Just to add another perspective - I've been dealing with similar confusion about deductions for years! What really helped me was setting up a simple system to track everything throughout the year instead of scrambling at tax time. I keep a basic spreadsheet with columns for date, amount, and type of expense (charitable donations, business meals if applicable, etc.). Even if I end up taking the standard deduction, at least I have the data to make an informed choice. One thing that surprised me was learning that volunteer mileage for charitable organizations IS deductible at 14 cents per mile if you itemize. So if you drive to volunteer at your local food bank or animal shelter, those miles count! It's not much per mile, but it can add up if you volunteer regularly. The key is just being organized about it - whether you use a spreadsheet, app, or even just a shoebox for receipts, having some system in place makes tax season so much less stressful.

This is such a helpful thread! I had the exact same misconception about restaurant tips being deductible. It's disappointing to learn they're not, but at least now I know the facts. One thing I'm curious about - several people mentioned using tax software that automatically calculates whether to itemize or take the standard deduction. For those who've used these tools, do they also help you track deductible expenses throughout the year, or do you still need to maintain your own records? I'm thinking about getting more organized with my financial tracking for next year, especially after reading about all the volunteer-related deductions I might have been missing out on. Any recommendations for apps or methods that make it easy to categorize expenses as you go rather than trying to sort everything out during tax season?

In the same boat rn... wish they'd get with the program like other states that process returns faster 😤

Alabama definitely takes their sweet time! March sounds about right for processing to begin. Just want to add that student loan defaults can also trigger state offsets - learned that the hard way a few years back. If you're really worried about timing, you might want to hold off filing until you can confirm no outstanding debts. The wait is brutal but better than getting surprised with an offset!

This is incredibly helpful information! I've been doing farrier work for about 3 years now and had no idea I could deduct those first and last trips of the day. I've been missing out on thousands in deductions because I thought it was all considered commuting. One question - what about when I have to drive back home in the middle of the day to pick up a specialized tool I forgot, then head back out to clients? Is that round trip deductible since it's directly related to completing my work? I probably do this 2-3 times a month when I realize I need my specialty rasps or a different size shoe. Also, for anyone else tracking mileage, I started using a simple voice recorder app to log my trips while driving. At the start of each trip I just say "Tuesday, March 15th, leaving Johnson Farm at odometer 45,230, heading to Miller Ranch for trimming and shoeing two horses." Makes it easy to transfer to a proper log later and the timestamps prove it's contemporaneous.

Just want to add another perspective as someone who's dealt with IRS scrutiny on mileage deductions. The documentation everyone's mentioning is absolutely critical, but I'd also recommend photographing your odometer readings at the start and end of each work day. I'm a mobile veterinarian and had an audit two years ago where the IRS agent specifically asked for proof that my recorded mileage was accurate. Having photos with timestamps on my phone that matched my written logs really helped validate everything. It takes literally 2 seconds but provides rock-solid evidence. Also, for farriers specifically - if you have a truck that's used exclusively or primarily for business (which most farriers do since you need the bed space for anvils and equipment), you might want to consider the actual expense method instead of standard mileage. With gas, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation on a work truck, it could potentially give you a bigger deduction than the per-mile rate. Worth running the numbers both ways to see which works better for your situation. The fact that you're driving 500-1200 miles weekly means this decision could save you significant money either way - just make sure you're maximizing it properly!

As someone who's been doing brand partnerships for a couple years now, I'd recommend treating this seriously from the start even though $325 seems small. I made the mistake of not tracking anything my first year and it was a nightmare trying to reconstruct everything at tax time. The key thing to understand is that once you accept products in exchange for content/promotion, you've crossed from "consumer getting samples" to "business receiving compensation." Even if it feels casual now, the IRS sees it as self-employment income. My advice: Start a simple system now while it's manageable. Take screenshots of the retail prices when you receive products, save all your agreements/emails with brands, and track any expenses like phone accessories or backdrop materials you buy for content creation. Even though you're under the $400 self-employment tax threshold, you'll still need to report this as "other income" if you file a return. And honestly, as a college student you should probably be filing anyway to get any refunds you're entitled to from any jobs or financial aid. The good news is that once you have a system, it only takes a few minutes each time you receive something to log it properly!

Since you're just starting out as a brand ambassador, I'd definitely echo what others have said about keeping good records from day one. I learned this the hard way when I started getting free products last year! One thing that helped me was setting up a simple folder on my phone where I screenshot the retail prices of products when I receive them. Most brands list the value on their websites, so it's easy to find. I also take a quick photo of the actual products with the brand packaging visible - this helps if I ever need to prove what I received. The $325 you've gotten so far definitely counts as taxable income since you're providing promotional services in exchange for the products. Even though you're under the $400 self-employment threshold, you should still report it as "other income" when you file your taxes. Pro tip: Start tracking any expenses related to your content creation now too! Things like ring lights, phone tripods, or even a percentage of your phone bill can be legitimate business deductions that offset some of that income. As a broke college student, every little bit helps! The tax stuff seems scary at first but it gets easier once you have a system down. Better to start doing it right now with smaller amounts than scramble to figure it out later when the numbers get bigger.

ur gonna need to setup state tax withholding with ur employer asap if u havent already

Also worth noting that Arkansas allows you to deduct your federal income tax paid from your state taxable income, which can help reduce what you owe. It's one of the few states that does this! Make sure your tax preparer knows about this deduction or look for it if you're filing yourself.