How Do I File Taxes as a Self-Employed Freelancer?

Schedule C is where you report your business profit or loss. You list gross income (all client payments combined), then list business expenses by category. The bottom line is your 'net profit' — the number that flows into the rest of your return.

Once you have your net profit from Schedule C, Schedule SE calculates your self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net profit). It also calculates your above-the-line deduction for half of SE tax, which carries to your 1040.

Used during the year (not at filing time) to send quarterly estimated tax payments. Each voucher includes payment instructions. Most people pay online through IRS Direct Pay or EFTPS instead of mailing the paper voucher.

• All 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms received.
• Total gross income for the year (your records, not just 1099s).
• Categorized list of business expenses with receipts.
• Mileage log if claiming vehicle expenses.
• Home office square footage if claiming home office.
• Health insurance premium totals if self-employed.
• Retirement contribution amounts if you funded a SEP-IRA or solo 401(k).

Your 2025 return is due April 15, 2026. You can request a 6-month extension to October 15, 2026 (Form 4868) — but the extension is to file, not to pay. Any tax owed is still due April 15 or you accrue interest.

TurboTax (or FreeTaxUSA, H&R Block, etc.) works fine if you have one state, no S-Corp, and clean records. A CPA is worth it if you have multi-state issues, S-Corp questions, prior year errors to clean up, or a substantial tax bill where strategy matters.

TaxClutch organizes your year so filing is mechanical. Income totals match your 1099s. Deductions are categorized exactly as Schedule C wants them. Hand the report to TurboTax or your CPA, and they're done in an hour instead of three.