The TaxFile blog
Tax filing blog, made practical
Plain-language writing on self-employed and small-business taxes: what a 1099 is and what to do with it, the write-offs freelancers miss, how to file self-employment taxes, what to know the first time you file, and how quarterly estimated taxes work. No jargon, just what helps you file with confidence. This is general information, not tax advice.
TurboTax vs TaxAct vs H&R Block Prices for 2026
A one-state Schedule C return costs about $122 at H&R Block, $110 to $150 at TaxAct and $178 to $203 at TurboTax. Five common returns priced end to end, and which of the three to buy.
eBay Taxes, Best Tax Software for eBay Sellers and the eBay 1099-K (2026)
eBay already remits sales tax, so resellers need software that files a Schedule C with cost of goods sold. Five options priced from $15.99 to $199, and the 1099-K mistake that costs a typical reseller about $3,000.
Best Tax Software for Etsy Sellers in 2026
Etsy already remits your sales tax, so the software you need files income tax on a Schedule C. Six options priced from $0 to $199 for 2026, and the 1099-K mistake that costs a typical shop over $2,000.
Quarterly Tax Software for Gig Workers Compared (2026)
Seven ways to size and pay estimated taxes on gig income, with verified 2026 prices from $0 to $399, the Keeper tier that actually includes quarterlies, and why TurboTax vouchers underpay in a growing year.
Best AI Tax Software for Self-Employed Filers in 2026
Three different products are sold under one label, and only one of them files your return. Verified 2026 prices from $0 to $399, and which category fits which filer.
Best Tax Software for Real Estate Agents in 2026
Verified 2026 prices from $0 to $199, the state limits that change which one is cheapest, and the four things an agent return needs that other returns do not.
TurboTax Premium Cost in 2026 for Self-Employed Filers
TurboTax Premium costs $139 plus state in 2026 and is what TurboTax Self-Employed became. Verified prices, and what the same Schedule C return costs elsewhere.
Best Tax Software for Content Creators in 2026
Verified 2026 prices from $0 to $199, the state limits that change which one is cheapest, and the 1099 reconciliation that is worth more than the software.
Best Mileage Tracker Apps for Gig Drivers in 2026
Verified August 2026 prices, and the monthly trip caps that quietly cost a full-time driver deductions. Plus the four things the IRS needs your log to show.
Best Tax Software for Rideshare Drivers in 2026
Most free tiers stop at Schedule C, which is the one form every driver needs. The verified 2026 prices, and which product fits which kind of driving year.
TurboTax Pricing 2026 and TurboTax Cost for Every Tier
TurboTax pricing for 2026: $0 Free Edition, $79 Deluxe, $139 Premium, plus $39 to $64 per state. Every tier priced, and what a self-employed return really costs.
Best Tax Software for Small Business in 2026
Your entity picks your software, not a feature list. Schedule C filers pay $25 to $139. An S corp return starts at $639. The verified 2026 prices, compared.
TurboTax for Uber Drivers with Cost and Alternatives
TurboTax Premium lists at $139 federal plus state for a driver return. What an Uber or Lyft driver actually needs from tax software, and the cheaper options.
Tax Preparer vs Tax Software and Which to Pay For
A CPA averages $280 for a basic 1040 and about $430 once a Schedule C is added. Software runs $39 to $199. Here is the real break-even, with the fee data.
IRS Payment Plan vs Credit Card and Which Is Cheaper
An IRS plan costs about 10% a year all in. A credit card costs 1.75% up front plus your APR. The full math on a $10,000 balance, and when the card wins.
Why Do I Owe Taxes This Year? 7 Real Reasons
Owing tax after years of refunds usually means your withholding changed, not your tax rate. The seven real causes, and how to fix each one on your W-4.
Married Filing Separately vs Jointly and How to Pick
Filing jointly costs less tax for most couples: the joint brackets and deduction are exactly double. The cases where separate wins, and what it costs.
Venmo Taxes with PayPal and the 1099-K Threshold
Money through Venmo or PayPal is taxable only when it paid for goods or services. The 1099-K threshold is back to $20,000 and 200 transactions.
When Do W-2s Come Out? The 2026 W-2 Deadline
Employers must furnish your W-2 by February 2, 2026, but most payroll portals post it weeks earlier. What to do when yours still has not arrived.
How Long to Keep Tax Returns and Tax Records
Three years covers most filers, six if you left off income worth more than 25%, and forever if you never filed. The IRS rule for every situation.
Enrolled Agent vs CPA vs Tax Preparer and Who to Hire
An EA is licensed by the IRS, a CPA by a state board, and a PTIN-only preparer by nobody. All three can file your return. Only two can represent you when the IRS writes back. Here is how to pick.
How Much Does a CPA Charge to Do Taxes? 2026 CPA Fees
A CPA averages $280 for a base Form 1040 and $400 to $600 for a self-employed return with a state. Real 2026 fee benchmarks, hourly rates and when a CPA pays off.
What If I Can't Pay My Taxes?
File the return anyway. The failure to file penalty is ten times the failure to pay penalty, and the IRS approves most payment plans online in minutes. Here are the plans, the fees, and the penalty relief nobody asks for.
What Is the Convenience of the Employer Rule?
The convenience of the employer rule lets a state tax a remote worker as if they never left the office. Eight states use it, New York enforces it hardest, and it can cost you thousands if you live somewhere with no income tax.
Do I Need to File a 1099 for a Contractor?
If your business paid an independent contractor $600 or more for services in 2025, you generally have to file a 1099-NEC. Here is who needs one, the new $2,000 threshold for 2026, the January 31 deadline, and the penalties for skipping it.
How Much Is the Standard Mileage Rate? 2026 IRS Rates
The IRS business standard mileage rate is 70 cents per mile for 2025, then 72.5 cents through June 2026 and 76 cents from July 1, 2026 after a rare midyear increase. Here is how the deduction works, who can claim it, the mileage log the IRS expects, and when actual expenses beat the standard rate.
What Is a Schedule C? Profit or Loss From Business
Schedule C (Form 1040) is how sole proprietors report business income and expenses. Here is who files one, what you can deduct in 2025, and how the profit gets taxed twice.
What Is a 1099-K? The 2026 Threshold Explained
A 1099-K reports card and payment app income from PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, and Etsy. Here is the $20,000 threshold for 2025 and 2026, and when you owe tax without one.
What Is a W-2 Form? How to Read It
A W-2 is the Wage and Tax Statement your employer sends you and the IRS each year. Here is what each box reports, when you should receive it, how it differs from a 1099, and what to do if it never arrives.
What Is the Standard Deduction for 2025?
The standard deduction is a flat amount that lowers your taxable income. Here are the 2025 amounts raised by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the extra deduction for seniors, and when itemizing beats it.
How Much Is the Child Tax Credit for 2025?
The 2025 Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under 17, with up to $1,700 refundable. Here are the income limits, the age and Social Security rules, and how the refundable portion works.
QBI Deduction Phase-Out Limits and Form 8995 in 2026
The QBI deduction is 20% of business income under Section 199A. The 2026 phase-out thresholds, the new $400 minimum, the SSTB rule and Form 8995.
How Do I Pay Quarterly Taxes? A 2026 Guide
You pay quarterly taxes to the IRS four times a year using Direct Pay, EFTPS, or a Form 1040-ES voucher if you expect to owe $1,000 or more. Here are the 2026 due dates, the safe-harbor rule, and how much to set aside.
What Is a W-9 Form? Who Fills It Out and Why
A W-9 is the IRS form a contractor gives the business paying them, so the payer has the taxpayer info to issue a 1099. It is never sent to the IRS. Here is what it collects, how it differs from a W-4, and backup withholding.
What Is a Tax Write-Off? How Deductions Cut Your Bill
A tax write-off is a deduction that lowers your taxable income, not your tax bill directly. Its value is the deduction times your marginal rate. Here is how write-offs, credits and Schedule C deductions work for 2025.
How Much Can You Make Without Paying Taxes? (2025)
For 2025 a single filer under 65 can earn up to $15,750 before a federal return is required, matching the standard deduction. But $400 of self-employment income means you must file. Here are the 2025 thresholds.
Do I Qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit? (2025)
The 2025 EITC is worth up to $8,046 and is refundable, so it pays out even at zero tax. You qualify with earned income, a valid SSN, income under your limit, and investment income of $11,950 or less.
Self-Employment Tax Rate 2025 and How Much It Is
The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%: 12.4% Social Security up to $176,100 plus 2.9% Medicare with no cap. It applies to 92.35% of net earnings, and you deduct half of it.
How Do Tax Credits Work? Refundable vs Not (2025)
Tax credits cut your tax bill dollar for dollar, unlike deductions. Refundable credits can pay you a refund even at zero tax; nonrefundable ones only reduce tax to zero. Here is how each works in 2025.
Is Unemployment Taxable? What to Know for 2025
Unemployment benefits are fully taxable as federal income and reported on Form 1099-G. There is no 2025 exclusion, but you can have 10% withheld with Form W-4V, and some states do not tax them.
How Are Bonuses Taxed? Withholding vs Tax (2025)
How are bonuses taxed? A bonus is ordinary income taxed at your marginal rate, but employers usually withhold a flat 22%, so it feels overtaxed. Over-withholding comes back as a refund when you file.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on a Side Hustle? (2025)
Do you have to pay taxes on a side hustle? Yes, once your net self-employment earnings hit $400 you owe self-employment tax and must file, even with no 1099. Deductions and quarterly payments keep you compliant.
Are Tips Taxed in 2025? The New Tip Deduction
Are tips taxed in 2025? Tips are still taxable and still hit by Social Security and Medicare, but a new federal deduction lets many tipped workers deduct up to $25,000 of tips from income tax through 2028.
How Much Tax Do I Pay on 1099 Income? (2025)
How much tax do you pay on 1099 income? You owe 15.3% self-employment tax plus federal income tax at your bracket, so most freelancers set aside 25% to 30%. Deductions and the 20% QBI deduction lower the bill.
What Tax Bracket Am I In? 2025 Federal Brackets
What tax bracket am I in? Your bracket is set by taxable income and filing status. The 2025 federal brackets are 10% to 37%, and the marginal system means only income inside each bracket is taxed at that rate.
Do I Have to File Taxes in Two States?
Do you have to file taxes in two states? Often yes, if you moved, commute across a state line, or work remotely. Your resident state taxes all income and a credit prevents double taxation.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Tax Refund in 2026?
How long does it take to get a tax refund? Most e-file refunds with direct deposit arrive within 21 days. Paper is slower, EITC and ACTC refunds are held until mid-February, and amended returns take 8 to 12 weeks.
What Happens If You File Taxes Late? Penalties Explained
What happens if you file taxes late? If you owe, the failure-to-file penalty is 5% a month up to 25%, plus a 0.5% failure-to-pay penalty and 7% interest. If you are owed a refund, there is no penalty, but you have three years to claim it.
Do I Have to File Taxes If I Made Less Than $15,750?
Do you have to file taxes if you made under the standard deduction? Usually no, unless you had $400 or more of self-employment income. And you often should file anyway to recover withholding or claim refundable credits.
States With No Income Tax in 2026 and Filing Rules
Which states have no income tax? Eight levy none at all, and Washington taxes only capital gains. The full list, the flat tax states, reciprocity agreements, and when you still owe a state return.
Adjusted Gross Income and How to Calculate AGI
What is adjusted gross income? AGI is total income minus Schedule 1 adjustments, and on the 2025 Form 1040 it moved to line 11a. How to calculate it, AGI vs taxable income, MAGI, and finding your prior year AGI.
1099 Employee Meaning for Your Taxes and Rights
A 1099 employee is legally a contradiction: you are either a W-2 employee or an independent contractor. What the label means for your taxes, rights, and paycheck.
How to Fill Out a W4 in 2026, Step by Step (With Examples)
How to fill out a W4 in 2026: the five steps, the $2,200 child credit in Step 3, what to do with two jobs, and how to stop over-withholding from every paycheck.
Can AI Do My Taxes? What AI Tax Software Can and Cannot Do
Can AI do my taxes? Yes, AI tax software reads your forms, finds deductions, and prepares your return, but you review and approve before it files. Here is how it works.
Uber and DoorDash Driver Deductions and Mileage
Every write-off a rideshare or delivery driver can claim, the 2026 mileage rates split at June 30, the quarterly payments, and the records the IRS expects.
How to Track Business Expenses for Taxes
How to track business expenses for taxes: separate your finances, record every deductible cost, categorize spending, and keep records so you claim every deduction.
1099 vs W-2 Differences in Taxes, Pay and Benefits
1099 vs W-2 explained: who withholds your tax, who pays the 15.3 percent Social Security and Medicare bill, what you can deduct, and which one leaves you with more.
How Much Does It Cost to File Taxes Online in 2026?
How much does it cost to file taxes? What DIY software, a CPA, and a storefront preparer really charge in 2026, plus the state fees and add-ons that inflate the bill.
How to File Taxes Without a W-2 (and Still File on Time)
How to file taxes without a W-2: ask your employer, pull your IRS wage and income transcript, then use Form 4852 as a substitute W-2. The income is still reportable.
What Is a 1099 Form? A Plain-Language Guide for 2025 Taxes
What is a 1099 form, who gets one, and how to report it. A plain-language guide to 1099-NEC, 1099-K and 1099-MISC for your 2025 tax return.
1099 Deductions List for Contractors and Freelancers
1099 deductions explained: the write-offs contractors and freelancers can claim, from home office and mileage to health insurance and the QBI deduction.
How to File Self Employment Taxes Step by Step
How to file self employment taxes step by step: Schedule C, Schedule SE, the 15.3% self-employment tax, deductions, and quarterly payments for 2025.
What Can I Write Off Self Employed? The Real Deduction List
What can I write off self employed? A practical list of business write-offs, from home office and mileage to software, supplies, and the self-employment tax deduction.
First Time Filing Taxes? Here Is Exactly What to Do
First time filing taxes? A clear walkthrough of the forms, documents, deadlines, and steps you need to file your first federal and state tax return with confidence.
Quarterly Estimated Taxes Explained for the Self-Employed
Quarterly estimated taxes explained: who has to pay, how to calculate them, the 2025 due dates, and how to avoid the underpayment penalty.
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