Quick Tips for Blogger Taxes (2024)

Disclaimer: The following post is in partnership with H&R Block. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Ready Set Jet Set possible!

Sometimes, “adulting” can be scary! I remember when I made the big decision to go full-time with this travel blog. I had spent a few years building a following on Instagram and had just started this blog to go with it when I decided to take it all more seriously as a career option. Up to that point, I had managed to get a few brand partnerships and hotel stays, but that’s about it! I had already spent a few years building up my Instagram and traveling on my own dime, all as a side hustle while I worked as an event photographer between travels, but there was no such thing really as an “influencer” yet. I had no idea when I started down this path that it could ever end up being my career.

Then came the day a PR agency reached out and I landed my first real press trip. Honestly, at that point I was ready to give up and go get a “real job” with my marketing degree. But the trip was quite a win – especially since it was to Geneva, Switzerland! Once I did one press trip, more started to roll in, and the travel industry started to take Instagram a bit more seriously. Influencer became a common term. And at this point, I realized I couldn’t give up yet – my business was just starting and I had to see this out!

It took me a while to actually make enough money for it to be a viable career. And then came tax time! I had been filing taxes as a freelancer up until then, so I did have some experience with 1099s and business write-offs, but not on the same scale as this. I mean, the stack of 1099s I get from all of my clients can be quite overwhelming! And then there are all the factors of figuring out expenses, setting up my own SEP-IRA (no 401ks as a freelancer after all), making sure to pay taxes quarterly, and so much more.

That’s where my friends at H&R Block come in! Taxes can be scary, but H&R Block’s tax pros are on hand to help every step of the way. Even if you’re doing the whole process online without an office visit, they can assist you via screen share, on-demand chat, and more to make sure you get every qualified expense deducted and every 1099 reconciled (which can be daunting as a freelancer, believe me). They can also review your whole return and file for you, which I personally recommend for peace of mind.

H&R Block also has some really cool things they offer that I love. For example, if you’re a student, you can actually file free online! They also can offer a Refund Advance if you need your refund right away.* They have upfront transparent pricing as well, meaning their pricing is set before you begin your tax filing process with them, so there aren’t any surprises when it comes time to pay. Plus, you could save at least $10 when you choose H&R Block over other tax prep companies, like TurboTax.

Are you a U.S.-based blogger filing taxes for the first time? Here are a few quick tips to help you get started! Please note, some of these do not apply if you created an LLC for your blog.

  • Make sure to pay in estimated payments quarterly.

  • A lot of PR agencies might pay under a different name than what you invoiced (it happens to me a lot), so make sure to reconcile your 1099s with your invoices and payments to make sure you don’t miss anything.

  • Have a separate business credit card to charge expenses to, and keep all receipts! The easiest way to do that is to photograph them all and keep them in a Dropbox folder so you never lose them.

  • Keep a spreadsheet of invoices, payments, and other necessary details – this will also make sure you don’t lose track of invoices if a payment is late.

  • Have a separate savings account for tax payments, and transfer a percentage of each payment to it so you have it ready to go for quarterly payments.

  • File with H&R Block so you can make sure you’ve got all your ducks in a row – and they might find expenses you missed!

  • If you’re not ready to file on the due date, apply for an extension! Just make sure you’ve paid in enough by then so that you don’t owe extra fees later.

  • Don’t forget you’ll also need to pay self-employment taxes as a freelancer.

That’s it for now! If you’ve got more questions, I recommend consulting the tax pros at H&R Block who know much more about this than me. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!

*This is an optional tax refund-related loan from MetaBank®, N.A.; it is not your tax refund. Loans are offered in amounts of $250, $500, $750, $1,250 or $3,500. Approval and loan amount based on expected refund amount, eligibility criteria, and underwriting. If approved, funds will be loaded on a prepaid card and the loan amount will be deducted from your tax refund, reducing the amount paid directly to you. Tax returns may be e-filed without applying for this loan. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply. Limited time offer at participating locations. HRB Maine License No. FRA2. OBTP#B13696. ©2020 HRB Tax Group, Inc.

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Quick Tips for Blogger Taxes (2024)

FAQs

Quick Tips for Blogger Taxes? ›

Since you don't have any taxes deducted from your blogging income, you'll typically need to pay estimated taxes to the IRS each quarter. The due dates for estimated taxes are April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 (with some exceptions for holidays, etc.).

How do bloggers do their taxes? ›

Since you don't have any taxes deducted from your blogging income, you'll typically need to pay estimated taxes to the IRS each quarter. The due dates for estimated taxes are April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 (with some exceptions for holidays, etc.).

How much tax do bloggers pay? ›

“In addition to standard federal and state income taxes, self-employed individuals are also obligated to pay self-employment taxes,” Pianoforte said. “The net income from self-employment is subject to a 15.3% tax rate, comprising 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare.”

Can a blogger write off travel expenses? ›

As a travel blogger, your meals and travels can be considered a deductible as long as it's related to your blog. You can also deduct expenses to and from an industry event if you're being sponsored by an agency or brand.

How much money can you make on a side hustle before you have to file taxes? ›

How much can you make from a side job before you need to pay taxes? The IRS states that anyone making $400 or more in net income from a side hustle must file an annual tax return and pay income taxes.

Can bloggers write off clothing? ›

To get tax deductions on influencer clothes, you'll need to show the IRS that you have an honest profit motive. Basically, you'll have to prove that you're making money with these clothes as opposed to losing it.

How to pay taxes as a content creator? ›

1040 Tax Return: Most content creators will file Form 1040, the standard individual income tax return. Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business): If you're self-employed as a sole proprietor, you'll complete Schedule C to report your business income and expenses.

Do bloggers need an LLC? ›

It's best to start an LLC for your blog when you generate some reasonably good income. For example, if you're earning less than $30,000 a year from your blog, it may not be worth starting an LLC unless you want the liability protection.

What is a realistic income from blogging? ›

Within the first year, bloggers can make $500-$2,000 per month. As you can see, you can earn a wide income range as a blogger. But aside from the numbers, remember these important takeaways before you begin: You can make money blogging even if you're not a professional writer.

Do bloggers pay tax on gifts? ›

If you receive a gift, like money or another asset, and don't offer a good or service in exchange, that's a gift. As the influencer, know that the tax burden lies on the giver, not the recipient, so in this case if a company gives you a gift, they're responsible for paying any taxes on it.

Can influencers write off rent? ›

Many influencers work from home precisely because a home office deduction is allowed by the IRS. This lets you deduct a percentage of your rent, mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance premiums from the taxable. You're only allowed to claim the area that's used exclusively for work, though.

Does a blog count as a business? ›

Most people start a blog as a hobby. But after earning an average of $2,000 per month , most bloggers will consider turning it into a full-time business. If you want to turn blogging into a career, check out my step-by-step guide on how to be a full-time blogger! Okay – so blogging can be considered as a business.

Can you write off meals as a food blogger? ›

If you're traveling for food events, conferences, or to gather content for your blog, you might be able to deduct the expenses—like travel fare, where you stay, and even meals along the way.

How does the IRS know if you have a side hustle? ›

If you get paid electronically for a side hustle, small business or selling things online, you may need to pay taxes. Payment apps and online marketplaces might issue a Form 1099-K, informing you and the IRS of how much money you got for selling things or providing a service.

Does the IRS care about side hustles? ›

The Internal Revenue Service is very clear: you must file a tax return and report earnings from self-employment of $400 or more, even if it's from gig work, a side hustle app, or a temporary job. If you don't report your income as the IRS requires, there can be serious repercussions.

How to file taxes if paid under the table? ›

Is It Necessary to Report Income From Under the Table Jobs? The short answer is yes. Depending on the source of your under-the-table income, you will be required to file Form 1040. You may also need to file Form 4137 for reporting cash income from odd jobs, such as tips.

How do bloggers receive their money? ›

Basically, if you help a company make a sale, they might be willing to pay you a commission. Many companies, large and small, have affiliate programs that bloggers can join. After you sign up, you get a unique link for a specific product. If someone clicks that link and then makes a purchase, you get paid!

Do influencers have to pay taxes on gifted items? ›

These creators may owe taxes on a lot of it. "The taxable threshold for gifts is $100, so if you receive a gift that exceeds that amount, then you should consider it taxable income," says Jaya Johnson, MSA, CPA and founder of CPbAe Accounting & Taxes.

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