New to Self-Employed Taxes? Start Here Before Filing Schedule

New to self-employed taxes? Learn exactly where to start, what forms you need, and how Schedule C works for first-time filers. In this beginner-friendly walkthrough I explain how to file taxes when you’re self-employed, freelancing, driving for rideshare apps, or running a side business. We cover what counts as self-employment income, how to track ordinary and necessary expenses, and how net profit determines both income tax and self-employment tax. You’ll learn how Schedule C, Schedule SE, and Form 1040 work together, why recordkeeping matters, and the most common mistakes new self-employed taxpayers make — including missing income, confusing revenue with profit, and not saving for taxes. Topics covered: Schedule C explained for beginners Self-employment tax basics Recordkeeping and deductible expenses Estimated tax payments Gig work and freelance income reporting This video is part of the Self-Employment and Schedule C beginner series designed for freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers, and first-time business owners who want a clear, accurate explanation of how to start filing taxes. #taxes #taxpreparation #taxeducation Chapters 00:00 Introduction — Self-Employed Taxes Explained 02:15 Schedule C Basics for Beginners 04:56 Forms You Are Responsible For (1040, Schedule C, Schedule SE) 06:54 Where Do You Even Start? First Steps for New Filers 09:27 Initial Setup — Recordkeeping, Expenses, and PlanningAbout Brian Winrow Brian Winrow is a tax attorney and educator with extensive experience in taxation, accounting, and business. He holds a J.D., LL.M. in Taxation, DBA, MAcc, and MBA, and is licensed to practice before the U.S. Tax Court. He also maintains active professional certifications in taxation and fraud examination. Brian teaches undergraduate and graduate-level tax and accounting courses and focuses on making complex tax concepts easy to understand. He is the founder of Winrow Tax Services, where he works with individuals and businesses on a wide range of tax matters. If you're interested in working with Brian or learning more about his tax practice, you can visit Winrow Tax Services at www. winrowtax.com. Have Questions? Leave them in the comments! I post regular tax education videos designed to make difficult concepts simple and accessible. If you are seeking to become a client, please direct your questions to [email protected] as opposed to leaving them in the comments.