Building Automated Revenue Streams

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ There are so many financial obligations to cover as a freelancer, right? You’ve got to handle living expenses, pay for key equipment, and save your dollars all at once. Your goal might be financial freedom, which is all about living comfortably and not being constrained by your financial obligations. But what’s the easiest way to do this? Budgeting apps are ideal. They’re a c…

New York City's recent implementation of its congestion pricing plan has officially gone into effect with the overall goals of reducing traffic and funding public transit improvements. The New York City Congestion Pricing Plan charges drivers a toll to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours. While the goal is to alleviate congestion and promote cleaner air, the impact on freelance business owners doing business in the city could be significant. How the New York City Congestion Pricing Tax Credit WorksDrivers entering the congestion zone between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, will be charged a $9 toll if they use an E-ZPas…

Tax season is officially here! Understanding the available tax deductions can help you keep more of your hard-earned income. Be aware, however, that you must claim all of the freelance taxable income you have received and substantiate all of your deductions with proper receipts (not just credit card statements). There are a few new key updates for freelance tax deductions in 2024, including: Form 1099-K Threshold: The threshold for receiving Form 1099-K has increased to $5,000 in gross proceeds. This form reports payments received through online platforms like PayPal, Stripe, and Venmo. It's essential for tracking income from online platforms. Even if you don't receive Fo…

The tax rules around how freelance income gets reported are changing again, thanks to the newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA). While the intent is to simplify paperwork and modernize outdated thresholds, the rollout has created plenty of confusion—especially around Form 1099-K and its shifting requirements. For many freelancers, 1099s come in fast and furious during tax season. Understanding these new changes is important so that your records are up to date and you are aware of the tax implications on your freelance income. Key 1099 Updates Under OBBBA The following is a breakdown of the key updates and how to stay compliant under the OBBB. Form 1099-MISC and 1…

At the end of last year, we put a call out to the Freelancers Union community, asking our members for their favorite accomplishments of 2025. It didn't necessarily have to be the "biggest" or "best" accomplishment — though it certainly could be — but whatever their favorite accomplishment was. Read on below for these achievements shared by our members; hopefully their proudest moments of the year will inspire you to celebrate of your own, and consider what you want to achieve in 2026. "My favorite accomplishment of 2025 was finally turning twenty years of research into something tangible. I've spent my career exploring how health (mental, physical, chronic conditions, lif…

The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has introduced a wave of tax reforms many of which may benefit freelancers. Among the most impactful changes? A new provision that allows freelancers and gig economy workers to deduct car loan interest when their vehicle is used for business purposes. This marks a significant shift in how self-employed individuals can manage and reduce their taxable income, especially those who rely heavily on their vehicles to earn a living. A few important points in regard to the type of vehicle and loan that qualifies: This deduction is available for new car loans originated after December 31, 2024, used to purchase a qualified vehicl…

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ Our emails store everything from client contracts to grandma’s best cookie recipe. Naturally, someone’s snooping around in our inbox feels like discovering an uninvited stranger sleeping in our bed. It’s unsettling, intrusive, and downright dangerous. From stolen client information to identity theft, the fallout of a hacked email can be serious. But Moonlock, a cybersecurity …

Did you know that you have free access to the Freelancers Union Legal Clinic? If this is the first you’re hearing about our Legal Clinic, we are excited to share some details with you! The clinic provides free legal support to all independent workers across the country. If you’re a freelancer, that means you. After you submit a complaint form on our website, our legal team will reach out directly to you and provide direct, specialized guidance based on your legal questions and concerns. Even if you have already sought every option for recourse without legal assistance (i.e. direct appeal to the client, demand letters, attempted mediation), the clinic can provide advice …

and be entered for a chance to win $200! As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking time to reflect on the year behind us and plan for the year ahead. At Freelancers Union, our mission is to provide you with the resources, support, and community you need to thrive as a freelancer—and we want to ensure we’re meeting your needs and advocating for you in the best way possible. That’s where you come in. Complete Our Survey We’re inviting all of our members to take our End-of-Year Survey and share your thoughts on what’s working, what’s not, and what you’d like to see from us in 2025. Your feedback is invaluable. Whether it’s about the resources we offer, the events we host, or t…

As an independent worker, you shouldn't have to choose between flexibility and security. Freelancers Union is designing a new portable benefits program, and we need your input to get it right. We know that in the months following the expiration of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, access to healthcare has narrowed dramatically, with basic plans out of reach for many freelancers. The demand for flexible healthcare will only continue to grow, particularly as more and more workers across the country go independent. New portable benefits proposals seek to remediate this, clearing barriers for clients to disperse money into an independent worker’s account to use for healthc…

Ah, the holiday season — filled with joy, festive cheer, and maybe just a pinch of family drama! Let’s be real: navigating holiday interactions can sometimes feel like a game of emotional dodgeball. But fear not! Setting boundaries is like having a trusty shield that helps you enjoy the festivities without the stress. What is a boundary? A boundary is a limit you set regarding other people’s words or actions towards you. You can set different boundaries with different people. Good boundaries can: Create positive rapportPromote mutually productive collaborationsEnsure smooth, effective communicationDefine and clearly communicate expectationsProtect your time and energyPr…

This post was produced in collaboration with Hustle Culture, a free Substack newsletter. Every freelancer brings a unique mix of technical and creative expertise to the table, but most of us share two key skills: self-discipline and time management. Without those, working for yourself can look like long, slow days on the couch or weeks jam-packed with endless tasks. I’ve fallen into both of those modes, but over time I’ve developed a formula that helps me create a manageable and productive weekly schedule. It’s difficult for me to sit and focus on one task for many hours at a time. Instead, I break up my days and weeks into dedicated blocks for each of my weekly obligati…

Many freelancers believe inflation is just a distant line in government reports, something that barely dents their day-to-day hustle. If you find yourself thinking, “It’s just a few extra dollars at the store,” you are not alone. Yet behind those small changes is a slow but steady force that can quietly chip away at your financial security, often without immediate warning signs. Here’s a fact that may surprise you. Data from the 2025 Freelancer Rates Report shows that while rates have gone up slightly on average, many freelancers adjust their pricing less than once per year, often falling behind the real cost of living. If you skipped a rate adjustment, you are already ma…

Now that tax season for the 2025 tax year has wrapped up, it is time to plan ahead and get your 2026 tax strategy in order, especially if you earn tips or overtime income that qualifies you for a deduction based on the latest IRS guidance released in April 2026. Which types of freelance work qualify for the overtime and tip deductions? Below is a detailed breakdown of the rules on tip and overtime income and to whom they apply. Remember, your local and state taxing authorities may not conform with the internal revenue code, so it is prudent to check with a qualified tax professional to see how these deductions interact with your full tax picture. Freelancers should pay sp…

You log off for the night, but your brain stays logged in. The project you didn’t finish hums in the back of your head. Your shoulders ache from hunching over your screen for hours. You’re tired, but not the kind of tired a nap can fix. That foggy, restless, emotionally drained feeling? That’s work-from-home fatigue. Working from home might look effortless from the outside, but it can wear on you in ways office jobs don’t. According to Psychology Today, the blurred lines, isolation, and irregular sleep schedule that often come with remote work can chip away at your mental health. As a freelancer, you may feel this even more intensely, as you don’t have built-in breaks, co…

We talk a lot about how to make sure your clients pay you, fairly and on time. Sometimes, though, the people who are hiring you for your talent and services are not clients, companies, or businesses as we traditionally conceive of them — they’re your fellow freelancers. Whether it’s being hired by a photographer to style a shoot, writing for a friend’s blog, or even performing on a comedy show, it’s important to set expectations, communicate clearly, and follow through. Set clear expectations from the beginning No matter who you’re working for, in whichever capacity it is (and yes, performing counts as work) it’s important to know from the outset if it’s a paid opportunit…

Freelancers across the country face a common challenge: figuring out how to structure their business to minimize taxes without triggering compliance headaches. No matter where you are working, staying on top of the local and state taxes you are responsible for is a critical part of the complex tax trade-offs that can come with forming and operating your freelance business as an entity like an S corporation (S-corp) or limited liability company (LLC). Now, under the new "Big Beautiful Bill" tax provisions, it is more important than ever to understand how you can optimize your tax strategy, taking into account all levels of tax: local, state and federal. Below is a breakdow…

Cash App is a decent way to receive instant payments. It’s fast and convenient, and there’s an option to open a legitimate business account and report taxes. But like any payment platform, it attracts scammers looking to take advantage of unsuspecting users. Scammers use deceptive tactics to trick you into sending them money or handing over your Cash App account details. Once they get access, they can drain your linked credit card or bank account before you realize what’s happening. Moonlock, the cybersecurity division of MacPaw, is here to help. We’ll break down the most common Cash App scams, how to recognize them, and how to protect your money. Why use Cash App for fre…

From Leo Aquino, founder and financial coach, at Queer & Trans Wealth With the cost of living, health insurance and taxes all rising, saving for retirement as a freelancer can feel impossible. In part, that’s because as a freelancer or small business owner, you’re wholly responsible for creating your own retirement savings. Workers at large companies have some notable advantages in this area: many employers offer 401(k) or 403(b) accounts to full-time workers. This lets employees automatically contribute portions of every paycheck before that money hits their account. These contributions are often tax-free, and some match workers’ contributions up to a certain amou…

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ There’s an increasing popularity in the freelance blogging profession these days. Many freelance bloggers earn an income by creating exemplary content or collaborating on social platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The thing is, success in the field needs technical knowledge, regular posting, ongoing activity, and effort. For this, the right inspiration, moti…

This post was produced in collaboration with Hustle Culture, a free Substack newsletter by Olivia Rockeman centered around financial and creative guidance for working writers of all genres. Subscribe here. Last summer, when I quit my corporate journalism job to freelance full time, I thought I’d be lucky to earn enough in the first year to cover my rent. I left the corporate world for the autonomy and flexibility I hoped freelancing would provide, but I worried constantly about my financial prospects. The rates for freelance journalism projects are notoriously low, and I’d heard horror stories about writers being out of work for months at a time. In the months before I q…

Freelancers Union is pleased to introduce Elle Toussi as Interim Executive Director. Elle first joined Freelancers Union as a member, helping to organize local LA Spark events that fostered community, collaboration, and connection among independent workers. Her commitment to strengthening the freelancer community led her to serve as a Member Representative on the Board of Directors, after which she was elected as a permanent Board Member and, two years ago, chosen by her peers to serve as Chair of the Board. With more than 15 years of experience in journalism and production, Elle has built her career around storytelling and advocacy for creative and independent professio…