Freelance Writer Taxes in Kansas - 2025 Guide

Updated for 2025 (Filing 2024 Taxes)

Is Freelance Writer income taxable in Kansas?

Yes, absolutely. As a freelance writer in Kansas, all income you earn is subject to both federal and state income taxes. Here's a breakdown:

• Federal Taxes: The IRS requires you to report your freelance writing income on Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business), which is filed with your Form 1040. Schedule C allows you to deduct business expenses (more on that below!), reducing your taxable income. You're essentially running a sole proprietorship.
• Kansas State Taxes: Kansas has a graduated income tax system. This means the tax rate you pay increases as your income increases. You'll report your federal adjusted gross income (AGI) on your Kansas Form K-40, and then calculate your Kansas taxable income after any applicable deductions. The Kansas Department of Revenue website (https://www.ksrevenue.gov/) provides the current tax brackets and rates for the 2024 tax year (filing in 2025). You'll need to determine which tax bracket your income falls into to calculate your state tax liability.

Top Tax Write-offs for Freelance Writers

One of the biggest benefits of being a freelancer is the ability to deduct business expenses. Here are some key deductions for freelance writers:

• Home Office Deduction: If you use a portion of your home exclusively and regularly for your writing business, you can deduct expenses related to that space. This includes a percentage of your mortgage interest or rent, utilities, property taxes, and homeowner's insurance. There's a simplified method available as well.
• Software & Subscriptions: Costs for writing software (like Scrivener or Grammarly), editing tools, plagiarism checkers, project management software, and any relevant online subscriptions are deductible.
• Equipment: Computers, printers, desks, chairs, and other equipment used for your writing business are deductible. You can either deduct the full cost in the year of purchase (using Section 179 deduction, subject to limits) or depreciate the cost over several years.
• Mileage: The IRS allows you to deduct the business use of your vehicle. For 2024, the standard mileage rate is 67 cents per mile (verify the final official rate on the IRS website: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/standard-mileage-rates-for-2024). Keep a detailed mileage log!

The 15.3% Self-Employment Tax Surprise

As an employee, your employer pays half of your Social Security and Medicare taxes. As a freelancer, you're both the employer and the employee, so you're responsible for the full 15.3%. This is called self-employment tax. You'll calculate this on Schedule SE (Self-Employment Tax). The good news is you can deduct one-half of your self-employment tax from your adjusted gross income on Form 1040. This tax applies to your net earnings from self-employment (your profit after deducting business expenses) exceeding $400.

Closing Tip for Kansas Residents

Don't wait until the last minute! Keeping accurate records of your income and expenses throughout the year will make tax time much easier. Consider using accounting software or a spreadsheet to track everything. Also, Kansas offers various tax credits and deductions – explore the Kansas Department of Revenue website (https://www.ksrevenue.gov/) to see if you qualify for any. If you're unsure about any aspect of your taxes, consulting with a qualified tax professional is always a wise investment.