Let’s be honest, tax season can feel like it’s personally out to get you. Between client work, editing marathons, and trying to remember where that random camera gear receipt went, managing your business finances can feel a little overwhelming.

That’s exactly what I dove into on the Accidental CEO Podcast, where I joined Nata Salvatori for a conversation about all things money, taxes, and confidence for creative business owners (especially photographers).

If you’ve ever wished you could go into tax season without dread (and maybe even feel good about your numbers), this episode is for you.

Here’s a peek at what we covered and how you can start making your finances work for you, not against you.

1. Build Confidence Through Clarity

When I first started my photography business, I didn’t just take the leap without a plan. I built a safety net first, saving six months of expenses and tracking every dollar before going full-time.

That clarity gave me confidence. It wasn’t about having it all figured out, it was about understanding my numbers enough to make informed, stress-free decisions.

If you’re dreaming of going full-time or simply want more control over your finances, start by tracking your income and expenses regularly. You can’t build confidence in what you don’t measure.

2. Create a Simple Weekly Money Ritual

Want to know my secret to stress-free tax season? I spend just five minutes every Monday checking in on my books.

That’s it.

I call it my “Five-Minute Monday Ritual”. A quick, consistent habit that keeps everything organized year-round. I use tools like QuickBooks for bookkeeping and categorize expenses as I go, so April never catches me off guard.

If you’ve been avoiding your numbers because they feel overwhelming, start small. Five minutes is manageable, and it adds up to massive clarity over time.

3. Ask Your CPA the Right Questions

Your CPA shouldn’t just file your taxes; they should help you strategize.

Here are four questions I shared in the episode that every photographer should be asking:

• How can I improve my bookkeeping to make your job easier?
  
• Are there any red flags I should fix before next year?
  
• What deductions am I missing?
  
• Are there new tax changes that impact creative business owners?
  

These questions turn your CPA from a once-a-year email contact into a true business partner.

4. The 30% Rule That Saves Sanity

This one’s simple but powerful: every time you get paid, move 30% of that payment into a separate account just for taxes.

You’ll never have to scramble when quarterly payments or tax bills come due. If you end up over-saving? That’s your bonus check.

Think of it as financial self-care for your creative business.

5. You Don’t Have to Love Numbers to Be Good With Them

If numbers make your head spin, you’re not broken, you just haven’t found a system that fits you.

Whether that’s hiring a bookkeeper, using apps like MileIQ to track mileage automatically, or leaning into tools that simplify your workflow, you don’t have to do this alone.

The key is knowing enough to stay confident and in control, even if someone else handles the details.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve Financial Peace

You didn’t start your photography business to crunch numbers, but understanding your money is one of the most empowering things you can do for your creativity.

The right systems, habits, and mindset can turn tax season from a panic-inducing chore into just another smooth part of running your business.

Listen to the full episode of the Accidental CEO Podcast for even more tax tips for photographers and practical ways to simplify your money routine — no jargon, no overwhelm, just clarity.

Listen to the Episode: “Tax Tips for Creatives: Stop Winging It With Your Finances”

XOXO – Heather

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And don’t forget to grab my  Tax Preparation Checklist. It includes everything you need to gather before you file plus a tax calendar to keep you ahead of every major deadline.

Let’s make this the year you take control of your business finances!

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Let’s Prep for Tax Season – Together

Keep more of what you make inside of your business with these 5 key deductions for photographers. I’m sharing all inside of my free class — Maximizing Your Tax Deductions as a Photographer!

Make tracking your numbers easy with my Tax Prep Spreadsheet and ensure that tax season is a breeze.

Transform your passion into a thriving business and unlock success for your photography business with my free guide to setting goals for the first year of your photography business.

Mastering your business taxes starts with understanding the different tax categories. Grab my free tax category guide to take the first step towards stress-free taxes today.

Want taxes to suck less? Learn how to correctly prepare your taxes for your accountant with the Photographer Tax Course – and say hello to a confident and calm tax season!

Don’t know what you don’t know? You’re just 90 minutes from a custom tax prep system with my 1:1 Tax Prep Mentoring sessions!

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Other Recent Blogs for Photographers:

Building Confidence in Handling Your Business Finances for Photographers
Federal vs. State Taxes for Photographers