15.3%
Self-employment tax on every dollar, on top of income tax
Let our accountants set up your business right so you actually save money on taxes. That's the whole point.

A 1099 is how the IRS tracks income earned outside of traditional employment. It means no taxes were withheld, and you're responsible for all of it.
The good news? Receiving a 1099 means you're running a business. And businesses have legal tools to reduce that bill significantly.
Self-employment tax on every dollar, on top of income tax
Minimum net profit that triggers self-employment tax liability
Of income most 1099 workers are advised to set aside for taxes




Earning through these platforms likely means you receive a 1099, potentially overpaying taxes without the right business structure. Even without a 1099 due to low earnings or cash payments, the income is still taxable, and entity formation may still benefit you.
YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and brand sponsors generate 1099s. Equipment and software costs are deductible.
Commission-based agents receive 1099s. Marketing, MLS fees, and vehicle use are deductible.
Anyone paid $600 or more by a client receives a 1099-NEC. Software, equipment, and subscriptions are business expenses.
Uber and Lyft drivers receive a 1099-K or 1099-NEC. Vehicle costs, mileage, and phone expenses reduce taxable income.
Etsy, eBay, and Amazon sellers receive a 1099-K. Product costs, shipping, and platform fees are potential deductions.
College athletes receiving name, image, and likeness income are treated as self-employed. Proper entity setup matters from day one.
DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart drivers receive a 1099-NEC. Mileage and equipment are commonly missed deductions.
Truck drivers, home service pros, photographers, tutors, coaches, and anyone paid as an independent contractor.

The three forms most relevant to gig workers and independent contractors:
Who receives it
Freelancers, contractors, and gig workers paid directly by a client or platform.
2025 Threshold
$600 or more in nonemployee compensation.
Who receives it
Sellers and creators paid via payment processors like PayPal, Venmo, Etsy, and Amazon.
2025 Threshold
$20,000 or more and 200 or more transactions.
Who receives it
Recipients of rent, royalties, prizes, legal settlements, or other miscellaneous income.
2025 Threshold
$600 or more (most categories).
For a full breakdown of all 1099 form types, see our complete guide on the 1-800Accountant blog.

The Problem
The self-employment tax
W-2 employees split Social Security and Medicare taxes with their employer, each paying 7.65%. When you are self-employed, you pay both sides: the full 15.3%.
The Solution
How an S-Corp election changes the math
An LLC with an S-Corp tax election lets you split income into a salary (subject to payroll taxes) and profit distributions (not subject to self-employment tax).
Adjust the sliders below to match your business.Adjust the sliders below to match your business details
Based on common deduction and tax strategies

Unlike W-2 employees, 1099 workers have no taxes withheld. The IRS requires you to pay as you go in quarterly estimated payments, and missing these payments can trigger underpayment penalties.
Q1
Apr 15
Q2
Jun 16
Q3
Sep 15
Q4
Jan 15
Calculate your quarterly payment
Our calculator estimates what you owe each quarter based on your income and deductions.

See how our accountant-first approach turns your 1099 income into real savings.
Everything you need to know about 1099 income, entity formation, and how we help you keep more of what you earn.
Because the entity type and tax election you choose determines how much you save. An LLC taxed as a sole proprietorship saves you nothing on self-employment tax. An LLC with an S-Corp election can save you thousands. The right answer depends on your income, expenses, and situation — and an accountant can figure that out in one conversation.
Yes. Even at $30-40K in 1099 income, the right entity structure can save you $3,000-5,000/year in self-employment tax alone. Our Independent plan pays for itself many times over.
An S-Corp election lets you split your income into salary and distributions. You only pay self-employment tax (15.3%) on the salary portion. On $100K in income, this can easily save you $7,000+ per year. We handle the Form 2553 filing with the IRS.
Yes — it's your business's identity number with the IRS. You need it to open a business bank account, file taxes as a business, and make your S-Corp election. We can get one for you, typically within one business day.
It automatically categorizes your income and expenses every month, tracks deductions you'd otherwise miss, and keeps your books clean so tax time is seamless. No more spreadsheets. No more guessing.
Talk to an accountant. Get the right entity. Keep more of your money. It takes less than 10 minutes to start.