https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/ Contractor tax guidance from TradeTaxPro. Deductions, quarterly estimates, entity choice, and filing deadlines for the skilled trades. en-us Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/the-400-dollar-rule/ https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/the-400-dollar-rule/ If you earned $400 or more from self-employment, you owe self-employment tax and have to file. Here is exactly what the $400 rule means for contractors. Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Mary Mattison, EA Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/mileage-vs-actual-expense-work-truck/ https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/mileage-vs-actual-expense-work-truck/ For a heavy work truck, the actual expense method often beats the 2026 standard mileage rate of $0.725. Here is how a contractor should choose. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Mary Mattison, EA Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/first-year-quarterly-taxes/ https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/first-year-quarterly-taxes/ If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, yes. Here is how first-year contractors handle estimated taxes and avoid the underpayment penalty. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Mary Mattison, EA Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/home-office-deduction-contractors/ https://tradetaxpro.com/blog/home-office-deduction-contractors/ You do not need a separate room. If you use a space regularly and exclusively to run the business, a contractor can deduct a home office. Here is how. Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Mary Mattison, EA Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT