Professional Services

Tax help for consultants

Consulting income is self-employment income, so your travel, tools, and home office reduce what you owe.

Prepared by real tax specialists — with Enrolled Agent or CPA review when your return calls for it.

Independent consultants report net profit on Schedule C and pay self-employment tax on top of income tax.

Because clients rarely withhold anything, planning for quarterly estimated payments keeps you out of penalty territory.

Income you’ll report on: 1099-NEC.

Save money

Deductions for consultants

Most people in this line of work leave money on the table. Here's what we make sure to capture:

  • A qualifying home office used regularly and exclusively for the business
  • Business travel, lodging, and the deductible portion of meals
  • Professional development, courses, and industry conferences
  • Subscriptions to research, data, and software tools
  • Marketing, website, and proposal costs
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Fees paid to subcontractors and specialists
Watch out for

What makes your taxes different

  • Income is reportable whether or not a client issues a 1099
  • Quarterly estimated taxes are usually required
  • Only the business-use portion of mixed-use expenses is deductible
  • Client entertainment is generally not deductible while business meals may be partially deductible
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do consultants pay self-employment tax?

If you earn as an independent contractor, yes — self-employment tax is 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) on your net profit, on top of regular income tax. You deduct half of it, and every business deduction lowers what you owe. We handle the calculation on Schedule SE.

What can consultants write off?

Common write-offs include a qualifying home office used regularly and exclusively for the business, business travel, lodging, and the deductible portion of meals, professional development, courses, and industry conferences, subscriptions to research, data, and software tools, plus a share of your phone and any home-office use. We go through your year line by line so nothing legitimate gets missed.

Do consultants need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, the IRS generally wants quarterly estimated payments to avoid an underpayment penalty. We calculate them so next April isn't a surprise.

Do I have to report income if I didn't get a 1099?

Yes. Your income is taxable whether or not a client or platform sent a 1099. We report it correctly and offset it with every deduction you qualify for.

Taxes handled · so you can get back to work.

Tell us what you've got and we'll come back within one business day with the plan and the price · from a preparer who knows your line of work.

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