The Real Tax Guy.

Videos Live Sessions Log in Sign up

The Real Tax Guy.

Real tax strategies, plain English, no suits. Free videos and live sessions from TJ Thorlackson.

Explore

Videos
Live Sessions
Podcasts
My Account
Book time with TJ →

Get the good stuff first

New videos, live sessions, and tax tips. No spam, no suits.

© 2026 The Real Tax Guy · Operated by THORLACKSSON, INC

Built by HummingAgent

Video library

All Shorts Podcasts Education Real Stories

TopicsCrypto Deductions Family Irs Llc & S Corp Payroll Personal Taxes Real Estate Retirement Side Hustle Small Business Tax Strategy

Why business deductions still help the economy

shorts

Why business deductions still help the economy

When you spend on your business, the recipient pays tax on that income instead of you.

2 views👍 0

How a cruise can become a tax deductible business expense

shorts

How a cruise can become a tax deductible business expense

Hosting professionals for investment and retirement planning sessions can make a week-long cruise tax deductible.

2 views👍 0

Your tax guy should be asking these questions

shorts

Your tax guy should be asking these questions

A detailed review found $25,000 in missing deductions that saved a construction business owner $12,000.

2 views👍 0

Most business returns I review overpay by $3,000 to $5,000

shorts

Most business returns I review overpay by $3,000 to $5,000

80% of business returns I review have missed deductions worth $3,000 to $5,000 that went straight to the IRS.

1 views👍 0

Augusta rule requirements most people ignore

shorts

Augusta rule requirements most people ignore

You need fair market rent, actual employees attending, and real business conducted to qualify.

2 views👍 0

How a side business can lower your overall tax bill

shorts

How a side business can lower your overall tax bill

Start a business to write off meals, travel, and mileage tax-free, then only pay taxes on the remaining profit.

2 views👍 0

Can you write off your cell phone as a business expense

shorts

Can you write off your cell phone as a business expense

Unlike old landlines, you can generally write off your cell phone for business without splitting personal use.

2 views👍 0

What travel upgrades are deductible on a business cruise

shorts

What travel upgrades are deductible on a business cruise

Shuttle service, upgraded cabins, and first class travel can be deductible when tied to a business conference.

2 views👍 0

Why business deductions aren't cheating the system

shorts

Why business deductions aren't cheating the system

Your deductions shift taxable income to other businesses who then pay taxes or take their own deductions.

2 views👍 0

The IRS knows your income even without a 1099

shorts

The IRS knows your income even without a 1099

Bank deposits reveal unreported income to the IRS, so claim it and use deductions instead of risking penalties.

2 views👍 0

What makes a business trip tax deductible

shorts

What makes a business trip tax deductible

Business trips need a business purpose, and each day must include work hours except weekends between meetings.

2 views👍 0

Which business deductions actually work and which don't

shorts

Which business deductions actually work and which don't

Dinner after work can be deductible, car wraps are deductible but not the car itself, and vacation trips need real business purpose.

2 views👍 0

Do you need to keep boxes of receipts?

shorts

Do you need to keep boxes of receipts?

Use one dedicated bank account and credit card for business expenses instead of keeping paper receipts.

2 views👍 0

What makes a meal a business expense

shorts

What makes a meal a business expense

A business meal must benefit the business, but that doesn't mean it has to be a marketing expense.

2 views👍 0

Actual expenses vs mileage rate for vehicle deductions

shorts

Actual expenses vs mileage rate for vehicle deductions

You can only deduct the business-use percentage of vehicle costs, whether using actual expenses or the mileage rate.

2 views👍 0

Why business deductions feel like half-price purchases

shorts

Why business deductions feel like half-price purchases

Business expenses reduce your taxes, so a $30 purchase effectively costs $20 compared to buying with after-tax W2 income.

2 views👍 0

This landlord's check fraud scheme will catch up to him

shorts

This landlord's check fraud scheme will catch up to him

A landlord is altering checks and forging endorsements to inflate deductions, which is straight-up fraud.

2 views👍 0

How to turn rental property losses into active deductions

shorts

How to turn rental property losses into active deductions

Managing your own rental property can qualify you as a real estate professional, letting you deduct passive losses against regular income.

2 views👍 0

Why W-2 employees have fewer deductions than business owners

shorts

Why W-2 employees have fewer deductions than business owners

W-2 income is taxed at the top, but a side business lets you deduct expenses and save more for retirement before paying tax.

2 views👍 0

Why self-employment gives you more tax deductions than a W-2

shorts

Why self-employment gives you more tax deductions than a W-2

W-2 workers have limited write-offs while business owners can deduct travel, phones, and expenses used to run their lives.

2 views👍 0

Are there deductions for W-2 employees?

shorts

Are there deductions for W-2 employees?

W-2 employees may have deduction options worth reviewing with a tax professional.

2 views👍 0

Why the Augusta rule isn't as easy as people think

shorts

Why the Augusta rule isn't as easy as people think

You need fair rent, employees attending, and actual business conducted to qualify for the Augusta rule.

2 views👍 0

What's the craziest thing people try to deduct

shorts

What's the craziest thing people try to deduct

A question about unusual deductions people have attempted to claim on their taxes.

2 views👍 0

Don't pre-calculate your meal expense deduction at 50%

shorts

Don't pre-calculate your meal expense deduction at 50%

Give your accountant the full meal expense amount because the tax software automatically cuts it in half for you.

2 views👍 0

← Previous1…910111213…16Next →

365 videos in this filter