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Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs

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How to Handle Your First Estimated Tax Payment (April 15 Guide)

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On this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I break down everything you need to know to make your first 2026 estimated quarterly tax payment. Learn how to manage cash flow, make accurate payments, and avoid going it alone. I share actionable tips, resources, and introduce my new Substack to help small business owners stay on top of taxes and maintain financial health all year long.

Listen and Subscribe Here

On this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I break down everything you need to know to make your first 2026 estimated quarterly tax payment. Learn how to manage cash flow, make accurate payments, and avoid going it alone. I share actionable tips, resources, and introduce my new Substack to help small business owners stay on top of taxes and maintain financial health all year long.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Introduction to Quarterly Tax Payments

10:09  Understanding the Importance of Quarterly Tax Payments

15:25  Methods for Calculating Quarterly Tax Payments

23:02  Final Thoughts on Tax Payments and Support

Takeaways

  • Pay 100% of last year's tax to avoid penalties

  • Divide last year's tax by four to estimate quarterly payments

  • Adjust payments based on the current year's profit for better cash flow

  • Maintain quarterly bookkeeping to improve payment accuracy

  • Join Hannah's Bookkeeping Club for accountability and support

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.

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Last week’s episode: The April 15 Cash Crunch: Why It Happens and How To Handle It

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

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

Watch YouTube video version

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The April 15 Cash Crunch: Why It Happens and How To Handle It

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This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m sharing practical tips to help you navigate the April 15 tax deadline with more clarity and less stress. I talk about why filing your taxes early can make a big difference, how estimated quarterly tax payments help self-employed people stay ahead, and how funding your IRA can lower your tax bill while building long-term financial security.

I also dive into the bigger picture of tax planning for entrepreneurs and freelancers, including why understanding your tax obligations is one of the most empowering things you can do for your business. Plus, I share details about some upcoming workshops designed to help creatives, entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals build simple, sustainable systems for managing money and taxes.

Listen and Subscribe Here

This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m sharing practical tips to help you navigate the April 15 tax deadline with more clarity and less stress. I talk about why filing your taxes early can make a big difference, how estimated quarterly tax payments help self-employed people stay ahead, and how funding your IRA can lower your tax bill while building long-term financial security.

I also dive into the bigger picture of tax planning for entrepreneurs and freelancers, including why understanding your tax obligations is one of the most empowering things you can do for your business. Plus, I share details about some upcoming workshops designed to help creatives, entrepreneurs, and self-employed individuals build simple, sustainable systems for managing money and taxes.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Understanding the April 15th Cash Crunch

03:57 The Importance of Early Tax Filing

06:39 Navigating Estimated Quarterly Taxes

09:26 Preparing for Multiple Deadlines on April 15th

12:10 The Significance of Funding Your IRA

14:59 Strategies for Managing Tax Responsibilities

17:43 Upcoming Workshops and Educational Opportunities

Takeaways

  • File your taxes early to gain clarity and reduce stress

  • Pay quarterly estimated taxes to avoid penalties and maximize credits

  • Set your tax payment date for April 15th, even if you file early

  • Funding your IRA is a priority and should be done by April 15th

  • Bookkeeping is the key to smooth tax filing and planning

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:

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

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

Watch YouTube video version

Read More
the Sunlight Tax Podcast Hannah Cole the Sunlight Tax Podcast Hannah Cole

Big Change: Money Bootcamp Is Now a Guided Year with Co-Working

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This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share my journey through the pain points of small business finances. I talk about why tax literacy, making quarterly payments, and strategic financial planning are so important, especially for creative and mission-driven entrepreneurs like you. I also introduce my reimagined Money Bootcamp, now a guided, year-long program designed to help you avoid penalties, build savings, and stay tax compliant.

Listen and Subscribe Here

This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share my journey through the pain points of small business finances. I talk about why tax literacy, making quarterly payments, and strategic financial planning are so important, especially for creative and mission-driven entrepreneurs like you. I also introduce my reimagined Money Bootcamp, now a guided, year-long program designed to help you avoid penalties, build savings, and stay tax compliant.

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

01:00 Understanding the Pain of Tax Illiteracy

10:34 Navigating Quarterly Taxes and Business Finances

14:39 Introducing Money Boot Camp: A Guided Experience

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:

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Change is Coming: How I Use the Feedback Loop to Shift My Business

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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I take you behind the scenes of a challenging season in my business and share what it really looks like to navigate change as an entrepreneur. I share insights on the power of feedback, confronting financial realities, and the critical shift from simply learning about taxes and business to taking actionable steps that drive real results.

I also introduce new workshops and community-building initiatives designed to make learning tangible, supportive, and actionable. If you’re a small business owner, creative, or entrepreneur looking to grow with confidence and clarity, this episode shows how to shift from overwhelm to empowered action.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I take you behind the scenes of a challenging season in my business and share what it really looks like to navigate change as an entrepreneur. I share insights on the power of feedback, confronting financial realities, and the critical shift from simply learning about taxes and business to taking actionable steps that drive real results.

I also introduce new workshops and community-building initiatives designed to make learning tangible, supportive, and actionable. If you’re a small business owner, creative, or entrepreneur looking to grow with confidence and clarity, this episode shows how to shift from overwhelm to empowered action.

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

01:00 Navigating Difficult Times in Business

09:37 Embracing Change and Taking Action

17:56 Building Community and Future Workshops

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:

Join my Free Class on 3/4: Make Money Easier, Starting With Taxes

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

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Watch YouTube video version

Read More

Behind The Scenes As I Navigate Change In My Business: We’re In This Together

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In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share my personal experiences with vulnerability and the challenges I’ve been navigating in my business, especially after a recent drop in sales. I talk about the emotional impact of that shift and why transparency, integrity, and adaptability matter so much to me as a business owner. I also reflect on the economic uncertainty many small businesses are facing right now and the importance of trust, community, and personalized guidance during these times. I’m also inviting you to my upcoming class, which I created to help simplify taxes and make it more accessible for small business owners.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share my personal experiences with vulnerability and the challenges I’ve been navigating in my business, especially after a recent drop in sales. I talk about the emotional impact of that shift and why transparency, integrity, and adaptability matter so much to me as a business owner. I also reflect on the economic uncertainty many small businesses are facing right now and the importance of trust, community, and personalized guidance during these times. I’m also inviting you to my upcoming class, which I created to help simplify taxes and make it more accessible for small business owners.

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

01:00 Navigating Vulnerability and Business Challenges

05:11 Modeling Flexibility in Business

09:52 Understanding Economic Uncertainty

14:35 Building Trust and Community

19:04 Improving Business Offerings

23:55 Invitation to Learn and Grow Together

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:

Join my Free Class on 3/4: Make Money Easier, Starting With Taxes

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

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

Watch YouTube video version

Read More

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