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.

Most business owners miss their biggest tax savings because they wait until filing season to think about taxes. By then the year is over and the decisions are made. Real tax strategy happens through entity structure, retirement contributions, income timing, and clean books throughout the year, not after the fact.

A tax extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay. For business owners with incomplete books, missing documents, or unfinished tax strategy, filing an extension is often the smarter move. Here is everything you need to know before the April deadline arrives.