A Plain-English Blueprint for Keeping More of the Money You Already Earn

Why This Matters (And Why Most People Never Learn It)

If you work a job, run a side hustle, drive for a gig app, sell online, or participate in any income-producing activity, there is a high likelihood you are structurally overpaying taxes.

Not because you’re careless.

Not because you’re doing anything illegal.

But because you are taxed as an individual instead of as a business.

The U.S. tax system is not neutral. It is intentionally designed to favor people who operate income-producing activities as businesses.

This article explains — step by step — how ordinary people legally position themselves as business owners, how that changes the tax math, and why this alone is often worth $6,000–$12,000+ per year.

No loopholes.

No shady tactics.

Just understanding how the rules actually work.

The One Rule That Changes Everything

Here is the most important rule in the tax system, explained simply:

Employees are taxed on what they earn.

Business owners are taxed on what they keep.

That difference is enormous.

How Employees Are Taxed

  1. Earn income

  2. Taxes are withheld

  3. Pay living expenses with what’s left

How Business Owners Are Taxed

  1. Earn income

  2. Pay business-related expenses

  3. Taxes are calculated on the remaining profit

(That remaining profit is reported on Schedule C of a tax return.)

If you never become a business owner, you never get access to this sequence.

What “Becoming a Business Owner” Actually Means (Plain English)

Becoming a business owner does not mean:

  • Quitting your job

  • Opening a storefront

  • Creating a complicated corporation

It means operating a legitimate, income-producing activity with the intent to make a profit (IRS definition of a trade or business).

Examples include:

  • Affiliate income

  • Online sales

  • Consulting or coaching

  • Gig work

  • Content creation

  • Referral-based businesses

When structured properly, this allows you to deduct ordinary and necessary expenses related to earning that income (IRS terminology).

Through Neogora, members are legally positioned as self-employed business owners / affiliates, giving them access to these tax rights with guidance and structure built in.

Why This Instantly Creates Value

Most people already pay for things that can qualify as partial or full business expenses once they operate as a business owner.

The difference is not spending more money — it’s reclassifying money you already spend.

Let’s walk through the biggest categories.

The Real-Life Expenses Business Owners Commonly Deduct

🚗 Vehicle (Often the Biggest One)

If you drive for anything related to earning income:

  • Meetings

  • Errands

  • Events

  • Content creation

  • Client visits

You may deduct:

  • Mileage or actual vehicle expenses

  • Gas

  • Maintenance

  • Insurance

  • Portion of a vehicle payment (based on business use)

(IRS method: standard mileage rate or actual expense method)

Aggressive but compliant savings range: 👉 $2,500–$4,500 per year

📱 Phone & Internet

If you use your phone or internet for:

  • Business communication

  • Marketing

  • Education

  • Content

  • Admin tasks

A reasonable percentage can be deducted.

(IRS rule: allocation based on business use)

Savings range: 👉 $600–$1,500 per year

🏠 Home Office (Very Common, Very Misunderstood)

If you use a dedicated area of your home regularly for business:

  • A room

  • A section of a room

You may deduct a percentage of:

  • Rent or mortgage interest

  • Utilities

  • Repairs

  • Insurance

(IRS rule: regular and exclusive use test)

Savings range: 👉 $1,500–$3,500 per year

🍽️ Meals & Travel

Business-related:

  • Meals

  • Conferences

  • Training

  • Travel

can be partially deductible when properly documented.

(IRS rule: ordinary and necessary business expenses)

Savings range: 👉 $800–$2,500 per year

💻 Technology, Software & Education

Common examples:

  • Laptop

  • Phone

  • Software subscriptions

  • Online tools

  • Courses

  • Training

(IRS rule: expenses related to maintaining or improving business skills)

Savings range: 👉 $500–$2,000 per year

Real Example: Conservative Household Scenario

Profile:

  • W-2 employee earning $70,000

  • Starts a small affiliate business

  • Already pays the expenses below

Annual Impact:

Category Estimated Savings
Vehicle $3,500
Phone & Internet $1,000
Home Office $2,500
Meals & Travel $1,500
Tech & Education $1,000
Total Estimated Savings $9,500

This is not income manipulation. This is expense optimization.

Why Most People Never Capture This Value

Even though this is legal and common, people fail because:

  • They don’t know what qualifies

  • They’re afraid of doing it wrong

  • They don’t track expenses properly

  • They don’t have guidance

  • They don’t feel protected

This is where most DIY attempts break down.

How Neogora Removes the Friction (Without Making It Complicated)

Neogora is designed to solve the execution problem, not just provide information.

Members get:

  • A legitimate business framework

  • Tools for tracking and categorizing expenses

  • Education on what is reasonable vs aggressive

  • Legal support as a backstop

  • Ongoing structure instead of one-time advice

The goal is confidence, not complexity.

The ROI Math (Aggressive but Realistic)

Let’s be conservative on cost and aggressive on value:

  • Membership cost: ~$1,800 per year

  • Tax savings: $6,000–$12,000+ per year

Net benefit: 👉 $4,200–$10,000+ annually

That does not include:

  • Legal document creation

  • Contract review

  • Identity protection

  • Device security

  • Travel savings

Those stack on top.

Who This Is (And Is Not) For

This is for people who:

  • Earn income

  • Want to keep more of it

  • Are willing to operate legitimately

This is NOT for people who:

  • Want shortcuts

  • Don’t earn income

  • Refuse to document or follow rules

That distinction matters.

Final Takeaway

The tax system already rewards business owners.

Most people simply never step into that role.

When you do — properly, compliantly, and with structure — the financial impact is often immediate and compounding.

You don’t need a new job. You don’t need more income.

You need the right positioning.