Guides
Guides for freelancers and licensed professionals
The rules behind our calculators, explained with worked 2026 examples and links to the official sources.
Self-employed & gig taxes
Self-employment tax, quarterly payments, deductions and retirement plans for freelancers and gig workers.
How Much Should Freelancers Set Aside for Taxes? (2026) Real 2026 numbers: federal + self-employment tax at six income levels, how much to add for your state, and a simple system for saving from every payment. Updated September 24, 2026 · 8 min read Mileage Deduction for Uber, Lyft & DoorDash Drivers (2026) The 2026 rate changed mid-year: 72.5¢ through June 30, 76¢ from July 1. How to split your miles, which miles count, standard vs. actual expenses, and what your log needs. Updated September 24, 2026 · 7 min read No Tax on Tips for Uber, DoorDash & Instacart Drivers (2026) Gig drivers qualify for the new tips deduction (up to $25,000, 2025–2028) — but it doesn’t touch self-employment tax. Worked examples of what it’s really worth. Updated September 24, 2026 · 6 min read Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA for Freelancers: 2026 Limits & Math At $60K of profit a Solo 401(k) lets you shelter $35,652 vs. $11,152 in a SEP IRA. 2026 limits, the exact formula, deadlines, and when a SEP is still the better choice. Updated September 24, 2026 · 8 min read 1099-K and 1099-NEC Thresholds in 2026: What Changed 1099-NEC rises to $2,000 for 2026 payments; 1099-K is back to $20,000 and 200 transactions. What that means for freelancers, sellers and drivers — and how to handle duplicate or wrong forms. Updated September 24, 2026 · 7 min read S-Corp Election for Freelancers: When Does It Pay Off? (2026) The payroll-tax savings are real, but lost QBI deduction and admin costs eat 30–40% of them. Full 2026 math at four income levels, reasonable salary rules, and hidden costs. Updated September 24, 2026 · 7 min read Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction, HSAs & the 2026 ACA Cliff How freelancers deduct health premiums, the new HSA rules for bronze plans, and why the returning 400% ACA subsidy cliff makes income planning worth thousands in 2026. Updated September 24, 2026 · 7 min read Airbnb & Vrbo Host Taxes: 14-Day Rule, Schedule C vs. E (2026) The rules that decide how short-term rental income is taxed: the 14-day rule, personal-use limits, when hosts owe self-employment tax, the 7-day “STR loophole,” occupancy tax and depreciation. Updated September 24, 2026 · 8 min read Complete Freelancer Tax Guide 2026 Quarterly payments, QBI rules, 1099-K thresholds and a Schedule C walkthrough — the complete 2026 freelancer tax guide, from official IRS sources. Updated September 24, 2026 · 11 min read Self-Employment Tax: Why Freelancers Pay 15.3% Freelancers pay 15.3% SE tax on top of income tax. Covers the 92.35% calculation, SE tax at four income levels, quarterly payments, and the SE deduction. 2026. Updated September 24, 2026 · 8 min read Home Office Deduction for Freelancers (2026) Simplified vs. regular method, worked examples, a Form 8829 walkthrough, and renter vs. homeowner rules for the home office deduction. 2026. Updated September 24, 2026 · 9 min read
Professional licensing
Renewals, continuing education and moving a license between states.
Moving to a New State With a Professional License (2026 Guide) How nurses, engineers, CPAs, real estate agents, contractors and electricians transfer a license: compacts, comity, endorsement, reciprocity, costs and timelines. Updated September 24, 2026 · 8 min read ARE 5.0 exam guide All six divisions, costs, pass rates and the rules that changed recently. Updated September 24, 2026 · 10 min read
Vehicles
What cars cost on top of the sticker price, and how business vehicles are taxed.
The Real Cost of Buying a Car: Sales Tax, Title & Registration by State What you pay on top of the sticker price for a $35,000 car in 14 states, how much more EVs pay each year, and how trade-ins, rebates and the new car-loan interest deduction work. Updated September 24, 2026 · 6 min read Business Vehicle Tax Deductions (2026) Section 179 limits for heavy vehicles, 100% bonus depreciation, 280F caps, the end of the Section 45W EV credit, and 1245 recapture rules. 2026 business vehicle tax guide. Updated September 24, 2026 · 12 min read