Being self-employed offers many advantages over being a W2 employee but it can get tricky when it comes to taxes. We’ve put together 6 tax tips for the self-employed that can benefit every freelancer, small business owner and self-employed worker out there.

Tax Tip: Record All Your Expenses

One of the best pieces of advice we can offer is to stay on top of your expenses. Not only will this help the self-employed during tax time, it will help you stay on top of your business. Knowing exactly how much you’re spending will give you a better understanding of the financial health of your business.

When it comes to taxes, recording all your expenses can lead to a major write-off. Remember, you can deduct virtually any businesses expense as long as it’s ordinary and necessary, directly related to your business and for a reasonable amount. The IRS requires you have adequate proof of these expenses, though.

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Know Your Tax Due Dates

If you’re going to pay your taxes, you should know when they’re due. Even if you pay a tax pro to handle this, it’s still important to know the tax due dates.

As a freelancer/small business owner/self-employed worker, you’ll likely have to pay estimated quarterly taxes as part of the Self-Employment tax.

Date	What’s Due	Covers
Jan. 17, 2017	Pay final installment of your 2016 estimated taxes	Sept. 1 – Dec. 31 2016
April 18, 2017	Pay first installment of 2017 estimated tax	Jan. 1 – March 31 2017
June 15, 2017	Pay second installment of 2017 estimated tax	April 1 – May 31, 2017
Sept. 15, 2017	Pay third installment of 2017 estimated tax	June 1 – Aug. 31, 2017
Jan. 16, 2018	Pay final installment of 2017 estimated tax	Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2017

Of course, you’ll also have to file your annual tax return.

Date	What	Covers
Jan. 23, 2017	First day IRS accepts electronic tax returns	First official day of tax season. Taxpayers can submit before.
April 18, 2017	Final deadline for submitting 2016 tax returns	Federal income tax returns due
April 18, 2017	2016 Federal Tax Extension Deadline	Last day to file a tax extension for your 2016 Federal Income Tax Returns
Oct. 16, 2017	Deadline for Tax Extension Filers	Deadline for 2016 Federal Income Tax Return for those who filed an extension

Tax Tip: Know How Your Business Is Organized

How you’re taxed depends on how you’ve legally organized your business. Most self-employed workers are sole proprietors due to the straightforward nature and low cost for setup. A sole proprietor isn’t treated as a separate business entity from the owner, so business income earned and expenses get passed through.

If you’re thinking about incorporating as an LLC or entering into a partnership, we’ve put together an article outlining the impact on your business’ taxes.

Tax Tips for Self-Employed: Get the Most Out Of Your Miles

Many self-employed workers forget that every single business drive can lead to a tax deduction. But, you can only do this if you’re tracking your miles and keeping an accurate mileage log.

The IRS allows you to write off 53.5 cents for every business mile in 2017. While that may not seem like a lot at first glance, just think about how quickly that can add up. Every trip to a client’s office, to pick up supplies, to a meeting or any other business drive can lead to money back in your pocket at tax time.

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Tax Tip: Writing Off Health Insurance

If you’re self-employed, the IRS allows you to deduct the costs of your health insurance premiums. This deduction can include your dental, long-term care and the premiums that apply to you, your spouse and your dependents.

Keep in mind, you can’t take this write-off if you’re eligible to take part in a subsidized health insurance plan. An example of this scenario would be if you’re self-employed but your spouse is a W2 employee with subsidize insurance plans.

The IRS also allows you to deduct the transportation costs that are primarily and essential to medical care. This can include expenses like bus, train, taxi and ambulance services, as well as the costs of using your personal vehicle. You can also deduct 17 cents per mile (in 2017) for your medical mileage.

Don’t Forget To Write Off The Business Use Of Home

If you work out of your home or use part of your home for business, you may be eligible for a home office deduction. But, be sure you’re following the rules because the IRS can crack down on this. We’ve written in detail about the home office deduction here but the key takeaways are:

• You must use your home office exclusively for business
• It generally applies to self-employed workers but there are instances where W2 workers can take it
• There are two methods to calculate the write-off for business use of home
• A qualifying home office can lead to larger overall driving deductions.

We’d love to hear any tax tip you think can help other self-employed workers. Feel free to leave your best tip in the comments.