RealW2 Blog
Practical guides on W2 vs 1099 taxes, contractor rates, benefits, and quarterly payments. Real numbers, no fluff.
How Much More Should I Charge as a 1099 Contractor?
The 25-30% rule explained - and how to calculate your exact break-even rate based on your state, benefits, and expenses.
Read article →The True Cost of Being 1099: What Nobody Tells You
Self-employment tax, no employer benefits, quarterly payments, and cash flow gaps. Here is everything that eats into your contractor income.
Read article →W2 Benefits You Don't Think About (But Should)
Most people only compare salaries. Here are the benefits your employer pays that quietly add thousands of dollars to your real compensation.
Read article →Quarterly Taxes Explained: A Simple Guide for 1099 Workers
When to pay, how much to set aside, safe harbor rules, and how to avoid the IRS underpayment penalty - all in plain language.
Read article →Ready to run your own numbers?
Use the free calculator to compare any W2 offer against a 1099 rate - all 50 states, 2025 tax brackets.
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