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Bookkeeping and tax prep for independent contractors

We organize your books and file your taxes so you can focus on the work

Sato Seed handles monthly bookkeeping, quarterly tax estimates, and annual return preparation for freelancers, sole proprietors, and single-owner online shops. You send us your records each month; we categorize every transaction, calculate what you owe, and prepare your Schedule C and Form 1040 when it's time to file.

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How it works, start to finish

  1. Write to us with your details

    Use the contact form to tell us about your business, your record-keeping system, and when you want to start.

  2. Send your first batch of records

    Upload bank statements, receipts, and invoices for the current month; we confirm what format works best for you.

  3. We categorize and reconcile

    Every transaction gets a category (advertising, software, meals, mileage); we flag anything that needs clarification.

  4. Check your books on a video call

    Schedule a call anytime to walk through the month's entries, ask about a form, or discuss a categorization question.

  5. Receive quarterly estimates and annual forms

    Every quarter we calculate your estimated tax; at year-end we prepare your Schedule C and Form 1040 for your approval and signature.

Who this service is for

  • Freelancers with straightforward receiptsDesigners, developers, writers, and consultants who invoice clients or receive platform payments and want their books organized monthly.
  • Single-owner online shopsSellers with product sales, shipping costs, and payment-processor fees who need clear categorization and quarterly tax estimates.
  • Sole proprietors without employeesIndependent contractors filing Schedule C who handle their own invoicing and want a bookkeeper to track expenses and prepare returns.
  • Anyone tired of April chaosIf you've ever spent the week before the deadline sorting receipts and guessing at categories, monthly bookkeeping eliminates that scramble.

This service is not for businesses with employees (we do not handle payroll), partnerships, S corporations, or anyone needing representation before federal or state tax authorities.

What we do, and what stays with you

We handle the bookkeeping and filing

  • Categorize receipts from invoices, platform deposits, and client payments
  • Track business expenses by category and reconcile them to bank statements
  • Calculate quarterly estimated tax based on your current profit and deductions
  • Prepare Schedule C (business profit and loss) and Form 1040 for annual filing
  • Answer questions about record organization and federal forms during video calls

What remains your responsibility

  • Deciding which expenses to claim and providing receipts and invoices
  • Reviewing and approving the completed return before it is filed
  • Making tax payments to federal and state authorities on the dates we calculate
  • Responding to any federal notices or audits (we do not represent you before tax authorities)
  • Tax-planning decisions, retirement contributions, and entity-structure choices
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Bookkeeping that makes tax season routine

Most freelancers and sole proprietors wait until April to sort through a year of receipts, bank statements, and invoices. By then it's hard to remember which dinner was a client meeting and which software subscription expired in July. Sato Seed solves this by reviewing your records every month while the context is fresh.

We categorize receipts and expenses as they happen, so your books stay current and your quarterly estimates reflect real numbers. When it's time to file your annual return, the Schedule C is already built from twelve months of checked data. You sign off on the completed forms and send them to the tax authority; we never file or represent you directly, so you stay in control of what gets submitted.

  • Monthly categorization keeps your records current and accurate
  • Quarterly estimates help you avoid surprises and underpayment penalties
  • Annual filing becomes a check, not a scramble
Read the tax-prep checklist

How the service works

Monthly record check

You upload bank statements, receipts, and invoices; we categorize every transaction and flag anything unclear.

Quarterly tax estimates

Every three months we calculate your estimated tax liability and tell you how much to pay and when.

Annual Schedule C and 1040 prep

At year-end we prepare your business profit-and-loss statement and personal return, ready for your approval and signature.

Video check-ins

Schedule a video call anytime to check your books, ask about a form, or walk through a categorization question.

One flat monthly rate

You pay the same amount every month regardless of transaction volume, with no setup fees or per-form charges.

Penalty coverage

If a federal penalty results from an error we made in calculation or filing, we pay the penalty amount.

Questions about bookkeeping and tax prep

Honest answers about what we do, what we do not do, and how the service works.

FAQ
What should I expect each month?

You send bank statements, receipts, and invoices by the fifth of the month. We categorize everything, reconcile it to your bank, and send you a profit-and-loss summary by the tenth. Before quarterly deadlines, we also send your estimated tax amount.

Who is this not for?

We work with sole proprietors who have straightforward receipts and expenses. If you have employees, multiple business entities, inventory accounting, or need representation before the tax authority, we are not the right fit.

What is included in the monthly service?

Monthly categorization of receipts and expenses, quarterly estimated tax calculation, annual Schedule C and Form 1040 preparation, and video calls to check your books and answer procedural questions.

What we deliberately leave out

We organize records and prepare forms; some tasks require a licensed professional or stay with you.

  • No tax-planning or strategy adviceWe calculate what you owe based on your receipts and expenses, but we do not advise on deductions, retirement accounts, or entity structure.
  • No federal representationIf you receive a notice, audit letter, or request for additional information, you handle the reply or hire a licensed representative.
  • No payroll for employeesThis service covers sole proprietors; if you have employees, you need payroll software or a service that files employment-tax forms.
  • You approve and file the returnWe prepare the forms and calculate the numbers, but you check, sign, and submit the return to the tax authority; we never file on your behalf.

Service format and pricing

1
One flat monthly rate of $99 with no setup fees or per-transaction charges
Ongoing
Service continues month to month; stop anytime by writing at least five days before the next month
Video
Schedule video calls anytime to check your books or ask about forms and categories

Prices are in US dollars; applicable sales tax, if any, is added to the invoice.

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Ready to stop scrambling in April?

Write to us through the contact form to describe your business and ask any questions. We'll reply within two business days with next steps and a start date.

Get in touch