Sunlight Tax

Hosted by Hannah Cole

Business Entrepreneurship Arts

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228

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Nov 2026

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About the show

In this show, we’re talking about taxes, money, and careers for self-employed people who have a big vision for changing the world with their work. I’m your host, Hannah Cole; tax pro, artist, and the founder of Sunlight Tax. sunlighttax.substack.com

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November 3, 2026Episode 22530 min

From Teacher to Real Estate Agent: How Robin Mehler Built a Business That Gives Back

In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m talking with Robin Mehler, an Asheville-based real estate agent who made the transition from teaching and nonprofit work to entrepreneurship. Robin shares how she navigated the identity shift of becoming a business owner, learned to manage the financial and tax side of running a business, and found ways to bring her values into a more profit-driven career. Her goal? To build a business that supports her family while making a positive impact in her community. Robin also shares a beautiful idea she brought into her real estate business from day one: finding a way to celebrate and support the teachers who make such a difference in our communities. We talk about the Two-Day Business Setup Intensive, understanding taxes and S corporation payroll, building financial confidence, and creating a business that gives back. This is a conversation about values-driven entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, and how you can build a business that reflects what matters most to you. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:10 Robin’s belief in sharing what you have 01:02 From Asheville education work to real estate 03:50 Overcoming the identity shift and self-doubt 06:19 Turning scattered tax questions into business systems 09:25 The $500-per-closing promise to teachers 13:40 Planning an $8,000 teacher celebration 17:47 Keeping generosity flexible as family costs change 20:14 Family time, service work, and boundaries 23:29 How accessible tax education changed Robin’s outlook 27:14 The Asheville event and finding Robin If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. ABOUT ROBIN MEHLER: Robin Mehler, known as Asheville’s Running Realtor, brings deep local knowledge and a genuine passion for helping clients navigate the Western North Carolina real estate market. Having lived in and explored the Asheville area for more than 25 years as a runner, outdoor enthusiast, and community member, Robin knows the neighborhoods, mountain communities, trails, and hidden gems that make Asheville and WNC such special places to call home. Whether you are buying your first home, relocating to Asheville, upgrading to your dream home, or preparing to sell, Robin is committed to providing exceptional customer service, clear communication, and personalized guidance throughout every step of the real estate process. Her goal is to make every transaction as smooth, informed, and low-stress as possible. As a trusted Asheville REALTOR® and former teacher, Robin believes real estate is about more than just buying and selling homes—it’s about building stronger communities. In support of local educators, Robin awards $500 to a Western North Carolina public school employee for every home bought or sold by her clients as a way of giving back to those who serve the community every day. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, responsive, and hardworking real estate agent in Asheville or Western North Carolina, Robin is ready to help you confidently navigate today’s market with professionalism, positivity, and a willingness to go the extra mile. WORK WITH ROBIN: Robin’s website Instagram: @Running_Realtor_Asheville Episode Links: Check out my 2-day Business Intensive Get my Tax Help on Substack Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions You Got This, PS: I am most active on Instagram Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

October 27, 2026Episode 22419 min

Taking the Leap: The Tax Learning Curve of Moving to Full-Time Freelance

Moving from employment to full-time self-employment comes with new tax responsibilities. Tax questions, bookkeeping, and business setup can keep you from making sales and growing your business. In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m breaking down the tax basics every new self-employed business owner needs to understand, including business deductions, self-employment tax, bookkeeping systems, quarterly estimated tax payments, and choosing the right business entity. The right tax and business systems can help you stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and feel more confident running your business. I’ll also introduce my 2-Day Business Intensive , where I help solo business owners get their tax, bookkeeping, and legal setup on solid footing so they can stop second-guessing their business and focus on growing it. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:12 Tax uncertainty can put the brakes on sales 01:35 Why getting your business setup locked in matters 03:49 How payroll helped Hannah double revenue 05:37 The transition from corporate work to self-employment 07:22 Business deductions and first-year startup expenses 09:53 Bookkeeping, tax planning, and self-employment tax 11:06 Why self-employment tax is 15.3% 13:24 Quarterly payments, retirement, and entity questions 15:39 Inside the two-day business setup intensive 17:29 Cohort dates, pricing, and final encouragement If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Check out my 2-day Business Intensive Get my Tax Help on Substack Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

October 20, 2026Episode 22323 min

Boo! Scary Stories of Accountants Ghosting

Have you ever been ghosted by your accountant? You’re not alone! In this episode of the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m talking about why accountants sometimes disappear, how to find the right tax professional for your business, and why having your financial systems properly set up can make all the difference. I’ll share why getting your tax, bookkeeping, and business systems in order is essential for self-employed creatives, freelancers, and small business owners. I’ll also explain how my 2-Day Business Setup Intensive helps entrepreneurs get clarity on their taxes, bookkeeping, and legal setup with personalized guidance and support, so you can stop second-guessing your business finances and start feeling confident about running your business. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:00 Introduction to ghosting stories and why trust matters 02:00 The story of Andy and the pitfalls of S corporations 07:01 How Hannah’s intensive helps entrepreneurs rebuild trust 10:04 Kai’s story: from fear to confidence in business setup 13:02 The importance of proper bookkeeping and tax planning 14:50 How trust in your setup boosts sales and growth 16:05 Details of the two-day business setup intensive 19:49 Program details, private sessions, and entity guidance If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Check out my 2-day Business Intensive Get my Tax Help on Substack Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

October 13, 20265 min

Don't Forget These Deductions: Parking and Tolls

This week on the Sunlight Tax podcast, I’m chatting about another commonly missed tax deduction for self-employed individuals: parking and tolls. I’m diving into how tolls and parking should be tracked separately and added to the car expense category on tax schedules so you can get the deduction you deserve. Join me in this episode to get some practical tips on how to easily track your parking and toll expenses for this upcoming tax season. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 2:26 Tracking parking and tolls separately from mileage 2:44 Methods for tracking car expenses 4:30 Practical tips for maximizing your deductions If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Sunlight episode on tracking mileage deduction Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Check out my 2-day Business Intensive Get my Tax Help on Substack Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

October 6, 2026Episode 22110 min

Don't Forget These Deductions: Cell Phone and Internet

Today, I’m chatting about a commonly missed tax deduction for entrepreneurs: cell phone and internet expenses. I’m going over why these deductions are missed and how you can utilize them to get the most out of your tax return this year. Join me in this episode to learn how to calculate a reasonable business percentage for these mixed-use expenses so you can maximize your allowable deductions and keep more of your hard-earned money. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 2:54 Calculating business percentage for cell phone expenses 5:50 Internet usage and business deductions 8:28 Tracking and documenting your personal expenses If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Check out my 2-day Business Intensive Get my Tax Help on Substack Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

September 29, 2026Episode 22014 min

Interest Rates Are Up: What That Means For You

This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m discussing how recent interest rate hikes are affecting personal finance and the broader economy. I’ll share practical advice for managing debt, building savings, and navigating investments in a changing economic landscape. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:10 Introduction to Market News and Interest Rates 02:07 The Power of Small Cohorts in Business Programs 04:36 Announcing New Business Setup Intensive Cohorts 06:39 How the Fed Uses Interest Rate Hikes to Control Inflation 07:33 Predictions for Future Interest Rate Increases 08:19 Implications for Personal Borrowing and Debt 09:32 Opportunities in Savings and Investment Accounts 10:54 The Importance of Investing to Combat Inflation 12:10 Promoting the Business Setup Intensive Program 13:21 Actionable Steps for Financial Health and Growth If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Check out my 2-day Business Intensive My upcoming in-person workshop with The Art Students League of New York Get my Tax Help on Substack Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

September 22, 2026Episode 21917 min

More Deductions, More Fun: When You Mix Business and Pleasure

This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m diving into tax deductions for freelancers and small business owners. I’ll walk through the IRS rules you need to understand, plus how setting up simple automated systems can help you capture more legitimate deductions, save time, and take some of the stress out of tax season. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:10 Introduction to Business Deductions and IRS Rules 02:04 The Importance of Documentation and Automation 03:54 How to Track and Deduct Business Travel Expenses 06:07 Understanding Mixed Use Items and Partial Deductions 08:00 Examples of Deductible Expenses and Personal Travel 10:12 Resources for Learning and Setting Up Deduction Systems 12:13 The Benefits of Proper Deduction Planning 13:57 Details of the Sunlight Tax Intensive Program 14:52 Encouragement and Final Tips for Business Owners If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Learn more about the Intensive My upcoming in-person workshop with The Art Students League of New York Link to join the First Official Cohort (9/23 & 9/24) . Investment is $1850 Get my Tax Help on Substack Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

September 15, 2026Episode 20147 min

Wisdom for a Fluid Career: Coach Melissa Wong

“The question is, how do you… retain a sense of core self? What are the immutable qualities about yourself… that are going to stabilize you throughout all of the motion and the change?” - Melissa Wong This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m joined by Melissa Wong, career coach and author of The Fluid Career , to explore how creatives, freelancers, and knowledge workers can navigate today’s changing world of work. We talk about building a fluid career, transitioning to self-employment, managing multiple income streams, and creating a career that can adapt as your life and priorities change. If you’re considering self-employment, balancing multiple types of work, or looking for a more intentional approach to your career, Melissa shares practical insights for building a flexible career path without feeling like you have to choose just one thing. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:02 Introduction to Melissa Wong and her work 02:04 Challenges of transitioning from employment to self-employment 04:11 Strategies for starting a self-employed career without data 08:00 The importance of articulating your unique offer 15:08 Practical steps for operational setup and legal considerations 23:00 Evolving passive income streams in the AI era 28:01 Building relationships and trust in a self-employed ecosystem 32:57 Managing multiple income streams and risk tolerance 39:53 Emotional and mental aspects of financial management 43:50 The core message of Melissa’s book and its impact 44:59 Closing thoughts and how to connect with Melissa If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. About Melissa Wong Melissa Wong is a writer, thinker, and coach for creatives. At Coherence Studio she offers 1:1 coaching, group programs, and podcast conversations designed to help multi-talented creatives identify their unique worth and get into a place of intentional action. For the first decade of her career, she worried about how her many roles and interests would ever coalesce into an intelligible, unified place. Now she helps creatives and knowledge workers articulate and share a coherent story of their work and design their career into an integrated multi-income system. The Fluid Career synthesizes insights, stories, and tactics drawn from thousands of client sessions, offering a practical framework for designing modern careers to meet this moment of heightened complexity. Melissa lives with her family in Portland, Oregon where you can likely find her attending or hosting some kind of event or elbow deep in her latest creative project. Check Out Melissa Wong’s work: The Fluid Career Book Get a FREE download of The Fluid Career book introduction here⁠ Website: Coherence Studio Instagram: @coherencestudio Episode Links: Learn more about the Intensive Link to join the First Official Cohort (9/23 & 9/24) . Investment is $1850 Get my Tax Help on Substack Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

September 8, 2026Episode 19014 min

Inside My New 2 Day Business Intensive (& Open House)

This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I talk about why expert guidance and community support can make it easier to navigate business structure, tax compliance, and the behind-the-scenes systems that keep a small business running smoothly. I’m also introducing my new business program designed to help self-employed business owners get the tax, bookkeeping, and legal side of their business properly set up. If you’re starting, growing, or tuning up a small business and want more clarity around your taxes, bookkeeping, and legal setup, this episode is for you. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:10 Introduction to the new business program 02:17 Details of the upcoming open house events 04:00 Overview of the two-day intensive program 05:17 Program benefits: legal, tax, and bookkeeping 06:32 Beta cohort details and early access 07:36 First official cohort schedule and content 08:23 Value of expert guidance and personalized support 09:45 One-on-one coaching and group community 11:06 Building connections and support networks 12:04 How to join and questions answered If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Register to my Open Houses on 9/9: * Open House (AM) - 9:30am * Open House (PM) - 4:30pm Loom video walkthrough about the Intensive Learn more about the Intensive Link to join the program: * link to join the First Official Cohort (9/23 & 9/24) . Investment is $1850 * link to join the Beta Cohort (9/23 & 9/24) . Investment is $1275 Get my Tax Help on Substack Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe

September 1, 2026Episode 21619 min

Your September Estimated Tax Payment: Tips On Making It Easier

This week on the Sunlight Tax Podcast, I’m breaking down estimated quarterly taxes for self-employed people, freelancers, creatives, and small business owners. I’ll explain how bookkeeping helps you calculate your tax payments more accurately, avoid surprises, and stay on top of your federal and state tax obligations throughout the year. I’m also introducing my new intensive program for self-employed business owners who want to get the tax, bookkeeping, and legal side of their business properly set up. Also mentioned in today’s episode: 00:10 Introduction and importance of quarterly tax payments 02:23 Understanding quarterly tax payments for self-employed 05:05 How to estimate your tax liability based on profit to date 08:04 Simplifying bookkeeping and estimated tax payments 10:44 Working with a licensed tax professional versus AI 12:31 Details of the two-day program and what participants will learn 14:16 Program features: database, private consultations, and setup 16:04 Upcoming cohort dates and how to join the waitlist 17:25 Building trust and transparency in business setup 18:19 Reminder to pay estimated taxes and get bookkeeping in order If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review and share it! Every review makes a difference by telling Apple or Spotify to show the Sunlight Tax podcast to new audiences. Episode Links: Watch my walkthrough video on how to pay your Estimated Quarterly Taxes Join the 2-Day Business Setup Intensive Waitlist Get my Tax Help on Substack Get your FREE visual guide to tax deductions Order my book: Taxes for Humans: Simplify Your Taxes and Change the World When You’re Self-Employed Get full access to Taxes For Humans at sunlighttax.substack.com/subscribe