Category: Gig & Self-Employed
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Self-employed drivers can deduct 76 cents per business mile for trips after June 30.
Every business trip in a personal vehicle now carries a slightly different tax value than it did earlier in the year. For eligible self-employed workers, the federal optional mileage rate is 76 cents for each business mile driven from July 1 through December 31, 2026. The rate does not turn commuting or personal errands into…
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The Self-Employment Tax, Explained in One Sitting
The 15.3% self-employment tax funds your Social Security and Medicare. Who owes it, the $400 trigger, the 92.35% quirk, and the deduction that softens it.
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Retirement Plans When You Work for Yourself
No employer 401(k)? Self-employed workers can shelter up to $72,000 in 2026 with a SEP-IRA or solo 401(k). How each plan works and which fits.
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Health Coverage Options When No Employer Offers One
Freelancer or gig worker with no benefits department? The Marketplace, premium tax credits, Medicaid, and a self-employed tax deduction — how each works in 2026.
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Employee or Contractor? Why the Label Changes Your Pay
Employee or independent contractor? The label decides who pays payroll tax, whether you get overtime, and where the federal rule stands in 2026.