Tax & Financial Education Center
Self-Employment & Business
For self-employed individuals, freelancers, contractors, LLC owners and independent truck drivers. Learn how business taxes work, what records to keep, and how to prepare for a tax appointment. All guides are free.
Business Essentials
Income, reporting and recordkeeping
What Business Expenses Can I Deduct? A Guide for Self-Employed Individuals and LLC Owners
An easy guide to ordinary and necessary expenses, LLC tax classifications, and common deduction mistakes.
4–5 min read · Read article →Business EssentialsDo I Need to Pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes?
Learn when federal estimated tax payments are required, their deadlines, and how they differ from Washington B&O tax.
4–5 min read · Read article →Business EssentialsCash Payments in Business: What If You Receive Cash or Pay Without a Receipt?
How to record cash sales, cash-paid tools, missing receipts, and deposits that are not business income.
4–5 min read · Read article →Business Deductions
Vehicle, home office, travel and meals
Business Vehicle Deductions: Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses
Compare mileage and actual expenses, see a 2026 example, and learn what records the IRS expects.
5–6 min read · Read article →Business DeductionsHome Office Tax Deductions: Mortgage, Rent, Utilities & Business Expenses
Understand eligibility, simplified versus actual expenses, and examples for renters and homeowners.
5–6 min read · Read article →Business DeductionsBusiness Travel & Meals: What Can You Deduct and How Much?
Understand business trips, partially deductible meals, personal travel, and organizing Schedule C amounts.
5–6 min read · Read article →Trucking & CDL
Employee and owner-operator tax questions
W-2 CDL Driver vs. 1099 Owner-Operator: What Are the Tax Differences?
Compare withholding, self-employment tax, truck costs, settlement statements, and employee expense rules.
5–6 min read · Read article →Trucking & CDLTruck Driver Meal Deductions: Local vs. Long-Haul — How Does Per Diem Work?
What per diem means, which trips qualify, the DOT 80% rule, partial days, and a five-day example.
5–6 min read · Read article →Free Schedule C preparation worksheets
Prepare your income and expenses before your tax appointment. Choose a printable worksheet or an Excel tracker.