Taxes Made Easy-Gig Work Filing, Expenses & Deductions from Udemy

This course is designed to help you, a self-employed independent gig worker, understand and meet your federal income tax filing obligations by recognizing types of gig income and learning what qualifies as gig work expenses and which of those gig work expenses you can deduct.

You'll learn all the fundamentals of reporting and filing a tax return for gig work. You will also learn about all the deductions you can claim for expenses you paid while completing your gig work or deductions towards a part of your home you used solely for your gig work.

You’ll learn how to determine what type of gig worker you are and you’ll learn about tax forms such as 1099- You’ll also learn about record keeping and what supporting documents to keep to help verify your expenses and income.

This course contains 51 lectures and almost 1 hour of content. It's gig worker taxes made easy and is designed for anyone, regardless of tax experience or level of tax understanding.

By the end of this course, you'll have a good understanding of the IRS’s gig income filing definitions, rules and requirements, as well as a good understanding of qualifying gig work expenses and deductions.

What's inside

Learning objectives

By the end of this course you will be able to complete a tax return containing income from gig work with confidence
Learn the fundamentals of reporting income and what type of gig worker you are
Learn about what expenses you can claim and deduct
Learn about tax forms such as 1099-misc, 1099-nec, 1099-k and 1099-b

Learn about record keeping and what supporting documents you should keep
Learn about estimated tax payments and self-employment tax
Much more

By the end of this course you will be able to complete a tax return containing income from gig work with confidence
Learn the fundamentals of reporting income and what type of gig worker you are
Learn about what expenses you can claim and deduct
Learn about tax forms such as 1099-misc, 1099-nec, 1099-k and 1099-b
Learn about record keeping and what supporting documents you should keep
Learn about estimated tax payments and self-employment tax
Much more

Syllabus

Introduction

Introduction & Welcome

About the Instructor

Disclaimer & Course Purpose

What is Gig Work?

The Gig Economy

Types of Digital Platforms

Types of Gig Workers

What Type of Gig Worker Are you?

Independent Contractor ( Self-Employed)

W2 Employee

Misclassified Worker Status

Reporting Gig Work

Reporting Gig Income

The Schedule C Form

Self-Employment Tax

Types of Gig Income

1099-Misc Income

1099-NEC Income

1099-K Income

1099-B Income

Payments in Cash

Payments with Virtual Currency

Tip Income

Gig Worker Expenses & Deductions

Depreciation

Section 179 Deduction

Advertising & Marketing

Auto Expenses

Bank Fees / Business Insurance

Sub-Contractors

Commissions

Computer & Tech Equipment / Dues & Memberships

Equipment Rental / Gifts

Event Costs

Furniture & Decor

Health Insurance Premiums

Home Office Expenses

Interest / Licenses & Permits

Meals

Merchant Processing Fees

Photography & Videography Equipment

Professional Fees / Office Supplies

Software

Professional Development

Rent

Repairs & Maintenance / Shipping & Postage

Supplies

Telephone, Cell Phone & Internet

Travel

Website Expenses

Paying Estimated Taxes

Estimated Tax Payments

Keeping Records

Recordkeeping

Course Resource Links & Thank You!

Course Resource Links

Course Bibliography & Thank You!

Bibliography

Lecture 51- Thank You!

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Taxes Made Easy-Gig Work Filing, Expenses & Deductions with these activities:

Review Basic Accounting Principles

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Reviewing basic accounting principles will help you understand how income and expenses are categorized and reported on Schedule C, which is crucial for gig work tax filing.

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Review the accounting equation.
Study the differences between assets, liabilities, and equity.
Practice creating a simple income statement.

Read "Tax Guide for Gig Workers"

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Reading a tax guide specifically for gig workers will provide a broader understanding of tax obligations and potential deductions.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book.
Read the chapters on income reporting and deductions.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.

Create a Spreadsheet for Tracking Income and Expenses

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Creating a spreadsheet will help you organize your income and expenses, making it easier to file your taxes accurately and claim all eligible deductions.

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Choose a spreadsheet program (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets).
Create columns for income, expenses, date, and category.
Enter your income and expenses regularly.

Four other activities

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Write a Blog Post on Gig Work Tax Deductions

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Writing a blog post will solidify your understanding of gig work tax deductions and help you communicate this knowledge to others.

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Research common gig work tax deductions.
Outline the structure of your blog post.
Write the blog post, explaining each deduction clearly.
Edit and proofread your blog post.

Complete Practice Tax Forms

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Practicing with sample tax forms will help you become familiar with the filing process and identify any areas where you need further clarification.

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Download sample Schedule C and 1099 forms.
Fill out the forms using hypothetical income and expense data.
Review your completed forms against instructions.

Read "J.K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment Taxes"

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Reviewing a guide on self-employment taxes will deepen your understanding of your tax obligations as a gig worker.

View J.K. Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2025 on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the guide.
Read the sections on estimated taxes and deductions.
Take notes on key concepts and examples.

Create a Gig Worker Tax Resource Guide

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Compiling a resource guide will help you organize all the information you've learned and create a valuable reference for future tax filings.

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Gather all relevant course materials, notes, and resources.
Organize the materials into a logical structure.
Add summaries and explanations to each section.
Include links to relevant IRS publications and websites.

Career center

Learners who complete Taxes Made Easy-Gig Work Filing, Expenses & Deductions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Enrollment Agent

Enrolled agents are federally authorized tax practitioners who can represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. This course is highly relevant for enrolled agents. It covers the intricacies of gig work taxation, including income reporting, expense deductions, and relevant tax forms. The enrolled agent can use this knowledge to provide expert guidance to gig workers, represent them in tax audits, and advocate for their rights before the IRS. Further, understanding record keeping helps the enrolled agent.

See salaries and explore the career path for Enrollment Agent

Tax Preparer

Tax preparers assist individuals and businesses in preparing and filing tax returns. This course helps build a foundation for understanding the complexities of gig work taxation, which is an increasingly important niche within the tax preparation field. The course's focus on gig income, deductible expenses, and relevant tax forms like 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, 1099-K, and 1099-B directly applies to the challenges faced by tax preparers serving gig workers. Learning about record keeping practices allows a tax preparer to better assist and instruct their clients. A tax preparer with a solid grasp of these topics can provide valuable guidance to gig workers, ensuring accurate tax filings and maximizing eligible deductions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Preparer

Tax Staff Accountant

Tax staff accountants support the preparation of tax returns and related activities within an accounting firm. This course builds a foundation for understanding individual income taxes in the context of the gig economy. A tax staff accountant should be familiar with reporting income, expenses, and deductions. A tax staff accountant will also learn about the different tax forms. Tax staff accountants can use this knowledge to assist senior staff in preparing accurate and compliant tax returns for clients with gig work income.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tax Staff Accountant

Accountant

Accountants prepare and analyze financial records, often specializing in tax accounting. This course is particularly relevant for accountants who work with self-employed individuals and those in the gig economy. The course provides a detailed understanding of gig income reporting, permissible deductions, and essential tax forms like 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC. The course also discusses record keeping and supporting documents. The course's comprehensive coverage of these topics prepares an accountant to accurately prepare tax returns for gig workers and provide informed guidance on tax planning strategies.

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Small Business Consultant

Small business consultants advise small business owners on various aspects of their business, including financial management and taxation. This course specifically addresses the tax challenges faced by gig workers, a growing segment of the small business population. A consultant can use the knowledge of gig income reporting, expense deductions, and relevant tax forms from this course to better guide their clients. Understanding estimated tax payments, record-keeping, and self-employment tax also enables a small business consultant to provide comprehensive advice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Small Business Consultant

Revenue Agent

Revenue agents work for government agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service, examining tax returns and conducting audits to ensure compliance with tax laws. This course is helpful for a revenue agent. It provides insights into the specific tax challenges faced by gig workers. The course covers income reporting, deductions, and relevant tax forms. This helps inform a revenue agent about the nuances of the gig economy. By understanding these aspects, a revenue agent can more effectively assess the accuracy of tax filings and identify potential areas of non-compliance related to gig work.

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Financial Advisor

Financial advisors provide guidance to clients on investment strategies, retirement planning, and tax optimization. Understanding the nuances of gig work taxation can be a valuable asset for financial advisors, as many clients now participate in the gig economy. This course's coverage of income reporting, deductible expenses, and various tax forms helps financial advisors advise clients on maximizing tax efficiency. Furthermore, the course's insights into estimated tax payments and self-employment tax helps financial advisors create comprehensive financial plans that account for the unique financial situations of gig workers.

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Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers are responsible for recording and maintaining financial transactions. This course on gig work taxes may be useful for bookkeepers who work with self-employed individuals. Bookkeepers need to accurately categorize income and expenses, and this course helps by covering the Schedule C form. The course's explanation of deductible expenses helps bookkeepers know what to look for. Familiarity with gig economy platforms and worker classifications covered in this course can assist bookkeepers in properly categorizing and documenting financial information for their clients, ultimately leading to accurate financial reporting and tax preparation.

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Tax Attorney

Tax attorneys specialize in tax law, advising clients on complex tax matters and representing them in disputes with tax authorities. While a tax attorney typically requires an advanced degree, this course may be useful. This course helps to understand the specific tax issues facing gig workers. It covers the nuances of income reporting, expense deductions, and relevant tax forms. Tax attorneys will benefit from these fundamentals. The course also discusses keeping records. The tax attorney can then use the knowledge of reporting for 1099, cash payments, and virtual currency to better understand the tax situations.

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Budget Analyst

Budget analysts help organizations manage their finances by preparing budget reports and monitoring spending. A budget analyst who understands the tax implications of different business activities can better forecast expenses and revenue. This course helps budget analysts understand how self-employment taxes and deductible expenses impact the overall financial picture. A budget analyst can then factor these tax considerations into their budget projections and recommendations.

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Auditor

Auditors examine financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance. While this course does not focus on auditing, it may be useful. Auditors who understand the nature of gig work, the types of income it generates, and the deductions available to gig workers can better assess the accuracy of financial records. The course provides a foundation for understanding the Schedule C form and self-employment tax. This helps an auditor evaluate whether a business is correctly reporting income and claiming appropriate deductions.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance officers ensure that a company adheres to laws and regulations. The skills in this course can help compliance officers. A business must follow tax law. Compliance officers with a background in tax law help ensure complete compliance. Compliance officers with training in how taxes relate to income, expenses, and deductions provide additional clarity.

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Business Analyst

Business analysts analyze data and processes to improve business performance. This course is helpful for a business analyst. A business analyst who understands tax implications can better understand the financial performance. A general familiarity with income, expense, deductions, and tax forms helps a business analyst. A business analyst who understands these topics can better assess the financial health of the business.

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Management Consultant

Management consultants advise organizations on improving their performance and efficiency. This course helps management consultants understand the tax considerations for different business models, including those that rely heavily on gig workers. A management consultant with a grasp of gig work taxation can provide more effective strategies for optimizing costs, improving profitability, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations. The firm will greatly benefit from their insights in this new and important area of taxation.

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Compensation and Benefits Analyst

Compensation and benefits analysts manage employee compensation and benefits programs. This course helps for those who need further understanding of 1099 workers. A compensation and benefits analyst who knows the differences between workers can structure the benefits program appropriately. Taking a course like this helps benefits be more attuned to the various compensation types.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compensation and Benefits Analyst

Taxes Made Easy-Gig Work Filing, Expenses & Deductions

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