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

Your tax preparer should ask about your mileage

shorts

Your tax preparer should ask about your mileage

A rental property owner missed deducting 300 miles of driving because his tax preparer never asked about it.

7 views👍 0

Why starting a side business beats a W-2 for building wealth

shorts

Why starting a side business beats a W-2 for building wealth

Self-employment offers more deductions and retirement options than a regular job, so you keep more of what you earn.

4 views👍 0

TurboTax doesn't catch your mistakes like you think

shorts

TurboTax doesn't catch your mistakes like you think

Tax software only checks that you filled in all the boxes, not whether you entered the right numbers or claimed all your deductions.

2 views👍 0

What I mean when I talk about the tax game

shorts

What I mean when I talk about the tax game

Meet with your tax person in October to plan deductions before year-end, not just hand over numbers in January.

2 views👍 0

Short-term rental loopholes are just normal deductions

shorts

Short-term rental loopholes are just normal deductions

The IRS schedule E lists all rental deductions; paid courses just repackage basic tax code.

3 views👍 0

Why the IRS knows about your 1099 income even if you ignore it

shorts

Why the IRS knows about your 1099 income even if you ignore it

The IRS gets copies of all your 1099s, so ignoring them just means they'll file for you with zero deductions.

2 views👍 0

Why meal deductions won't get you audited

shorts

Why meal deductions won't get you audited

The IRS cares about proving you spent the money, not nitpicking every lunch receipt.

4 views👍 0

What actually counts as a business expense

shorts

What actually counts as a business expense

If you spend money to help your business, it's a business expense—don't fall for clickbait claiming you can fake deductions.

3 views👍 0

Why most tax returns leave money on the table

shorts

Why most tax returns leave money on the table

If your preparer doesn't sit down and discuss your business deductions, you're probably missing them.

3 views👍 0

How wealthy people legally reduce their taxes

shorts

How wealthy people legally reduce their taxes

Rich people stay wealthy by using the tax code to buy depreciable assets and expand their business instead of just paying taxes on profit.

4 views👍 0

How a business cruise could be tax deductible

shorts

How a business cruise could be tax deductible

A cruise with business seminars and professional speakers can qualify as a deductible conference expense.

2 views👍 0

How a business cruise could be tax deductible

shorts

How a business cruise could be tax deductible

Bringing in experts to teach small business topics on a cruise may make the trip a write-off.

2 views👍 0

We're planning a tax education cruise for small business owners

shorts

We're planning a tax education cruise for small business owners

Announcing a cruise featuring investment, retirement, and insurance experts teaching small business owners, with potential write-off benefits.

2 views👍 0

Why skipping business deductions costs you money

shorts

Why skipping business deductions costs you money

Small side jobs might not need deductions, but larger income without expenses means paying unnecessary self-employment and income tax.

5 views👍 0

You can amend your taxes up to three years back

shorts

You can amend your taxes up to three years back

If your gut says your taxes were done wrong, you can go back three years with the IRS to fix them and claim missed deductions.

4 views👍 0

Business conference cruise you can write off

shorts

Business conference cruise you can write off

A tax-deductible business cruise covers learning about taxes, retirement planning, and business topics.

2 views👍 0

W-2 employees don't get many deductions

shorts

W-2 employees don't get many deductions

A side business lets you write off expenses and save more for retirement than a W-2 alone allows.

3 views👍 0

New W-2 boxes for tips and overtime in 2025

shorts

New W-2 boxes for tips and overtime in 2025

New W-2 forms will separate tips and overtime, so double-check your tax software to claim the deduction.

3 views👍 0

How to maximize deductions on a business cruise

shorts

How to maximize deductions on a business cruise

Travel, lodging, and upgrades to reach a business event can all be deductible if you track expenses.

2 views👍 0

When DIY tax software works and when it doesn't

shorts

When DIY tax software works and when it doesn't

W-2 filers can use any software, but business returns have tricky deductions that trigger IRS computers.

3 views👍 0

Deductions your tax preparer probably missed

shorts

Deductions your tax preparer probably missed

Most tax preparers don't review your return for obvious deductions like mileage, internet, phone, and cleaning costs.

3 views👍 0

What counts as a business tax deduction

shorts

What counts as a business tax deduction

Anything reasonable and necessary for your business is deductible if you can prove it with receipts.

2 views👍 0

Home office deduction only covers a percentage of your home

shorts

Home office deduction only covers a percentage of your home

You can only deduct the percentage of your home used as office space, not your entire mortgage or utilities.

3 views👍 0

Rental property deductions you're probably missing

shorts

Rental property deductions you're probably missing

Mileage to your rental property, meals while working on it, and repairs vs capital improvements are commonly overlooked deductions.

3 views👍 0

123…16Next →

365 videos in this filter