Let’s be honest: one of the most overwhelming parts of running a photography business is figuring out taxes, especially knowing which forms you actually need to file.

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your laptop during tax season thinking, “What tax forms do photographers need to file?”; you are not alone.

In this week’s YouTube video, I’m walking you through a simple, beginner-friendly breakdown of the forms every photographer should know about, whether you’re a sole proprietor, single-member LLC, or even paying second shooters.

Here’s a quick preview of what I cover:

The Forms You Definitely Need to Know

If you’re running your business under your own name (aka, as a sole proprietor), you’ll file two key forms:

• Form 1040 – Your standard personal income tax return
  
• Schedule C – Where you report your business income and expenses
  

Your net profit from Schedule C not only impacts your income tax but also determines how much self-employment tax you owe. (Spoiler: that’s where things can sneak up on you if you’re not prepared.)

If You’re an LLC or S Corp

If you’ve formed an LLC but haven’t elected a special tax status, you’ll still file Schedule C.

However, if you’ve elected to be taxed as an S Corp, things change:

• You’ll file Form 1120S, a separate business tax return
  
• You’ll issue yourself a W-2
  
• And you’ll need to file all of that by March 15, a month earlier than personal returns
  

Paying Contractors? You’ll Need These Too:

If you hired second shooters or assistants and paid them more than $600, you’re responsible for:

• Sending Form 1099-NEC to them by January 31
  
• Filing Form 1096 if you’re mailing those forms to the IRS
  

Pro tip: Always collect a W-9 from contractors early on—trust me, it makes tax time way easier.

Other Forms You Might Need

If your net profit was $400 or more, you’ll also file Schedule SE to calculate and pay your self-employment tax (yep, in addition to income tax).

It’s a lot to keep track of, which is why I also recommend checking out my Tax Preparation Checklist. It walks you through every document you’ll need and includes a tax calendar so you never miss a deadline.

So, what tax forms do photographers need to file?
The answer depends on how your business is set up—but in this video, I’m breaking it all down, form by form, so you finally feel clear (and not panicked) when it’s time to file.

👉 Click here to watch the full video
👉 Grab the free Tax Prep Checklist

You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. 💛

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.

XOXO ~ Heather Marie

Other Tax Blogs for Photographers:
Understanding Self-Employment Taxes as a Photographer
Tax Deadlines Every Photographer Should Know