Accountant for Self-Employed: Taxes, Write-Offs, and Cost

• IRS data show Schedule C filers are 2.5× more likely to be audited than W-2 workers (IRS Data Book 2023).
• A niche CPA unlocks vehicle, home-office, and SEP-IRA write-offs that save $5K–$20K a year.

Need help? Compareself-employed CPAs on Sam’s List!

Why Self-Employed Taxes Feel Harder

• Income hits your bank with no withholding—quarterly estimates are on you.
• Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top of income tax (Social Security + Medicare).
• Tracking dozens of micro-expenses (mileage, subscriptions) gets messy fast.
• 1099-K threshold drops to $5,000 in 2025—more side-hustlers will get IRS copies (IRS News Release IR-2024-19).

Five Ways a Self-Employed CPA Pays for Itself

1. Quarterly-Estimate Precision

CPAs annualize income and avoid overpaying Q1 when gigs start slow.

Example:A freelance designer’s Q1 income was $8K;CPArecalculated Form 2210 and cut her April estimate from $3,600 to $950—cash she reinvested in the stock market.

2. Vehicle & Mileage Deduction Strategy

2025 IRS standard rate = 68¢/mile;CPAscompare actual vs. standard to maximize deduction.

Example:Keeping MileIQ logs let a realtor deduct $10K vs. $6K using gas+depreciation.

3. Home-Office Deduction Done Right

Simplified method = $5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft; actual method often bigger.

Example:A CPA allocated 15% of utilities + mortgage interest, netting $3,200 extra deduction.

4. Retirement Shelters: SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), Cash-Balance

SEP-IRA lets you stash 20% of net profit up to $69,000 (IRS Notice 2024-8).

Example:Solo-401(k) adds employee deferral $23,000—double dip if spouse on payroll.

5. Audit-Proof Bookkeeping

Digitized receipts + categorized bank feeds cut audit time from weeks to hours.

Example:IRS Pub 583 accepts e-records; CPAs overlay Dext rules so you never lose a Starbucks receipt.

How much does an accountant cost for self-employed taxes?

$400–$1,200 for annual return; $150–$300/quarter for estimates.

Rates jump with multiple states, crypto trades, or Airbnb income.

What expenses can a self-employed person write off?

Mileage, home office, phone, internet, health insurance, retirement contributions, software.

Must be ordinary & necessary (IRC 162); commute miles and clothing rarely qualify.

Red-Flag Answers When Interviewing CPAs

1. “We’ll just lump everything under ‘Other expenses.’”
2. No client portal for receipt uploads.
3. Ignores quarterly estimate planning.

Readiness Checklist

☐ Separate business checking account opened
☐ Mileage app installed (Stride, MileIQ)
☐ Last year’s 1099-NECs gathered
☐ Ready to grant accountant view-only bank access

FAQ 

Should I pay quarterly taxes if I’m self-employed?

Yes—if you expect to owe $1,000+ for the year (IRS Form 1040-ES).

How do I avoid self-employment tax?

Electing S-corp and paying reasonable salary moves profit to distributions, saving 2.9% Medicare tax—but addspayrollcosts.

Are health-insurance premiums deductible?

Yes, 100% above-the-line if you and your spouse aren’t covered elsewhere (IRS Pub 535).

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Author: Kimi, Co-founder of Sam’s List

Kimi writes about what she's learning while building Sam’s List and shares honest takeaways from her conversations with accountants and financial advisors across the country. None of this is financial advice—just the stuff most people wish someone told them sooner.