Moving from employment to full-time self-employment comes with new tax responsibilities. Tax questions, bookkeeping, and business setup can keep you from making sales and growing your business. In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m breaking down the tax basics every new self-employed business owner needs to understand, including business deductions, self-employment tax, bookkeeping systems, quarterly estimated tax payments, and choosing the right business entity.

The right tax and business systems can help you stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and feel more confident running your business. I’ll also introduce my 2-Day Business Intensive, where I help solo business owners get their tax, bookkeeping, and legal setup on solid footing so they can stop second-guessing their business and focus on growing it.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:12 Tax uncertainty can put the brakes on sales

01:35 Why getting your business setup locked in matters

03:49 How payroll helped Hannah double revenue

05:37 The transition from corporate work to self-employment

07:22 Business deductions and first-year startup expenses

09:53 Bookkeeping, tax planning, and self-employment tax

11:06 Why self-employment tax is 15.3%

13:24 Quarterly payments, retirement, and entity questions

15:39 Inside the two-day business setup intensive

17:29 Cohort dates, pricing, and final encouragement

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.

Episode Links:

Check out my 2-day Business Intensive

Get my Tax Help on Substack

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

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Have you ever been ghosted by your accountant? You’re not alone! In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m talking about why accountants sometimes disappear, how to find the right tax professional for your business, and why having your financial systems properly set up can make all the difference.

I’ll share why getting your tax, bookkeeping, and business systems in order is essential for self-employed creatives, freelancers, and small business owners. I’ll also explain how my 2-Day Business Setup Intensive helps entrepreneurs get clarity on their taxes, bookkeeping, and legal setup with personalized guidance and support, so you can stop second-guessing your business finances and start feeling confident about running your business.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

00:00 Introduction to ghosting stories and why trust matters

02:00 The story of Andy and the pitfalls of S corporations

07:01 How Hannah’s intensive helps entrepreneurs rebuild trust

10:04 Kai’s story: from fear to confidence in business setup

13:02 The importance of proper bookkeeping and tax planning

14:50 How trust in your setup boosts sales and growth

16:05 Details of the two-day business setup intensive

19:49 Program details, private sessions, and entity guidance

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

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.

Episode Links:

Check out my 2-day Business Intensive

Get my Tax Help on Substack

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

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

This week on the Sunlight Tax podcast, I’m chatting about another commonly missed tax deduction for self-employed individuals: parking and tolls. I’m diving into how tolls and parking should be tracked separately and added to the car expense category on tax schedules so you can get the deduction you deserve.

Join me in this episode to get some practical tips on how to easily track your parking and toll expenses for this upcoming tax season.

Also mentioned in today’s episode:

2:26 Tracking parking and tolls separately from mileage

2:44 Methods for tracking car expenses

4:30 Practical tips for maximizing your deductions

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

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.

Episode Links:

Sunlight episode on tracking mileage deduction

Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions

Check out my 2-day Business Intensive

Get my Tax Help on Substack

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