Guides

• Pennsylvania Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)

  Pennsylvania's flat 3.07% plus local earned income taxes — and Philadelphia's Net Profits Tax and BIRT. What Pennsylvania freelancers owe.

• Illinois Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)

  A flat 4.95% state tax, no Chicago income tax and IRS-matching estimate dates — what Illinois freelancers owe and how to plan for it.

• New York Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)

  State income tax, NYC income tax, the Unincorporated Business Tax and the MCTMT — which New York taxes a freelancer actually owes, and when.

• Florida Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)

  Florida has no personal income tax, so most of a freelancer's bill is federal. The LLC annual report, sales tax and local business tax are what remain.

• Texas Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)

  No state income tax — but federal tax, the franchise tax for LLCs and Texas sales tax on some services still apply. What Texas freelancers owe.

• California Self-Employment Tax Guide (2026)

  Federal SE tax, California's 1%–12.3% income tax, the front-loaded 30/40/0/30 estimate schedule and the $800 LLC tax — what California freelancers owe.

• First-Year Freelancer Tax Checklist

  What to set up when you start, what to do with every payment, and what to check each quarter and before year-end.

• Hobby or Business? How the IRS Tells the Difference

  Both kinds of income are taxable, but only a business can deduct expenses. The factors the IRS weighs and how to stay on the right side.

• The QBI Deduction for Freelancers, Explained

  Most self-employed people can deduct up to 20% of business profit. How it's calculated, 2026 thresholds, and how to claim it.

• Self-Employment Tax vs Income Tax: What’s the Difference?

  Freelancers pay both on the same profit. How each is calculated, which deductions cut which, and a worked 2026 example.