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Making money isn’t usually the top priority for big vision creators — making a difference is.
But without financial power, the diverse and unique solutions that you bring to the world as a creative entrepreneur aren’t able to see the light of day. And you are left burned out and exhausted.
This show is designed for the big vision creators — artists, designers, freelancers, and purple-haired, punk rock weirdos — to answer the question: “If you had your taxes, retirement, and investing on lock, how big of an impact could you make on the world with your creative work?”
Your host, Hannah Cole, is both an artist and a tax expert, and the founder of Sunlight Tax. In each episode, she and her guests will explore the connection between financial power and creative success, uncovering the unique money mindset and financial management shifts that help creators like you have a bigger impact with your work. From what you need to know about self-employment taxes and bookkeeping, to unlocking your vision, you'll have everything you need to become more successful — and have a bigger impact — in your creative career.
Hannah has supported thousands of creatives with accessible tax and business setup skills through her signature program, Money Bootcamp. You can learn more at sunlighttax.com and connect on Instagram at @sunlighttax.
If this sounds good to you, please subscribe to the show, and share it with a friend.
But without financial power, the diverse and unique solutions that you bring to the world as a creative entrepreneur aren’t able to see the light of day. And you are left burned out and exhausted.
This show is designed for the big vision creators — artists, designers, freelancers, and purple-haired, punk rock weirdos — to answer the question: “If you had your taxes, retirement, and investing on lock, how big of an impact could you make on the world with your creative work?”
Your host, Hannah Cole, is both an artist and a tax expert, and the founder of Sunlight Tax. In each episode, she and her guests will explore the connection between financial power and creative success, uncovering the unique money mindset and financial management shifts that help creators like you have a bigger impact with your work. From what you need to know about self-employment taxes and bookkeeping, to unlocking your vision, you'll have everything you need to become more successful — and have a bigger impact — in your creative career.
Hannah has supported thousands of creatives with accessible tax and business setup skills through her signature program, Money Bootcamp. You can learn more at sunlighttax.com and connect on Instagram at @sunlighttax.
If this sounds good to you, please subscribe to the show, and share it with a friend.
65 Episodes
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Today, I’m talking about some of the best things I’ve invested in during my time as a business owner that have brought me a good return on investment. I’m also sharing how you can determine if something will be a good ROI for you in your business. Join me today to learn how you can break through any mindset barriers you have when it comes to spending money and make smart investments that will bring you a good return. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Thinking about money as an artist 2:22 Some of the best things I’ve invested in 7:00 How can you tell if something is worth your money? 28:26 The value of Money Bootcamp 33:04 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Join the free live class, Understand Your Taxes and Make Money Book a free 15-minute call with Lisa Zayiha, coach: https://schedulewithlisaz.as.me/consultationcall Sarah M. Chappell: https://sarahmchappell.com/
Have you ever wondered what questions you should ask when you’re hiring a new accountant? Today, I’m explaining some of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they begin to work with an accountant and clarifying what you don’t get when hiring an accountant. Listen to today’s episode to learn how working with an accountant could work for your small business, some of the benefits and how you can make sure you pick the right one for you. Also mentioned in today’s episode: The disconnect between art and business 10:19 Learning about new tax credits 14:14 How to know which questions you should ask your new accountant 20:13 Estimated quarterly taxes and why they are so important 24:42 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Join the free live class, Understand Your Taxes and Make Money
In today’s timely bonus episode, I am sharing some information on student loans, the new SAVE program and how this new program can help lower your payments and still lead to student loan forgiveness. Join me as I give you all the nitty-gritty details about your student loans including who qualifies for the SAVE program and how you can make sure you sign up for it to take advantage. Also mentioned in today’s episode: What’s different about the SAVE program and what does it include? 3:33 Forgiveness of your loan 8:00 Who qualifies for the SAVE program 10:12 What is the Fresh Start program? 18:00 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Federal Student Aid website Waitlist for Money Bootcamp
Today, I want to talk about 2 areas of the tax code where you can get more money as a deduction than you actually spent and how you can make the most of these deductions during tax season. Join me in this episode to learn how you can maximize your tax deductions and get the most money in your pocket. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Tracking your mileage deduction 4:08 The expense method vs. mileage method 8:31 Standard vs. standardized per diems 16:33 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: And here are the links for the show notes for it: Free visual tax deductions guide MileIQ Use code HCOL124A for a 20% discount Per diem meals rate lookup
Today, I’m sharing an article I wrote about why it’s so important to keep your personal and business bank accounts separate as an entrepreneur. I’m also sharing information about LLC’s vs. a sole proprietorship and if having an LLC really changes anything during tax time. Join me in this episode to hear why mixing your personal and business accounts can hurt your business and to learn more about whether you should switch to an LLC. Also mentioned in today’s episode: LLC’s and your taxes 1:09 Why your personal and business accounts should be separated 2:19 Can you operate as a sole proprietorship or do you need an LLC? 6:04 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: VVRKSHOP, Paddy Johnson: https://www.vvrkshop.art/ IRS 9 point list for hobby vs business
Today, I’m sharing important details about the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit and how you can use it during the summer months when sending your children to summer camp. I’m also talking about the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction and why a credit is more beneficial to the taxpayer. Join me in this episode to learn how you can take advantage of this tax credit and how it can apply to you. Also mentioned in today’s episode: What is the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit? 1:00 Tax credit vs. deduction 6:44 What qualifies for this credit and how much can you claim? 9:56 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: VVRKSHOP, Paddy Johnson: https://www.vvrkshop.art/
Today, I’m sharing a civic oriented article I wrote back in 2018 that I hope will inspire you to get involved in your local politics and think more about why civic education is so important. Join me in this inspiring episode to learn a bit more about why it’s so important to take a greater role in your local government and why I feel so passionate about advocating for tax education in this country. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Why local politics is so important 2:11 Why is tax policy left out of civics? 6:23 Lying from politicians about who pays taxes and why that’s such an issue 10:43 Tax education and why we need it 14:14 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: link to article: https://www.sunlighttax.com/blog/2019/3/27/tax-policy-should-be-part-of-our-basic-civic-education link to podcast I reference, the Overlook podcast.
In this quick and easy episode, I’m talking about something practical you can do in just 15 minutes to make your life easier during tax time. Join me today to learn how you can do an easy paycheck checkup to prepare for tax season, avoid any surprise tax bills and ensure your withholding is at the right level. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Adjusting your taxes 2:20 Finding your federal income tax rate 4:47 Checking your withholdings 7:45 Using the IRS to calculate your taxes 9:12 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Go to this link to do your Paycheck Checkup: Tax Withholding | Internal Revenue Service If you have ONLY self-employed income (no W2), you'll need to use this document. IRS Pub 505 Or, the easier path is to join my program, Money Bootcamp, where I teach you how to set up simple bookkeeping, calculate your tax due each quarter, and pay your estimated quarterly taxes with accuracy and peace of mind.
Have you ever wondered what happens when you make a mistake on your taxes? In this episode, I’m talking about the most common mistakes people make when filing their taxes, how you can fix them and the basics of an amended tax return. Join me today to learn how you can easily amend your taxes when you accidentally make a mistake and when you can skip filing an amended return. Also mentioned in today’s episode: What is an amended tax return? 2:15 Some of the most frequent mistakes made on taxes 4:35 When you need to file an amended tax return 13:20 Statute of limitations when it comes to filing a tax amendment 18:05 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Where’s my amended return? Amended tax return instructions Visual Guide to Your Tax Deductions
Today, I’m sharing some tax basics and diving into tax schedules including what tax schedules are and why they exist. I’m also diving into capital gains, itemized deductions and self employment tax. Join me in this informative episode to learn more about how tax schedules work, how they relate to you and how you can use this information during tax season to make your life easier. Also mentioned in today’s episode: The basic structure of a tax return 3:57 What are schedules and why do they exist 7:14 Itemized deductions 10:17 Capital gains 19:30 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Free visual deductions guide Capital gains rate chart Medical Deductions episode: https://pod.link/1640538610/episode/d579b85892ff41b9683a97ccc1dfc60b Itemizing vs Business Deductions: Ending the Confusion: https://pod.link/1640538610/episode/22ba8efc03cd973d2684f4bc6f424e9d
Today, I’m sharing the details of what I do with my money, how I got interested in personal finance and how my idea and process with money has evolved over the last 20 years. Join me in this episode as I give you my tips on what has helped me grow my wealth including some of the mistakes I’ve made and why rinsing and repeating is powerful when it comes to finances. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Why creative people make such great entrepreneurs 15:06 The importance of investing in yourself 20:19 The evolution of my business and finances 22:53 The power of rinsing and repeating 37:47 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Free private podcast: Go.sunlighttax.com/podcast
Have you ever wondered how you can have it all in your life and business? Today, I’m talking about focus as an entrepreneur and how I use metrics in my business to decide what to focus on next. Listen to this episode to learn how you can use metrics to have it all and why you need to be focusing on one thing to get your best work. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Why you should focus on one thing at a time 8:30 Why batching is so important 13:58 Repetition and how it can help you in business 19:36 The decision metric I use when deciding to take on a new project 39:40 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Free private podcast: Go.sunlighttax.com/podcast Demolishing the day job stigma for artists: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/art-problems/id1646991472?i=1000619132146
For this July 4th episode, I wanted to go over the top reasons that I’m patriotic and talk about some of the great things that are happening in our country that the media doesn’t like to talk about. Join me in this episode as I go some reasons why you can be patriotic this July 4th and how you can be involved in making a difference in your local politics. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Child tax credit 9:41 The Secure 2.0 Act 15:10 Why you should get involved with local politics 17:28 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Get an extra 4 episodes of my most valuable lessons, with email nudges to help you implement, on my private podcast right here.
It’s my 50th episode of the Sunlight Podcast and today, I wanted to share with you the one thing I believe you must do in your business to be successful. I’m also sharing why it’s so important to clearly communicate with your clients on what you’ll be delivering and when. Join me in this special episode, as I give you one of my biggest tips that I’ve learned since starting my business and how you can utilize it to create trust with your clients and audience. Also mentioned in today’s episode: My key to running a business that succeeds 2:47 Why communication is so important 8:35 Why under promising and over delivering is best 24:07 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Paul Jarvis: Podcast, Call Paul https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/call-paul/id1506065541 Book, Company of One https://www.amazon.com/Company-One-Staying-Small-Business/dp/1328972356 Get an extra 4 episodes of my most valuable lessons, with email nudges to help you implement, on my private podcast right here.
Have you ever wondered how medical expense deductions work and if you could potentially qualify? Today, I’m giving you a deep dive into the medical expense tax deduction, including what it is and who qualifies for it so you can know if you have to prepare to keep track of your medical expenses. Join me in this episode to learn whether or not you qualify for the medical expense deduction and how you can make sure you take advantage of this important tax deduction if you do qualify. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Standard vs. itemized deductions 5:17 The maximum deduction for medical expenses 18:23 How to know when it’s worth it to track your medical expenses 21:06 What is medically deductible 27:19 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: IRS Medical expenses guide Blank 1040 Form Itemizing vs. Business Deductions: Ending the Confusion Register for the free class, How to Thrive in a Recession (When You're Self-Employed) Get an extra 4 episodes of my most valuable lessons, with email nudges to help you implement, on my private podcast right here.
Artists and mission-driven people make natural entrepreneurs. In today’s episode, I’m going over all the reasons why I think creatives, artists and value-driven people have an advantage over others in the business space and why they do great as entrepreneurs. Join me as I talk about how you can leverage your creative expertise and grow a thriving business using your strengths. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Why artists and mission-driven people are so valuable and productive 3:54 Why artists are positioned to be good entrepreneurs 14:11 Having an inherent sense of branding as a creative and why it’s helpful 22:13 Metrics that show your efforts are working in business 41:22 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Get the free, juicy 4-part private podcast series.
Have you ever felt like you have more work than time in the day? Today, I’m sharing some of my biggest tips on how I structure my day for maximum focus and what I’ve learned as an entrepreneur on how you can stop wasting time throughout the day so you can. Join me today to learn how you can stop endlessly scrolling Instagram and really start spending your day on what you need to focus on. Also mentioned in today’s episode: The importance of a time study 7:31 Why I only check my email once a day 12:13 Why it’s important to step away from technology throughout the day 26:15 Scheduling your day to get more out of it 35:08 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: New for you: Access my bonus private podcast (free): https://go.sunlighttax.com/podcast
Today, I have my dad, architect John Cole, joining me to talk about his successful career in architecture and to give some of his best advice to young architects just starting a creative career path. Join my dad and I in this episode as we discuss the significance of face-to-face interaction when growing your career and why empathy is such an important factor in architecture. Also mentioned in today’s episode: John Cole’s background and how he got into architecture 2:12 Advice for young architects just starting out in a creative career today 20:35 Empathy is key to effective marketing 27:05 The importance of professional relationships 31:51 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: https://www.johncolearchitect.com/ Money Tune Up Podcast Series: www.sunlighttax.com/podcast
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about everything you need to know about hiring as a small business owner, including how you can avoid some major mistakes and what you need to do before taking the leap when making your first hire. Listen to this episode to learn the steps you should take to get the best first hire on your team. Also mentioned in today’s episode: Some mistakes you can make when hiring 2:32 The importance of tracking time 5:00 Getting clear on your non-negotiables 17:44 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Get a list of my favorite business tools: www.sunlighttax.com/podcast Sign up for Money Bootcamp: https://www.sunlighttax.com/moneybootcamp2023
In this week’s episode, I’m diving into the topic of S Corps and sharing the most common misconceptions and the mistakes to avoid when forming an S Corporation as a small business owner. Join me in this important episode as I share the details of why you may want to form an S Corp with your business and when to know if you should wait before you make the leap to form one. Also mentioned in today’s episode: What is a tax entity 3:24 LLC’s and how they work 7:25 Why it’s important not to do an S Corp too soon 10:01 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Links: Sign up for Money Bootcamp: https://www.sunlighttax.com/moneybootcamp2023
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