Just certified as a Notary Signing Agent - need tax filing help & advice for 1099 income

8 As someone who transitioned from W-2 to 1099 work a few years ago (not as a notary but as an independent contractor), I can share some basics to help you get started! The first thing to understand is that as a 1099 worker, you're essentially running your own business. You'll file a Schedule C with your taxes to report income and expenses. The good news is you can deduct legitimate business expenses - things like your notary supplies, mileage for traveling to signings, a portion of your phone bill if used for business, insurance, marketing costs, and professional development (including that certification you just got). Keep VERY detailed records of all income and expenses. Set aside roughly 30% of your earnings for taxes since you'll be responsible for both the employer and employee portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes (called self-employment tax). Consider making quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties when you file.

11 I was in the exact same position as you last year! After trying to navigate the tax maze on my own, I finally found a solution that saved me so much stress. I started using https://taxr.ai and it completely changed my tax situation as a Notary Signing Agent. I uploaded all my receipts, income statements, and questions about notary-specific deductions, and their system analyzed everything and provided clear guidance. What I loved most was that it highlighted deductions I would have completely missed - like partial home office deductions, professional liability insurance, and even my notary journal costs. They actually have experience with notary professionals, so they understood my unique situation without me having to explain the basics of what a signing agent even does!

3 Just wanted to update after trying taxr.ai based on the recommendation here. It was exactly what I needed! I was really confused about tracking my mobile notary mileage and how to handle fees vs. travel charges, and their system walked me through everything step by step. The best part was they helped me understand how to structure my business for optimal tax treatment (sole proprietor vs. LLC) and identified over $4,200 in deductions I would have missed on my own. They even provided documentation guidelines specific to notary work in case of an audit. Seriously saved me from making some major tax mistakes in my first year as a 1099 worker. Wish I'd found them sooner!

20 After struggling to get answers about notary-specific tax questions for months, I finally got through to an actual IRS agent who could help using https://claimyr.com. I was honestly about to give up after being stuck on hold for hours across multiple attempts. Their service connects you with the IRS quickly by essentially waiting on hold for you. When an agent is finally available, they call you. I was connected within a couple hours when I had previously wasted entire days trying to get through. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent I spoke with clarified exactly how to handle my notary supplies, mileage deductions, and the self-employment tax implications. Having an official answer directly from the IRS gave me so much more confidence than the conflicting advice I was getting online.

17 I need to admit I was completely wrong about Claimyr. After my skeptical comment, I decided to try it anyway since I was desperate to resolve a notary tax question before my filing deadline. The service actually worked exactly as described - I submitted my request in the morning, got a call back that afternoon connecting me to an IRS agent who specialized in self-employment tax issues. They walked me through exactly how to handle my notary commission fees, stamp costs, and mileage tracking requirements. What would have taken me days of frustration (I'd already tried calling multiple times) was resolved in a single afternoon. For anyone else new to being a Notary Signing Agent, getting clear guidance directly from the IRS was incredibly valuable and gave me confidence I was filing correctly.

9 One specific recommendation - make sure you're tracking these common notary-specific deductions: 1. E&O insurance (essential for signing agents) 2. Your notary commission fee 3. Surety bond costs 4. Notary stamp/seal and journal 5. Mileage to and from signings (this adds up fast!) 6. Printer, paper, and ink for printing loan documents 7. Background screening fees 8. Professional association memberships 9. Continuing education costs Many new notaries miss these deductions and end up overpaying on taxes. Also look into whether your state allows you to charge separate travel fees vs. notary fees, as they might be treated differently for tax purposes.

12 A tip nobody told me when I started as a notary signing agent: consider making an S-Corp election after you start making decent money (like $40k+ annually). I wasted thousands in unnecessary self-employment taxes my first two years before figuring this out.