Sunlight Tax

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

In today's episode, I'm diving into the topic of startup expenses, the deductions available for new businesses and some of the benefits the tax code provides to new businesses. I give examples of qualifying startup expenses and sharing some information on when you can deduct these expenses on your taxes. 

Listen to this episode to get helpful guidance on taking advantage of tax deductions available in the early stages of a new business.

Also mentioned in today's episode: 

• What are startup expenses 8:00

• What's included in the startup expenses according to the IRS 10:05

• When can you deduct your expenses on your taxes 12:30

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

Links:

More Sunlight episodes to help you start your business:

• Episode 20: Pricing and Business Lessons

• Episode 44: S Corp Mistakes That will Cost You Thousands

• Episode 50: The One Thing You Must Do in Your Business

• Episode 67: Your Business Already Started

• Episode 68: The Right Step at the Right Time

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 the tax laws related to distinguishing between a hobby and a legitimate business when you're a creative professional. I'm also explaining the IRS's view of profit motive as the key factor and discussing how you can determine whether you have a business or hobby.

Join me in this episode to get some advice and tips on how you can prove profit motive and avoid being wrongly classified as a hobby by the IRS.

Also mentioned in today's episode: 

• Why profit motive is so important 5:35

• The IRS's nine-factor test for determining if a creative hobby is a business 19:35

• The hobby loss rule and how it's applied 33:07

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

Links:

• IRS audit technique guide: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5558.pdf
•  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/heres-how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-hobby-and-a-business-for-tax-purposes
  
  
• The Sunlight Podcast Episode 67: Your Business Already Started
  
  
• An Audit Nightmare Turned Artist Victory: An Interview with Susan Crile
  
  
• Learn more about Money Bootcamp

In today's episode, I'm revisiting an important topic and giving you an update about the Corporate Transparency Act, which aims to identify owners of LLCs and prevent financial crimes. 

I'm providing an update on information about the requirements of filing a Beneficial Ownership Information report, including the deadlines and penalties and how you can file. 

Join me in this episode to get all the timely information about this act and learn how you can get step-by-step video directions on filing for your LLC! 

Also mentioned in today's episode: 

• Why you should be aware of scams when it comes to filing 6:00

• Why the Corporate Transparency Act was passed and why it's important 9:05

• The deadlines for filing and the penalties 14:48

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

Today, I want to talk about why it's so important who you take advice from when you're an entrepreneur. I share some of my experiences and some of the advice I was given that didn't account for my unique responsibilities and constraints as a new entrepreneur and mother. 

Listen to this episode to get some guidance on how you can make decisions based on your own values and needs and not someone else's.  

Also mentioned in today's episode: 

• My experience of just starting out in business while still taking care of children 3:35

• Why it's important to understand people's needs and safety concerns when giving business advice 7:40

• Blind spots in gender dynamics when it comes to giving advice 13:00

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

Links:

IRS Proof Your Business Deductions