Tax Strategy, CFO Insights & NIL Finance for Founders and Athletes

NIL income has no taxes withheld, which means most college athletes earning over $5,000 are required to make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS. Missing these deadlines triggers penalties even if you pay in full at tax time. Here is exactly how quarterly NIL taxes work, when they are due, and how much to set aside.

NIL income is self-employment income. That means college athletes earning from brand deals, collectives, appearances, and social media sponsorships could owe 25 to 40 percent in federal, state, and self-employment taxes. Here is a complete 2026 guide to how NIL deals are taxed, what you can deduct, and how to avoid the most costly mistakes.