This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I'm breaking down the real danger of ending up with a massive tax bill and why bookkeeping and quarterly taxes are the key to avoiding it.

I explain how estimated taxes actually work, the common mistakes self-employed people make, and why I created Money Bootcamp to help freelancers, creators, and small business owners stay organized and protected. Inside the program, you'll get practical tools, clear systems, and built-in accountability to reduce tax stress and stop feeling perpetually behind. If taxes have been a constant source of anxiety, this episode is for you.

Also mentioned in today's episode:

00:13 Introduction to Tax Awareness

02:36 The Importance of Quarterly Taxes

05:44 Understanding the Pain of Tax Bills

08:11 Who Money Bootcamp Serves

10:53 The Difference Between the Book and the Program

14:55 Accountability in Money Bootcamp

18:31 Invitation to Money Bootcamp Open House

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Join my Open House Today (2/10) at 3PM EST

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this week's episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I open up about navigating personal and societal upheaval during times of economic uncertainty and political tension. We dive into the challenges small business owners face, including how hard it can feel to sell your work in dark times and why some forms of protest or "resistance" can unintentionally hurt ethical small businesses.

I also share practical strategies for pushing back without causing harm, maintaining integrity, and turning anger or frustration into constructive action. This episode is a reminder to stay encouraged, continue your good work, and support your business and community responsibly, even when the world feels unstable.

Also mentioned in today's episode:

00:00 Navigating Dark Times: Personal Reflections

03:39 Tax Protests: A Dangerous Path

06:20 Effective Resistance: Boycotts and Economic Action

09:04 Supporting Small Businesses Amidst Upheaval

11:34 The Struggles of Small Business Owners

14:24 Balancing Sales and Ethics in Difficult Times

17:11 The Importance of Sustaining Your Work

20:09 Let's Support Each Other and Resist

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Sunlight Tax Podcast Episode 143: Should You Do A Tax Protest?

Indivisible.org

Resist and Unsubscribe Campaign

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I explain what 1099 forms are, why accurate 1099 reporting matters, and how mistakes can impact your taxes if you're self-employed. I break down common 1099 problems and how to avoid them. I also share what to do when a 1099 is wrong and how to make sure all your income is properly reported to the IRS. We also cover key 1099 deadlines and practical bookkeeping tips to help freelancers, contractors, and small business owners stay compliant and avoid costly surprises at tax time.

Also mentioned in today's episode:

01:12 Understanding 1099s: An Introduction

03:21 The Importance of Accurate Reporting

06:25 Common 1099 Problems and Solutions

08:57 Tallying Your Income Effectively

12:03 Some Tips for 1099 Management

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Join my free class on 1/27 at noon EST: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Get my short course: All About 1099s

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I break down the most important 2025 tax law changes in clear, jargon-free language. I explain the new Schedule 1-A and its temporary deductions, including no tax on tips, overtime, car loan interest, and enhanced senior deductions, plus what the latest tax bill really means for your wallet.

You'll also learn about "Trump accounts" for children born 2025–2028, updated 1099 reporting rules, retirement catch-up contribution changes, and the higher standard deduction. This practical episode helps you understand key tax changes, which tax benefits apply to you, and how to avoid missing important deductions this tax season.

Also mentioned in today's episode:

03:39 New Tax Forms and Deductions

06:44 Understanding the Schedule 1A

10:31 Trump Accounts: A New Initiative

13:14 Changes in 1099 Forms and Reporting

15:52 Updates on Standard Deductions and Child Tax Credit

18:47 Join my Upcoming Free Class

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Join my free class on 1/27: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I break down everything self-employed business owners need to know about 1099s – what they are, why they matter, and what's changed under current 1099 reporting rules. If you work with independent contractors, I walk you through a clear, step-by-step 1099 checklist to help you file correctly and on time. We cover why accurate bookkeeping is important, when and why to collect W-9 forms, and how to avoid common 1099 mistakes that can trigger IRS penalties.

I also explain the different types of 1099 forms (including which ones apply to freelancers and small businesses), what each form is used for, and the penalties for failing to file or filing incorrectly.

Also mentioned in today's episode:

01:00 Understanding 1099: The Basics

04:31 The Importance of 1099s

10:53 The kinds of 1099s you are going to be dealing with

18:20 Checklist for Issuing 1099s

25:45 Other Resources for filing 1099s

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Get my 1-hour course: All About 1099s

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I'm breaking down my most effective tax prep strategies to help creatives and entrepreneurs start the year organized, confident, and ahead of the game. I share my January setup to make your taxes a breeze. I'll give you the exact systems I recommend for simplifying tax season without overwhelm or guesswork – like tracking mileage and mileage logs, setting up a simple document filing system, knowing your 1099 requirements, and a receipt management workflow that's easy to maintain all year long.

If you want to avoid costly tax mistakes and move through tax season smoothly, this episode gives you actionable tools you can implement right now. Whether you're self-employed, earning 1099 income, or running a creative business, you'll walk away with a clear plan for staying compliant, reducing stress, and setting yourself up for a better money year.

Also mentioned in today's episode:

01:12 New Year, New Tax Strategies

03:13 Essential Tax Preparation Tips

09:44 Understanding 1099s and Deadlines

14:01 Setting Up a Business Bank Account

15:54 Organizing Receipts for Tax Season

19:28 Other Resources

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Get your free January Checklist

The Sunlight Tax Podcast EP4: Mileage: the best deduction you're missing

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I share core personal finance strategies for creative entrepreneurs, artists, and business owners. Learn the right order of operations for managing money, why an emergency fund is essential, practical debt management tips, and simple ways to start investing with low-cost index funds.

Join me today to hear some basic steps to control your finances and how you can start investing today.

Also mentioned in today's episode:

00:23 Navigating Life's Unexpected Challenges

01:19 Understanding Personal Finance Order of Operations

04:01 The Basics of Personal Finance

07:55 Debt Management Strategies

08:48 Prioritizing Savings for Retirement and Education

10:13 Investing Basics and Strategies

13:25 Empowering Financial Education and Resources

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

On this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I dive into why tax literacy is crucial and how understanding the basics can save you thousands of dollars. I explain how tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs, HSAs, and retirement savings plans work, and why they're some of the most powerful tools for building long-term wealth and financial stability.

Using practical examples and simple calculations, I show how small, informed choices can lead to significant tax savings over time. Plus, I share details about my free step-by-step tax strategies class, designed to make complex tax concepts accessible, actionable, and stress-free.

Whether you're a self-employed creative, freelancer, or anyone looking to take control of your finances, this episode will give you the tools to understand taxes, maximize savings, and grow your wealth. Don't forget to leave a review—it helps more people find these insights and start feeling confident about their money.

Also mentioned in this episode:

01:32 Introduction and Holiday Reflections

03:01 The Importance of Tax Literacy

11:34 Maximizing Tax-Advantaged Accounts for Savings

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Free online tax calculator

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Link to review this podcast on Apple

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I'm interviewed by Paddy Johnson of the Art Problems Podcast about my book Taxes for Humans, a tax guide for self-employed creatives. We explore why demystifying taxes is about more than numbers—it's about understanding the systems, values, and power behind them.

I share why tax education matters, how it can empower creatives, and how the companion workbook helps put these ideas into practice. Plus, hear real stories from artists navigating taxes and the emotional weight money can carry in the creative world.

Also mentioned in this episode:

03:19 Understanding the Book's Unique Approach

06:37 The Importance of Context in Tax Education

09:32 Breaking Down Tax Myths and Misconceptions

12:22 Empowering Artists Through Financial Literacy

15:37 The Role of Taxes in Society

18:33 The Workbook: A Practical Companion

21:17 Addressing Judgment and Shame in Tax Preparation

24:36 Real Stories of Artists Overcoming Tax Challenges

27:28 Resources for Artists

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I dive into the heart of my new book, Taxes for Humans, a guide I wrote to demystify taxes for creatives, freelancers, and self-employed people. I open up about my own history with money shame and why understanding taxes is so much bigger than numbers on a return. Taxes reflect our culture, our values, and the systems we move through every day.

I share some of the behind-the-scenes, humor, and stories that shaped this book, and we talk about why real financial empowerment requires community, civic engagement, and a better approach to financial education. If you've ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or alone in figuring out your finances, this conversation will help you feel seen, and give you tools to navigate taxes with confidence and clarity.

Also mentioned in this episode:

1:32 What Inspired the Book

5:34 A Money Moment You'll Never Forget

6:30 Why Creatives Feel So Much Shame

7:31 Taxes Are Culture

12:06 A Gentle First Step for Creatives

13:10 Can Taxes Create Real Change?

14:59 Lessons from Losing Your Studio

16:25 A Mistake That Taught You Something

17:41 Your #1 Message for Readers

18:43 What You Hope This Book Builds

20:06 What Every Creative Should Know About Their Worth

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences.

Links:

Link to Order my book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You're Self-Employed.

Link to pre-order my workbook, Taxes for Humans: The Workbook

Join my free class: Make Taxes Easier and Stash an Extra $152k in Your Savings

Check out my program, Money Bootcamp

Get your free visual guide to tax deductions