WORKING DRAFT · The Self-Employed Edition · built from the real companion workbook · Regular price $29 · launch price $23.20 (20% off at launch)
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Volume IX · Self-Employed

The Self-Employed Edition

For freelancers, contractors, and small-business owners.

A verified, plain-language reference to the taxes, deductions, and retirement tools that come with working for yourself — self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, the deductions that lower your bill, and the accounts that shelter it — each pointing to its official source. Built for anyone who files a Schedule C.

44Pages
8Topics
6Calculators
2026Constants verified
Digital Reference Volume · Volume IX
$29$23.2020% off · launch
Instant digital download · read on phone, tablet, or computer.
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  • The reference volume (PDF)
  • The companion calculator workbook — SE tax, quarterly, QBI, retirement, HSA
  • Live-math calculators for every major decision
  • One year of updates included
  • Guest checkout — no account required
Instant delivery · download on purchase
Sources verified · official citations
One year of updates included
Non-refundable · digital, final on download
What this volume is

Keep more of what you earn.

Working for yourself means carrying the parts an employer used to handle — the self-employment tax, the quarterly estimates, and the deductions and retirement accounts that decide how much you keep. This volume lays them out in plain language: how each one works, the trap that commonly costs filers, and where to confirm the 2026 figure. Like every TROVELL volume, it is a reference, not advice — it never tells you what to do, and it points you to the official source and to a licensed CPA for your own return.

Inside this volume

The topics it covers

Eight tax, deduction, and retirement mechanisms for the self-employed — each in plain language with its official source.

Schedule SE · IRC 1401
Self-Employment Tax
The 15.3% on net earnings — 12.4% Social Security to the wage base plus 2.9% Medicare — and the half you deduct.
Form 1040-ES
Quarterly Estimated Tax
The four payments and the safe-harbor rule that avoids the underpayment penalty.
Simplified vs actual
Home Office Deduction
The two methods compared — and why the actual method can be taxed back when you sell.
IRS · Pub 463
Standard Mileage
The per-mile deduction, the log that supports it, and the first-year choice that can lock you in.
IRC 199A · Form 8995
QBI Deduction
The 20% qualified-business-income deduction, the income thresholds, and the service-business phaseout.
IRC 401(k) / 408(k)
Solo 401(k) vs SEP-IRA
Why the Solo 401(k) usually reaches a higher total, and the shared $72,000 cap.
Pub 969
HSA
The triple-tax-advantaged account for a qualifying high-deductible plan.
EITC · Saver's Credit
Income Credits
Credits aimed at the everyday self-employed that reduce tax dollar-for-dollar.

Companion Calculator Workbook

Live-math tools

Enter your numbers once on the Profile tab; the self-employment tax, quarterly, deduction, retirement, and credit tools all recalculate instantly.

ProfileSE Tax CalculatorQuarterly EstimatorHome Office (Simplified vs Actual)Mileage DeductionQBI EstimatorSolo 401(k) vs SEPHSAIncome Credits

Read a real page

Sample · The Self-Employment Tax, built

Self-employment tax is 15.3% — 12.4% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base (2026) plus 2.9% Medicare with no cap — applied to 92.35% of net profit under IRC 1401. One half is deductible above the line, which lowers income tax, not the SE tax itself.

Verify at irs.gov (Schedule SE) and ssa.gov. Educational illustration; not tax advice.

Verify it yourself

Every rule links to its source

IRS.govSSA.govSBA.govState revenue dept.

The 2026 constants (wage base, QBI thresholds, contribution caps) change annually; each is documented to its agency source and verified as of 2026.

Before you buy

Good to know

Is this legal, tax, or financial advice?
No. It is a digital reference for general educational and informational purposes only. TROVELL is not a law firm, accounting firm, or registered adviser. It describes how things generally work and points you to official sources and licensed professionals.
Does it tell me what to do?
No. It documents the mechanisms and where to verify them. It does not instruct you on a course of action.
What's your refund policy?
Digital volumes are non-refundable. The file is delivered instantly and downloaded on purchase, so all sales are final.
How long do I get updates?
One year of free updates begins on the purchase date.

The Self-Employed Edition

Self-employment tax, quarterly estimates, the deductions that lower your bill, and the accounts that shelter it — in one plain-language reference.

$29$23.2020% off · launch
Not Yet for Sale

One year of free updates included with purchase.

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