An illustration of a sole proprietor researching sole proprietorship taxes.
taxes

Sole proprietorship taxes: Beginner’s guide and tips and tricks

Of the many business types, such as LLCs and corporations, sole proprietorships are perhaps the simplest. However, filing taxes can still take various steps to complete. 


As a sole proprietor, you are self-employed, so you must report your business income on your personal tax return. Understanding the tax process can help simplify tax time. So, let’s take a look at how sole proprietorship taxes work and how to make tax time less taxing.

How sole proprietorship taxes work

An illustration of sole proprietorship tax basics, including your tax rate and how to pay taxes.

The IRS considers sole proprietorships pass-through entities. This means you file business income on your personal income tax return. There’s no need for a separate business tax return. Sole proprietors report their business income and expenses on Form 1040. Here’s a look at some of the key sole proprietorship tax forms you may need to file:

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When filing taxes as a sole proprietor, you must first determine your net profits or losses. Start by subtracting your business expenses from your business income. Your income includes sales, services, or rental activities. Expenses can include home office costs and vehicle expenses.

Self-employment taxes

One of the key aspects of sole proprietorship taxes is self-employment tax. This tax supports Social Security and Medicare. As a sole proprietor, you must pay the full self-employment tax rate of 15.3%. When you work for an employer, you only pay half, and the employer pays half. But as a sole proprietor, you can claim 50% of your self-employment tax payment as a deduction for income taxes. 

Estimated tax payments 

To meet your tax obligations as a sole proprietor, you may need to pay quarterly estimated tax payments throughout the year. Form 1040-ES can help you calculate your estimated tax payments.

Sole proprietorship tax benefits 


One of the key sole proprietorship tax benefits is the simplicity of the tax treatment. The business structure allows for pass-through taxation, which means you can file it on your personal tax return. 


You don’t need to apply to form a sole proprietorship. If your business has a single owner, the IRS will consider you a sole proprietor by default. For example, self-employed individuals are sole proprietors until they form a business entity. 


Note that even if you form a single-member LLC, the tax status defaults to pass-through, but you can file an election with the IRS to change the status.

Sole proprietorship tax deductions

An illustration of the key tax deductions for self-employed individuals, such as insurance, travel, and home office.

Running a business gives you access to various tax breaks, which are deductions that help lower the taxes you owe. Independent business owners should take advantage of all possible deductions.  


As a sole proprietor, you can deduct various expenses for launching and running your business. You can deduct expenses that are necessary from your income. Here are some of the most common tax deductions available to sole proprietors:

Business expenses 

Sole proprietors can deduct various expenses, such as office supplies, advertising expenses, and legal fees. For example, a graphic designer can deduct the costs of software subscriptions and marketing expenses.

Mileage 

Vehicles are a must-use self-employed tax deduction that allows you to expense miles you drive for work. If you use your car for business, you can deduct 65.5 cents per mile for 2023. You’ll want to keep good records to keep your personal and business miles separate. You can use a mileage tracker to help with this. 

QBI deduction 

As a sole proprietor, you may also qualify for the 20% Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction. This tax deduction allows taxpayers to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income from their taxable income. The amount of the QBI deduction is your qualified business income times 20%. 

Home office expenses

If you have a space in your home that you use just for your business, you may be able to deduct expenses for your home office. The home office deduction can include a portion of rent or mortgage interest, utilities, and even depreciation.

Self-employment taxes

You’ll need to pay quarterly self-employment taxes. This is the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes. However, you can deduct the employer portion from your tax liability. 

Health insurance premiums 

Sole proprietors who pay for their health insurance premiums may be eligible for a deduction. Deducting health insurance for self-employed individuals includes premiums for medical and dental. Keep in mind that there are certain criteria to qualify for this deduction.

Retirement contributions

Sole proprietors can contribute to retirement plans. There are various 401(k) plans, but the solo 401(k) is particularly great for sole proprietors. There are also other options like individual retirement accounts (IRAs). These retirement plans help you save for the future and provide tax advantages. 

How to file taxes as a sole proprietorship

An illustration of the important tax dates for solopreneurs and sole proprietors, including estimated tax due dates.

Filing taxes as a sole proprietor or solopreneur involves several steps. Before beginning, gather items from your tax prep checklist. Here is a step-by-step process to help you navigate through this process:

  1. Gather necessary documents: Collect all financial records for your business, including expense receipts and bank statements. 
  2. Calculate your income and expenses: Determine your total business income and deductible business expenses. Keep records of your business-related transactions throughout the year. 
  3. Complete sole proprietor tax forms: Use the information to complete the appropriate tax forms. Report your business income and deductions on your personal return and calculate your self-employment tax on Schedule SE. 
  4. Maintain accurate financial statements: Keep detailed records and separate business and personal expenses. Accurate financial statements facilitate tax filing and help you understand your business's financial health. 
  5. File and pay taxes: Once all forms are ready, file your tax return by the deadline. You’ll likely be making estimated tax payments quarterly, but make sure to pay any remaining tax liability. 

Note that if you paid independent contractors or freelancers over $600 during the year, you must send them a Form 1099-NEC before Jan 1.


Need more time to do your taxes?

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Find peace of mind come tax time

Even if you plan to outgrow your sole proprietorship or hope to remain a solopreneur for a while, adhering to the IRS’ rules and guidelines is key. You’ll want to report all income to your state and the IRS. 


Having a business bank account like QuickBooks Money that allows you to make payments and send payable invoices instantly, with no monthly fees, can help keep your personal and business expenses separate—making tax time easier and more efficient.

Sole proprietorship taxes

Disclaimers

*QuickBooks Live Tax, powered by TurboTax, is an integrated service available with a QuickBooks Online subscription. Additional terms, conditions and limitations apply. Pay when you file.

**QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping Guided Setup is a one-time virtual session with a Live Bookkeeper. Available to new QuickBooks Online Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, or Advanced subscribers who are within their first 30 days of their subscription. The QuickBooks Live Setup service includes instructions on how to set up your chart of accounts, customize invoices, set up reminders, and connect bank accounts and credit cards. QuickBooks Live Setup does not include Payroll setup or services. Your bookkeeper will only guide you through the setup of your QuickBooks Online account, and cannot set it up on your behalf.

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Sole proprietorship taxes FAQ


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