According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of self-employed Americans has risen in recent years. In fact, as of 2018, there were more than 15 million self-employed workers in the United States, accounting for 10 percent of the workforce.
Technological advances have made it easier to start and run a business from home. More and more people are choosing to freelance or start their own companies to have greater control over their careers.
If you are one of these millions of American citizens, you must know how to prove self employed income so that you don’t run into any problems when it comes to filing taxes.
Why do you need to show proof of income?
Self-employed individuals must file a tax return every year. When you file your taxes, you will need to provide documentation of your income to determine how much tax you owe.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) could flag your tax return for an audit if you don’t have proof of income. An audit is a formal investigation of your tax return to ensure that you have reported all your income and claimed the correct deductions.
The IRS audited less than 1 percent of individual tax returns in 2018. However, if you are self-employed, you are more likely to be audited than someone with a traditional job. The IRS audits around 10 percent of small business owners every year.
So, how can you avoid being audited? The best way is to ensure you have all the documentation you need to prove your income.
How to prove self-employed income
Proof of income is essential if you are self-employed. You need to know the different legal document types and which ones you can use for income verification. These documents may include profit/loss statements, previous tax returns, and 1099 forms—this might include a 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, or 1099k tax form.
Profit and loss statements
A profit and loss statement is the most important document you will need to show proof of income. This statement (known as an income statement) outlines your business’s income and expenses for a specific period.
Your profit and loss statement will show how much revenue your business has generated and what expenses you have incurred. It will also show your business’s net profit or loss.
To create a profit and loss statement, you must track your business’s income and expenses over a certain period. This can be done using accounting software, such as QuickBooks or FreshBooks, or by keeping manual records.
Once you have all of your income and expense information, you can use it to create a profit and loss statement. This statement can be used as proof of income when filing your taxes.
Tax return
Another good proof of income documentation is your tax return. This legal document shows how much income you earned in a year and what taxes you paid.
Your tax return can be used as proof of income if you are self-employed. It can also be used to verify your business’s revenue and expenses.
To get a copy of your tax return, you can contact the IRS or request it from your tax preparer.
1099 forms
If you work as an independent contractor, you will likely receive a 1099 form from each of your clients. This document shows how much income you received from the client in a year.
You should keep all of your 1099 forms to use as proof of income when filing your taxes.
Bank statements
Bank statements can also be used as proof of income. These documents show how much money was deposited into your account over a certain period.
If you are self-employed, you can use bank statements to prove how much income you earned from your business. You can also use them to verify your business’s expenses.
You can contact your bank or log in to your online banking account to get a copy of your bank statements.
As good practice, we recommend keeping all of these documents in a safe place so you can easily access them when needed.
What happens if you fail to show proof of income?
If you don’t have proof of income, the IRS could flag your tax return for an audit. An audit is a formal investigation of your tax return to ensure that you have reported all of your income and claimed the correct deductions.
If you are audited, the IRS will ask you to provide documentation to support the income and deductions you reported on your tax return.
If you don’t have the required documentation, the IRS could disallow your deductions and need you to pay back taxes, penalties, and interest.
The best way to avoid an audit is to ensure that you have all the documentation you need to support your income and deductions. If you are ever audited, being able to provide the required documentation will help to minimize the impact on your taxes.
Tips for proving self-employment income
As a self-employed individual, you can follow a few good practices to ensure you have the documentation you need to prove your income.
1. Keep good records
This includes maintaining receipts for all business expenses and documentation of income earned.
2. Have a separate bank account for business
A business bank account will make it easier to track income and expenses and will provide a paper trail if you need to prove your income.
3. Use invoicing software
This can help you keep track of the money you are owed and generate professional-looking invoices that can be used as proof of income.
4. Keep a mileage log
If you use your personal vehicle for business purposes, keep track of your mileage. This can be used as a tax deduction to prove your income.
5. Get a letter from your accountant
If you have an accountant that you work with, they can provide a letter attesting to your income. This can help prove your income to lenders or landlords.
How to calculate your self-employed income
You can calculate your income by using your bank statements and receipts to track your revenue and expenses. You can also use invoicing software to keep track of the money you are owed.
Another option is to hire an accountant to calculate your income for you. This can be helpful if you are self-employed and have a complex financial situation.
There are many self-employment calculators online where you can enter your information and get an estimate of your income.
Summarizing: make sure you know how to prove self-employed income
As a self-employed individual, keeping track of your income and expenses is important. This will help you ensure that you correctly report your income on your taxes. It will also help you prove your income if the IRS audits you.
There are many ways to prove your income, but some of the most common methods are bank statements, invoices, and receipts. You can also hire an accountant to calculate your income for you.
If you are ever audited, being able to provide the required documentation will help to minimize the impact on your taxes.
FAQs
What is proof of income for self-employed?
There are many ways to prove your income as a self-employed individual. The most common methods are bank statements, invoices, and receipts. You can also hire an accountant to calculate your income for you.
What is the best proof of self-employment?
Profit and loss statements from your business, business bank statements, and 1099 forms are all common legal documents used as proof of income.
How do I prove self-employment without a 1099?
If you are self-employed and do not have a 1099 form, you can provide other documentation to prove your income. This could include bank statements, invoices, receipts, or a letter from an accountant.
How do I file taxes if I am self-employed?
If you are self-employed, you must file a Schedule C with your personal tax return. This form is used to report your business income and expenses. You will also need to pay self-employment taxes, Social Security and Medicare.
How do I prove self employment income to the IRS?
You must provide documentation to prove your income if the IRS audits you. This could include bank statements, invoices, receipts, or a letter from an accountant.
