THE SUNLIGHT TAX BLOG:
Tax and Money Education for Creative People, Freelancers and Solopreneurs
search A TOPIC
Categories
- Business Management 17
- Creative Specific 3
- Estimated Quarterly Taxes 5
- General Economy; Tax Policy and Legislation 43
- Get to know Hannah Cole 8
- Interviews and personal stories 26
- Personal Finance 21
- Personal and Career Development 19
- Practical and Tactical Tax 54
- Retirement and Future Success 27
- Sunlight Podcast 149
- Tax Deductions for Freelancers and Self-Employed 8
- the Sunlight Tax Podcast 24
Healthcare Changes From the OBBBA: Expert Dr. Matthew Fiedler Explains
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.
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:
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
Can You Deduct That Trip? How Business Meals and Travel Deductions Really Work
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.
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
The $100K Financial Literacy Reward, and The Hidden Costs of Buy Now, Pay Later
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.
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
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
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
OBBBA Reveals Why Tax Laws for the 1% Happen, and A Solution
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m diving into the One Big Beautiful Act, a major tax law that passed this summer. I found a great, nonpartisan article from the Tax Policy Center Urban Institute & Brookings Institution, and with the authors’ permission, I’m going to share it with you here. It’s called “When Tax Laws Defy Public Opinion: What OBBBA Reveals.”
The piece lays out the short-term wins of this law, but also the long-term effects on things like healthcare and our social safety net. What really struck me is the gap between what people want and what lawmakers actually do—and how much wealth drives those decisions.
For me, the big lesson is that we need to frame fiscal issues in ways that connect with the public, and ultimately, push for campaign finance reform to get legislation that reflects real public priorities.
Listen and Subscribe Here
In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m diving into the One Big Beautiful Act, a major tax law that passed this summer. I found a great, nonpartisan article from the Tax Policy Center Urban Institute & Brookings Institution, and with the authors’ permission, I’m going to share it with you here. It’s called “When Tax Laws Defy Public Opinion: What OBBBA Reveals.”
The piece lays out the short-term wins of this law, but also the long-term effects on things like healthcare and our social safety net. What really struck me is the gap between what people want and what lawmakers actually do—and how much wealth drives those decisions.
For me, the big lesson is that we need to frame fiscal issues in ways that connect with the public, and ultimately, push for campaign finance reform to get legislation that reflects real public priorities.
Also mentioned in this episode:
01:05 Introduction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
02:34 The Societal Impact of the Tax Bill
04:44 Public Opinion vs. Legislative Action
07:29 Disparities in Wealth and Policy Preferences
10:31 The Importance of Campaign Finance Reform
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:
Tax Policy Center Urban Institute & Brookings Institution Article: When Tax Laws Defy Public Opinion: What OBBBA Reveals
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
What are your money concerns?
Suggest a blog topic for Hannah here.