Can I do my own taxes as a creator instead of hiring an accountant?
Short answer
Yes, you can file your own taxes as a creator, and plenty do with TurboTax or similar software, but software only files what you enter. It won't catch missed write-offs, pick the right structure or plan ahead for you.
Otavio Mayole, Co-founder, DeCypher FinancialsUpdated
If you make under $40,000 a year from content, doing it yourself with a good system is reasonable. We'll tell you that on a call.
What we see on self-filed creator returns:
- The same laptop written off twice, once as an expense and again through depreciation
- 100% of business meals deducted when most are 50%
- A generic business code instead of the one for creators
- Props and production costs filed under office supplies
- No mileage, even for creators who drive to shoots
- No quarterly payment vouchers, leading to a penalty the next year
Using ChatGPT or Claude to help? AI is great for learning, but it works from what you tell it, and it doesn't know what you left out.
Doing it yourself stops making sense when your income passes $40,000, you have several income streams, you're thinking about an S-Corp, or your income jumped. At that point, the hours you spend are worth more making content, and the mistakes cost more than the fee.