Self-employed and 1099 taxes, done right
If you work for yourself, get paid on 1099s, or run your own business, your taxes don’t work like an employee’s — and that gap is where people either overpay or leave money on the table. We find every legal deduction, calculate what you actually owe, and keep the IRS off your back. With an SSN or an ITIN.
What your free consultation covers
- Your complete tax picture, reviewed at no cost.
- Exactly which documents your case needs.
- A refund (or balance-due) estimate before you commit.
- Price and scope in writing — no surprises.
A W-2 is not a 1099 — and that’s why you’re taxed differently
As an employee, your boss withholds taxes from every paycheck and a W-2 arrives with everything settled. When you’re self-employed or paid on 1099s, nobody withholds anything: you are your own employer in the eyes of the IRS. That means two things that catch people off guard: you pay self-employment tax (the Social Security and Medicare share an employer used to cover) and you report your business on a Schedule C, subtracting your real expenses.
The good news: that same Schedule C is your best tool. Every legitimate work expense lowers what you owe. The problem is most people don’t track those expenses or don’t know which ones qualify — and end up paying tax on money that was never profit.
| Employee (W-2) | Self-employed / 1099 | |
|---|---|---|
| Who withholds your taxes | Your employer, every check | Nobody — that’s on you |
| Income form | W-2 | 1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-MISC |
| Where you report | Straight on your 1040 | 1040 + Schedule C |
| Self-employment tax | Doesn’t apply | Yes (15.3%: Social Security + Medicare) |
| Expense deductions | Very limited | Broad, if you document them |
| Payments to the IRS | Automatic | Quarterly estimated taxes |
The deductions almost nobody claims — and you can
If an expense is ordinary and necessary for your work, it’s almost always deductible. These are the ones that slip past people most often:
- Mileage and vehicle — every work mile counts (at the IRS rate), or the actual costs of your truck or car.
- Home office — a share of rent, utilities and internet if you work from home.
- Tools and equipment — from a ladder or a laptop to the software you use.
- Phone and internet — the share you use for work.
- Materials and supplies — what you buy to do the job or to resell.
- Contract labor — the people you paid to help you (with their 1099s).
- Health insurance — paying your own coverage? A good part may be deductible.
- Business meals, memberships, licenses and permits for your trade.
You don’t need to show up with everything perfect. Bring what you have — receipts, bank statements, notes on your phone — and we build the Schedule C with you, expense by expense, so you claim every dollar you’re entitled to and not one you’re not.
Construction & remodeling
Mileage, tools, materials, 1099 helpers.
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash & delivery
Mileage, phone, app fees, maintenance.
Freelance, cleaning & services
Supplies, software, uniforms, transportation, equipment.
Beauty, nails & barbering
Product, chair or booth rent, licenses.
Quarterly taxes: pay on time, skip the penalties
Since nobody withholds for you during the year, the IRS expects you to pay as you go, every three months — the quarterly estimated taxes. If they apply to you and you skip them, the IRS charges a late-payment penalty even if you settle everything at filing time. It’s one of the most common reasons a self-employed worker ends up owing more than expected.
We calculate whether they apply, how much each payment should be, and give you the dates so none slips by. You spread what you owe across the year instead of taking one hit in April — no IRS surprises.
An ally who understands your business, all year long
The big franchises see you in season, hand you to whoever’s on shift, and vanish until next year. We work with you 365 days a year, with the same team that already knows your case.
- SSN or ITIN — no Social Security number? We still file your taxes, and if you need to get or renew an ITIN, we do it as IRS Certified Acceptance Agents.
- All year, not just tax season — questions, IRS letters, a new client asking for a W-9: we’re here.
- A clear price before we start — we review your documents and give you the cost in writing. No fine print.
- The same team every year — your case doesn’t rotate among strangers.
Business not formed yet?
If you don’t have a company yet, we help you open your Texas LLC. To reach tax season without the scramble, add monthly bookkeeping. Want the full picture? Back to tax preparation.
Your self-employed taxes in 4 steps
Free consultation
In person or over video. You tell us about your work; we review your full situation at no cost.
A document list made for you
We tell you exactly which 1099s, receipts and records your case needs.
We build your Schedule C with you
Claiming every deduction, and explaining every number before you sign.
E-file + follow-through
We file your return, leave your quarterlies set up, and track your refund until it lands.
Self-employed tax questions, answered
How do I file taxes as a self-employed or 1099 worker?
What deductions can I take as a self-employed worker?
Can I file as self-employed without a Social Security number?
Do I have to pay quarterly taxes?
What if I never kept receipts?
Should I form an LLC or stay self-employed?
Stop overpaying for working for yourself
Free consultation, your deductions claimed properly, and your quarterlies set up so April stops being a surprise.
