what the long-term risks are, and why financial education is one of the most effective tools for protecting yourself. Research shows that learning even the basics of personal finance can save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax podcast, I dig into the real impact of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services on spending habits and financial health. These “pay-later” plans may seem harmless, but they can quietly lead people, especially young consumers—into cycles of debt and financial stress.

I break down how BNPL changes the way we think about money, what the long-term risks are, and why financial education is one of the most effective tools for protecting yourself. Research shows that learning even the basics of personal finance can save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

 

Also mentioned in this episode:

02:00 Introduction to Personal Finance and Consumer Culture

04:15 The Dangers of Buy Now, Pay Later Services

06:37 The Importance of Personal Finance Education

09:49 The Value of Financial Literacy

12:28 Building Wealth Through Smart Financial Habits

 

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:

New York Times Article: They Got To Live A Life Of Luxury. Then Came The Fine Print 'Buy Now, Pay Later' has built a delirious new culture of consumption — and trapped users in a vortex of debt.

CNBC Article: You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000
Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Watch YouTube video version. 

Read More

How OBBBA Changes Medicaid, Planned Parenthood, Health Subsidies and Access for Immigrants 

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of The Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m unpacking the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)  and what its sweeping health care changes mean for real people and families. We’ll dig into how this new legislation affects Medicaid coverage, Planned Parenthood funding, and low-income immigrants, plus what’s changing for marketplace insurance subsidies and health savings accounts (HSAs).

I’ll also share key insights from an excellent healthinsurance.org article by Louise Norris, titled “One Big Beautiful Bill Act Brings Sweeping Changes to Health Coverage.” With her permission, I’ll be reading excerpts from that piece and you can find the full article linked in the show notes. It’s a must-read if you want a deeper understanding of how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) could reshape American health care and insurance coverage in the years ahead.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of The Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m unpacking the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)  and what its sweeping health care changes mean for real people and families. We’ll dig into how this new legislation affects Medicaid coverage, Planned Parenthood funding, and low-income immigrants, plus what’s changing for marketplace insurance subsidies and health savings accounts (HSAs).

I’ll also share key insights from an excellent healthinsurance.org article by Louise Norris, titled “One Big Beautiful Bill Act Brings Sweeping Changes to Health Coverage.” With her permission, I’ll be reading excerpts from that piece and you can find the full article linked in the show notes. It’s a must-read if you want a deeper understanding of how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) could reshape American health care and insurance coverage in the years ahead.

Also mentioned in this episode:

03:29  Health Care Provisions Overview

07:02  Medicaid Changes and Impacts

09:17  Planned Parenthood Funding

11:37  Subsidy Eligibility for Low-Income Immigrants

12:32  Impact of Subsidy Changes on Self-Employed

17:09  Health Savings Accounts and Marketplace Plans

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.

Credit:

Key insights in this episode come from an excellent article by Louise Norris for healthinsurance.org, titled “One Big Beautiful Bill Act Brings Sweeping Changes to Health Coverage.” Shared with permission. 

Links:

Article by Louise Norris published in healthinsurance.org: One Big Beautiful Bill Act brings sweeping changes to health coverage by Louise Norris 

Watch YouTube Video Version

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Link to pre-order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Read More

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