THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:
Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs
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Categories
- Business Management 12
- Creative Specific 3
- Estimated Quarterly Taxes 5
- General Economy; Tax Policy and Legislation 36
- Get to know Hannah Cole 8
- Interviews and personal stories 23
- Personal Finance 17
- Personal and Career Development 15
- Practical and Tactical Tax 54
- Retirement and Future Success 26
- Sunlight Podcast 144
- Tax Deductions for Freelancers and Self-Employed 7
My #1 Tip After Filing Your Taxes
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In today’s episode of the Sunlight Podcast, I’m sharing why it’s so important to review your tax return—even after you’ve filed. We’ll also chat about the power of taking a digital detox during the busy tax season to help you reset and recharge.
I’ll walk you through how to understand the key sections of your tax return, what tax estimates really mean, and how to reconcile what you owed with what you paid.
Plus, I’m offering some simple, practical strategies for adjusting your future payments if your income changes—so you can feel more confident, prepared, and in control come tax time. Whether you’re self-employed or just trying to make sense of your finances, this episode is here to support you!
Listen and Subscribe Here
In today’s episode of the Sunlight Podcast, I’m sharing why it’s so important to review your tax return—even after you’ve filed. We’ll also chat about the power of taking a digital detox during the busy tax season to help you reset and recharge.
I’ll walk you through how to understand the key sections of your tax return, what tax estimates really mean, and how to reconcile what you owed with what you paid.
Plus, I’m offering some simple, practical strategies for adjusting your future payments if your income changes—so you can feel more confident, prepared, and in control come tax time. Whether you’re self-employed or just trying to make sense of your finances, this episode is here to support you!
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:00 Digital Detox: A Refreshing Break
02:02 Post-Tax Filing: Key Steps for Improvement
07:16 Understanding Your Tax Return: Key Insights
12:07 Adjusting for Future Taxes: Strategies for Success
15:43 Resources for Tax Management: Programs and Support
Takeaways
Reviewing your tax return is crucial for financial planning.
Understanding your tax return helps avoid future whammies.
Taxes are retroactive; you only know your tax rate after the year ends.
Your total tax owed is reconciled with what you've paid throughout the year.
Aim to have your tax payments equal your total tax owed.
Adjust your estimated taxes based on income fluctuations.
Self-employed individuals must be proactive with tax payments.
Utilizing tax programs can simplify the filing process.
Seek help from tax education programs for better understanding.
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 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.
My On-demand class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp
Sunlight Podcast Episodes about Quarterly Taxes:
Understand Your Tax Rate
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Has calculating your income tax rate in the past been overwhelming?
Today, I’m going to discuss the complexities of income tax rates, particularly for self-employed individuals. I explain the progressive tax system, the difference between marginal and average tax rates, and provide practical tips for calculating taxes accurately. The conversation aims to demystify tax calculations and empower listeners with knowledge to manage their finances effectively.
Join me in this episode to hear some tips on estimating your income tax rate and how you can avoid errors when calculating your income tax.
Listen and Subscribe Here
Has calculating your income tax rate in the past been overwhelming?
Today, I’m going to discuss the complexities of income tax rates, particularly for self-employed individuals. I explain the progressive tax system, the difference between marginal and average tax rates, and provide practical tips for calculating taxes accurately. The conversation aims to demystify tax calculations and empower listeners with knowledge to manage their finances effectively.
Join me in this episode to hear some tips on estimating your income tax rate and how you can avoid errors when calculating your income tax.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
00:00 Understanding Income Tax Rates
09:33 The Progressive Tax System Explained
11:58 Marginal vs. Effective Tax Rates
17:04 Calculating Your Taxes Accurately
23:20 Final Thoughts and Resources
Takeaways:
People confuse marginal tax rates with their actual tax rate.
Income tax calculations are more complex than they seem.
Self-employment tax is a flat rate of 15.3%.
Estimating tax rates requires guessing due to timing.
Graduated income tax means different rates apply to different income slices.
Both low and high earners pay zero tax on the first $11,000.
Marginal tax rates only apply to the last dollar earned.
Average tax rates provide a more accurate tax estimate.
Online calculators can simplify tax calculations.
Self-employment tax should not be double counted in estimates.
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Every review makes a big difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight podcast to new audiences.
Links:
Get your FREE Deductions Guide
Listen to last week’s episode: Tips on Filing an Extension
Tax Pain: Don't Waste It, Learn from It
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Today, I’m talking about how you can use the pain of getting a large tax bill and turn it into an opportunity for financial growth, including funding for your retirement savings and maxing out your IRA contributions.
Join me in this episode to learn how you can transform your current financial challenges into an opportunity for improvement and how you can make sure you are financially secure.
Listen and Subscribe here
Today, I’m talking about how you can use the pain of getting a large tax bill and turn it into an opportunity for financial growth, including funding for your retirement savings and maxing out your IRA contributions.
Join me in this episode to learn how you can transform your current financial challenges into an opportunity for improvement and how you can make sure you are financially secure.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
Challenges for not paying quarterly taxes 9:52
Financial anxiety and economic security 12:34
Using your current financial situation as a motivator 18:32
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Links:
On-demand class on Making Taxes Easier/Best Deal on my program, Money Bootcamp
How to Pay Quarterly Taxes When Your Income Changes
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Today, I’m talking about the importance of estimated quarterly taxes if you’re self-employed and how you can use the Safe Harbor rule, to help make an accurate tax estimate if your income is different this year from last year.
Join me in this episode to learn how you can avoid tax penalties and large tax bills by estimating your quarterly taxes as accurately as possible.
Listen and Subscribe Here
Today, I’m talking about the importance of estimated quarterly taxes if you’re self-employed and how you can use the Safe Harbor rule, to help make an accurate tax estimate if your income is different this year from last year.
Join me in this episode to learn how you can avoid tax penalties and large tax bills by estimating your quarterly taxes as accurately as possible.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
What is the Safe Harbor Rule? 2:20
Paying your quarterly taxes based on current year income 9:10
The benefits of paying quarterly taxes 13:00
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Links:
On-demand class on Making Taxes Easier/Best Deal on my program, Money Bootcamp
Home Office Expenses on Your Books vs. Taxes
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In today’s episode, I’m chatting about the common confusion around tax deductions for home offices or studios, including what you can and cannot deduct as an entrepreneur. I’m also explaining how discrepancies between bookkeeping and tax deductions for a home office are normal and expected.
Listen to this episode to get a better understanding of how to maximize your home office and studio deductions.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In today’s episode, I’m chatting about the common confusion around tax deductions for home offices or studios, including what you can and cannot deduct as an entrepreneur. I’m also explaining how discrepancies between bookkeeping and tax deductions for a home office are normal and expected.
Listen to this episode to get a better understanding of how to maximize your home office and studio deductions.
Also mentioned in today’s episode:
The criteria for home office deductions 2:35
How you can calculate your home office deductions 6:50
Direct expenses and quarterly tax payments 8:20
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it!
Links:
Visual Guide to Tax Deductions
Check out my program, Money Bootcamp.
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