Professional Services

Tax help for social media managers

Managing social accounts for clients is self-employment, so your tools, equipment, and home office reduce taxable profit.

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

Independent social media managers file Schedule C and owe self-employment tax on their net earnings.

Tools, content production gear, and paid promotions on behalf of the business are common deductible costs.

Income you’ll report on: 1099-NEC, 1099-K.

Save money

Deductions for social media managers

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

  • Scheduling, analytics, and design software subscriptions
  • Camera, lighting, and content-creation equipment
  • A qualifying home office
  • Stock media and licensing fees
  • Continuing education and courses
  • Business-use portion of phone and internet
  • Subcontracted designers, writers, or editors
Watch out for

What makes your taxes different

  • Advertising spend for your own business is deductible while ad spend you re-bill clients should not be double counted
  • Income is reportable with or without a 1099
  • Only the business-use portion of personal devices is deductible
  • Quarterly estimated taxes typically apply
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do social media managers 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 social media managers write off?

Common write-offs include scheduling, analytics, and design software subscriptions, camera, lighting, and content-creation equipment, a qualifying home office, stock media and licensing fees, 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 social media managers 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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