THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:

Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs

Sunlight Podcast Hannah Cole Sunlight Podcast Hannah Cole

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.

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.

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Get your FREE Deductions Guide

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Listen to last week’s episode: Tips on Filing an Extension

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Tips on Filing an Extension

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Today, I’m providing some practical advice on filing a tax extension and how you can do it without getting a penalty. I’m also talking about the importance of relationships in career success as an artist, especially in a world increasingly influenced by AI.

Join me in this episode to learn how you can file a tax extension properly and why you need to be focusing on building relationships in your art career. 

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Today, I’m providing some practical advice on filing a tax extension and how you can do it without getting a penalty. I’m also talking about the importance of relationships in career success as an artist, especially in a world increasingly influenced by AI.

 

Join me in this episode to learn how you can file a tax extension properly and why you need to be focusing on building relationships in your art career. 

 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

  • The importance of relationships in career success 2:40

  • Understanding tax extensions 14:10

 

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:

Free class for artists: Make Art Anyway: Your 2025 Show Strategy 

File an extension request here

Make your extension payment here

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Sunlight Podcast Hannah Cole Sunlight Podcast Hannah Cole

The Key To Less Fear When Doing Your Taxes

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In today’s episode, I’m talking about some of the common tax fears I see entrepreneurs encounter and giving you strategies on how you can reduce your tax-related anxiety and feel prepared for tax season. 

Join me in this important episode to hear my framework that can help demystify the tax process and make managing your taxes less stressful and more straightforward.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In today’s episode, I’m talking about some of the common tax fears I see entrepreneurs encounter and giving you strategies on how you can reduce your tax-related anxiety and feel prepared for tax season. 

 

Join me in this important episode to hear my framework that can help demystify the tax process and make managing your taxes less stressful and more straightforward.

 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

  • Understanding audits and the statute of limitations 3:34

  • Following tax rules and self-reporting 7:52

  • Reducing tax fear through education 9:30

 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 



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Should You Do A Tax Protest?

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In today’s episode, I’m chatting about the impact of the Trump administration and why I think doing a tax protest is a counterproductive method of political dissent. I’m also giving you some ideas for effective ways you can influence policy if you’re looking to make a difference.

Join me to learn how you can channel your political energy and exercise political power through engagement rather than breaking the law.

Listen and Subscribe Here

In today’s episode, I’m chatting about the impact of the Trump administration and why I think doing a tax protest is a counterproductive method of political dissent. I’m also giving you some ideas for effective ways you can influence policy if you’re looking to make a difference.

 

Join me to learn how you can channel your political energy and exercise political power through engagement rather than breaking the law.

 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

  • Effective ways of political engagement 7:50

  • Consequences of a tax protest 9:10

  • Alternative channels for political protest 16:55

 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

 

Links:

FREE LIVE CLASS: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

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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

Watch YouTube video version

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