New to 1099 life? Open the right accounts, set aside the right percentage, and you'll sail through your first filing instead of scrambling.
Going independent is exciting — and the tax side is more manageable than it looks if you set up a few habits early.
- Open a separate business checking account
- Set aside 25–30% of every payment for taxes
- Save receipts digitally as you go, not at year-end
- Mark the quarterly estimate dates on your calendar
- Decide on a simple bookkeeping tool before income piles up
When to bring in a pro
The moment your income gets irregular, you take on a contractor, or you're unsure whether to form an LLC — that's the point a short consult pays for itself many times over.
Want this dialed in for your exact situation?
A 20-minute consult turns a general guide into a specific plan.
Book a consult