IRS Penalty Risk Score

Answer 10 quick questions and see how likely the IRS is to flag your freelance return — plus the exact fixes that lower your score fastest.

Weighted by real audit and penalty triggers: missed quarterly payments, weak recordkeeping, unmatched 1099s, aggressive deductions, and prior notices.

0 of 10 answered

1.
How much 1099 / self-employment income do you expect this year?
2.
Do you pay quarterly estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES)?
The IRS charges an ~8% APR underpayment penalty when you owe $1,000+ and skipped quarterly payments.
3.
Did you pay at least 100% (or 110% if AGI > $150k) of last year's tax?
4.
How do you track income and expenses?
5.
If you drive for work, how do you log miles?
Without a contemporaneous log, the IRS can disallow the entire mileage deduction on audit.
6.
How aggressive are your deductions relative to income?
7.
Do you claim a home office deduction?
8.
What percent of your income is cash / untraceable?
9.
Do 1099-K / 1099-NEC totals match what you report?
IRS matches 1099s to Schedule C automatically. Under-reporting is the #1 audit trigger.
10.
Have you missed a filing or gotten an IRS notice in the last 3 years?

IRS Penalty Risk Score

How much 1099 / self-employment income do you expect this year?

Do you pay quarterly estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES)?

Did you pay at least 100% (or 110% if AGI > $150k) of last year's tax?

How do you track income and expenses?

If you drive for work, how do you log miles?

How aggressive are your deductions relative to income?

Do you claim a home office deduction?

What percent of your income is cash / untraceable?

Do 1099-K / 1099-NEC totals match what you report?

Have you missed a filing or gotten an IRS notice in the last 3 years?