If you’re a content creator, podcaster, freelancer, or coach and you’re receiving 1099 forms, the IRS considers you self-employed—which means you are responsible for tracking your income and expenses.
Here are a few simple habits that will save you stress (and money) at tax time:
Track every dollar coming in
Brand deals, sponsorships, affiliate income, speaking gigs—if you got paid, write it down. Don’t rely only on what platforms report. I like to create folders in my email account to track paid invoices. At the end of each month, I check the folder and add it to a Google spreadsheet.
Separate business and personal money
Open a separate checking account for your creator income. This makes tracking expenses so much easier (and cleaner if you’re ever audited). You can use an online banking account, such as Chase Business Account.
Save for taxes as you get paid.
A good rule of thumb: set aside 25–30% of each payment in a savings account for taxes. Future, you will be grateful. Side note: You should also have funds available for refunds or chargebacks, especially if you are selling online courses or digital products.
Keep receipts for business expenses.
Equipment, software, editing tools, Canva, hosting platforms, travel for content or events—if it’s for your business, keep the receipt. You have the capability to scan as a PDF on your phone, you can save them in a Google Drive folder, or download the QuickBooks app.
Don’t forget quarterly estimated taxes
1099 earners typically pay taxes quarterly, not just in April. Missing these can lead to penalties.
I’ve joined the Dedicated Tax Pros Firm as a tax preparer for the 2026 tax season, to help creatives and the immigrant community with their taxes. One of my goals is to help creators understand their numbers for tax season so they don’t get scammed. (Too many horror stories with getting scammed by tax preparers!)
Start now. Your creative business deserves to be treated like a real business
Contact: [email protected]
Or New Tax Client Inquiry: https://forms.gle/u5hN7j1cwqJ7KYyN7
