Used to think freelancers were overcharging until I tried to do my taxes myself

For years I thought freelance graphic designers charging $75 an hour were ripping people off. I figured it was just sitting at a computer drawing stuff, how hard could it be? Then I had to file my own 1099 taxes last April for a side gig I did. I spent 6 hours sorting receipts, figuring out deductions, and still messed up the form so bad I had to pay a $200 penalty. That was just one part of running a business. I also realized they have to cover their own health insurance, equipment, and downtime between jobs. Now I get why they charge what they do. Has anyone else had a moment where they finally understood a pricing model after trying it themselves?

3 comments

3 Comments

alice33616d ago

Ugh, I don't know, people act like doing taxes is brain surgery or something. It's just filling out forms, it's not that deep.

derek_schmidt616d ago

Friend tried to fix his own plumbing, ended up flooding the kitchen lol.

lily_singh27d ago

I mean people always say taxes are just filling out forms, but there's a lot more to it than that especially when you're self-employed. Like the forms are different and you gotta figure out quarterly payments and stuff that regular employees don't deal with.