Free Tax Return Preparation for Side-Hustlers and Seniors: How VITA and TCE File Your Return for $0
IRS-certified VITA and TCE volunteers file federal returns for $0 — VITA at roughly $69,000 income or less, TCE at age 60+ with no income cap.
#self-employment
Self-Employment
Learn about self-employment taxes, LLC owner compensation, and freelancer financial management
Teaching CPR for a Living: The Real Economics of a CPR Training Business
AHA eCards run $6–7 for BLS but about $20 for a Heartsaver combo — price each US course from its own cost card, not one flat seat price.
Hungary's Scrapped KATA Flat Tax Is Coming Back: What an Abuse-Proof Revival Means for Freelancers Who Invoice Businesses
Hungary's KATA flat tax is set to return for freelancers who invoice businesses. Expect per-client concentration caps, so track revenue per payer now.
Are You Leaving the New $6,000 Senior Deduction on the Table?
The new US senior deduction gives filers 65+ up to $6,000 through 2028, shrinking 6 cents per dollar of MAGI over $75,000 single or $150,000 joint.
Renting Out Your Pool by the Hour? The Taxes, Insurance Gap, and Local Laws to Sort Out First
Pool rental income is taxable even without a 1099-K, and your US homeowners policy likely excludes paying guests — check IRS rules, coverage, and permits first.
Getting Paid by E-Wallet in Tajikistan? The 3% Transaction Tax Is Now Live
Tajikistan now debits 3% from e-wallet, QR and mobile payments — over 10 payments a day from different senders can register you as an entrepreneur.
Your Income Isn't Level: The Annualized Income Method on Form 2210
Form 2210 Schedule AI matches each IRS estimated-tax installment to income earned by March 31, May 31, Aug 31 and Nov 30 — it can only shrink your penalty.
The Owner-Operator Trucker's 2026 Per Diem Deduction: Why You Deduct 80%, Not 50%
Owner-operators deduct 80% of the $80 IRS transportation per diem rate — $64 a day — not 50%. Claim only overnight days and prorate partial days at 75%.
Renting Out Your Car on Turo? The Tax Bill Is Bigger Than Your Payouts Suggest
Turo hosting is Schedule C self-employment income, not Schedule E rent — 15.3% SE tax, a gross 1099-K, and an IRS mileage rate that changed midyear 2026.
The IRS Says You Didn't File: What Notice CP59 Means and How to Respond
Notice CP59 means the IRS has no record of your prior-year return. File the missing return, show you already filed, or explain on Form 15103 why none is due — and file your own return before the IRS prepares a substitute one without your deductions.
Starting a Tax Preparation Business: The PTIN, the EFIN Suitability Check, the E-File Mandate, and the Due-Diligence Rules You Need Before Taking Your First Paying Client
A PTIN, an EFIN after a 45-day IRS suitability check, and Form 8867 diligence on every credit return — the federal startup checklist for paid preparers.
Iceland's 2026 Deemed-Salary Rules: The Minimum Paycheck Every Freelancer Must Report
Iceland requires every self-employed person to impute a minimum salary — 795,000 kr a month for a solo media freelancer, 1,199,000 kr for a solo specialist in 2026, up about 7.7% — plus 6.35% social security tax and 15.5% pension contributions on top.