Consulting income is clean. The tax math isn't.
TaxClover handles the parts that trip up high-earning consultants: a W-2 spouse, the 110% safe harbor, and a precise four-quarter plan.
Typical consultants: Management · marketing · strategy · IT · operations · independent advisory
Consultants often have the simplest income — a few clients, clean invoices — but the most demanding tax situation: high AGI, a W-2-earning spouse, and the 110%-of-prior-year safe harbor once AGI tops $150K. TaxClover's calculator handles all of it, so your quarterly payment is precise instead of a guess with a buffer.
What consultants write off most
TaxClover suggests an IRS line, and you review it before saving. These are the big ones for your line of work.
Software & professional subscriptions
Project tools, research subscriptions, LinkedIn Premium, and the SaaS stack your practice runs on.
Client travel
Airfare, hotels, and rental cars for on-site client work — fully deductible when the trip is for business.
Co-working & office rent
A co-working membership or leased office is a clean rent deduction.
Conferences & continuing education
Industry conferences, courses, certifications, and professional books that maintain or grow your expertise.
Once your prior-year AGI tops $150,000, the safe harbor jumps from 100% to 110% of last year's tax. Miss that and the IRS charges an underpayment penalty even if you pay in full by April. TaxClover applies the right multiplier automatically.
Everything a consultant needs to stay tax-ready
- A live quarterly estimate — federal, SE, and your state
- Schedule C expense tracking across all 22 IRS lines
- Mileage logging at the 2026 rates — 72.5¢, then 76¢ from July 1
- Receipt scanning that drafts a categorized expense
- 1099-NEC tracking and reconciliation by client
- A year-end bundle ready for your CPA or TurboTax
One plan, free while in beta. TaxClover doesn't file your taxes and isn't a substitute for a CPA — it makes sure you're ready for both.
Consultants tax questions
My spouse has a W-2 job — does that change my estimate?+
Yes. TaxClover folds in spouse W-2 wages and withholding so your quarterly number reflects the actual joint position, not just your consulting profit.
What is the 110% safe harbor?+
Under the general rule, higher-income filers use 110% of last year's total tax for the prior-year safe-harbor target. It normally must be covered through timely withholding or installments, and special rules can apply.
Can TaxClover handle a mid-year income jump?+
Yes — log a new retainer and the projection and quarterly amounts update immediately, so the next payment reflects reality.
The April surprise is a choice. Stop choosing it.
It's free while we're in beta — no credit card. Log a week of income and see your real number. We'll give 30 days' notice before we ever charge.