Self-employed & 1099 returns
Rideshare, delivery, cleaning, hair, trades and side gigs. Schedule C done right, plus a plan for next year's estimated payments.
In plain words
If you got a 1099-NEC or a 1099-K, or you were paid in cash or by app for your own work, you're self-employed for tax purposes. That means a Schedule C for your business income and costs, and self-employment tax on what's left.
We sort your expenses into the IRS categories, help you choose between the standard mileage rate and actual car costs, and check whether a home office makes sense. Then we hand you a simple plan for quarterly payments, so next April isn't a surprise.
Who this is for
- Rideshare and delivery drivers
- Cleaners, stylists, barbers and anyone renting a chair
- Trades, handy work and contractors paid on a 1099
- Online sellers who get a 1099-K
- People with a side gig on top of a W-2 job
✓ Included in the fee
What you get
- Schedule C with every 1099, plus income that never came with a form
- Expenses sorted into the categories the IRS uses
- Car costs by standard mileage or actual expenses, whichever fits
- Home office check, simplified or regular method
- Self-employment tax figured on Schedule SE
- A quarterly payment plan for next year with 1040-ES vouchers
- A one-page expense tracker so next year takes half the time
The fee, before we start
$ Self-employed & 1099
- Schedule C, one business You bring income and expense totals from $325
- Each additional Schedule C A second business or side gig $125
- Home office (Form 8829) Regular method; the simplified method is included $45
- Receipt sorting If you bring the box and want us to total it $60 an hour
- Quarterly payment plan 1040-ES vouchers and dates for next year Included
Example fees for the 2025 tax year. Receipt sorting is estimated before we start; most organized clients never need it.
How you pay
You pay when you sign: card, cash or check. We never take our fee out of your refund, and we don't sell refund loans or refund transfers.
Our accuracy promise
If we make a mistake on your return that leads to an IRS or Wisconsin penalty or interest, we pay that penalty and interest and fix the return for free. The tax itself was always yours to pay, so that part isn't covered. Bring us the letter; we handle the rest.
Good to know
1 No form? Still income.
All income counts, whether or not you got a 1099 for it. Cash and app payments belong on your Schedule C too.
2 The $1,000 rule of thumb
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file, the IRS generally expects quarterly estimated payments. We work out the amounts with you.
What to bring
- Every 1099-NEC, 1099-K and 1099-MISC you received
- Your own income total, including cash and app payments
- Expense totals by type (supplies, phone, fees, insurance)
- Your mileage log, or the app that kept one
- Dates and amounts of any estimated payments you made
Missing something? Book anyway. Many gaps can be filled from your IRS transcript.
The full checklist you can tick and print →Questions about self-employed & 1099 returns
All questions →Can I write off my car?
The business part of it, yes. Driving between jobs or to a customer counts; your regular commute from home usually doesn't. A mileage log is the best proof you can bring.
I only made a little on the side. Do I still file it?
In most cases, yes. Self-employment income has its own filing rules, and they kick in at a low amount. Bring what you have and we'll tell you where you stand.
Should I pay quarterly?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, quarterly payments usually make sense and can help you avoid an underpayment penalty. We set up the dates and amounts with you.
Other services
Ready when you are.
Book a time at any of our three offices or on video. The fee is set before we start, and nothing comes out of your refund.