Today, I’m starting a 3 part series where I’m sharing an article published by ProPublica that exposes some of the unethical practices by Intuit, the maker of TurboTax. The article details how Intuit has waged a 20-year fight against free tax filing through lobbying efforts, internal tactics, and deceptive marketing. 

Join me in this 3 part series to learn more about how TurboTax has helped prevent the government from creating a free and easy tax filing system.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

Inside TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans From Filing Their Taxes for Free, by Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel Oct. 17, 2019

Donate to ProPublica here 

In today's episode, I’m talking about the importance of voting and my research into tax policy and deficits and how the rising national debt levels could impact you as a younger voter. I’m also providing tips on using templates and maintaining a schedule to maximize your focus and productivity, especially if you’re a writer. 

Listen to this important episode to learn how to use templates to save time in your personal life and work.  

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• The importance of voting in local elections 3:10

• History of US debt and the presidents that have run it up 10:40

• Using templates to manage correspondence and stay focused 12:55

• The importance of maintaining a consistent schedule for productivity 18:50

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

Fiscal Therapy, by William G. Gale

Brand new updated Visual Guide to Tax Deductions

New Visual Guides:

Writers' Guide To Tax Deductions

Doula/Widwife Guide To Tax Deductions

Wellness Practitioner's Guide To Tax Deductions

This week, I’m chatting about a topic that’s important to me: how we can create more fairness and equity in our tax system. I’m sharing an op ed written by William Gale, an economist from the Brookings Tax Policy Center that talks more about creating more fairness in tax policy, stopping tax cheats and how we can get there. 

Join me in this episode as we head toward the election season to learn about why equity in our tax policy is so important. 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• The importance of giving the IRS the tools it needs to enforce tax rules 2:45

• Proposed tax policies to combat wealth inequality and reduce tax evasion 8:13 

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

William Gale's article: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/give-irs-the-tools-it-needs-to-enforce-tax-rules-and-catch-cheaters/

In this week’s episode, I’m giving you some guidance on marketplace health insurance as a self-employed individual and sharing why it’s so important to evaluate your income and finances halfway through the year. 

Listen to this short and sweet episode to get important information on what you can do on healthcare.gov so you can avoid unexpected high tax bills come filing season.

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• Adjusting taxes based on double income and spending projections mid-year 2:50

• How Obamacare subsidies work for marketplace healthcare 3:25

• Why it’s so important to update your income on healthcare.gov 6:32

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

 https://www.healthcare.gov/help/premium-tax-credit/

This week on the podcast, I’m sharing some of the invisible aspects of running my tax business and some of the hard stuff that I’ve had to overcome while running my business and podcast. 

Join me in this episode to learn more about my entrepreneurial journey and what I’ve learned along the way. 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• My struggle with perfectionism 2:05

• My superpower when it comes to taxes and what I struggle with 8:26

• What I've chosen to prioritize in business 13:35

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

Free 20 Minute Course on Filing your BOI Report for LLCs: www.sunlighttax.com/llc

IRS Proof Your Business Deductions

The Sunlight Podcast has made it to 100 episodes and for this special episode I’m celebrating by sharing what I truly believe in and my biggest motivators in this life. I want to give you a little bit of an inside look at what inspires some of the podcasts episode topics and what I am hoping to put back into the world. 

Join me in this very special episode to hear what truly matters to me and why I’m so passionate about these topics. 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• Civics, taxes and political engagement 7:30

• Fairness and regulation in capitalism 15:00

• My personal story with good government and why I feel so strongly about it 18:00

• Inclusive government and representation 23:20

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

Free 20 Minute Course on Filing your BOI Report for LLCs: www.sunlighttax.com/llc

IRS Proof Your Business Deductions

This week, I’m chatting about the new ban on non-compete agreements by the Federal Trade Commission and how it could impact you as a creative professional. I highlight studies showing how non-compete agreements suppress wages, worker mobility, and innovation.

Join me in this episode to learn more about this ban and how it could benefit you as an entrepreneur.  

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• The FTC’s role in protecting workers from unsafe business practices 6:21

• Effects of the non-compete ban in Oregon 8:01

• How this could impact creative workers 17:19

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

FTC model language for safe harbor

Lina Khan interview, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

New Yorker non-compete ban article

My interview in Windowsill Chats

Today, I’m sharing one of my best tips for providing great work and the importance of setting clear expectations and an open line of communication when working with clients. 

Join me in this episode as I go over how you can create a great working relationship for both you and your clients and how you can set clear expectations and boundaries with your clients. 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• Why it’s so important to communicate boundaries and expectations 7:18

• How parenting helped me set expectations better in my job 12:14

• Setting client expectations for time based services 14:49

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

Free 20 Minute Course on Filing your BOI Report for LLCs: www.sunlighttax.com/llc

IRS Proof Your Business Deductions

In today’s episode, I’m sharing how you can deduct business meals on your taxes as a self-employed individual including what you need for your tax documentation and what’s allowable for deduction. 

Join me to learn the rules and guidelines for deducting business meals, the per diem meals allowance for business travel and the benefits business meals for entrepreneurs. 

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• Client meals vs. travel meals 4:05

• Why you need to keep your receipts and documentation 6:35

• Keeping a calendar for your business meals and tax documentation 9:10

• How much you can deduct for your business meals 11:50

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

Tracey Morgan Gallery

Rachel Meginnes

Business Travel episode

GSA per diem rate lookup (US travel)

State Department per diem rate lookup (International travel)

Free 20 Minute Course on Filing your BOI Report for LLCs: www.sunlighttax.com/llc

IRS Proof Your Business Deductions

Today, I’m talking about an important topic for entrepreneurs: business travel and deducting business travel on your taxes. I’m highlighting the importance of understanding the rules for deducting transportation costs, accommodations, and meals, and sharing how you can properly document your travel so you can avoid getting audited by the IRS.

Join me in this important episode to learn how you can distinguish between what’s deductible and what’s non-deductible when it comes to business travel expenses.

Also mentioned in today’s episode: 

• Mixing personal elements with business travel and how to deduct properly 8:05

• The 4 qualifications for deducting foreign travel costs 17:40

• Deducting travel costs for inspiration without getting audited 27:15

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! 

Links:

Right Back to It, Waxahatchee featuring MJ Lenderman

Free 20 Minute Course on Filing your BOI Report for LLCs: www.sunlighttax.com/llc

IRS Proof Your Business Deductions