If you work as a handyman or do odd jobs around town for money, you are operating a business in the eyes of the IRS. Since you own your own business, you're likely a self-employed sole proprietor. This means you'll have lots of potential tax deductions to investigate.
Reporting Business Income
When you work for yourself, you file the regular Form 1040 as a self-employed person. However, instead having your income reported to you on a Form W-2 as wages, salary or tips, you report it yourself as business income using Schedule C.
But you don't necessarily report the total sum of all income you receive from your handyman business. First use Schedule C to calculate your net income after taking all appropriate business deductions.
Handyman Business Deductions on Schedule C
If you pay for something that helps you earn income from your handyman business or odd-job work, you may be able to deduct it as a business expense. Examples of allowable business deductions include:
- Business use of your car — either actual expenses or the standard mileage rate deduction. For 2023 the rate is 65.5 cents per mile.
- Equipment, furniture and supplies you use in your business
- Advertising expenses
- Home office expenses if you use part of your house exclusively for your business
- Telephone and Internet — 100% if you use these services only for business, otherwise a proportionated amount
- Training costs related to being a handyman
Careful Record-Keeping Is Essential
Do yourself a favor and keep careful records of handyman income and expenses from the beginning. This makes preparing your tax returns easier and smoother. Even if you don't work full time at odd jobs, you can make record keeping easier by:
- Maintaining separate bank accounts for your handyman business
- Applying for new credit cards used only for your business
- Storing all receipts and invoices in organized files
- Keeping precise mileage logs reflecting odometer readings by job name
Self-Employment Taxes and Estimated Payments for Handyman and Odd-Job Income
As a self-employed handyman, you have to pay self-employment tax on your net profit. This tax — currently set at 15.3% — includes amounts to fund Social Security and Medicare. Complete and attach Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax to your Form 1040 to calculate the amount of self-employment tax you owe.
You'll also might need to file quarterly estimated tax payments during the year. Pay these based on the schedule set by the IRS.
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