Self-Employed Deduction Guide

Freelance work, platform payouts, a side business finally making real money — if your income doesn't come from one tidy W-2 anymore, the deductions that actually apply to you are easy to miss. This 12-page guide is a plain-language map of the legitimate ones.

What you get:

• Why self-employment income is taxed differently — and how that cuts both ways (the 15.3% SE tax, and the deductions a W-2 job never offered)
• The S.A.V.E. Method: 4 steps — Separate the Money, Assign Every Expense, Verify What Qualifies, Estimate & Pay Quarterly
• A starting category list covering software, equipment, mileage, home office, health insurance, and retirement contributions
• Specific rules for the deductions that trip people up: home office, mileage, health insurance, and the hobby-vs-business test
• Common mistakes people make, and the specific situations worth paying a CPA for
• A printable income-stream tracker and quarterly estimated-payment planner
• Trusted resources, all sourced directly from IRS.gov

Grounded in mainstream, current IRS rules — no gray-area "loopholes," no aggressive positions. Every heading links directly to that page. Fully editable in Canva.

Built for: Anyone with 1099, gig, creator, or side-business income who wants a clear, legitimate system for tracking and claiming deductions.