Category: Self-Employed & Freelancers
Local Earned Income Tax (EIT) in Pennsylvania: How It Interacts With Your PA-40
Pennsylvania’s local earned income tax is separate from your PA-40 filing. Learn EIT rates, PSD codes, and why neither tax is deductible against the other.
2026 Mileage Deduction Calculator: Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses
Calculate your 2026 mileage deduction with the mid-year rate split, then compare it against the actual expense method to see which one gives you more.
Can You Deduct Mileage on a Car Your Spouse Owns?
The standard mileage rate requires you to own or lease the vehicle. When the title is in your spouse’s name, the answer usually turns on how you file.
Filing Pennsylvania Taxes When You’re Self-Employed: The Complete Guide
PA taxes net profits at a flat 3.07%, will not let you offset losses against wages, and adds a local earned income tax most new freelancers do not see coming.
TaxAct vs. H&R Block: The Middle-Tier Comparison Nobody Explains Well
Both sit between budget software and full-service preparation. The choice turns on retail offices, multi-state filing, and how much guidance you actually need.
The IRS-Proof Mileage Log: What Records Actually Survive an Audit
Mileage is one of the most examined deductions on a self-employed return, and it is usually lost on records rather than eligibility. What a defensible log contains.
FreeTaxUSA vs. H&R Block: What You Actually Pay For
H&R Block costs several times what FreeTaxUSA does. The comparison comes down to one question: do you need a human, or do you just need the forms?
Business Miles vs. Commuting Miles: Where the IRS Actually Draws the Line
Commuting is never deductible — but the definition of commuting is narrower than most people think. Where the line falls, and the home office rule that moves it.
Parking and Tolls: The Vehicle Deduction You Can Still Take On Top of Standard Mileage
The standard mileage rate absorbs gas, repairs, and insurance — but not parking and tolls. Those stay separately deductible, and most drivers never claim them.
TaxAct vs. FreeTaxUSA: Which Cheap Filing Option Actually Costs Less?
TaxAct and FreeTaxUSA both advertise free federal filing, but they get expensive in different places. A structural comparison of pricing models, forms coverage, and who each one fits.