#self-employment
Self-Employment
Learn about self-employment taxes, LLC owner compensation, and freelancer financial management
The ACA Subsidy Cliff Returns in 2026: How Self-Employed Filers Near $63,840 Use a SEP IRA to Keep the Premium Tax Credit
The enhanced ACA subsidies expired December 31, 2025, so in 2026 a single filer one dollar above roughly $63,840 in MAGI loses the entire premium tax credit while Marketplace rates rise a median 18%. Deductible SEP IRA, solo 401(k), traditional IRA and HSA contributions are above-the-line, so they lower the MAGI the credit uses — and the repayment cap on excess advance credits is gone for tax years after 2025, making every dollar of the excess repayable.
The Real Cost of AI Coding Subscriptions in 2026: How Freelance Developers Can Track, Compare, and Deduct Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code
AI coding stacks now cost freelance developers $150–$600 a month across Copilot, Cursor, and Claude Code — and every dollar is deductible, but only the portion you can document. A practical guide to tracking per-vendor spend, splitting business from personal use, allocating tool cost by client, and trimming the bill without losing the leverage.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Half of UK Sole Traders Missed the First Quarterly Update — What to Do Before 7 November 2026
Only about 437,000 of the 864,000 UK sole traders and landlords in scope filed their first Making Tax Digital quarterly update by 7 August 2026 — close to half missed it. No penalty points apply this tax year, but HMRC begins forced enrolment in September 2026 and the next quarterly update is due 7 November 2026.
The ACA Subsidy Cliff Is Back in 2026: How the Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction Can Pull Your MAGI Back Under the 400% Threshold
The enhanced ACA subsidies expired after 2025 — the 400% FPL cliff is back. Learn why $1 over 400% FPL wipes the credit, and how the §162(l) self-employed health insurance deduction can lower MAGI back under the threshold.
Indonesia Just Kicked Freelancers Out of Its 0.5% UMKM Tax Scheme: What PP 20/2026 Means for Consultants, Creators, and Independent Professionals
PP 20/2026 took effect April 22, 2026. The 0.5% final tax on turnover remains for true MSMEs but is now explicitly denied to freelancers — consultants, influencers, lawyers, architects, doctors, accountants — plus anti-fragmentation rules.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Arrives April 2026: What UK Sole Traders and Landlords Earning Over £50,000 Must Do Now
MTD for Income Tax starts 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords over £50k. Learn the £30k/£20k thresholds, quarterly updates, and digital records requirements.
Malaysia's Gig Workers Act Is Now in Force: What Mandatory SOCSO at 1.25% Per Job Means for Platforms, Drivers, and Delivery Riders in 2026
Act 872 took effect March 2026. Platforms must register gig workers for SOCSO, deduct 1.25% per task, and face RM50,000 fines. Coverage starts at first task and lasts a year even if bookings pause.
Pakistan Just Extended Its 0.25% Tax Rate for IT Freelancers to 2029: What Section 65F and the PSEB Registration Requirement Actually Mean for Exporters
Pakistan extended the 0.25% final tax for PSEB-registered IT exporters to June 30, 2029. Learn the 1% vs 0.25% vs 0% tiers, the 80% remittance rule, and why PSEB registration is the gateway.
Peru's 18% VAT on Foreign Platforms, Explained: What Upwork, Fiverr, and Other Marketplaces Now Withhold and What Freelancers Must Still File
Peru's 18% IGV on foreign digital services took effect Dec 1, 2024 via Legislative Decree 1623. Learn when Upwork and Fiverr must withhold, how SUNAT's Supreme Decree 157-2024 works, and what Peruvian freelancers must still file.
The Philippines' BIR Is Now Watching Freelancer and Influencer Income: Registration, 8% Tax, and the Seal You Must Display in 2026
The BIR now requires freelancers, influencers, and online sellers to register, display a Registration Seal Badge, and choose between 8% gross or graduated + percentage/VAT. RMC 97-2021 and 500 influencers probed are the backdrop.
Vietnam's New Withholding Framework for Freelancers on Foreign Platforms: What Decree 117 and the 10-Digit TIN Mean in 2026
Vietnam requires foreign platforms like Upwork to register, get a 10-digit TIN, and withhold VAT and PIT for resident freelancers. Learn the Decree 117 obligations and the withholding certificate process for 2026.
Mexico's RESICO Regime: Simplified Taxes, Mandatory Monthly Compliance
Mexico's RESICO simplified tax regime offers 1–2.5% flat rates and no annual reconciliation, but requires strict monthly digital invoicing and a MXN 3.5 million income cap.