The Real Tax Guy.

Videos Live Sessions Work With The Real Tax Guy Log in

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
Work 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 Fundamentals Tax Strategy

Venmo 1099 thresholds are dropping, here's what to know

shorts

Venmo 1099 thresholds are dropping, here's what to know

The reporting threshold drops from $20K to $600 by 2026, but you must still report all income regardless of whether you get a 1099.

33 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.

33 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.

30 views👍 0

Why amended returns shouldn't cost as much as the original

shorts

Why amended returns shouldn't cost as much as the original

A quick correction shouldn't cost you a whole new return fee — ask what the refund is worth before paying to amend.

27 views👍 0

Why self-employed people build wealth faster than W-2 employees

shorts

Why self-employed people build wealth faster than W-2 employees

Self-employed individuals can keep more money by reducing taxes compared to W-2 employees.

31 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.

29 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.

27 views👍 0

How business owners reduce taxable income

shorts

How business owners reduce taxable income

By taking a lower salary and using legitimate business deductions like mileage, meals, and travel, profits get reduced before taxes.

55 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.

28 views👍 0

Why W-2 employees struggle to build wealth vs self-employed

shorts

Why W-2 employees struggle to build wealth vs self-employed

Self-employed individuals have more options to keep money from taxes than W-2 employees do.

33 views👍 0

Why cash payments can backfire in an IRS audit

shorts

Why cash payments can backfire in an IRS audit

If you pay rent or expenses in cash with no bank records, auditors will notice the gap and ask questions.

30 views👍 0

Why I work seven days a week during tax season

shorts

Why I work seven days a week during tax season

Tax professionals should explain what they're doing, not just file returns and hand them back.

27 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.

31 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.

32 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.

30 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.

30 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.

33 views👍 0

Free tax review for small business owners

shorts

Free tax review for small business owners

Send us last year's taxes and we'll review them for free to see if you overpaid.

31 views👍 0

Why cash payments can backfire in an IRS audit

shorts

Why cash payments can backfire in an IRS audit

If you pay rent or expenses in cash with no bank records, an audit will expose the mismatch and create big problems.

34 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.

32 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.

30 views👍 0

How business owners lower taxes with reimbursements

shorts

How business owners lower taxes with reimbursements

By paying yourself a smaller salary and taking legitimate business reimbursements, you reduce taxable profit while keeping more money.

52 views👍 0

Why cash payments can backfire in an IRS audit

shorts

Why cash payments can backfire in an IRS audit

If you pay rent and expenses in cash with no bank records, an audit will raise red flags you can't explain.

34 views👍 0

Why business owners pay less tax than W-2 employees

shorts

Why business owners pay less tax than W-2 employees

W-2 income has limited deductions, but a side business lets you write off more expenses and save more for retirement.

47 views👍 0

← Previous1…1112131415…18Next →

428 videos in this filter