Comments on: Lower Your Freelance Writer Taxes With These 8 Tips

By: Freelance taxes roundup

Freelance taxes roundup — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:00:49 +0000

[…] a little less guilty about not using an accounting program, which is nice. John’s updated “The 8 Top Ways to Legally Lower Your 2013 Freelance Writer Tax Bill” is also worth a […]

By: Does a Freelance Writer Need a Post Office Box?

Does a Freelance Writer Need a Post Office Box? — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 13:29:47 +0000

[…] Yes, it costs money. However, if you use it for business, it could be a tax deduction. […]

By: How I Do My Taxes

How I Do My Taxes — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 13:02:20 +0000

[…] (Note: see this recent post for other important advice: The 8 Top Ways to Legally Lower Your 2013 Freelance Writer Tax Bill.) […]

By: Marc

Marc — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 12:19:56 +0000

Number 8 is the most important, in my opinion. My CPA has saved me far more than I have paid him, plus it saves me tons of time and frustration.

By: STEVEN J. FROMM, ATTORNEY, LL.M. (TAXATION)

STEVEN J. FROMM, ATTORNEY, LL.M. (TAXATION) — Sun, 02 Feb 2014 00:23:32 +0000

Very nice post on year end tax planning strategies. I have linked my year end tax planning article below. One other point is to consider a Keogh plan or a SEP or regular IRA to reduce your tax bill. Equipment purchases and the like at year end can be written off too. Please read my article for these and other planning ideas.

By: Writer’s Log #13: Nice to Meet You | The Aspiring Freelancer

Writer’s Log #13: Nice to Meet You | The Aspiring Freelancer — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 03:46:27 +0000

[…] It’s Tax Time! John Soares offers up 8 ways to lower your 2013 freelance writer tax bill. […]

By: GH

GH — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 15:51:31 +0000

I’ve always believed you should hire a pro and not try to be an expert in everything. But for some reason, I’ve had no luck with taxes. I hired 2 different CPAs over the years. First CPA was good and a nice guy, but ultra conservative. I don’t know if he had bad IRS experiences, but he wouldn’t let me take the home office deduction even though I qualified under all the rules and was totally legit to do so. He said it was a “red flag” with IRS and to avoid at all costs. Didn’t want me to include any business mileage expenses…said it was another “red flag”. I had to educate HIM about certain deductions and actually lost a few I didn’t know about. So after a few years, switched to another CPA a business owner friend recommended. I met him in person in early Jan so he’d have plenty of time, submitted all the total numbers with supporting docs – all “i”s dotted; “t”s crossed. He postponed working on it until April 10th, then palmed off the job to his son (who just started in the business). When proofing the return just before signing and sending, I found multiple errors he made and had to ask hin go back and fix at the last minute. Incredibly stressful.

So it’s now an annual DIY project. I HATE it, but figure as a successful copywriter, I know how to do research, proof and handle details. So TurboTax 2013 and a few glasses of wine are in my future yet again! 🙁

By: Antoinette

Antoinette — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 12:24:00 +0000

In reply to Sarah L. Webb. Yeah Sarah... Have to spread it to others!

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 02:47:57 +0000

Great tips John! I’m sure plenty of writers are going to find some of these simplified options very helpful. I wasn’t aware yet of the change to the home office deduction calculations, so that’s great to hear!

By: John Soares

John Soares — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 20:02:06 +0000

In reply to Anne Wayman. Sounds good Anne. It does everything you need for your freelance writing business?