Self-employed or running a creative business? You’re not alone if tax season turns into a last-minute scramble to find help from someone who understands that your income doesn’t look like a normal paycheck.

Artist turned tax expert Hannah Cole takes the fear out of taxes and explains the basics in a clear, approachable way. You’ll learn what to do throughout the year to make tax season easier, how much to save for self-Employment tax, and get tips for making the transition from side hustle to full-time business.

Topics discussed:

Introduction (00:00)

What inspired Hannah to become a tax expert (01:44)

Why creatives feel unseen by accountants (04:51)

Tax tips for the self-employed (06:05)

How to filter out bad advice and choose the right professional (08:53)

Tax Day financial check-up (11:16)

Key numbers to review on your tax return (13:00)

How to estimate your quarterly taxes (15:19)

Hannah’s book, Taxes for Humans, and more resources (16:16)

Transitioning from side hustle to full-time business (17:41)

What brought you JOY today? (21:14)

If you’re a writer who wants to take control of your finances, read Mitlin Financial’s Write Your Financial Future: A Financial Guide for Authors: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/insights/blog/write-your-financial-future-a-financial-guide-for-authors/

Resources:

• Sending your child to college will always be emotional but are you financially ready? Take the College Readiness Quiz for Parents: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/college-readiness-quiz/
• Doing your taxes might not be enJOYable but being more organized can make the process less painful. Get Your Gathering Your Tax Documents Checklist: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Mitlin_ChecklistForGatheringYourTaxDocuments_Form_062424_v2.pdf
• Will you be able to enJOY the Retirement you envision? Take the Retirement Ready Quiz: https://www.mitlinfinancial.com/retirement-planning-quiz/

Connect with Larry Sprung:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceDSprung/
• X (Twitter): https://x.com/Lawrence_Sprung

Connect with Hannah Cole:

• The Sunlight Podcast: https://www.sunlighttax.com/podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunlighttax/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sunlighttax
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sunlighttax
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-cole-3775561/
• Website: https://www.sunlighttax.com/

About Our Guest:

Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with self-employed people, especially creative and mission-driven ones. A long-time working artist herself, she’s helped tens of thousands of self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and Money Education, through her Money Bootcamp program, tax workshops from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight Tax podcast. Her forthcoming book, Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed, is the most funny and empowering tax guide you’ll ever read. Hannah is the founder of Sunlight Tax.

Disclosure:

Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest’s content linked on this site.

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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Larry Sprung Host Mitlin

Lawrence “Larry” Sprung, CFP® is a husband, father, entrepreneur and mental health advocate.

Larry is the author of the Amazon Bestselling book “Financial Planning Made Personal” and the also host of the Mitlin Money Mindset™ a podcast that reminds you to ask yourself “What did you do today that brought you joy?®”

In 2004 he founded Mitlin Financial, Inc. naming the firm memory of Larry’s wife’s grandfather, Mitchell, and his mother, Linda. During his career, Larry has found that a lot of industry terms and concepts can seem confusing to outsiders. That’s why he works with the families he serves to break down complex financial topics into easy-to-understand concepts.

In recognition of Larry’s significant contributions to his profession, he has received quite a few awards. In 2021, Larry was named to the Investopedia 100 Top Advisors in 2021 and was even more humbled to make their Top Ten list for 2022.

Outside the office, one of Larry’s greatest passions is raising awareness for mental health. He spent over 12 years serving on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and sits on its financial and investment committees. With his wife, Denise, he has raised more than $1.7 million for the organization through the Keith Milano Memorial Fund. The fund was created in memory of his brother-in-law.

Larry values his family tremendously and his desire to do right by his wife and two sons drives who he is in and out of the office.