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How Do I File Taxes as a Freelancer or Gig Worker?

If you’re a freelancer, gig worker, creator, or self-employed professional based in Los Angeles or the greater LA area, navigating tax season can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re juggling multiple income streams, tracking expenses, and unsure what you can actually deduct. But understanding how to file taxes properly can save you thousands of dollars and help you stay compliant with the IRS.

What Counts as Freelance or Gig Work?

You’re considered self-employed if you earn income from any of the following:

As a self-employed person, you don’t receive a W-2 from an employer. Instead, you’ll typically receive Form 1099-NEC or 1099-K from clients or platforms that paid you more than $600 in a year (or in some cases, even less due to new IRS thresholds).

  1. Understand Your Tax Obligations

As a freelancer, you’re responsible for paying both:

Unlike traditional employees, no taxes are withheld from your earnings — meaning you may need to pay estimated taxes quarterly to avoid penalties. For 2025, upcoming estimated tax deadlines include:

  1. Track All Income and Expenses

Accurate bookkeeping is essential. Use apps or spreadsheets to log:

Income:

Deductible Expenses:

Freelancers in Los Angeles — especially creators and gig workers — often miss out on valuable deductions. A CPA for YouTubers or a Tax Advisor Los Angeles can help you identify legitimate write-offs without triggering red flags.

  1. File the Right Tax Forms

Most self-employed individuals will need to file:

If you’ve made more than $400 in self-employed income, you’re required to file — even if you also have a regular job.

  1. LA County Extension: What You Need to Know

Due to the recent storms and fires in California, many Los Angeles County taxpayers — including freelancers and gig workers — have been granted an extension to file and pay taxes until October 15, 2025. This includes:

However, it’s still recommended to make your estimated payments on time if possible, to avoid a large lump sum later in the year.

  1. Don’t DIY if You Don’t Have To

Tax filing for freelancers and gig workers can get complex fast — especially when dealing with multiple 1099s, deductions, and estimated payments. Working with a professional can help you:

At Velin & Associates, Inc., we specialize in Accounting Services in Los Angeles for freelancers, creators, and small business owners. Whether you’re a YouTuber, consultant, or gig worker, we’ll help you file accurately, on time, and with confidence.

Stay Focused on Your Work — Let Us Handle the Numbers

Velin & Associates, Inc.
📞 323-902-1000
📧 dmitriy@losangelescpa.org
🌐 www.losangelescpa.org



Our firm provides the information in this e-newsletter for general guidance only, and does not constitute the provision of legal advice, tax advice, accounting services, investment advice, or professional consulting of any kind. The information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional tax, accounting, legal, or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking any action, you should consult a professional adviser who has been provided with all pertinent facts relevant to your particular situation. Tax articles in this e-newsletter are not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding accuracy-related penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The information is provided "as is," with no assurance or guarantee of completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose.

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