If this is your first year filing taxes as a photographer, let me start by saying this:
Nothing is wrong. You’re not behind. And you didn’t miss some secret memo that everyone else got.
In fact, most of the stress photographers feel during their first tax season has nothing to do with doing something “wrong”. It comes from simply not knowing what to expect.
I still remember my first year vividly.
A lot of photographers push taxes off and say, “I’ll worry about that next year.”
Not me. I freaked out immediately.
Finding an accountant was one of the very first things I put on my business to-do list. And when I showed up to that first meeting? I walked in carrying a giant black box filled with every personal and business paper I owned.
Receipts. Bank statements. Random documents I thought might be important.
I slid the box across the desk and said, “Ask away. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
To this day, I’m not even sure she needed half of what I brought — but that meeting changed everything for me. At that point, I knew nothing about taxes as a photographer. What I walked away with was clarity instead of fear.
And that’s exactly what I want for you.
Why the First Year Filing Taxes as a Photographer Feels So Hard
Here’s something no one tells you upfront:
Your first year filing taxes as a photographer almost always feels harder than future years.
Not because you messed up, but because it’s the first time you’re seeing how all the pieces fit together.
This is the year you’re learning:
- how income is reported
- what expenses actually count
- how your business shows up on your personal tax return
- and what being “self-employed” really means
This year isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness.
What to Expect Your First Year
Let’s walk through a few things that commonly surprise photographers during their first tax season.
1. 1099s may show up (and sometimes they don’t)
A 1099 is simply a form that tells the IRS you were paid income. You might receive one from a venue, a corporate client, or an online platform. If you receive one, the IRS already knows about that income. If you don’t? You still report the income anyway. Your responsibility is to report all business income — not just what shows up on a form.
2. You’ll hear the term “Schedule C” for the first time
Schedule C is the tax form that tells the story of your business. It reports your income, your expenses, and your profit or loss. This is why bookkeeping matters so much — clean books make Schedule C simple. Messy books make it stressful.
3. Deductions matter, but only if they’re tracked correctly
Camera gear, software, education, mileage, second shooters, client gifts, website costs. These are all common photography deductions. But deductions only help you if they’re properly categorized and supported. Guessing doesn’t save money. Systems do.
4. You may owe more than you expected
This is one of the biggest first-year surprises. Unlike a W-2 job, no taxes are withheld from your photography income. Add in self-employment tax, and it can feel shocking, but it’s normal. Owing doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re officially a business owner.
How to Make Next Year Easier
The good news? Your second year filing taxes as a photographer doesn’t have to feel like this.
A few simple habits make a massive difference:
- track income and expenses monthly
- categorize consistently
- set aside money for taxes as income comes in
- look at your numbers before March
Confidence doesn’t come from knowing tax law.
It comes from having systems that support you.
You’re Doing Better Than You Think
If you’re in your first year filing taxes as a photographer, take a breath. Feeling confused doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re learning something new.
That first tax meeting I walked into with a black box? It was messy. It was imperfect. And it was one of the best decisions I made for my business.
If you want a deeper walkthrough of what to expect, I break it all down step-by-step in my YouTube video “Your First Year Filing Taxes as a Photographer: What to Expect” (linked below). I also share a free 15 Business Tax Categories Breakdown Guide to help you categorize expenses with confidence.
You don’t need to know everything.
You just need to keep going.
You’ve got this.
XOXO ~ Heather
Few things make me more excited than getting the chance to help another photographer prepare for an easier tax season. So, don’t forget to snag the 15 Business Tax Category Breakdowns.
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!
More Helpful Tips for Photographers:
The Difference Between Bookkeeping and Taxes
How to Start Reconciling Your Photography Business (and Why It Matters)
+ COMMENTS
add a comment